Brighton fan stabbed in Rome is given rousing reception as he arrives at the Stadio Olimpico less than 24 hours after being wounded in attack by masked gang

Brighton fans threw their full support behind one of their own as a supporter arrived at the Stadio Olimpico for their Europa League clash with Roma just hours after being stabbed and held at knifepoint by a masked gang.

Two men, aged 28 and 29, were taken to hospital with ‘minor knife wounds’ following a knifepoint robbery, a spokesman said. 

The police were called to the historic Monti district of Rome after a restaurant waiter raised the alarm at around midnight on Wednesday evening.

The two Brighton supporters looked set to miss Thursday’s European tie following the shocking incident, but one fan was able to make his way to the stadium with the aid of a crutch.

As he made his way down the steps to take his seat ahead of kick-off, his fellow Brighton fans sang his name and applauded in a heartwarming moment.

One of the Brighton fans who was stabbed made his way to the stadium with the aid of a crutch

The stabbed fan (wearing a yellow jacket) got a rousing reception from his fellow Brighton fans

The man reportedly required 10 stitches after being stabbed, but was back on his feet and able to watch his team at the iconic venue in the Italian capital.

According to a police spokesperson, the two Brighton fans were attacked by ‘six or seven people wearing masks’.

The pair were robbed of a belt bag containing their identity documents and wallets. An investigation is underway.

Another Brighton fan, Joey Thorpe, was at the scene and described the terrifying ordeal that he and his friends went through.

Speaking to MailOnline, Joey said: ‘I got jumped first, there were these kids following us and I got jumped first… They were pumping me in the head, kicking me in the ribs and just hammering me.

‘The police didn’t wanna know and never saw basically blaming us, which is obvious, because that was always gonna happen,’ he said. ‘Because we’re in a foreign country. they’re just going to blame us.’

‘We weren’t chanting or anything, we’d just come out of the pub. We’d had a few drinks, but we were just being as normal as possible.’

Joey Thorpe, 27, had been at a bar in the Italian capital with five friends when he said he was jumped from behind and beaten up by the masked assailants

PC Darren Balkham, Sussex Police liaison officer for the club, wrote on X: ‘We are aware of the incident reported in Italian media last night. Have spoken to both Brighton fans who are ok.’

Brighton also claimed Roma fans threw objects including bottles, coins and lighters into the away section of the ground.

‘We have reported to UEFA and Italian Police and requested immediate action be taken,’ the club said in a statement. 

Brighton impressed in the group stages of the Europa League, winning four of their six games to top Group B ahead of Marseille and Ajax.

However, their last-16 tie got off to a disastrous start as they fell two goals behind in the first half following strikes by Paulo Dybala and Romelu Lukaku. 

The return leg at the Amex Stadium is due to take place next Thursday.