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FOOTY KNIFE ATTACK

England football fan has life-saving surgery after he was knifed in violent clashes following World Cup qualifying game in Slovakia

Dad-of-three Craig Rosie stabbed in Bratislava pub amid unrest that saw at least six England supporters scooped by police

AN England fan has been stabbed in violent clashes between supporters after Sunday's win against Slovakia.

Craig Rosie, 42, was attacked in a pub in the capital Bratislava after travelling from the game in nearby Trnava, according to family.

 Knifed ... Dad-of-three Craig Rosie was attacked as he celebrated in Bratislava after England's 1-0 win
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Knifed ... Dad-of-three Craig Rosie was attacked as he celebrated in Bratislava after England's 1-0 winCredit: Facebook
 Support ... As many as 2,000 travelling fans are thought to have made the journey to see England's opening World Cup qualifier
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Support ... As many as 2,000 travelling fans are thought to have made the journey to see England's opening World Cup qualifierCredit: PA:Press Association
 Winner ... Adam Lallana's last-minute goal sealed victory for England
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Winner ... Adam Lallana's last-minute goal sealed victory for EnglandCredit: PA:Press Association

The Gloucester man has had to undergo emergency surgery for serious wounds to his chest and stomach.

Craig's wife Danielle said Craig and a pal were knifed by Slovakian fans, reports.

The dad of three only realised he had been injured after seeing his friend was bleeding, she said.

"He was in a pub in the centre of Bratislava and there was some trouble. The Slovakian fans started fighting with them.

"The next thing one of Craig's friends said his top was ripped and he was bleeding then realised he had been stabbed", she said.

"Craig felt nothing I think it was due to shock."

 Clashes ... Riot police were deployed in the capital after reports of clashes among England fans
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Clashes ... Riot police were deployed in the capital after reports of clashes among England fansCredit: CEN
 Hundreds of England fans took to the streets of Bratislava to celebrate the last-minute win
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Hundreds of England fans took to the streets of Bratislava to celebrate the last-minute winCredit: CEN

Cops were called to the fight in the old town at 3am.

Four Brits and two Slovaks were arrested.

A police spokesman said: "During this conflict an English citizen suffered a stab wound in his abdomen and he was transported to a hospital."

Danielle said her and her children Kirsty, 19, Callum, 13, Thomas, nine were "worried and scared" for Bristol Rovers fan Craig.

"We just want Craig home safe," she said.

An online fundraiser to bring him home by jetting two people to Bratislava and driving back has been set up after fears he could be prevented from flying due to his injuries.

 Bloody clashes erupted between fans, leading to the arrest of at least six England supporters
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Bloody clashes erupted between fans, leading to the arrest of at least six England supportersCredit: CEN

News of the stabbing has emerged after at least six England fans were arrested for drunk and violent behaviour following the last-minute victory.

Dozens of riot police descended on Bratislava city centre on Sunday night after reports of clashes both among England supporters and between them and Slovakian fans.

 Mess ... Chairs and tables littered the old town's alleyways after several fights between England fans and Slovak supporters
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Mess ... Chairs and tables littered the old town's alleyways after several fights between England fans and Slovak supportersCredit: CEN
 Singing ... Rowdy fans were also scooped by police for drunken behaviour
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Singing ... Rowdy fans were also scooped by police for drunken behaviourCredit: CEN

Police spokesman Micha Szeiff confirmed a 22-year-old Brit is being held on suspicion of riotous conduct while a 25-year-old is in custody on suspicion of assaulting a public official.

The police also detained a 39-year-old British man who allegedly attacked a policewoman during his arrest.

Meanwhile, a 57-year-old Englishman was allegedly attacked by four Slovaks and taken to hospital for treatment.

As many as 2,000 travelling fans are thought to have made the journey to see England's opening World Cup qualifier.


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