Incident Mars Serie A Clash
A Serie A match between Cremonese and Inter Milan on Sunday, February 1, 2026, was marred by a firecracker incident that led to the temporary suspension of play and the subsequent arrest of a 19-year-old Inter fan. The pyrotechnic device exploded near Cremonese goalkeeper Emil Audero at the Stadio Giovanni Zini in Cremona, Italy.
The incident occurred in the 49th or 59th minute of the match, with the firecracker detonating just steps away from Audero in the penalty area. The force of the explosion caused the goalkeeper to fall to the ground, visibly shaken. Medical staff attended to Audero, who, despite suffering minor injuries including a small cut and burn mark on his knee, ear pain, and a stiff back, was able to continue playing. Inter players and coach Cristian Chivu reportedly attempted to calm their supporters following the event.
Arrest and Legal Consequences
The 19-year-old Inter fan, identified as a member of the 'Viking' ultras group, was arrested by the Digos (Italian National Police). The arrest was made on a deferred flagrante delicto warrant, issued by Milan's on-duty prosecutor Francesco Cajani. The individual is currently being held in San Vittore prison.
In a separate but related incident during the same match, another fan reportedly lost two to three fingers when a different pyrotechnic device exploded in their hand within the stands. This individual was hospitalized and is expected to be arrested upon release.
Club Sanctions and Official Reactions
The incident has resulted in significant repercussions for Inter Milan. The club was fined €50,000 by the Sports Judge. Furthermore, the Italian Interior Minister has imposed a travel ban on Inter fans for three upcoming away Serie A matches: against Sassuolo, Lecce, and Fiorentina. This ban is effective until March 23, 2026, and also prohibits residents of Lombardy from purchasing tickets for these fixtures. The Milan derby scheduled for March 8, 2026, is exempt from this measure, as no fan travel outside the city is required.
Inter president Giuseppe Marotta condemned the act, calling it 'senseless and profoundly unsportsmanlike'. Audero himself commented on the event, stating, 'I'm fine, but it's all very hard to digest. Now it's even worse because my ear hurts and my back is stiff too. In the coming days, I'll get some tests to see if there's any problem, but well… let's just say it could have gone even worse.'
Match Outcome
Despite the disruption, Inter Milan secured a 2-0 victory over Cremonese. Goals were scored by Lautaro Martinez and Piotr Zielinski in the first half. The win extended Inter's lead at the top of the Serie A table.
5 Comments
Raphael
Good! Lock him up. These hooligans ruin the game for everyone.
Donatello
It's absolutely unacceptable that a player was endangered by a firecracker, and strong action against the individual is warranted. However, a blanket travel ban unfairly impacts many innocent supporters who just want to cheer on their team.
Raphael
A travel ban for all fans? Punishing thousands for one idiot's mistake is unfair.
Donatello
€50,000 fine for the club? That's excessive when they already condemned it.
Raphael
While the club must take responsibility for its fan base, the financial penalty and fan ban seem quite severe for an incident caused by a single individual. It's a tough balance between ensuring safety and not alienating loyal supporters.