Newcastle followers headed for San Siro on Tuesday night assured they had been protected after one supporter was stabbed as 1000’s gathered in Milan.
Local police confirmed {that a} 58-year-old Magpies supporter had suffered three wounds in an incident at round midnight on Monday after being set upon by a bunch of as much as eight males sporting hoodies within the fashionable Navigli space of the town.
A police spokesperson instructed the PA information company: “The incident took place about midnight in the neighbourhood of Navigli, which is populated with bars.
“A police patrol came across the incident, which involved seven or eight people wearing hooded sweatshirts. We are still searching for these people.
“A supporter of Newcastle, who is 58 years old, suffered two slight wounds to his arms and one a little bit deeper on his back. He was sent to the Policlinico Hospital and is expected to be discharged later today.
“DIGOS (Divisione Investigazioni Generali e Operazioni Speciali), the branch which deals with football supporters, is investigating, but at this moment it is not clear if this is related to football or something else because no emblems were visible.”
Newcastle had been liaising with the authorities within the wake of the incident, and wished the fan concerned a speedy restoration.
A membership spokesperson mentioned: “We are deeply concerned by reports that a supporter was seriously assaulted in Milan on Monday evening and we are liaising with local authorities to understand the circumstances.
“Our thoughts are with the supporter and their family and we hope for a full and speedy recovery.”
Around 5,000 visiting supporters had been anticipated on the stadium for the opening Group F fixture, with extra having travelled merely to expertise the ambiance of the membership’s first Champions League recreation in 20 years.
Many gathered across the bars and eating places within the Naviglio Grande space on the eve of the match near the place the stabbing occurred.
The space was quieter on Tuesday afternoon, however a few of those that had been current on Monday night reported no issues.
Joe McDivitt, 57, from Cramlington, instructed PA: “We heard about it, but we knew nothing about it, just hearsay, rumours and what the lads have seen about it on social media.
“My daughter messaged me – she’s in a huff because she’s not here – to say just to be careful, but everything has been fine.
“We had no trouble, everybody was great. There was no bother. It was great.”
Andy Roberts, 38, from Newcastle, mentioned: “It’s gone round the Newcastle WhatsApp groups about the guy getting cut with a machete or whatever. But if there’s one out of 10,000…
“All the Italians we have spoken to have been very nice, very friendly, the taxi drivers are very friendly. The atmosphere seems good. We’ll see what it’s like after the game.”
Many followers headed to the stadium on the town’s Metro system, packing into sweltering trains together with their Milan counterparts and the ambiance was boisterous, however good-natured.
