Share

Stabbed fan out of hospital

Rome - A Tottenham fan who was stabbed in an apparent anti-Semitic raid ahead of a Europa League match with Lazio last month was released from the hospital on Monday.

Ashley Mills met with reporters at the San Camillo medical facility before his discharge, and said that he hopes to resume normal activity soon.

Mills would not comment on what happened during the raid at a pub in a central Rome square two weeks ago.

"I don't really want to talk about it," he said, sitting in a wheelchair. "My leg is getting a lot better now and that's the main thing."

Mills' femoral artery was gashed on his right thigh, and Dr Piergiorgio Cao said that he risked losing his life had he not been operated on immediately.

Mills was flying back to London later Monday on a private medical flight provided by his insurance carrier.

Mills also suffered a cut to his scalp.

"It's not too bad," he said. "Once my hair grows back it will be alright."

Dr Piergiorgio Cao said Mills suffered "massive bleeding" from the thigh wound.

"It was a complete repair of the artery without any prosthetic or artificial material, which is very important, because these kind of stab wounds have a danger of infections," Cao said. "So far he has no infection and the wound appears very clean, so I'm very optimistic about a very quick, full recovery."

Mills said he will remain a travelling football fan, and was hoping to return to Tottenham's White Hart Lane ground "as soon as possible."

"I still love football," he said. "I'm still going to go to as many games as I can.

"I'll have to take some time off, because I'm a self-employed builder, so obviously I'm not of use to anyone in this state," Mills added. "But it shouldn't be too long hopefully and I'll be back."

Two Roma fans arrested after the attack remain in jail and have been banned from sports grounds in Italy for five years.

At least seven people were injured in the early morning attack on November 22, which left the pub wrecked.

Italian news reports, quoting unidentified witnesses, said the hooligans shouted "Jew" during the attack. Tottenham is known for having a large Jewish fan base from north London.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
How much would you be prepared to pay for a ticket to watch the Springboks play against the All Blacks at Ellis Park or Cape Town Stadium this year?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
R0 - R200
33% - 1814 votes
R200 - R500
32% - 1774 votes
R500 - R800
19% - 1082 votes
R800 - R1500
8% - 459 votes
R1500 - R2500
3% - 186 votes
I'd pay anything! It's the Boks v All Blacks!
5% - 252 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE