Barely 24 hours before Chelsea's crucial Champions League clash against Napoli, two fans have been hospitalised in southern Italy
Patrick Austen-Hardy Senior Sports Journalist
07:48, 28 Jan 2026Updated 07:51, 28 Jan 2026
A fan of Chelsea waves a flag ahead the UEFA Conference League final football match between Real Betis and Chelsea FC in Wroclaw on May 28, 2025
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Chelsea have issued a statement to their supporters (Image: AFP or licensors)
Chelsea have urged fans to be cautious after two Blues supporters were hospitalised in Naples.
The worrying incident took place on the eve of the west Londoners' crucial Champions League clash away to Napoli at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. Before the match, Chelsea also issued a warning to fans about potential attacks on away crowds in the southern Italian city.
There is yet to be any official confirmation as to what exactly has happened to the supporters. The club urged supporters to be aware of their surroundings before the match and to show "extreme caution."
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On social media, the club wrote: "The club is aware of an incident that took place on Tuesday evening in Naples. Two fans are being treated in hospital, having sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
"The club would like to remind all supporters to exercise extreme caution whilst in the city and take note of the advice shared ahead of this fixture."
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The club did not provide any details about the circumstances leading to why the fans were hospitalised. However, they did warn about the potential for attacks against supporters in the days leading up to the match.
Fans were also warned not to wear any clothes which identified them as a Chelsea supporter while in the city before the match. There is also yet to be a statement from police forces in the city regarding the incident.
This photo obtained from Italian news agency Ansa shows a police car (Front) burn as Eintracht Frankfurt fans (not in picture) clash with police on March 15, 2023 in downtown Naples prior to the UEFA Champions League round of 16, second leg football match between SSC Napoli and Eintracht Frankfurt to be played at the Diego-Maradona stadium in Naples. - Eintracht Frankfurt fans clashed with police on March 15 after arriving in Naples despite not having tickets for their team's Champions League decider with Napoli.
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There were violent scenes when Eintracht Frankfurt supporters and Napoli fans were faced with each other in 2023(Image: Photo by CIRO FUSCO/ANSA/AFP via Getty Images)
In October, there were scenes of violence in Naples ahead of Napoli's home clash against Sporting Lisbon. Supporters from both teams brawled in the streets with multiple missiles like chairs, glass bottles and chains being thrown at each other.
It was reported by Italian media six Napoli supporters were arrested and a Sporting fan was taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries. There were also scenes of chaos in 2023 when Napoli hosted Eintracht Frankfurt.
There were confrontations between both sets of fans after supporters of the Bundesliga side were seen fighting with police and setting cars alight. The chaos provoked Napoli supporters into responding, with reports of busses carrying Frankfurt fans being attacked by so-called Napoli ultras in the street.
Liam Rosenior is the coach of Chelsea during a press conference ahead of the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD8 match at Stadio Maradona in Naples, Italy, on January 27, 2026
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Rosenior had many messages for his players and Chelsea fans(Image: Ciro De Luca/NurPhoto)
The match between Napoli and Chelsea has an awful lot on the line for both teams. Liam Rosenior's side need a victory, and perhaps plenty of goals, to guarantee a place in the top eight for themselves.
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Meanwhile Napoli need three points to ensure they can reach the play-off stage. The match will also see Antonio Conte reunite with Chelsea in the Champions League for the first time.
He won Serie A with the Neapolitans last season, but has been struggling to amass momentum in the Champions League, winning two, drawing two and losing three of their matches. Meanwhile, Rosenior has had to deny reports Cole Palmer has become unsettled at Stamford Bridge, insisting there is no truth to any claims the midfielder is looking for a move out of the club.
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