A NEWCASTLE United fan was ambushed and stabbed by a pack of men in Milan ahead of the club’s Champions League clash.
Brit Eddie McKay, 58, was with his son when he was viciously attacked by seven or eight knife-wielding thugs wearing balaclavas around midnight.
Italian police confirmed to The Sun that the man was targeted in a neighbourhood in downtown Milan on Navigli where he was walking with others.
Cops described the pack as a “bunch of men wearing hooded sweatshirts” who stabbed the victim twice on the arm and the “deeply” in the back.
The Newcastle supporter was then saved by police and taken straight to a hospital under a “code red”, according to local media.
The 58-year-old is said to now be in a stable condition and will be hopefully discharged later today.
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The motive behind the stabbing is not currently known and nothing was stolen from the victim.
Italian police say they are currently investigating whether it was a football-related attack or something else.
Mr McKay’s family will be flying to Milan later today to be by his side.
McKay’s daughter, Rachel, told Sky News: “My dad is stable and in a bit of shock. He’s gutted he’s missing the match, but just wants every other Newcastle fan out here to be aware and be safe.
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“He has just had two knee replacements, so he fell when he was being chased and that is when he was attacked.
“My brother is okay, but is in shock after seeing that happen to our dad. I’m flying out there later. We haven’t slept all night.”
A Newcastle United spokesperson told The Sun: “We are deeply concerned by reports that a supporter was seriously assaulted in Milan on Monday evening and we are liaising with local authorities to understand the circumstances.
“Our thoughts are with the supporter and his family and we hope for a full and speedy recovering.”
Around 5,000 Newscastle fans have flocked to the Italian city to cheer on the Magpies in their match against AC Milan at the iconic stadium of San Siro.
It was a scramble for the 4,300 seats dedicated to the visiting team and they’ve long been sold out, while other loyal fans still rushed to the city without a ticket.
It will be The Toon’s first Champions League game in 20 long years, making it their first taste of top-tier European football in a generation.
But their preparations have not been plain sailing after their flight to Milan was delayed by three hours due to a storm.
Meanwhile, footage shared on social media revealed the Magpie fans have certainly made the most of the occasion.
In crazy scenes, the fans can be seen sliding topless in the slippery streets of Milan with dozens watching on.
At the riverside, the Toon Army made a true show of force as they donned stripey black and white hats, scarfs and shirts, partied and waved the Magpie’s flags.
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Spirits of the revellers appeared high, although Newcastle has a lot to prove as they kick of their European campaign.
The last time the team played away from home in this competition was also in Milan back in 2003, where 12,000 visiting fans watched 2-2 draw with Inter.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
