An Albion football fan says he is “a little shaken up” after his friends were stabbed while following the club in Rome.
Joe Thorpe was leaving a bar with his two friends when he was “jumped” by a group of men wearing black and covering their faces with balaclavas.
He said that he had “never experienced anything like it” and called on fans to stick together and “try not to be noticed” ahead of tonight’s Europa League match against AS Roma.
Joe, 27, from Portslade, said: “We were just walking up the street having just left the pub, we weren’t chanting or anything.
“All of a sudden these six people jumped us from behind. A couple of my mates ran away but I got jumped and beaten up.
"They were kicking me everywhere, in the head and the ribs.
“I’ve never had an experience like that. We go to every single game home and away and I’ve never experienced that, even in Marseille [where Albion played earlier this season].
Joe said he did not need to go to hospital but two of his friends did.
“I’m a little shaken up and nervous but I’m still going to the game. We are staying at the hotel all day and then going straight back there after.
Follow live updates from Rome after football fans stabbed ahead of Europa League match
“It’s a shame. We need to all stick together and not be rowdy or loud and just try to blend in.”
Joe says that one of his friends remains in hospital having suffered a cut to the leg while another friend has since been discharged from hospital.
News outlets in Rome reported that Joe and his friends were attacked shortly after midnight on Via Cavour, a city centre road near the Colosseum.
Albions fans are in Rome to watch the side in the Europa League Round of 16 against AS Roma at the Stadio Olimpico.
A Sussex Police spokesman said dedicated football officer Darren Balkham was in Rome to work alongside Italian police and European partner agencies.
PC Balkham said: "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."
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