This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/london/8225698.stm

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Football stab man 'tried to flee' Football stab man 'tried to flee'
(about 1 hour later)
A man who was stabbed before Tuesday's violence-marred football match between West Ham and Millwall was attempting to flee from a gang, police have said. The man who was stabbed at the West Ham versus Millwall Carling Cup match was a father who had gone to the game with his sons.
The 43-year-old had been trying to flee to safety with his family when he was punched and kicked before being knifed in the chest just before the game. The 43-year-old man, who is in a stable condition, was attacked after becoming separated from his children.
Police said the man's sons found him and he is now stable in hospital. A Millwall supporter, he was chased by a gang of West Ham fans after arriving at the wrong gate at Upton Park.
Fourteen people were arrested after the rival fans fought for hours around West Ham's Upton Park ground in east London. Fourteen people were arrested after rival fans fought for hours around the ground in east London.
Police said the victim and his family, who were Millwall supporters, initially went to the wrong entrance of the ground. Police said the stabbing victim and his sons were approached by a gang of West Ham supporters as the family tried to reach the correct part of the ground.
As they went to the correct one they were approached by a gang of West Ham supporters. The family became separated and the man was found stabbed near the Priory Road bus garage.
'Brutal attack'
The victim and his sons became separated from the rest of the group. The man then became separated from his sons and soon after he was stabbed.
He collapsed near the Priory Road bus garage.
If not for the swift intervention of paramedics, the man would have lost his life Det Insp Lee BarnardIf not for the swift intervention of paramedics, the man would have lost his life Det Insp Lee Barnard
Det Insp Lee Barnard, from the Newham violent crime unit, said: "This incident was not a pre-arranged act of violence between two sets of rival supporters; this was an innocent family man who was subjected to a senseless attack by people intent on causing violence.Det Insp Lee Barnard, from the Newham violent crime unit, said: "This incident was not a pre-arranged act of violence between two sets of rival supporters; this was an innocent family man who was subjected to a senseless attack by people intent on causing violence.
"The victim was subjected to a brutal and sustained attack as he and his family tried to flee to safety."The victim was subjected to a brutal and sustained attack as he and his family tried to flee to safety.
"If not for the swift intervention of paramedics, the man would have lost his life.""If not for the swift intervention of paramedics, the man would have lost his life."
About 200 riot police and at least 20 mounted officers were deployed to contain violence between the fans, who have a rivalry dating back decades. About 200 riot police and at least 20 mounted officers were deployed to contain violence between the fans.
Nine people have been charged over incidents related to the game. Charges cover offences such as breaching a football banning order, assaulting a police officer and other public order offences.
The events brought widespread condemnation from football bosses and politicians.The events brought widespread condemnation from football bosses and politicians.
Back to top