Two fans injured in violent clashes between Chelsea and Arsenal ahead of Europa League final with one in hospital with an ‘open head wound’
- Chelsea and Arsenal fans have clashed in Baku in the build-up to the big match
- Fans from both English teams are in Azerbaijan for the Europa League final
- Local reports state two fans have been taken to hospital overnight
- Azerbaijan Health Ministry spokesman confirmed fan had an ‘open head wound’
Two fans have been injured in violent clashes between Chelsea and Arsenal in Baku ahead of the Europa League final, according to reports in Azerbaijan.
Local reports in Baku state that two supporters were taken to hospital overnight and treated for their injuries.
Supporters from both English clubs are in Azerbaijan ahead of the European final which will kick off at 11pm local time on Wednesday night.
Two fans have been injured in violent clashes between Chelsea and Arsenal in Baku
Baku-based newspaper Haqqin.az broke the story on Wednesday morning, though there has since been no confirmation from either of the Premier League clubs.
Azerbaijan Health Ministry spokesman Parviz Abubekirov revealed that one British fan was hospitalised with an open head wound and bruising ‘as a result of an altercation between fans of the two football teams.’
Abubekirov adds a Russian man was hurt in an unconnected incident in a bar and treated at the scene.
Arsenal and Chelsea fans have made their way to Baku (There is no suggestion that any supporters pictured were involved in the confrontations)
Both teams also have local supporters based in Azerbaijan (There is no suggestion that any supporters pictured were involved in the confrontations)
Relatively few English fans have travelled to Azerbaijan for Wednesday’s final because of high costs, and neither Arsenal nor Chelsea sold out their allocations of 6,000 tickets apiece.
However, many fans of both clubs have flown in from Russia and southeast Asia, and both Arsenal and Chelsea have local supporters in Azerbaijan.
