Family in shock after United fan stabbed

The family of a man stabbed by Italian football fans today told of their shock at the brutal attack.

Stephen Fitzsimons, 53, was knifed in the groin after he and three friends were ambushed by AS Roma supporters on their way to the club’s clash with Manchester United in Rome.

Mr Fitzsimons, who runs a contract cleaning firm in Manchester, and two other men were stabbed shortly before the match last night at the Olympic stadium.

He was taken to hospital and twice underwent emergency surgery to control his bleeding.

The other men, Mike Skarrett, 51, of Rossendale, and nephew Steve Skarrett, 19, each suffered three knife wounds in the unprovoked attack.

Mike remains in hospital but Steve has been released following treatment.

Mr Fitzsimons suffered one stab wound to the groin and is in hospital, relatives said. His wife, Janice, 60, said she had been frightened at the news.

She said: “I was at the bingo at about 7pm when I got a text message from Stephen saying he had been stabbed and was on his way to hospital. I was just so shocked and scared. I thought at first he was joking but then I realised he was serious.

“Thank goodness it wasn’t any worse. I can’t imagine what these (attackers) were thinking. My husband certainly wouldn’t cause any trouble. This is just a group of middle-aged men going to watch the football.”

Mr Fitzsimons’s sister-in-law, Patricia, 49, said: “The group was on its way to the football when they were ambushed by Italian supporters. Three of the party were stabbed and were taken to hospital.

“The trouble last night was terrible. The Manchester United fans are getting all the blame but it’s not fair.

“They should have been flying home today but they obviously can’t do that now. We don’t know when they are coming home."