Two Brighton & Hove Albion fans have been stabbed and robbed in Italy ahead of the club's Europa League last-16 tie with Roma on Thursday.
Around 4,000 Seagulls supporters have travelled to the Italian capital ahead of their visit to the Stadio Olimpico, where Roberto De Zerbi's side will take on Serie A outfit Roma in a first-leg contest.
According to reports from Italian media, via The Independent, a restaurant worker informed police shortly after midnight on Wednesday that two fans came in to ask for help after being stabbed nearby.
The attack is understood to have taken place close to the capital's iconic Roman Colosseum, just over four miles away from the Stadio Olimpico.
A gang of six or seven masked individuals were said to have been involved in the attack, with the victims' backpacks containing their wallets being stolen.
The supporters, both men aged 27 and 28, were hospitalised with minor injuries and have since been discharged.
© Reuters
Sussex Police, who are believed to be out in Rome ahead of Thursday's game, are aware of the incident and have spoken to the two victims.
As quoted by The Mirror, a Brighton fan said: "Me and a couple of my mates got attacked in Rome last night after leaving a bar. Just want to say that every Brighton fan in Rome please be careful. It's so dangerous out here and worse than Marseille."
Brighton's police liaison officer, Darren Balkham, addressed the incident on X, saying: "We are aware of the incident reported in Italian media last night. Have spoken to both Brighton fans who are OK. We reiterate the advice of the club published on the pre-match info."
Earlier this week, Brighton issued detailed travel advice for their supporters ahead of their trip to Italy and encouraged fans to avoid wearing club colours.
Brighton are gearing up for their first-ever European knockout tie after finishing top of their Europa League group ahead of Marseille, Ajax and AEK Athens.
Last season's finalists Roma, meanwhile, finished second in their group and required a 4-2 win on penalties over Feyenoord, following a 2-2 draw over two legs in the playoff round, to advance to the last 16.
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