Football fans clash before Italian Cup final

Violent clashes near Rome’s Olympic Stadium delayed the start of the Italian Cup final between Napoli and Fiorentina.

Rival fans threw firecrackers and other objects at each other ahead of the game, which had to be delayed by 45 minutes.

Three Napoli fans were taken to hospital after being shot in another incident, one in a critical condition after being hit in the chest. Police say the three shootings don’t appear to be linked to the clashes near the stadium.

“I’m not surprised at all. I don’t understand why other people are shocked. It is to be expected. We are in Italy.”

In protest to the violence outside, a large number of Napoli supporters chose to watch the match in almost complete silence. Their side eventually went on to beat Fiorentina 3:1 to win the cup for the fifth time.

Difficult words: clash (fight).