Soccer:Two men have been charged with attempted murder after Tottenham Hotspur football fans were attacked in Rome ahead of Thursday night's Europa League fixture against Lazio.
Officers said two Roma fans - Francesco Ianari, 26, and Mauro Pinnelli, 25 - were charged after Spurs fan Ashley Mills suffered knife wounds to his head and leg during an ambush at the Drunken Ship pub in Campo de Fiori while he and fellow supporters enjoyed a drink early on Thursday morning.
A police spokeswoman said: “They have been charged with attempted murder for involvement in riots and causing serious injury with a knife and are due to appear in court soon.”
The match itself, which ended 0-0, also did not pass off without incident and the English Football Association will pass on its own report to Uefa on the alleged anti-Semitic chanting at the Stadio Olimpico.
Shortly after revealing a ‘Free Palestine’ banner, a section of the home support began singing “Juden Tottenham” to the fans of the London club, who have a historical Jewish connection.
Uefa would not comment on the matter last night, saying it would only be able to look in to the issue if it was mentioned in the match delegate’s report, which is due to arrive with European football’s governing body today.
An FA spokesperson said: “We were saddened and alarmed to see reports of violent incidents prior to the game as well as anti-Semitic chants.
“The FA had a crowd control advisor present at the fixture who will provide an urgent report which we will pass on to Uefa as a matter of priority.”
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