Italian Police at the scene where Spurs fans were attacked in Rome. (EPA)
Tottenham and their fans will have heavy hearts during their Europa League match against Lazio today after five Spurs fans were injured during an attack by Lazio "ultras" overnight. The trouble occurred at the "Drunken Ship Pub" In Rome's Campo De Fiori square at approximately 1 AM local time.
The proprietor described the pub as being full of about 30 Spurs fans at the time, most of them between the ages of 40 and 50 and were "quite well behaved." Shortly after 1 about 50 assailants arrived at the pub, wielding knives, baseball bats, clubs, rocks, and knuckle dusters, among other things. They beat and chased the Spurs fans into a local street where one fan, identified as Mr. Ashley Mills was "hit with a knife." As of this morning Mills was still "seriously ill" in a Rome hospital. The attackers dispersed before the police arrived.
Witnesses describe the attack as having antisemitic tones, as the attackers, dressed in scooter helmets and scarves, were shouting "Jews" at the Spurs fans. According to the Daily Mail UK, Lazio fans are often right wing types who often use fascist slogans and salutes at their matches. Spurs supporters are often called the "Yid Army" due to their large Jewish following in North London.
British authorities were said to be monitoring the investigation and confirmed that there will be additional security at the Europa League match between Spurs and Lazio. The club put the number of injured at 9, and was working with British and Italian Police to investigate and assure their supporters' safety. Spurs supporters were urged to take shuttle buses to and from the match.
The Ultras also trashed the pub before dispersing, leaving much of the equipment and furniture damaged beyond repair. For their part, Lazio have denied that their supporters were responsible for the attack. The Drunken Ship Pub is the same place where three Middlesbrough fans were stabbed during a visit to the city in 2006.
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