Two Brighton fans have been brutally stabbed in the Italian capital just hours before their team’s Europa League clash with AS Roma.
The victims, aged 27 and 28, fell victim to a vicious attack by a group of seven assailants wearing masks in the Monti neighbourhood.
As authorities in Rome investigate this heinous crime, the footballing world reflects on the safety of fans and the unfortunate violence that can accompany such high-stakes matches.
According to reports from Italian news site La Repubblica, the attack occurred shortly after midnight. The victims, enjoying the prelude to the Europa League fixture, were ambushed by the masked assailants.
The attackers, armed and ruthless, targeted the Brighton fans, stabbing them in the legs before making off with their wallets and personal documents.
The victims were discovered bleeding on Via di Monte Polacco by a restaurant worker who promptly alerted the authorities.
The consequences of the attack were severe for both victims.
The 27-year-old was rushed to San Giovanni hospital with three stab wounds to his left thigh, while the 28-year-old was taken to the Umberto I Polyclinic after sustaining multiple stab wounds to his right thigh.
The brutal nature of the assault has raised concerns about the well-being of football fans attending high-profile matches, prompting a renewed focus on security measures.
Local law enforcement swiftly responded to the incident, and an active investigation is currently underway.
The attackers, described as a group of seven individuals wearing masks, left behind a crime scene that has shocked the city of Rome.
The authorities are examining CCTV footage and eyewitness accounts to identify and apprehend those responsible for the violent assault on the Brighton supporters.
The unsettling incident has cast a shadow over the Europa League clash between Brighton and Roma, scheduled to take place at Rome’s Olympic Stadium on Thursday afternoon.
