Premier League News

Spurs fans attacked in France

Three Tottenham Hotspur supporters were reportedly admitted to hospital following an attack at the Smoking Dog pub in Lyon ahead of their Europa League tie on Thursday.

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As many as 50 masked men descended on the bar that was occupied by 150 Spurs fans, on two separate occasions, where they smashed in doors, threw a number of wooden objects as well as cast-iron chairs, and a flare.

Dave Eales, the establishment's landlord explained what happened at the popular venue.

He said: "At 10.18 the pub was rammed with Tottenham fans watching the Champions League on the television. The front of the pub, which is made up of reinforced glass, was attacked by 20-25 people.

"They threw projectiles through the windows. There was a stand off. They didn't get in to the bar. Then it calmed down. 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."

This is the second time in a matter of months that Tottenham fans have been attacked following a similar incident in Rome prior to their match with Lazio in November.

An unnamed source added: "There were 50 who attacked in the first wave and 25 in the second.

"It's a pretty scary thing when you're confronted by people doing Nazi salutes.

"A lit flare was thrown through the window as well as the heavy weight, the kind that's used on terraces to hold down umbrellas.

"It was terrifying. I've never seen anything like it. They threw iron stools through the windows as well."

Spurs fan Christian Radnege commented: "They came in making Nazi salutes. It was frightening.

"Rome was fresh in everyone's minds. 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 in to the bar because it was full of Spurs fans. There were drips of blood left in the bar. The owners barricaded the pub between the two waves of attacks."

Eales concluded: "The most disappointing thing is that I spoke to the police a couple of days ago about the potential for trouble because of what people associate Tottenham being.

"There will be a big presence on the match day, but tonight it didn't happen."

Posted: 21/02/13 05:48

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