On the evening prior to a Champions League encounter between AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain at the San Siro stadium, violent confrontations broke out among supporters, resulting in a Paris Saint-Germain fan being stabbed.
The 34-year-old French victim suffered serious injuries, with two stab wounds to the leg, and was taken to Policlinico hospital in Milan for treatment.
This event occurred after a clash between approximately 50 Milan fans and PSG supporters around midnight in Milan’s canal district, an area known for its nightlife.
AC Milan issued a statement strongly condemning the violence, declaring that football is a sport driven by passion, not hate, and should be a unifying rather than dividing force. This stance was shared across social media platforms in multiple languages.
Moreover, two police officers also sustained injuries during the efforts to quell the disturbance. UEFA, European football’s governing body, did not indicate that the incident would affect the scheduled match at the San Siro.
This stabbing incident is not the first of its kind this season in Milan.
Previously, a Newcastle United fan was assaulted in the same city area before a Champions League game.
In response to this incident, Newcastle United expressed deep concern and liaised with local authorities, seeking to understand the situation fully and extending their thoughts to the victim for a swift recovery.
Such repeated incidents raise concerns about fan violence in football and the measures that need to be implemented to ensure the safety of supporters attending matches.
