Calls for calm after fans hurt in Ukraine

The men were injured following an incident in central Kiev on Sunday night, with reports claiming hooded Ukrainian fans armed with knives set upon the England supporters in a coffee shop.

Police in the Ukrainian capital said it was a fight that involved around “40 English fans and more than 20 Ukrainians” and broke out after the two sides traded insults.

“Three British citizens... were taken to hospital with wounds to the head and hands. After getting medical treatment they were taken back to their accommodation,” a police spokesman said.

One British supporter, Watford fan Dave Stone, posted on Twitter he had been attacked with a bottle.

Around 2,000 England fans are expected to attend the game in Kiev’s Olympic Stadium, where a win for England would move them to within touching distance of a place in next summer’s finals in Brazil.

England manager Roy Hodgson said: “We deplore that, everyone deplores that and I’m certain people in Kiev deplore that.

“It’s unfortunate these things can happen when football fans get together. I’m sad it’s occurred and I only hope our fans are not going to be put off and the fans aren’t so badly injured they can’t attend the game.”

Extra police officers are said to have been drafted in by police in Ukraine. Rachel Barber, head of the UK police delegation in the country, said the atmosphere had been good and the incident came out of the blue.

“We would urge supporters to enjoy themselves but to do so without upsetting anybody.

“You can never legislate for something happening but hopefully the England fans will just have a good time in what is a fantastic city.”

A Foreign Office spokesman said they were aware of incidents in Kiev and were providing consular assistance.

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