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Tottenham Hotspur fans attacked in Lyon bar | |
(35 minutes later) | |
Tottenham Hotspur fans have been attacked in a bar in the French city of Lyon on the eve of their side's Europa League tie. | |
Three supporters were taken to hospital after a group of men wearing balaclavas smashed the pub's windows. Other fans were hurt by flying glass. | |
Lyon-based journalist Alexander Aucott said the windows were smashed with tables and chairs from another bar. | Lyon-based journalist Alexander Aucott said the windows were smashed with tables and chairs from another bar. |
The Foreign Office later confirmed it was looking into reports of the attack. | |
It took place nearly 24 hours before the match, in the last-32 stage of the tournament. | |
Tottenham won the first-leg of the tie 2-1 at their White Hart Lane ground last Thursday. | |
Lit flare | |
Sports journalist Christian Radnedge, a Tottenham fan, was in the bar - an English-style pub called the Smoking Dog Pub - and he told BBC Radio 5 Live the men gave Nazi salutes before launching the attack. | |
He said he did not believe the men were Lyon fans. | |
Among other things, a lit flare is understood to have been thrown into the bar, which was filled with up to 150 fans, landlord Dave Eales, originally from Nottinghamshire, said. | |
"The front of the pub, which is made up of reinforced glass, was attacked by 20 to 25 people," he said. | |
"They threw projectiles through the windows. There was a stand-off. They didn't get into the bar. Then it calmed down. | |
"[But] then they came back a second time and it all started again. There were three injured Tottenham fans taken away by ambulance. | |
"One of them had a head injury. I'm not sure how bad it was." | |
Rome attack | |
In November, Tottenham fans were targeted in an attack in Roma - apparently with an anti-Semitic motive - ahead of the club's match with Lazio. | |
"Rome was fresh in everyone's minds," said Mr Radnedge. "Everyone realised this was serious. | |
"They left and then we thought that was it, but five minutes later it started again. | |
"The intruders did not get into the bar because it was full of Spurs fans." | |
Police in Lyon did not provide any details of the events at the bar when contacted by the BBC. | Police in Lyon did not provide any details of the events at the bar when contacted by the BBC. |