Two face court over fan's stabbing

Nov 24 2012

Two Italians are due to appear in court charged with attempted murder after a group of English football fans were ambushed in Rome.

At least 11 Spurs fans were injured in the attack at 1am on Thursday as up to 50 hooligans stormed the Drunken Ship pub armed with knuckle dusters, baseball bats, knives and broken bottles.

Essex builder Ashley Mills, 25, was most seriously injured sustaining stab wounds to his leg and head. He was taken to San Camillo Hospital in the Eternal City and continues to be assessed but is not in a life-threatening condition.

He and his fellow Spurs fans were enjoying a drink ahead of the club's Europa League tie against Lazio when the Ultras - right-wing, hooligan fans - stormed the pub.

Fans scrambled to safety as the pub was smashed up in the chaos.

Rome police said two fans of Roma, the city's other Serie A side, had been charged with attempted murder. Francesco Ianari, 26, and Mauro Pinnelli, 25, are due to appear in court.

On Friday, Mr Mills spoke of the horrifying attack. He told the Evening Standard said his attacker "came out of nowhere".

He added: "I didn't see the guy who stabbed me. There were too many of them."

Mr Mills said there was a good atmosphere in the bar, where everyone was having a few drinks before everything turned sour. He added: "I was standing outside drinking and the next thing I knew there were loads of them. It happened very quickly, I don't remember much. I remember being pulled out, along the ground, after I had been stabbed."

On Friday night, president of the Italian Football Association (FIGC) Giancarlo Abete sent a letter of apology to English FA chairman David Bernstein following the attack.