A Chelsea supporter has described his “shock” after being stabbed and taken to hospital ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League match against Napoli in Italy.
As reported by BBC Sport on Wednesday, Marcus, 22, who declined to give his surname, said he and a group of Chelsea fans were targeted in the centre of Naples by a group of Napoli “ultras” – a term used for hardcore supporter groups in European football.
“We turned a corner – it wasn’t technically an alleyway, but it felt like one because there were no lights,” he said.
“There were about 20 or 30 people, all in black, walking towards us as soon as we made eye contact. Some people knew what was happening and ran straight away.”
Marcus, who was with “seven or eight” friends, added: “It was definitely a shock. Everyone was shaken up when we eventually found the police.
“I was in shorts, and they were covered in blood, with blood going all down my leg. We think it was a screwdriver – it could’ve been a Stanley blade. It was either that or a screwdriver.
“I didn’t really feel it until I started running away. My left cheek felt heavy, almost, and as soon as I touched it, my hand was covered in blood.”
Chelsea issued a warning to supporters on their social media accounts following Tuesday night’s incident, urging fans to be careful while out in public.
In a statement, the club said: “The club is aware of an incident that took place on Tuesday evening in Naples. Two fans are being treated in the hospital, having sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
“The club would like to remind all supporters to exercise extreme caution whilst in the city and take note of the advice shared ahead of this fixture.”
Marcus was treated in hospital between 23:00 and 04:00 local time before reporting the attack to the police on Wednesday afternoon. He said he still planned to attend the match at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, having avoided serious injury, but intended to leave Naples the following day to travel to Rome.
The other injured fan was treated in the hospital after being punched and kicked.
European football’s governing body UEFA has been contacted for comment.
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