Two Brighton fans, 28 and 29, are stabbed by masked gang during knifepoint robbery in Rome ahead of their side's Europa League clash in Italian capital
- The two men were taken to hospital for 'minor knife wounds' in their thighs
Two Brighton and Hove supporters were stabbed and mugged by a masked gang in Rome last night ahead of tonight's Europa League clash, police have said.
The two men aged 28 and 29 were taken to hospital for 'minor knife wounds' in their thighs following the knifepoint robbery, a spokesman said.
Police were called to the historic Monti district of Rome after a restaurant waiter raised the alarm around midnight on Wednesday evening.
The two football fans had been attacked in the street by 'six or seven people wearing masks', the police spokesman said.
The pair were robbed of a belt bag containing their identity documents and wallets. An investigation is underway.
Brighton fans have been arriving in the Italian capital over the past few days to cheer on their side. Pictured: An Albion supporter outside the Colosseum, shared on the club's X account
PC Darren Balkham, Sussex Police liaison officer for the club, wrote on X: 'We are aware of the incident reported in Italian media last night. Have spoken to both Brighton fans who are ok.'
Brighton and Hove Albion are set to play Roma in their final-16 clash at Rome's Olympic Stadium this evening.
Albion supporters have been urged to take care in the city after reports of another attack on a group of British fans on social media.
An X user called Joey Thorpe wrote: 'Me and a couple of my mates got attacked in Rome last night after leaving a bar.
'Just want to say that every Brighton fan in Rome please be careful. It’s so dangerous out here and worse than Marseille.'
Brighton and Hove Albion are set to play Roma on Thursday evening at Rome's Olympic Stadium (file image)
Fans have been arriving in the Italian capital over the past few days to cheer on their side, which has failed to get a win in during its last three games.
More than 3,500 tickets for the game, which is the club's first ever knock-out match in Europe.
