A Newcastle United fan sustained stab wounds after being attacked in Milan last night ahead of the Toon Army's first Champions League game in 20 years.
Eddie McKay, a 58-year-old who was planning to attend the match with his son and a friend, has been hospitalized but is in a stable condition.
Graphic images published on social media showed the bloodied supporter being attended to by paramedics after being reportedly set upon by a group of seven to eight locals nearing midnight.
In a statement, Newcastle said: "We are deeply concerned by reports that a supporter was seriously assaulted in Milan on Monday evening. 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 recovery."
More than 4,000 fans have made the trip from north-east England despite complaints of price gouging, with hotel prices more than doubled and flights at astronomical rates.
Meanwhile, Newcastle could be reprimanded by UEFA after they arrived late in Milan last night. Clubs must be present for media duties between midday and 8 p.m. in the city where their game is set to take place, but owing to bad weather in the area, the team’s flight was delayed.
The fan taken to the hospital after he was stabbed
Eddie Howe and new midfielder Sandro Tonali, formerly of Milan, did get to a press conference later than the deadline, but owing to the circumstances, the governing body is expected to just provide the club with a warning.
Manager Howe said, “It has been a long day, with an early start and a late finish. I believe there was a weather problem. We sat on the runway—nothing out of the ordinary, and it can happen from time to time. It has been a day of preparation to get our game plan right. It has been intense. We are looking forward to it.”
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