Bari, Italy, Could 5, 2025 — A violent incident exterior Bari’s Stadio San Nicola has sparked widespread outrage after a father was brutally attacked by a bunch of ultras in entrance of his younger son throughout a Serie B match towards Pisa on Could 4, 2025. The assault, captured on video and shared broadly on-line, occurred when the person tried to re-enter the stadium to retrieve a forgotten backpack, highlighting ongoing issues about fan violence in Italian soccer.
The incident happened following Bari’s 1-1 draw with Pisa, a match already marred by stress. Many Bari ultras had deserted the stands in protest towards membership president Luigi De Laurentiis, leaving the stadium earlier than the sport ended. In keeping with studies from La Gazzetta dello Sport and posts on X, the sufferer, a Bari supporter whose identification has not been disclosed, realized he had left his son’s backpack within the stands. Accompanied by his baby, he sought permission from safety to re-enter the Curva Nord, a piece recognized for its hardcore ultras.
As he approached the stadium entrance, a bunch of ultras confronted him. The state of affairs escalated quickly, with the person reportedly being punched and kicked repeatedly whereas his son, visibly distraught, cried close by. The video, which surfaced on platforms like X, reveals the person on the bottom as a number of assailants assault him, ignoring the kid’s pleas. Witnesses instructed Fanpage that the ultras focused him for trying to re-enter the stadium after their protest, perceiving it as a violation of their boycott.
Bari police have launched an investigation, utilizing the video proof to establish the perpetrators. “That is an unacceptable act of violence, particularly in entrance of a kid,” a police spokesperson instructed Il Corriere del Mezzogiorno. Authorities are reviewing CCTV footage and anticipate arrests quickly, given the clear imagery of the attackers. The membership issued a press release condemning the incident, promising full cooperation with regulation enforcement and vowing to ban these accountable from the stadium.
Public response has been fierce, with X posts reflecting disgust and requires justice. One consumer, @senia65, wrote, “Calling them animals is an insult to animals… Maledette merde,” whereas @PasPier1 condemned ultras tradition, stating, “That is why I detest ultras and all the pieces they characterize!” Others demanded lifetime bans and jail time, citing the trauma inflicted on the kid. The hashtag #Bari started trending in Italy, amplifying the story.
The assault reignites debates about ultras in Italian soccer, the place fan teams wield vital affect however are sometimes linked to violence. Bari, a membership with a passionate fanbase, has confronted comparable incidents prior to now, together with clashes throughout its 2022-23 Serie B marketing campaign. The ultras’ protest towards De Laurentiis, rooted in dissatisfaction with the membership’s administration and failure to safe Serie A promotion, has fueled a risky ambiance.
Italian soccer authorities, together with the FIGC and Serie B, are beneath strain to behave. Proposals for stricter stadium bans (DASPO) and enhanced safety measures are gaining traction, although critics argue these fail to deal with the foundation causes of ultras-related violence. The incident additionally attracts parallels to a 2015 case in Portugal, the place a fan was crushed by police in entrance of his kids at a Benfica match, sparking nationwide outrage.
Because the investigation continues, the sufferer is reportedly recovering from minor accidents, although the psychological influence on him and his son stays a priority. The Bari neighborhood, recognized for its delight within the Galletti, now faces a reckoning over the right way to stability ardour for soccer with stopping such mindless acts.
For updates on the investigation, observe La Gazzetta dello Sport or examine X for real-time sentiment.
