Controversial decision
Eintracht fans probably go to Italy despite the ban – there is a risk of riots
November 3rd, 2025 – 7:05 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
Away fans are excluded from Eintracht Frankfurt’s game in Naples. The decision causes incomprehension – some supporters may resist.
Sports director Markus Krösche finds the reasons “ridiculous”, Dario Minden, head of the Eintracht fan department, simply describes the renewed exclusion of Frankfurt fans from the game at SSC Napoli as a “scandal”. Nevertheless, more than 800 security forces are said to be on duty in the southern Italian city, and the Champions League duel on Tuesday will take place under the highest level of security. Because the inglorious past off the pitch is catching up with this constellation between Naples and Eintracht.
The fans of both teams caused disturbing images in the city on Vesuvius about two and a half years ago at the last meeting in the premier class. They fought wild street battles, set cars on fire and attacked the police. Although away fans were not allowed – or maybe because of that?
Dario Minden is convinced that without this decision there would not have been such violent riots in March 2023 and therefore no further exclusion. “When there are reprisals, the authorities always stand up afterwards and say: Yes, look how important it is that we carried out the reprisals, otherwise everything would have turned out much worse. The fact that the reprisals were the impetus in the first place is not seen,” he said.
Minden does not believe that the scenario will be repeated – despite similar signs. “I think it is extremely unrealistic that so many Eintracht fans are traveling to Naples again. And we advise everyone not to stay there due to the security situation. Naples is not safe for Eintracht fans these days.” Naples is a “hot place,” Minden added.
However, it is completely unclear whether fans actually follow this advice. As the “Bild” newspaper reports, around 500 Frankfurt fans are supposed to make their way to Naples to defend themselves against the fan ban. Accordingly, the trailers are already on their way to Heidenheim to continue their journey from there.
Increased controls for citizens from Germany were planned at the borders as well as at airports and train stations in order to prevent Eintracht fans from entering Naples. The Schengen regulation on freedom of movement is suspended for two days. The guest area in the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona will be occupied by school classes and young footballers on Tuesday (6.45 p.m. in the live ticker on t-online) – as a “gesture of safety and sportsmanship,” as the Italians say.
Eintracht tried everything to prevent a game without guest supporters. The club had submitted a request to move the game to a neutral venue. But the European Football Union Uefa rejected this. The responsible prefecture in Italy had previously banned the sale of tickets to fans living in Frankfurt.