Three Reds fans were stabbed and three more were injured as trouble flared ahead of Liverpool FC’s clash with Napoli.
A group of men aged 27, 44 and 53 were attacked at knifepoint in the old part of the city last night after supporters were met with a hostile reception whipped up by the Italian press.
The 27-year-old and 53-year-old were today in hospital but their condition was not thought to be life-threatening.
In a second incident, a woman and two men were targeted, but not seriously hurt.
The attacks came after an article printed in the newspaper Il Mattino Napoli branded Liverpool fans as hooligans.
A report yesterday had the headline: “Naples, the arrival of Liverpool and hooligans. Police: Stop sales of alcohol.”
The report read: “Naples will host Liverpool in Thursday night’s Europa League, and the city expects around 1,000 hooligans from one of the most violent fringes of English football supporters.
“In a red letter day for security in the city, extraordinary security measures are to be put in place.
“No beer, alcohol or other spirits will be on sale in bars and shops in the run-up to the game.”
A foreign office spokesperson said: “We can confirm the hospitalization of two British nationals in Naples, Italy, on October 20. We are providing consular assistance.”
Merseyside police’s contingent commander Chief Superintendent Dave Lewis, in the historic city as a liaison officer, said the attack was thought to be a random incident.
But online fans reported gangs of up to 30 Italians, some on scooters, targeting Reds supporters.
Others gave accounts of Italian police escorts for fans to their hotels.
Reports from local police also suggested Italian authorities had dealt with two incidents in which bottles were launched at Liverpool fans.
A Merseyside police spokesperson said the force would work with the Italian police to advise fans if they were at risk.
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