England fans beaten up in Moscow

Four England football fans were taken to hospital in Moscow after being beaten up ahead of today’s Euro 2008 qualifier against Russia, the British foreign and commonwealth office said.

Two have already been discharged and the remaining two are expected to be released from hospital later today.

They suffered minor injuries in a fight last night, a spokesman said, although he could not confirm whether they were attacked by rival football supporters.

Officials from the British embassy in Moscow are on standby in case of further trouble around the crunch game, which kicks off at 4pm Irish Time.

The FCO spokesman said: “As with every international match, a lot of liaison does go on between the relevant policing authorities, the football associations and other interested parties so that everything runs smoothly and with the minimum of incident.”