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Napoli punished for fan banner shown in win over Roma

Napoli have been fined 20,000 euros after a group of their fans displayed a banner that encouraged violence during their recent 2-0 win over Roma in Serie A.

The banner was the only real negative incident from a match that had seen security forces on the highest level of alert for an Italian football game.

It was the first time the teams had met since a Napoli fan was killed by a Roma ultra prior to May's Coppa Italia final in the capital. The Giallorossi were not even involved in that game, which Napoli won against Fiorentina after a delayed kick-off due to violence outside the Stadio Olimpico.

Roma fans were forbidden from travelling to the Stadio San Paolo at the weekend for a game that was scheduled during daylight hours to help the security forces. Although the Roma team needed a police escort to cover the 100 yards that separate their hotel from the stadium, it proved to be a quiet afternoon in and around the stadium.

The fixture will remain high-risk in future, however, if only for a banner displayed by Napoli ultras.

The Lega Serie A fined the club as a result of the banner, which read: "All words are in vain ... If the occasion presents itself then we will not show any pity."

The repeated use of lasers to try to distract Roma players and their coach Rudi Garcia also formed part of the punishment for Rafael Benitez's club, who reduced the arrears on second-placed Roma to four points with victory.