Tottenham fans injured in anti-Semitic attack from Lazio supporters before Europa League match
On the night before a Europa League soccer match between Tottenham and Lazio in Rome, fans of each club engaged in a raucous bar fight that left one man stabbed in the jugular vein and nearly a dozen other people in the hospital in what's being reported as an anti-Semitic attack from a faction of Lazio fans known as the Ultra's, according to a report Thursday from David Kent of The Daily Mail Online:
Five Tottenham fans have been injured in alleged anti-Semitic attacks after being ambushed by knife-wielding Ultras in Italy. Trouble flared ahead of Thursday night's Europa League game between Spurs and Lazio in Rome, with witnesses reporting that the Italian hooligans shouted 'Jews' at the Tottenham fans.
As a result, increased security measures will be taken for the game, according to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office:
"We are aware of a serious incident involving British nationals in Rome. We are in contact with the Italian authorities and the Italian police, who are investigating the incident and have confirmed there will be increased security measures for the game this evening."
Some 30 middle-aged Tottenham supporters were at the bar at 1 a.m. when nearly 100 Ultra's arrived to the pub with scooter helmets and a scarf on each of their faces. When they entered the bar, they were carrying stones and rocks and proceeded to yell anti-Semitic slurs at the Tottenham fans while attacking them in what was called a plan that was "obviously organized," according to the mayor.
The fight, which was over in about 10 minutes, occurred at the Drunken Ship pub, the site of an attack in 2006 where three Middlesbrough supports had been stabbed. According to the Daily Mail report, the man stabbed, Ashley Mills, remains in the San Camillo Hospital and his status is "seriously ill."
Tottenham issued a statement confirming its fans had been injured and said to those going to the match tonight, "for your safety and security and to avoid any problems," use bus shuttle service in the area to travel to the stadium:
"We understand from local police that nine of our supporters suffered injuries last night following an incident in the city centre. Three of these supporters were taken to hospital for further treatment. We continue to seek further information and are liaising with both Italian and UK police on this matter."
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