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A friendly match between English and Italian fans in Naples has been called off for security reasons. England supporter team boss Garford Beck said he received a "very sinister and threatening" email on Sunday claiming to be from "Napoli ultras". He stated 'we'll be there, 60 ultra for you' if they continue their friendly with their Italian counterparts on Thursday afternoon.
The Italian Football Federation have now informed Mr Beck that the match has been called off after representations were made to them by the English Football Association.
England take on Italy in Naples on Thursday night as they begin their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign.
There were clashes between Napoli and Eintracht Frankfurt fans before and after last week's Champions League draw, but England boss Gareth Southgate said on Thursday he would have no security concerns.
Beck, speaking after the cancellation, told the PA news agency: "I think the Italian FA have had no choice.
“Security must be our priority and we would have been an easy target for these people.
"They are normally maxed out, so it could have been a very unpleasant situation if I hadn't opened that email."
Beck said English fans faced their Italian counterparts in Milan last year and he hoped this week's match would be a chance to catch up.
He said: "There was no indication of anything until I opened this email."
Mr Beck added: "We are the only group of England supporters who do not need any investigation or supervision.
"We're just here to meet whoever we're playing with, play a game of football, have a few beers and go to the game, it's really not more than that."
Around 2,500 Three Lions fans who obtained tickets through the England Supporters' Travel Club are expected to arrive in Naples for Thursday's Euro 2024 match.
Southgate told reporters last week: "At the end of the day, it's up to the Italian FA to decide where they play their games.
"Obviously our organization will always try to make the travel experience as seamless as possible for our fans and that's important."
The FA, in advice to ticket holders, said: "To assist in the safety of all traveling England fans, Italian police requested and urged English fans to use locally organized transport to reach the stadium."
The coaches, which will start leaving for the stadium from 4pm on Thursday from the Naples Ferry Terminal, will be free for all England Supporters Travel Club members with tickets.
The council adds: “We have also requested that the same service be provided to fans after the game to bring them back to the city, or to a convenient destination, should the need arise.
"This is left, at this time, to be confirmed by our hosts. We hope to inform fans of this service before match day."
Identity checks will be carried out by Italian police and FA staff for ticket holders.
PA files
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