adminAC Milan general manager Barbara Berlusconi has condemned the violence that overshadowed the Serie A side’s qualification for the knockout rounds of the Champions League on Wednesday night.
Three Ajax fans needed hospital treatment for knife wounds after clashes between rival sets of fans in the Lombardy capital following the 0-0 draw, while two other Dutch visitors were injured but did not require hospital treatment. A market tradesman was also hurt in the clashes, with three visiting fans arrested, accused of mugging him.
“The satisfaction of reaching the next round is overshadowed by these incidents,” Berlusconi, the daughter of club president Silvio, said. “They are serious and unacceptable acts.”
The Milan fans’ violent attacks are believed to be a response to an incident in the city earlier on Wednesday, when Ajax fans reportedly left their coach to ambush a group of Italian workers on strike and then re-boarded before travelling on.
The coach was later recognised close to the San Siro stadium and 10 passengers were identified.
La Gazzetta dello Sport also reported that Dutch fans threw bottles and cans at passers-by in the city centre, with several shops forced to pull down the shutters to prevent damage to their property.
“What has happened today in Milan is extremely serious,” Berlusconi added. “The people on both sides who have caused these incidents are not football fans but delinquents.”
There was at least positive news on the pitch as Milan picked up the point they needed to reach the last 16 of the Champions League on a tense night inside the Stadio San Siro.-Soccernet.
Online Reporter