Bus driver killed in attack on basketball fan coach in Italy

Published on 20/10/2025 - 11:58 GMT+2

A autobus driver was killed erstwhile Sebastiani hoops ultras threw stones and bricks astatine a coach carrying Pistoia supporters on nan Rieti-Terni motorway Sunday evening, successful 1 of nan astir convulsive incidents involving Italian sports fans successful caller years.

Around 40 Pistoia fans were travelling location aft their team's A2 lucifer triumph successful Rieti erstwhile respective attackers hiding down motorway guardrails adjacent nan Contigliano junction launched nan assault, fatally striking 1 of nan 2 drivers sitting up front.

Police are questioning astir 10 Rieti supporters, though nary arrests person been made.

Investigators confirmed aggregate group participated successful nan onslaught aft allegedly pursuing nan coach for respective kilometres beyond nan motorway junction wherever constabulary escorts had ended.

Tensions had erupted during nan lucifer astatine PalaSojourner arena, requiring constabulary and Carabinieri intervention. Officers escorted nan Pistoia supporters' autobus to nan motorway aft nan game, but immoderate Rieti ultras reportedly pursued nan vehicle.

Pistoia Basket 2000 expressed being "deeply saddened" by nan driver's death, adding nan nine was dismayed by nan circumstances starring to nan tragedy.

Sebastiani nine condemned nan onslaught and distanced itself "completely from what happened," expressing condolences to nan driver's family.

"This is simply a very superior matter connected which nan investigators, successful whom we person afloat confidence, will shed light. We find ourselves talking astir facts that person thing to do pinch sport."

Rieti Mayor Daniele Sinibaldi called it a "shocking criminal act," saying nan full organization "condemns pinch outrage this bad enactment that has thing to do pinch Rieti and sport." He expressed solidarity pinch nan victim's family, Pistoia nine and nan city.