- Two Brighton fans were stabbed by a masked gang in Rome on Wednesday
- One fan was still able to make Thursday’s game, and received a huge reception
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A Brighton fan who was stabbed in Rome and held at knifepoint by a masked gang was given a rousing reception inside the Stadio Olimpico prior to his side’s clash with Roma on Thursday.
Two men, aged 28 and 29, were taken to hospital with ‘minor knife wounds’ following a knifepoint robbery on Wednesday, a spokesman said.
The police were called to the historic Monti district of Rome after a restaurant waiter raised the alarm at around midnight on Wednesday evening.
The two Brighton supporters looked set to miss Thursday’s European tie following the shocking incident, but one fan was able to make his way to the stadium with the aid of a crutch.
As he made his way down the steps to take his seat ahead of kick-off, his fellow Brighton fans sang his name and applauded in a heartwarming moment.
One of the Brighton fans who was stabbed made his way to the stadium with the aid of a crutch
The stabbed fan (wearing a yellow jacket) got a rousing reception from his fellow Brighton fans
The man reportedly required 10 stitches after being stabbed, but was back on his feet and able to watch his team at the iconic venue in the Italian capital.
According to a police spokesperson, the two Brighton fans were attacked by ‘six or seven people wearing masks’.
The pair were robbed of a belt bag containing their identity documents and wallets. An investigation is underway.
Another Brighton fan, Joey Thorpe, was at the scene and described the terrifying ordeal that he and his friends went through.
Speaking to MailOnline, Joey said: ‘I got jumped first, there were these kids following us and I got jumped first… They were pumping me in the head, kicking me in the ribs and just hammering me.
‘The police didn’t wanna know and never saw basically blaming us, which is obvious, because that was always gonna happen,’ he said. ‘Because we’re in a foreign country. they’re just going to blame us.’
‘We weren’t chanting or anything, we’d just come out of the pub. We’d had a few drinks, but we were just being as normal as possible.’
Joey Thorpe, 27, had been at a bar in the Italian capital with five friends when he said he was jumped from behind and beaten up by the masked assailants
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 also claimed Roma fans threw objects including bottles, coins and lighters into the away section of the ground.
‘We have reported to UEFA and Italian Police and requested immediate action be taken,’ the club said in a statement.
Brighton impressed in the group stages of the Europa League, winning four of their six games to top Group B ahead of Marseille and Ajax.
But their last-16 tie got off to a disastrous start as they were beaten 4-0 by Roma to leave their Europa League hopes in tatters.
The return leg at the Amex Stadium is due to take place next Thursday.
