Champions League: Six Liverpool fans stabbed in Rome clashes

Six Liverpool fans have been stabbed near Rome's Olympic Stadium.

They were stabbed in the buttocks and one is seriously injured.

The incidents occurred ahead of Liverpool's Uefa Cup clash against AS Roma.

Gerard Collins, 26, is recovering in hospital after being slashed across his back and arm in an earlier incident.

Gary McAlbin, 30, and Terry Blake, 26, both suffered less serious wounds than Gerard Collins in what were described as isolated attacks in the early hours and they discharged themselves from hospital in time for the game.

The fan who was seriously injured is in Santo Spirito hospital and undergoing surgery. The latest victims received slash wounds during an attack outside the stadium minutes before kick-off.

Fans of Roma clashed around kick off time with police outside the stadium.

Hooligans angered by closure of gates as a security measure at the ground threw stones and bottles at police, who responded with tear gas. The troublemakers also set fire to a taxi and a motor cycle.

Earlier, a gang of Romans, failing in their aim of reaching coaches carrying Liverpool fans, hurled bottles at police cars, and one officer was hit.

During the afternoon, rowdy British fans threw two Bangladeshi tourists and a Japanese tourist into the Trevi Fountain, a popular attraction.