Italian Police to send home 54 Ajax fans ahead of Juventus clash for carrying weapons
By Associated Press
Last Updated: 15/04/19 9:11pm
Italian police stopped 54 weapon-carrying Ajax supporters on the eve of Tuesday's Champions League match against Juventus and will escort them out of the country on Wednesday.
The fans were stopped aboard buses on the outskirts of Turin on Monday.
Police are on high alert following clashes between Ajax and Juventus supporters ahead of the first leg of the quarter-finals in Amsterdam last week, when water cannons were used by the authorities and over 130 fans were arrested.
0:47 Turin police say the fans aboard the buses were also found in possession of armored gloves, mouth guards and various types of fireworks and smoke bombs.
"We're fighting against every type of violence inside and outside stadiums," Ministry of the Interior Matteo Salvini tweeted.
"Certain delinquents should never step foot in a football ground again!"
Salvini added that the fans who were not arrested will be led away to the border, according to a security decree.
The first leg, which ended 1-1, also included a fan jumping over the barriers and approaching Cristiano Ronaldo when the Juventus striker scored. UEFA is investigating the incident and Ajax face disciplinary charges after supporters threw objects during the game.
More than 2,000 Ajax supporters are expected to attend Tuesday's match at the Allianz Stadium.
