The European football competition was played between clubs from England and Italy and was founded by Gigi Peronace in 1970, following the success of the Anglo-Italian League Cup.
[1] However, when Queens Park Rangers won the final that year, they were in the Third Division and, at that time, UEFA did not allow third-tier teams to compete in the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup.
The game was marred by disturbances from the Napoli fans, resulting in two separate pitch invasions until finally – under a barrage of missiles – the referee abandoned the match after 79 minutes.
Disgruntled fans, angered at the home side's failure to check brilliant Swindon, hurled a fusillade of rocks and bottles on the field, prompting the police to retaliate with teargas.
[6] – Peter SheldonSwindon Town were awarded the trophy by Signor Orfeo Pianelli, vice-president of the Italian Football Federation.
Hundreds of concrete bench seats were torn up and smashed into small chunks which were thrown onto the pitch sending players and officials scurrying to the other side of the field for safety.