AC Milan 0 Ajax 0: Three Ajax fans stabbed and another man injured in violent clashes before Champions League match
Ajax supporters clashed with both AC Milan fans and Italian demonstrators as violence marred the build-up to the Group H decider
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Three Ajax supporters were stabbed before Wednesday night’s Champions League match with AC Milan after fighting broke out between the two sets of fans, Italian Police have confirmed.
They also collided with Italian demonstrators who were protesting against Enrico Letta’s government throughout the day, with reports emerging just before kick-off that fans had been injured in the clashes.
One supporter suffered a knife wound to their stomach and was left in a serious but not life threatening condition, while the other two fans were wounded in the buttock and the leg, confirmed a Police spokesman.
“The one with the stomach wound is clearly the most serious but as far as I understand it's not life threatening,” the Police spokesman confirmed.
All three were taken to the San Carlo hospital in Milan, and a fourth man was also injured by a knife attack, although the local street salesman’s wound was minor and he was not required to go to hospital.
Police also confirmed that the three Ajax supporters were arrested as part of a separate incident involving the attempted robbery of a street kiosk.
Once the action on the pitch finally got underway, Milan had Riccardo Montolivo sent-off early-on by Premier League referee Howard Webb after a nasty challenge on Christian Poulsen.
But despite having an extra man for the majority of the game, Ajax were unable to convert their advantage into the victory they required to overtake their Italian counterparts and progress to the Champions League last 16, and AC Milan hung on to a 0-0 draw to join Barcelona in progressing from Group H.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments