Brighton and Hove Albion fan Joey Thorpe was attacked with two friends by a gang in balaclavas whilst in Rome. Joey talks about the ordeal and how he and his friends are recovering.
Brighton face Roma in their Europe League last 16 tie.
Brighton face Roma in their Europe League last 16 tie.
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00:00 I'm okay. I'm more concerned about my two other friends to be honest.
00:04 I feel like what happened to them was a lot worse.
00:07 I'm a little bit nervous, a little bit shook up but I'm okay. I'm not too bad.
00:12 So we were just walking down the street from the pub, just casually.
00:15 It wasn't chanting or anything from what I'm aware of anyway.
00:19 And we just got jumped from behind by about six guys in balaclavas and all dressed in black so they're all covered.
00:26 Just jumped from behind, hit me in the head two, three times. I fell on the floor.
00:30 They're kicking me in the head, kicking me in the ribs, in the arm, in the legs, literally everywhere.
00:34 And then I think they caught my two friends up the street and stabbed them.
00:40 And one of my mates got his wallet and his passport taken away.
00:44 Yeah, it's dreadful.
00:46 You just mentioned this now, your friends, do you feel a little bit apprehensive about going to the game tonight?
00:50 A little bit. I'm still going to the game because I'm here to support my team.
00:55 I'm proud to support them, you know what I mean? I'm always going to be there to support them.
00:58 So I'm obviously still going to the game but just a little bit edgy. A little bit edgy.
01:03 Yeah, it must be. How are your friends doing? Have they got work?
01:07 One of them's in hospital still. He's got to have a consultation later on. He's not being released yet.
01:13 And my other friend has been released but I'm not sure his whereabouts at the moment.
01:18 I think he's in the hotel. I'm not sure. He might have gone out but yeah.
01:22 Just quite nervous, you know? Quite nervous.
01:25 Yeah, so I think you guys are wearing the same colours as usual?
01:28 No, no, we're all neutral. I was wearing the exact same as I am now.
01:32 We're all just dressed like normally. Normal clothes, no colours.
01:35 We didn't attract any attention and yeah, they just...
01:38 I think maybe they heard that we were English maybe and they took advantage of that.
01:43 But yeah, what can you do?
01:47 It all happened very quickly to be honest.
01:49 It was... because I didn't even see it coming. I got hit from behind so I didn't have a clue.
01:54 The first thing I remember is me being on the floor trying to cover up
01:58 and they're just kicking me, kicking me, punching me on the floor.
02:01 And lucky I've not got any marks. My jaw's really sore and I've got a couple of internal bruises I think.
02:07 But yeah, it was quite terrifying afterwards because you're a bit shook up.
02:12 And we all got separated as well and you're in a strange city. You don't know where you are.
02:16 So yeah, we're pretty shook up.
02:18 Has anything stolen from you?
02:20 Nothing was stolen from me. Luckily, I think I got away with it to be honest.
02:24 But yeah, my mate got robbed. He got his wallet and his passport taken.
02:28 So that happened.
02:30 Has the club been good since it happened? Have they supported you?
02:32 I haven't spoken to the club but I think Andy and my other mate have spoken to the club I think.
02:38 Have you contacted the police?
02:40 I haven't contacted the police because Andy spoke to the police last night and they were basically blaming us.
02:46 So I don't see any point in me contacting the police because they won't help us.
02:52 I think because we're English maybe.
02:54 And yeah, just blame it on us for being football fans.