Three Napoli fans injured by gunfire ahead of Coppa Italia final

Three Italian football fans have been reportedly injured by gunfire on the outskirts of Rome before the Coppa Italia final between Napoli and Fiorentina on Saturday, which was later won by Napoli 3-1.

The kick-off for the game was delayed by more than half an hour and it is speculated that alleged clashes between rival fans outside the match venue - the Olympic Stadium may be behind the shooting.

According to the BBC, the three Napoli fans were rushed to the hospital, with one of them in a critical condition after apparently being shot in the chest, and reports claimed that a policeman and passer-by were also hurt in the violence on the outskirts of Rome where fans were gathering before the match.

The report further said that parts of the stadium were engulfed in smoke from fireworks, flares and smoke bombs thrown by Napoli supporters, adding that a firefighter was injured by one of the flares thrown on to the pitch by fans.

Napoli player Marek Hamsik and other officials went to reason with the fans before the match kicked off and the report added that the events were witnessed at the stadium by Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, there for the match with his wife and children.

Napoli won the cup for the fifth time, with Italy international Lorenzo Insigne scoring two goals, the report also mentioned.