A bus driver has died after being struck by a stone during an attack on a coach carrying supporters of an Italian basketball team, allegedly by rival fans. The incident occurred on the highway near Rieti, roughly 80km (50 miles) north-east of Rome, while fans of the Pistoia Basket were returning from a victorious game against SRS Sebastiani Rieti.
The attack escalated when a large stone was thrown through the windscreen of the bus, hitting driver Raffaele Marianella, 65, who was sitting at the front. He subsequently died from his injuries.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned the attack as an unacceptable and insane act of violence and expressed deep condolences to the victim's family. A police investigation is underway to identify those responsible.
Sports Minister Andrea Abodi characterized the assault as shocking, labeling the assailants as criminals who have turned into murderers and can never be called fans. Gianni Petrucci, the president of the national basketball federation, echoed these sentiments, stressing the importance of legal action against such behavior.
This tragic incident highlights ongoing concerns regarding violence associated with sports fandom in Italy and has sparked discussions about safety measures for fans traveling to games.
