Inter Milan president Giacinto Facchetti on Sunday condemned the group of fans who attacked several of the club’s players at Milan’s Malpensa airport.
In the early hours of Sunday morning, around 100 Inter supporters, still angry about their team’s exit from the Champions League on Tuesday, were waiting for the squad as they got off their flight from Ascoli, where they had won 2-1 on Saturday evening.
Several Inter players were set upon and midfielder Cristiano Zanetti was struck on the back of the head.
”We cannot accept it when disappointment degenerates into violence,” Facchetti said.
”What happened at Malpensa airport when the team returned from Ascoli is unacceptable. Violence is unacceptable for those who declare themselves as Inter fans.”
As a gesture of solidarity for their city rivals, AC Milan delayed the kick-off of their match against Chievo on Sunday by 10 minutes. The decision was taken by AC Milan’s vice-president Adriano Galliani, who is also the president of the Italian football league.
Facchetti was appreciative of AC Milan’s show of support.
”On behalf of the club and the team I want to thank Milan and their players for the solidarity shown towards Inter after what happened at Malpensa,” he said.
”If we all want to restore to football the true values of the sport, we must remember that rivalry never obscures reciprocal respect.”
Galliani said the AC Milan players persuaded him to make the gesture.
”A request was made by our players. Alessandro Costacurta led the way,” he said.
”Chievo president Campedelli agreed with us and accepted the decision.”
The Italian Cup is Inter’s only realistic hope of landing a trophy this season.
The last time they won the Serie A title was back in 1989 and they were last crowned European champions in 1965. – Sapa-AFP