By Kazeem Ajibola Shoyebo
The Italian Ministry of the Interior has imposed a three-match away travel ban on Inter Milan supporters after a pyrotechnic device was thrown from their section during Serie A’s Cremonese vs. Inter fixture, striking goalkeeper Emil Audero in a widely condemned incident that has drawn strong responses from authorities and football officials.
Under the ruling, announced on Tuesday by Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi, Inter fans will be banned from attending their club’s next three domestic away matches — against Sassuolo, Lecce and Fiorentina — with the restrictions remaining in force until 23 March 2026. The decision also includes a ban on the sale of away tickets to residents of the Lombardy region.
The measures were introduced to safeguard public order and prevent similar incidents from recurring, the ministry said. However, Inter supporters will still be permitted to attend the Milan derby on 8 March, as there will be no travel outside the city of Milan for that fixture.
The ban follows the controversial moment in Sunday’s match at the Stadio Giovanni Zini in Cremona, when a firework was thrown from the travelling Nerazzurri section and landed near Cremonese goalkeeper Audero, temporarily halting play for medical checks. Despite the scare, Audero was able to continue and finished the match, which Inter won 2-0.
Italian police have since arrested a 19-year-old Inter supporter in connection with the incident, authorities said, while investigations are ongoing into the perpetrator’s actions.
Inter club officials, including president Beppe Marotta, strongly condemned the act, describing it as “stupid” and “antisporting,” and emphasised that such behaviour does not reflect the values of the sport.
The travel ban applies only to domestic league matches and does not affect Inter’s European fixtures or home matches, meaning fans will still be able to attend those games as normal.