Two Brighton & Hove Albion supporters were stabbed in central Rome on Wednesday night, just hours before their team was set to take on Feyenoord in the first leg of the Europa League quarter-finals.
According to Italian police reports, the incident took place around 9 pm local time in the area near the iconic Piazza Venezia. The two Brighton fans, whose identities have not been released, were approached by a group of Italian male suspects near a restaurant.
A confrontation ensued, and the two English supporters were stabbed with a knife or broken bottle, according to witnesses. The motive behind the attack remains unclear at this time.
One of the victims, believed to be a man in his 40s, sustained a serious injury to his torso and was transported to the Policlinico Umberto I hospital in serious but stable condition. The second victim, a man in his 20s, suffered a minor injury to his leg and received treatment at the scene.
The attack has sent shockwaves through the Brighton fanbase and the wider football community. Thousands of the club’s supporters had traveled to Rome to cheer on their team in one of their biggest European matches in decades.
Italian authorities have launched an investigation into the incident, and have made some arrests, though details remain scarce. They are treating it as an isolated event at this stage but have warned traveling fans to remain vigilant.
In a statement, Brighton’s Chief Executive Paul Barber condemned the “deplorable” attack on their supporters. “It is completely unacceptable that fans are subjected to attack in this way. We will be doing everything we can to assist the police’s investigation.”
UEFA officials, the mayor of Rome, and fan groups have also spoken out against the violence. There are calls for improved security measures around major football events.
The stabbing incident has cast a pall over what was supposed to be a celebratory occasion for Brighton, playing in their first ever European quarter-final. However, the team has vowed to take the field focused on the match and getting a positive result for their traveling supporters.
The first leg against Feyenoord was scheduled to kick off at 8 pm local time on Thursday at the Stadio Olimpico. Additional security measures will be in place amid the heightened tensions following the attack.
