Serious disorder broke out before the Turin derby between Torino FC and Juventus F.C. after violent clashes erupted outside the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino involving ultras and police.
Tension escalated in the area surrounding the away section designated for Juventus supporters, with reports in Italy stating that bottles and stones were thrown towards police officers before authorities responded with tear gas in an attempt to restore order.
Several supporters from both clubs were reportedly stopped by police and military officers as chaos unfolded outside the stadium.
The most serious incident involved a 45-year-old Juventus supporter who was rushed to the hospital in red code with a serious head injury. Initial reports from Italy indicate that the supporter suffered cranial trauma and was first taken to Mauriziano Hospital before later being transferred to CTO Hospital for further treatment.
According to emerging reports, the injured supporter is not believed to be in life threatening condition, although investigations remain ongoing to determine exactly what struck him during the clashes.
The incident sparked outrage among Juventus ultras, who refused to enter the stadium in protest against the actions of the police. Supporters already inside the away sector entered without flags or banners and subsequently called the Juventus players beneath the curva shortly before kick off.
Representatives of the organised fan groups reportedly spoke directly with Juventus captain Manuel Locatelli, urging the team not to play the match following the events outside the stadium.
Juventus general manager Damien Comolli later addressed the situation publicly, expressing concern regarding the condition of the injured supporter.
“We are very worried and saddened by what happened outside the stadium,” Comolli stated.
“There is one of our supporters in the hospital in serious condition in red code. The ultras are unhappy with what happened and asked us not to take to the field. The match will be played, and afterwards I will visit the injured supporter in the hospital.”
As tensions continued to rise, both teams remained inside their dressing rooms at 20:45 local time, causing a delay to the fixture and disrupting the scheduled simultaneous kick-offs across Serie A. While the other league matches started as planned, uncertainty surrounded whether the Turin derby would proceed on time.
The dramatic scenes have once again raised serious concerns regarding supporter violence and stadium security in Italian football, with authorities now expected to launch a full investigation into the incidents that overshadowed one of Serie A’s biggest fixtures.
