Shocking moment hooligans smack riot police with bats as eight arrested and nine rushed to hospital in ugly brawls
HOOLIGANS attacked riot police with bats during ugly scenes in Italy on Wednesday night.Officers arrested eight fans as violent clashes marred the Derby della Lanterna between Genoa and Sampdoria.Hooligans smacked a police riot van with bats during ugly brawls in ItalyCredit: X formerly Twitter / @thecasualultraFans clashed before and after the Coppa Italia match between Genoa and SampdoriaCredit: X formerly Twitter / @hooliganscz1999Violent scenes saw fireworks and bottles thrown by fans on a bridgeCredit: X formerly Twitter / @hooliganscz1999The city rivals met for the first time in two years in the second round of the Coppa Italia at their shared home, the Stadio Luigi Ferraris.Off the field, though, violence erupted between supporters of each club both ahead of the match and into the night.Footage shared on social media shows hooligans walking the streets holding bats before fireworks and bottles were thrown on a bridge.Fans also clashed with riot police, including in a clip which showed a police van being attacked with bats.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBy Thursday morning, eight arrests had been made with at least nine people rushed to hospital.However, this figure later rose to 40 including 26 injured police officers being treated.According to Calciomercato, the violence broke out after Genoa fans unveiled banners stolen from Sampdoria ultras in recent months.Riot police were then called in at full-time to control the clashes, with violent scenes continuing until around 2.30am in the city.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSIt had been the bitter city rivals’ first meeting since April 2022 due to Sampdoria’s relegation from Serie A.The Serie B side claimed victory on penalties in Wednesday’s meeting, though, following a 1-1 draw.Conference League clash suspended as police evacuate entire away stand after shameful scenesFootage of the ugly scenes were shared on social media ahead of Wednesday’s matchCredit: X formerly Twitter / @hooliganscz1999Riot police were called in to control the disorder in the city of GenoaCredit: X formerly Twitter / @hooliganscz1999Former Sunderland man Fabio Borini equalised with seven minutes remaining before team-mate Simone Romagnoli was sent off in stoppage time.Sampdoria will now travel to face Roma in the last 16 of the Coppa Italia in December.Police have made eight arrests whilst 40 people have been injured including 26 officersCredit: X formerly Twitter / @hooliganscz1999The violent clashes continued until around 2.30am local timeCredit: X formerly Twitter / @thecasualultraFans clashed before and after the Coppa Italia clash between the two city rivalsCredit: GettySampdoria beat Genoa on penalties to reach the last 16 after a 1-1 drawCredit: Getty More