- A Newcastle fan was stabbed by a group of men in Milan on Monday night
- Newcastle supporter Eddie McKay, 58, was attacked from behind by thugs
A Newcastle fan was ambushed and stabbed three times last night by a group knife-wielding thugs in Milan, on the eve of their side’s clash with AC Milan in the Champions League.
Eddie McKay, 58, who lives in Newcastle, was stabbed in the back and the arms by a large group of men at around midnight in a neighbourhood near the centre of the city.
His daughter Rachel confirmed her father was recovering in hospital but wanted to warn other Newcastle fans out in Milan.
She told Sky Sports: ‘My dad is stable but in shock. He is gutted he’s missing the match but just wants every other Newcastle fan out there to be aware of this & be safe.
‘He just had two knee replacements so he fell when he was being chased & that is when he was attacked. I’m flying out there.’
WARNING – GRAPHIC CONTENT BELOW
A Newcastle fan lies on the ground as he receives treatment from Italian emergency services
Newcastle fan Eddie McKay, 58, is seen lying on the pavement, covered in blood
McKay is treated for his wounds at the side of the road as medics try to stop the blood
Medics attend to a Newcastle fan ambushed and stabbed by thugs in Milan on Monday evening
Italian news outlet Milano Today reported that McKay was saved by police before immediately being rushed to hospital.
The report from Milano Today also claims that it is not yet known what the motive for the attack was while nothing was stolen from McKay.
Other reports on social media claimed other Magpies supporters were heading back to their hotel from an area where fans had gathered before they were jumped from behind and attacked with knives.
A unnamed family member told Mail Sport: ‘Three of them got jumped from behind by a group wearing balaclavas/masks, with one getting stabbed badly. They were leaving the fan zone to head to the hotel. They are all OK and stable now though thankfully.’
An NUFC spokesperson said: ‘We are deeply concerned by reports that a supporter was seriously assaulted in Milan and are liaising with local authorities to understand the circumstances. Our thoughts are with the supporter & their family & we hope for a full and speedy recovery.’
Over 5,000 Newcastle fans are in the Italian city to cheer on Eddie Howe’s side against AC Milan tonight.
Newcastle, who have not played in the Champions League since 2003, kick off their European campaign at the San Siro, one of football’s most iconic stadiums, in what promises to be an extremely difficult group – which also includes Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund – to progress from.
Newcastle’s arrival in Milan for their opening Group F game was also delayed as bad weather in Italy meant their plane could not take off on schedule.
Had the Premier League outfit arrived on time, they would have done so in torrential rain as thunderclouds gathered over the Italian city as a sultry day drew to a close.
Newcastle will play at the San Siro (pictured) on Tuesday against Italian giants AC Milan
The attack happened on the eve of Newcastle’s emphatic return to the Champions League
It is claimed a group Newcastle supporters were attacked from behind by seven or eight thugs
Post source: Daily mail