Man is knifed as fans violence overshadows dramatic victory
MILLWALL’S FA Cup triumph over Everton last night was marred when rival fans clashed in a mass brawl before kick-off.
One man suffered a knife wound as dozens of supporters fought outside a block of flats in East London. Police have pledged to track down those involved.
Officers with batons, supported by a mounted patrol, eventually managed to separate the warring fans.
The violence had erupted less than an hour before kick-off and the Metropolitan Police reported that no arrests had been made.
Video footage later emerged of the trouble taken from a first-floor window in a block of flats, just a short walk from Millwall’s ground.
The knife victim — who was pictured with blood pouring from a gaping wound — was treated at the scene by paramedics before being ferried off to hospital.
Detective Inspector Darren Young of the Metropolitan Police said: ‘The behaviour of those involved in this incident is nothing short of disgraceful and those involved can be certain we will be working to identify them.
‘We are aware of the video circulating online, which has quite rightly elicited shock and disgust.’
In a statement the Met added: ‘At around 16:42hrs officers became aware of a large group of males fighting in the Hawkstone Road area.
‘One male aged in his 20s was discovered suffering from a slash wound to the face.
‘He was taken to a south London hospital. His injuries are not lifethreatening.
‘A crime scene remains in place.’
Another video has also emerged on social media, reportedly showing Millwall fans confronting a bus which was taking travelling Everton fans to the fourth round tie.
The ugly scenes overshadowed a famous FA Cup fourth-round triumph for Millwall, who had twice come from behind against Premier League Everton before Murray Wallace snatched an injury-time winner.