AN England supporter was arrested as he tried to take four knives and an axe to a women's football match between Russia and Team GB.

The student, known only by his surname Chu, was caught with the weapons when his backpack set off an X-ray machine at the Hsinchu County Second Stadium in north-western Taiwan.

5 An England supporter was arrested as he tried to take four knives and an axe to a women's football match

5 The student was caught with four throwing knives and an axe when his rucksack set off the X-Ray machine

The 22-year-old, who was wearing a Three Lions shirt, was detained by police at the security checkpoint for the Universiade match - dubbed the Olympics of university students.

Chu told the authorities that he had unknowingly picked up the rucksack containing the throwing knives and axe in his rush to watch the game.

He told officers the weapons had been bought online four years ago, claiming he needed them for "self-defence".

Chu was arrested for attempting to bring the weapons into a public space, and was escorted from the stadium before kick-off.

Police are still investigating the case.

Great Britain lost the match 2-1, with Bristol City’s 21-year-old midfielder Georgia Evans scoring GB’s only goal in a penalty.

5 The 22-year-old claimed he had not known the weapons were in his bag

The loss also meant the end of GB Women’s involvement in the 2017 tournament, as they finished all three games without a win and ended up bottom of group D with zero points.

Russia and South Africa qualified for the knockout round on six and three points respectively.

5 Chu was arrested for attempting to bring the weapons into the public space

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