Indonesian national team goalkeeper Emil Audero was hit by a flare thrown by Inter Milan supporters during the match against Cremonese, drawing strong condemnation from club CEO Giuseppe Marotta. The game was briefly halted, but Audero continued without serious injury. The incident recalls a dark history of similar attacks in Italian football.
The Italian League match between Inter Milan and Cremonese at Stadio Giovanni Zini took place on February 1, 2026, with Inter securing a 2-0 victory thanks to goals from Lautaro Martinez and Piotr Zielinski. However, the main focus shifted to an incident in the early second half when Cremonese goalkeeper Emil Audero—also Indonesia's national team keeper—was struck by a flare thrown from the north stand occupied by Inter supporters.
Audero collapsed and rolled on the pitch after the red flare hit his body. Players from both teams approached, while medical staff provided aid. The game was paused for safety reasons. Fortunately, Audero only complained about his right leg and chose to rise and continue until the end.
Inter Milan CEO Giuseppe Marotta reacted strongly. "I strongly condemn what happened today. It is a foolish act that is completely contrary to the values of sport, values that we have tried to instill and uphold since the youth team," he stated via the club's official website. Marotta stressed that player safety is paramount, and authorities are investigating the perpetrator. He also praised Audero's professionalism: "I also want to praise Audero's professionalism in keeping the goal until the last moments."
Inter captain Lautaro Martinez expressed regret over the incident, stating that the actions of rogue supporters do not reflect the club's values, especially since Audero is a former Inter player. The event recalls a similar case in 2005, when AC Milan goalkeeper Nelson Dida was hit by a flare from Inter fans in the Champions League, leading to heavy UEFA sanctions including a 0-3 forfeiture and a fan ban.
Flare-throwing highlights ongoing issues with fan behavior in Italian football, remaining a major challenge in preserving sportsmanship and safety.
