Chaos between England and Italy: Thousands of FURIOUS fans have been abandoned by the FA’s tour operator

Angry England fans are stranded after the FA’s official travel partner canceled their trip to Naples, just days before Gareth Southgate’s side take on Italy in a replay of the EURO 2020 final.

Some 2,500 England fans were due to travel to Italy on Thursday night in their EURO qualifiers, in a city already on high alert after shocking scenes of Eintracht Frankfurt fans clashed with police last week – and many will now miss it .

Travel company Sportsworld emailed supporters late Friday night to confirm all precautions had been lifted.

Sportsworld blamed violence in Naples as a factor in the decision, although it is known Italian authorities’ uncertainty about return flights was the main reason for the chaos.

“It is our policy never to cancel trips for any reason, but unfortunately we have no choice at this late stage,” supporters were told in an email seen by The Mail on Sunday.

Thousands of angry England fans have been stranded by the FA’s official travel partner, which canceled its trip to Naples just days before Gareth Southgate’s side faced Italy

The tour operator blamed the decision on the chaos in Naples last week – after hundreds of Napoli and Eintracht Frankfurt fans clashed ahead of their Champions League game

“We’ve been planning this trip for months but the events in Naples this week have certainly affected the situation.”

“We understand that you may be angry and feeling let down by this news. We are also genuinely disheartened with the result and apologize for any inconvenience this has caused.’

England fans called the decision a “disgrace” and called on the FA to sack Sportsworld as their official travel partner as they now have to scramble to make their own last-minute travel arrangements.

Sportsworld emailed the 178 fans who had booked with them on Friday afternoon to say they could not confirm a return flight time from Naples, nor provide a clear transport plan during the day, and asked if fans wished they had alternative arrangements find or cancel trip.

Although nearly 70 percent of responses asked Sportsworld to proceed with finding travel arrangements, the company sent another email just after 8 p.m. to confirm the trip had been cancelled.

Sportsworld have told fans they will refund the total cost of the booked trip of over £350 plus an additional £41 per person believed to be the cost of the match ticket.

Police cars and other vehicles were set alight – with windows smashed in the street

Still, some England fans are still out of pocket. Alan Houghton told the Mail on Sunday he was “upset and frustrated” and will not be traveling now. He had to cancel a £60 Gatwick airport hotel room booked separately for the night before flying to Naples with no hope of a refund.

Houghton originally booked travel with another company called Sports Options, only to have plans canceled three weeks ago because Italian authorities were unable to make a decision on return flights.

Sportsworld did not respond to a request for comment as to why it took them so long to make their decision.

“Canceling the trip for the Italy v England game in Naples with just five days notice – what a shame,” an angry fan said on Twitter. ‘Won’t use your company again and the FA should revoke your official travel partner status.’