Why Lecce vs. Napoli play halted for over 5 minutes by angry fans | OneFootball

The match between Lecce and Napoli was suspended for over five minutes after home fans threw fireworks and hurled insults in protest at the Lega Serie A.

See how the game unfolds on the Liveblog.

This was the first home fixture for the Salentini since the death of beloved physiotherapist Graziano Fiorita last Thursday.

Tributes to Lecce physio

LECCE, ITALY – MAY 03: Head coach of Napoli Antonio Conte during a minute of silence in memory of physiotherapist Graziano Fiorita at Stadio Via del Mare on May 03, 2025 in Italy. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images)

The club was furious at being forced to play against Atalanta just three days after the tragedy, which occurred in the hotel in Bergamo where the squad was preparing the game.

They had staged a formal protest during that match, wearing a white jersey rather than their traditional kit, including a message noting their club colours would not be sullied in a fixture they were forced to play.

Lecce fans hit out at Lega Serie A

LECCE, ITALY – MAY 03: Supporters of Lecce during the Serie A match between Lecce and Napoli at Stadio Via del Mare on May 03, 2025. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images)

The fans reserved their anger for the game at the Stadio Via del Mare this evening, loudly jeering the Lega Serie A anthem before kick-off, then reacting angrily when the referee and his assistants joined the circle for the minute’s silence around the home bench.

Banners read: ‘Lega scum, Lecce is disgusted with you’ and ‘Death is ridiculed, money decides, the rotten football system stinks.’

The protest was really unleashed at the sixth minute when the fans behind Wladimiro Falcone’s goal started throwing dozens of fireworks and flares, forcing the match to be interrupted for over five minutes.

This was also because one of them burned a hole in the back of the net and it had to be repaired.