A Newcastle United fan, Eddie McKay, found himself in a harrowing situation in Milan, just hours before his beloved club’s Champions League match against AC Milan. McKay, who was accompanied by his son and a friend, was attacked by a group of seven or eight individuals, whom he said were wearing balaclavas.
The incident occurred in Milan’s Navigli district, approximately at midnight on Monday. Eddie McKay, a 58-year-old from Newcastle, sustained serious injuries but is now in stable condition. He suffered stab wounds to his back and arms as he attempted to flee from the assailants.
Local authorities in Milan confirmed that paramedics provided immediate medical attention to Mr. McKay at the scene of the attack. He is currently receiving treatment at a city hospital.
Newcastle United is set to play AC Milan in their first Champions League match in two decades on Tuesday night at the iconic San Siro stadium. Unfortunately, Eddie McKay’s hospitalisation means he will miss the much-anticipated game. McKay’s family is flying to Milan to be by his side during this difficult time.
As of now, Italian police have not determined whether the attack on Mr. McKay was related to football or had other motivations. A spokesperson for the local police stated, “A 58-year-old Englishman, a Newcastle fan, was stabbed around midnight by a group of seven or eight people while he and a friend were between via Segantini and via Gola in Milan. He received a stab wound in the back and two in the arms. A police car intervened, and the man was taken to Policlinico hospital, where he is not in serious condition.”
Newcastle United has approximately 4,000 tickets allocated for their match in Milan. In addition to ticketed fans, some have traveled to the city without tickets in hopes of experiencing the excitement surrounding the match.
The club expressed deep concern about the incident and issued a statement, saying, “We are deeply concerned by reports that a supporter was seriously assaulted in Milan on Monday evening, and we are liaising with local authorities to understand the circumstances. Our thoughts are with the supporter and their family, and we hope for a full and speedy recovery.””
