During Fiorentina’s Europa Conference League last-16 second-leg game against Sivasspor, midfielder Alessandro Bianco was left with a broken nose after an altercation with a pitch invader. The Italian side had travelled to Turkey with a 1-0 aggregate lead and secured a 4-1 victory, comfortably seeing them through to the quarter-final stage. However, the match was marred by a pitch invasion from members of the home support.
After Gaetano Castrovilli netted La Viola’s fourth in the 89th minute, two Sivasspor supporters entered the pitch, holding up the resumption of the game. While circling the area where Fiorentina players were finishing up their goal celebration, one of the supporters approached Bianco and punched him in the face. The 20-year-old was left with bleeding from his nose and mouth and exited the pitch immediately after the final whistle.
Following the win, Fiorentina boss Vincenzo Montella told Sky Italia that Bianco had suffered a broken nose in the incident. He expressed his disappointment, saying: “Bianco being punched is just shameful, he didn’t even see the guy coming and now he has a broken nose. It seemed like a celebration, the crowd was pushing their team forward and this gesture ruins everything, despite it being a victory for us.”
Bianco himself took to Instagram to show off his battle wound. He posed a picture of his blooded face alongside the caption: “Not bad”. According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Fiorentina general manager Joe Barone has contacted both UEFA and the ECA to ask for clarity in their upcoming investigations. The fan in question has reportedly been arrested and will be prosecuted in due course with Bianco said to have taken legal action against the fan.
The incident highlights the ongoing issue of fan violence in football. While it is not uncommon for fans to invade the pitch to celebrate a victory, it is unacceptable for players to be subjected to violence. The incident also raises questions about stadium security and whether enough is being done to prevent such incidents from occurring.
UEFA has been taking steps to address fan violence in recent years, including implementing stricter sanctions for clubs whose fans engage in violent behaviour. However, more needs to be done to ensure the safety of players and fans alike. Stadiums should have adequate security measures in place, including CCTV cameras and trained security personnel. Clubs should also take responsibility for the behaviour of their fans and work to promote a culture of respect and sportsmanship.
In addition, fans themselves need to take responsibility for their actions. While passion and enthusiasm are an important part of football culture, violence has no place in the sport. Fans should be encouraged to support their teams in a positive and respectful manner, without resorting to violence or aggression.
The incident involving Bianco serves as a reminder that football is more than just a game – it is a community that brings people together from all walks of life. It is up to everyone involved in the sport – players, clubs, fans, and governing bodies – to work together to ensure that football remains a safe and enjoyable experience for all.