Clashes between Genoa and Sampdoria ultras break out ahead of Coppa Italia derby – video

Clashes broke out between Genoa and Sampdoria ultras near the Stadio Luigi Ferraris on Wednesday ahead of a Coppa Italia derby.

As reported by Rai News, clashes started around lunchtime and involved about a hundred ultras that lit up flares and threw bottles and road signs at each other, forcing law enforcement to intervene to separate them.

After about one hour, the situation returned to normal, but local retailers were forced to close their shops out of safety.

Genoa and Sampdoria played their last derby in 2022, but tensions between the two fanbases had already escalated since last May, when a Rossoblu fan was stabbed by an opposite supporter during a riot.

Further provocations followed, as some Genoa fans responded by breaking into an empty Sampdoria ultras’ hub to steal some flags.

Sky Sport Italia reports that police and local authorities have announced that the game will go ahead as planned, as there were rumours that it could have been played behind closed doors or even postponed.