Inter’s Serie A meeting with Cremonese was overshadowed by a disturbing incident at San Siro after a firecracker exploded near goalkeeper Emil Audero, leaving the match briefly halted and prompting a strong reaction from players and club officials.
The explosion occurred early in the second half, just three minutes after the restart, when a device was thrown from the Inter end and detonated close to Audero’s goal. The former Inter loanee was left stunned on the turf as medical staff rushed to his aid, though he was able to continue and complete the match.
Attention quickly shifted from the pitch to the stands as reports emerged of serious injuries suffered by the supporter responsible. Italian media confirmed the individual lost multiple fingers after a second explosive detonated in his hand and is expected to be arrested once discharged from hospital.
The incident has placed Inter under intense scrutiny, with Serie A’s strict liability rules likely to trigger disciplinary action. A fine is expected, but the greater concern is a potential partial stadium closure that could affect Inter’s next home fixture, the Derby d’Italia against Juventus.
The match itself continued to its conclusion, but the sense of unease never fully lifted, particularly given the presence of league president Ezio Simonelli in the stands and the heightened focus on crowd safety across Italian football.
San Siro had been tense even before the explosion, with banners in the Curva Nord aimed at club ownership rather than the team. That atmosphere turned toxic after the blast, with play paused as Audero received treatment and stewards and police intervened in the stands.
Inter players immediately crossed the pitch to check on the goalkeeper, several of whom had shared a dressing room with him last season. Their concern quickly turned to anger as they gestured towards the Curva Nord in disbelief.
Christian Chivu, now part of Inter’s coaching staff, approached the ultras during the stoppage, visibly shaken as he remonstrated with supporters. According to reports, the injured fan was later assaulted by fellow spectators before being escorted away for treatment under police guard.
The match was not abandoned, but the episode cast a long shadow over the remainder of the contest and its aftermath.
Despite the shock, Audero resumed his place between the posts and saw out the game, drawing praise from both teams for his composure. Inter, meanwhile, played out the second half with visible frustration, their focus divided between the result and the gravity of what had occurred.
The strongest statement came after the final whistle. Breaking with tradition, Inter’s players refused to salute the Curva Nord, a collective decision taken as a protest against the violence and an attempt to distance the squad from the actions of a single supporter.
Club president Beppe Marotta later condemned what he described as a senseless gesture that had nothing to do with sport, while highlighting Audero’s professionalism in completing the match. As investigations continue, Inter now await the league’s verdict, knowing the consequences could stretch beyond fines and directly impact one of the most important fixtures of their season.
