Napoli face UEFA sanction after banners cover ad boards
Around a thousand Napoli ultras were stopped at the Maradona turnstiles before the Arsenal game, and the compromise reached over their display has left the club facing European disciplinary action.
Around a thousand ultras were stopped at the Maradona turnstiles before kick-off in Napoli's Champions League game against Arsenal. The choreography prepared for the night included banners and flags that failed the checks. A compromise was reached and some banners went up in their usual spots — but they ended up covering UEFA's advertising boards, which allow no exceptions on European nights: the federation's boards must stay fully visible throughout. Napoli will now have to answer to the European governing body over it.
The tension spilled into the Curva regardless. Chants against president Aurelio De Laurentiis ran for much of the first half, in an atmosphere that was already heated before kick-off. The match made things worse: Martin Odegaard's goal in the 75th minute gave Arsenal a 0-1 win, and head coach Massimiliano Allegri was left discussing a third straight defeat.
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On top of the protest and the result, Napoli now wait to learn the size of the UEFA sanction. The Serie A season resumes on Sunday 13 September at the Maradona against Bologna.
Source: Spazio Napoli
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