Crotone fans break own player's cheekbone in shocking beach attack with three other squad members also targeted

Crotone supporters clashed with players after the team suffered a disappointing 2-1 defeat to bottom side Brindisi on Sunday at the Stadio Ezio Scida. Four players were on a beach with their partners in Scifo when they were attacked by a group of fans, as reported by Lacnews24. The attack involved a group of around 20 supporters who were wielding bars and sticks. One of the Crotone players suffered a broken cheekbone in the attack and the police are now investigating the incident.

Crotone were playing in Serie A as recently in 2021 but have slipped down the divisions since much to the clear frustration of their fans. Supporters might have expected a victory on Sunday, at home to relegated-threatened Brindisi, but instead saw their team beaten 2-1 despite going ahead in the eighth minute from the penalty spot.

Crotone have issued a statement condemning the attack via the club's website: "The President Gianni Vrenna, the general director Raffaele Vrenna and the entire Crotone Football Club, having learned of the unacceptable episode of which some members were victims yesterday, intend to express their full solidarity with the boys involved and firmly condemn any demonstration or form of violence.

“The difficult period that the team is experiencing – states the president – which we are the first to regret, can never be a justification for gestures of this kind. Violence is never the solution, in sport as in life, and this is a concept that we must reiterate without hesitation, indeed committing ourselves to spreading it."

The Italian side return to action in Serie C on Monday with a tricky fixture away to table-toppers Juve Stabia.