Napoli fans celebrated in orderly manner, police chief says
Napoli fans celebrates after Napoli's Victor Osimhen scored his side's first goal as they watch a screen live broadcasting Udinese Napoli Serie A soccer match, in Naples, Italy, Thursday, May 4, 2023. For the third time in five days, Napoli fans are hoping and preparing to celebrate the Italian league soccer title. Credit: AP/Andrew Medichini
NAPLES, Italy — Napoli fans celebrated in an orderly manner deep into the night following the team’s first Italian soccer league title in more than three decades, police chief Claudio Palomba said Friday.
While there were dozens of fireworks-related injuries, Palomba said that the death of one person following an apparent gunshot wound was not linked to the celebration.
“The organizational plan worked and the authorities maintained order,” Palomba said.
Napoli sealed the title with a 1-1 draw at Udinese in northern Italy on Thursday, matching the league record by clinching with five games to spare.
It’s Napoli’s first championship since Diego Maradona led the club to its first two Serie A titles in 1987 and 1990.
There were also celebrations in numerous other cities throughout Italy, plus New York and other places in the vast Neapolitan diaspora.
Fans were also singing and chanting outside the team’s hotel in Udine.
Napoli fans celebrate after winning the Italian league soccer title, in Naples, Italy, Thursday, May 4, 2023. Napoli won its first Italian soccer league title since the days when Diego Maradona played for the club, sealing the trophy with a 1-1 draw at Udinese on Thursday. Credit: AP/Andrew Medichini
The Napoli squad was due to return to Naples later Friday, and there will no doubt be more celebrations upon the players’ arrival, as well as during the team’s next game against Fiorentina at home on Sunday.
Then there are plans for multiple festivities around the city on June 4 when Napoli receives the Serie A trophy following the final game of the season.
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