A 26-year-old Atalanta fan was stabbed to death during violent clashes with Inter Milan supporters in Bergamo, northern Italy, authorities confirmed on Sunday. The incident marks another dark chapter in the ongoing problem of football-related violence in Italy.
According to Carabinieri police, the altercation began on Saturday night at a pub in Bergamo when tensions flared after an Inter fan reportedly made a provocative chant. The confrontation escalated onto a nearby street close to the Gewiss Stadium, where the Atalanta supporter was fatally stabbed.
Despite the rapid arrival of emergency services, the victim succumbed to his injuries. A teenager has been arrested in connection with the stabbing. The suspect claimed he acted to defend his brother, according to Carmelo Beringheli, head of the Carabinieri in Bergamo.
The tragic death comes just weeks after 13 police officers were injured in violent clashes involving AS Roma and Lazio supporters before the Rome derby, highlighting the persistence of hooliganism in Italian football.
In tribute to the slain supporter, Atalanta fans displayed a banner during the team’s 4-0 Serie A victory against Monza on Sunday. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini expressed his sorrow in a post-match press conference, stating: “What happened to our fan must never happen again.” The club has not yet released an official statement regarding the incident.
This is not the first time fan violence has made headlines in Italy. In 2023, a Paris Saint-Germain supporter was seriously injured in clashes before a Champions League match against AC Milan. That same year, a 58-year-old Newcastle United fan was stabbed in Milan ahead of another Champions League fixture.
As investigations continue, the Italian football community is once again forced to confront the dangers of escalating supporter violence.
