Injuries after Football 'Ultras' Ambush Rivals' Train in Italy

Udinese's Lorenzo Lucca celebrates after scoring a goal during the Italian soccer Serie A match between Udinese Calcio and Venezia FC at the Bluenergy stadium in Udine, Italy, 01 February 2025. (EPA)
Udinese's Lorenzo Lucca celebrates after scoring a goal during the Italian soccer Serie A match between Udinese Calcio and Venezia FC at the Bluenergy stadium in Udine, Italy, 01 February 2025. (EPA)
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Injuries after Football 'Ultras' Ambush Rivals' Train in Italy

Udinese's Lorenzo Lucca celebrates after scoring a goal during the Italian soccer Serie A match between Udinese Calcio and Venezia FC at the Bluenergy stadium in Udine, Italy, 01 February 2025. (EPA)
Udinese's Lorenzo Lucca celebrates after scoring a goal during the Italian soccer Serie A match between Udinese Calcio and Venezia FC at the Bluenergy stadium in Udine, Italy, 01 February 2025. (EPA)

Hard-core Udinese fans stopped a train carrying rivals from Venice on Saturday in an ambush that caused several injuries after a match between the two Italian clubs, reports said Sunday.

The AGI news agency reported that six people were injured and 11 arrested after the Saturday evening clashes near Basiliano station, not far from Udine, while La Gazetta dello Sport daily put the injured at 11, with eight arrests.

Udine police were unable to confirm any details when contacted by AFP.

According the reports, around 50 masked Udinese "ultras" went onto the track and launched smoke bombs to stop the train carrying Venice supporters back home after the Serie A match, which Udinese won 3-2.

They threw stones at the train, carrying 300 Venezia supporters as well as other passengers, and then hit rivals who descended onto the platform with sticks and batons.

Police intervened, including with a helicopter, and quickly put an end to the fighting.

Among the injured, two were hospitalized, but they are not in a life-threatening condition, the reports said.

The match had been highlighted as high risk after violence erupted when the teams met in Venice on October 30, when Udinese fans were attacked near the train station before they returned home.

According to the Italian press, the Udinese hooligans this weekend were backed by ultras from the Austrian club Salzburg, with whom they have links.



Spurs Midfielder Maddison Silences Critics with Winner Against Man United 

Football - Premier League - Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain - February 16, 2025 Tottenham Hotspur's James Maddison celebrates scoring their first goal. (Action Images via Reuters)
Football - Premier League - Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain - February 16, 2025 Tottenham Hotspur's James Maddison celebrates scoring their first goal. (Action Images via Reuters)
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Spurs Midfielder Maddison Silences Critics with Winner Against Man United 

Football - Premier League - Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain - February 16, 2025 Tottenham Hotspur's James Maddison celebrates scoring their first goal. (Action Images via Reuters)
Football - Premier League - Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain - February 16, 2025 Tottenham Hotspur's James Maddison celebrates scoring their first goal. (Action Images via Reuters)

James Maddison delivered the perfect riposte to his doubters by scoring the winning goal against Manchester United after the Tottenham Hotspur midfielder had come in for some stinging criticism in the lead-up to Sunday's Premier League match.

Making his first start since suffering a calf injury in December, Maddison tapped in a rebound from close range to give his side a 1-0 win in London, celebrating his goal with a shushing gesture.

Earlier in the week, former Manchester United captain Roy Keane had said anyone who thought Maddison's return to the side would help Spurs break into the top six was living in "cuckoo land."

"He got relegated with Leicester and he'll get relegated with Spurs," Keane said on "The Overlap" podcast.

"There was a little bit of outside noise this week," Maddison, who joined Spurs from Leicester City in 2023, told Sky Sports.

"People will have their opinions, but I wanted to do my talking on the pitch. I hope there is a certain few that enjoyed me being the match-winner today.

"Nobody is more critical of myself than me," he added.

"To be fair to the gaffer, he always talks about blocking out the outside noise, but sometimes it's difficult, you know. It's constantly in your face, social media and WhatsApp."

Despite the win Spurs remain in the bottom half of the table, sitting in 12th spot on 30 points after 25 games. They visit Ipswich Town on Saturday.