Eintracht Frankfurt fans banned from travelling to Italy for Napoli clash

Eintracht Frankfurt fans will not be allowed to travel to Naples to watch their side take on Napoli in their Champions League round of 16 clash.

The Italian Ministry of Interior issued an injunction against the Partenopei, prohibiting them from selling tickets to Frankfurt supporters for the second leg.

The ministry did not give any reasons for the ban, but the belief is that they will justify the injunction on the grounds of public policy.

Before the first leg on February 21, a scuffle ensued between the two sets of fans, leaving three people injured.

A statement from the German club read: “Eintracht Frankfurt was informed late last night by UEFA that the Italian Ministry of the Interior is this morning going to issue an injunction against SSC Napoli, whereby the club is prohibited from selling tickets to Eintracht Frankfurt supporters for the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg on Wednesday, March 15 (kick-off 21:00 CET).

“This would also include the total away allocation of 2,700 tickets, of which 2,400 are in the away section, which Eintracht Frankfurt is entitled to under UEFA regulations.

“As soon as the specific details of the injunction are available, Eintracht Frankfurt will comment further on this development.”

It is not the first time opposition fans have been banned from the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium for a Champions League game.

Rangers fans did not travel to Italy for their opening stage encounter last year, but Napoli did not go to Scotland either.

Napoli and Frankfurt will face off for a place in the quarter-finals of the Champions League. The Italian club have a 2-0 lead heading into the game.

Victor Osimhen and Giovanni Di Lorenzo scored to give the Serie A table-toppers the advantage after the first leg.

Randal Kolo Muani tried to change the game but received a red card for his over-exuberance. The French international will miss the reverse fixture.