Millwall in Europe

**Snotty** · 1st October 2004

Four Millwall football fans were treated in hospital after being stabbed during violent clashes before the London club's UEFA Cup match in Budapest.

The Foreign Office said the fans, who have not been named, were taken to hospital last night as the club suffered a 3-1 defeat to Ferencvaros.

A spokesman for the Foreign Office said: ``Two are seriously injured and two are less seriously injured.

``Members of the British consulate are with them in hospital.''

The spokesman also said that four British fans had been arrested in Budapest's city centre as violence overshadowed the the build-up to the UEFA Cup first round second leg match.

Millwall assistant manager Ray Wilkins told journalists in Budapest: ``I didn't know about the stabbings.

"But if that is the case then I am extremely disappointed.''

Meanwhile fists and ripped-out seats flew in one corner of the Baniks Ostrava ground in Middlesbrough's 1-1 draw in the Czech Republic.

Around 200 so-called fans from both clubs clashed, forcing riot police to intervene, although not for several minutes as they were woefully late on the scene.

UEFA are to launch an investigation, and it is almost certain Banik will be punished for their failure to control the sale and distribution of tickets as at least 1,000 Boro fans were housed in seating reserved for the home fans.

**Tattooed Freak** · 2nd October 2004

2 sets of English fans with well documented pasts for violence. Saw this coming as soon as they qualified!

**lombie** · 2nd October 2004

It was a tad hairy in Budapest for sure:whistle

The police 'protection' was a shambles. Luckily we policed ourselves to good effect after the first confrontation when the guys were stabbed.

They won't fancy meeting any English club again i would guess

**Tattooed Freak** · 3rd October 2004

How many of "their" cops were present and were any English coppers mingling with the fans?

**lombie** · 3rd October 2004

There were only 4 met police who travelled with us and they were non-uniformed and only there 'for advice'. That was what we were told anyway but obviously no-one knew who or where they were.

There were a fair few stormtroopers of theirs and they were extremely fair in sharing out the tear gas:coffee: and applying pressure with 3 foot batons. To be honest before the game they were given the right run around and lost control completely.

After the match there must have been about 3-400 of them waiting, some in riot gear and others just in uniform with a couple of water cannons as back-up.

I've been going Millwall now for 17 years and never experienced anything like it before the game - was a near riot.

**Snotty** · 3rd October 2004

Did you go toe-to-toe with the Budapest O.B?

**Tattooed Freak** · 3rd October 2004

Judging by the tear gas they were offering free samples of I doubt it!

**lombie** · 4th October 2004

Originally Posted by Snotty

Did you go toe-to-toe with the Budapest O.B?

It was more Baton-to-head after the tear up in the square.

The plod on the horses even had fu**ing swords!!!!

The dogs were kindly muzzled

The water cannons are still full

The gas canisters are indeed empty as were the contents of my stomach