Spurs fans STABBED in attack by hooligans wielding knives, baseball bats, belts and knuckle dusters ahead of Lazio clash

Nine Tottenham fans have been injured in alleged anti-Semitic attacks after being ambushed by 50 knife-wielding thugs in Italy - but Lazio have denied their fans were involved.

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.



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Scene of the crime: Tottenham and Lazio fans were reportedly involved in an altercation ahead of their match

Lazio's notorious 'Ultras' fanbase have been blamed for the attack, however, club president Claudio Lotito denied such allegations, claiming instead 'foreigners' were to blame.

'Lazio fans had nothing to do with what happened last night in Campo de Fiori,' he said.

'When it emerges who was really responsible, some people will be surprised. It is all too easy to speak about aggression from people whose faces are covered and say that they are Lazio fans.

'This isn't the case. Do you know, for example, that among these criminals, who must be punished in a harsh manner, there were also three foreigners (ie non-Italians)? I maintain that Lazio fans had nothing to do with it.'

UEFA tried to distance the incident from football. 'Everything not within the stadium perimeter is only the responsibility of the local authorities,' said a spokesman.



The violence occurred at the Drunken Ship pub - the same establishment where three Middlesbrough supporters where stabbed in 2006 - as fans of the London club were enjoying a drink.

Crime scene: Seven supporters were taken to hospital after the attack

Police investigation: An errant knife is seen at the scene following the attack

A spokesman for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said security would be increased for tonight's tie.

He said: '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.

'We have been in contact with one British national and have been updated by hospitals on the conditions of all the others, some of whom have already been released.'

Landlord Marco Manzi told Sportsmail: 'The bar was full of about 30 English supporters at 1am. Most of them were aged between 40 and 50 and they were well behaved. Then arrived what I presume were Italian supporters wearing scooter helmets with their faces covered with scarves carrying stones and rocks. They arrived in the pub and they attacked the English supporters.

'Some of the English supporters tried to escape down via dei cappellari and it was in this street where one of them was hit by a knife. I think he was quite badly hurt but I don't know anymore about him. The whole operation from start to finish was over in around 10 minutes. Most of the fans left and the police arrived.'

Italian newspaper La Repubblica reported scenes of 'urban warfare' erupting in the early hours of this morning shortly after 1am in the Campo de Fiori with around 50 'Ultras' - notorious troublemakers - attacking a band of Spurs fans.

The injured fans involved in the attack have been named as Ashley Mills, Dave Lesley, Stephen Tierney and Christopher Allen.

Attack: Damaged furniture is seen outside the Drunken Ship pub at Campo de' Fiori Square in downton Rome

Tottenham supporters left 'shocked'

Lifelong Spurs fan Colin McAteer, 59, from Harlow, Essex, said: 'It's devastating when people get hurt and stabbed up. It makes no sense. 'I am here on a walking stick because of the trouble we had when we were out in Slovenia (when Spurs played in Maribor) ... someone could die from this. 'It's no good. There is no need for that. For what? Bravado? There's no need. 'You can't hate anybody that much that you want to stab them up. It was quite a surprise.' Mr McAteer spoke of the atmosphere surrounding tonight's match and about whether fans would be safe. He said: 'It is a bit of a worry, when it starts getting dark... there are some coaches going up to the stadium, but what protection we'll have I don't know.

'We have heard stories that we are going to get picked off when we cross the bridge to the stadium. 'If you go in a group, it may be safer but then you draw attention to yourself. 'At least that way you are wrapped up by the police... It's a bad time here. 'We are all completely shocked.'

This evening, a spokeswoman from Rome police confirmed that Mr Mills was 'not in danger of death' and would be kept in hospital for observation.

Other injured fans were named as Dave Lesley, Stephen Tierney and Christopher Allen with Tottenham claiming the local police had told them nine fans had been hurt.

'The person who was most seriously injured is not in danger of death and is resting in hospital until tomorrow. He suffered injuries to his skull and thigh,' a spokeswoman said.

Rome police also confirmed that one person had been arrested near the scene of the attacks, without revealing that individual's identity or whether they had been involved in the violence.



A spokesman for the mayor's office said the attack was 'obviously organised'.

The brawl reportedly took on anti-Semitic overtones, with witnesses reporting that the Italian hooligans shouted 'Jews' at the Tottenham fans.

Tottenham supporters are often called the 'Yid Army' and the team is known to have a large Jewish fan base from north London. Lazio fans are traditionally right-wing and often use fascist salutes and slogans.



A spokesman for Tottenham said: '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.'

Photographs show the pub wrecked. The newspaper reported the Lazio fans were armed with knives, baseball bats, belts and knuckle dusters and they went on to 'destroy' the venue.

One witness told the paper: 'We feared the worst.' It is believed police made some arrests at the scene. A spokesman for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office confirmed they were investigating.

Bar co-owner Gabriele Cianella was not present when the chaos erupted but was quickly contacted by his business partners.

He said: 'They started throwing stones. 'They threw pieces of iron at the windows and they were wearing knuckle dusters. After a while they got inside and made all this mess.



'There were Tottenham supporters here to celebrate, they were drinking and singing but quietly, so the situation seemed to be under control, but then these people came aggressively and then after throwing this stuff they got inside and they were looking for these English guys, trying to catch them and they started to throw the chairs and tables.

Carnage: Broken glass, and overturned tables and stools are seen inside The Drunken Ship

'It is horrible. I think the worst thing was that there were no police here yesterday. We couldn't immediately call anyone.

'The partner who saw what was happening called the police. They came but I don't know how much time they took to get here but there was nobody here when the situation started.



'I think it's pretty bad. The equipment is broken, I think. All the tables, all the chairs, the windows, they are all broken. It's a lot of damage.



'This bar means a lot to me. I have owned this pub for four and a half years now. I like it very much. "I'm an accountant, too, so it's a second job for me but I like it very much.

Evidence: A policeman takes a photograph of the scene

'I knew the previous owner and we know it's a very good pub, that is very much liked by the English and the Americans.



'I think this is the first time that something so bad has happened. We have had other incidents like this but this is the worst.



'If you throw stones and knuckle dusters I think you want to hurt someone. There was a lot of blood inside on the floor. 'Now we also have some blood on the windows. They came here to hurt someone.'



Weapons: Belts and knives were used in the attack

Violence: The hooligans were reportedly armed with knives, baseball bats, belts and knuckle dusters

The square is known for its colourful food market and nightlife and the bar is renowned for its lively atmosphere.

Three victims are being treated at the Holy Spirit Hospital and three others at Fatebenefratelli.

Ahead of the match Tottenham issued a lengthy statement to travelling supporters urging fans to use only official transport.

'If you are making your own way to the Stadium, you should travel to the South side of the Stadium via the Ponte Duca D'Aosta,' said the statement. 'This is the only bridge that you should use as the home fans will use the Ponte Milvio to reach their side of the Stadium. Italian Police will monitor both bridges closely and have a high attendance in place.

'For your safety and security and to avoid any problems, we recommend that you use the shuttle buses to reach the Stadium.'

Tottenham supporters are often called the 'Yid Army' and the team is known to have a large Jewish fan base from north London. Lazio fans are traditionally right-wing and often use fascist salutes and slogans.



Hurt: Violence marred Middlesbrough's trip to Rome in 2006

In training: Tottenham are preparing to face Lazio in their Europa League clash on Thursday night