'I was idolised by Inter's ultras – they smashed fan's nose when he touched me'

Daily Mirror

a day ago

The ultras in Italian football are some of the most unique supporters in the game, as one ex-Inter Milan star can attest to after his shocking first-hand experience
Italy is known for romance, but a punch in the face was the Inter Milan ultras' way of expressing their love for Paul Ince. Fortunately for the ex-Manchester United and Liverpool star, he was not the one left tasting iron.
In 1995, Ince departed Old Trafford and moved to the San Siro, where he shared a dressing room with the likes of Roberto Carlos, Ivan Zamorano, Nicola Berti and many others. It didn't take long for Ince to establish himself in Serie A. He dominated the midfield while wearing the No. 8 shirt of the Nerazzurri, and their iconic fan base took him in as one of their own - quite literally on one occasion.
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Like their most extreme supporters, who light up the stands with flares as their drums and megaphones radiate chaos around stadiums in Europe, Ince will be willing Inter on in the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain.
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Italian clubs have their own unique way of showing their love for players, as Ince found out during his time in the capital. Yet, the endearment they paid to him had unfortunate and painful ramifications for one poor ultra.
In an exclusive interview with Mirror Football, while speaking on behalf of bet365, Ince recalled a time he joined the ultras in the stands. As a reminiscing smile stretched across his face, Ince said: "I'll tell you a story, alright?
"I got sent off against someone, unlike me. I missed a couple of games. We were playing against some team, I think it was Sampdoria or someone like that. I said to my best mate, who played for Inter, 'I'm going to spend a game upstairs with the ultras.'
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Watch our full Champions League final interview with Paul Ince and Claude Makelele here
"I spoke to the ultras and this bossman came down with two of his sidekicks and took me all the way up to where all the ultras are. Some geezer went to grab me to say, 'Ah, Paul Ince.'
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"The ultra turned around and smashed him straight in the nose. This poor geezer's nose was like that (mimicking a nose that has been flattened). I thought, 'Wow.' They were like, 'Don't touch Paul Ince, nobody touches Paul Ince.'"
Seeing a man take a huge hook to the nose would normally be anybody's cue to leave the area, but the blue and black lions den that is the Internazionale ultras is no normal place.
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Ince continued to follow the head ultra, while other fans in the area cleared a path and maybe avoided looking at the Englishman. While that supporter was left tasting their own blood, the ex-England international was hooked on the adrenaline rush of being with the fanbase - and nearly 30 years later, there's only one thing Ince wants to do.
He added: "They took me right to the front, right up to the nets and they were singing and chanting, it was the best atmosphere ever. To this day, I want to do it again, I'd love to do it again. I did not get many red cards in the Premier League. But in Italy, it was different. Players were rolling over, feigning injuries.
"I got sent off about three times, which was very rare for me. I was a strong tackler, but in Italy, I got sent off a lot. I think the fans loved me because of that. The fans were devastated when I left. The fans still love me and still idolise me, so it was great.'
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He would go on to leave Inter and return to Liverpool after two seasons, in a move that broke the hearts of the Italian giants and their ultras. Family reasons is what drove Ince back to England. Despite his exit, he is still admired by fans at the club to this day, so it's hard to imagine he'd struggle to secure another invite from the ultras.