A tragic incident unfolded in the northern Italian city of Bergamo over the weekend as a 26-year-old Atalanta supporter was fatally stabbed during violent clashes with fans of Inter Milan, Italian authorities confirmed on Sunday.
The altercation began late Saturday night inside a local pub in Bergamo, where tensions flared following provocative chants from an Inter supporter, according to Carmelo Beringheli, head of the Carabinieri police office in the city.
What started as a verbal confrontation escalated quickly as the groups took their dispute to a street near Atalanta’s home stadium.
In the ensuing chaos, the Atalanta fan was stabbed by an Inter supporter. Emergency services responded swiftly, but despite their efforts, the young man succumbed to his injuries.
A teenage suspect, believed to be in his late teens, was arrested in connection with the attack. The boy told police that he acted in defense of his brother during the brawl, Beringheli added.
The incident sent shockwaves through the football community and reignited concerns over escalating fan violence in Italy. In a tribute to the deceased, Atalanta fans displayed a banner during their team’s 4-0 Serie A victory over Monza on Sunday. The moving gesture was a show of unity and mourning from the club’s devoted supporters.
Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini expressed deep sorrow in a post-match press conference, stating, “What happened to our fan must never happen again.” The club, however, has not released an official statement as of now.
This tragic event follows a series of violent episodes in Italian football. Just last month, 13 police officers were injured during riots involving AS Roma and Lazio fans ahead of the Rome derby. In 2023, a Paris Saint-Germain fan was seriously injured in Milan during clashes with AC Milan supporters, and a Newcastle United fan was hospitalized after being stabbed by hooded assailants in Milan, highlighting a disturbing trend of football-related violence in the country.
The Carabinieri have launched a full-scale investigation into the Bergamo incident, promising to bring all those involved to justice. Authorities are also calling for stricter security measures at high-profile matches to curb hooliganism and ensure the safety of fans.
This heartbreaking event serves as yet another grim reminder of the need for greater enforcement, awareness, and dialogue to prevent senseless loss of life due to football rivalries.
