Napoli won its first league title since 1990 when Diego Maradona was their star after a 1-1 tie with Udinese. There have been warnings that spontaneous celebrations may last for several days.
A man was shot dead and several others were wounded during Napoli’s first league title in 33 years celebrations.
The 26-year-old man was rushed to a hospital in Naples in critical condition, where he later perished, according to the Italian daily newspaper La Repubblica.
ANSA and other Italian news sites reported that the victim’s relatives vandalised the emergency room where he was taken.
A 26-year-old woman and two 20- and 24-year-old men were hurt but not critically.
Police are investigating the gunshot that occurred in the Piazza Volturno neighborhood of the city, with Naples Prefect Claudio Palomba stating on RAI radio that the incident “had nothing to do with the celebrations.”
More than 200 people were hospitalized overnight for injuries sustained during the celebrations, including knife wounds, burns from firecrackers, and asthma attacks caused by inhaling smoke from pyrotechnics, according to La Stampa.
However, according to Mr. Palomba, only seven persons were injured during the night, some by fireworks.
The 1-1 away stalemate between Napoli and Udinese secured the southern Italian club’s first league championship since 1990 when Diego Maradona led them to two titles in 1986-87 and 1989-90.
Visiting Napoli supporters proudly displayed banners bearing the image of the late Maradona, avidly awaiting the coveted Scudetto.
They hurried onto the pitch following the final siren. The team of Luciano Spalletti needed only one point to win the league championship.
Naples celebrated all night after Udine’s players celebrated in the Stadio Friuli.
To commemorate the momentous occasion, fans flooded the streets waving flags and igniting flares and firecrackers.
“It will be anarchy and anarchy. We won’t sleep, we won’t work,” joked one devotee.
The US consulate issued a security alert last week, warning of “heavy traffic or road closures, significant use of fireworks, and widespread alcohol consumption” throughout the city.
Since I was a child, I’ve been anticipating the Napoli Scudetto, said a teen lady out with her friends.
“It’s a victory for the entire city, it’s wonderful,” she continued.
The city center was decorated with streamers, banners, flags, scarves, and life-size cardboard reproductions of Napoli’s current footballers, including Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen and Georgian winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
The Diego Armando Maradona Stadium’s eight enormous screens were watched by many Napoli fans in Naples.
More than 50,000 people attended, and pyrotechnics were set off at the final whistle.
Additionally, crowds congregated at a Maradona mural in the Quartieri Spagnoli neighborhood.
The draw against Udinese gave Napoli an unassailable 16-point advantage over Lazio with only five games remaining in the season.