A Newcastle fan is in hospital after being stabbed in Milan ahead of the club’s Champions League match.

Eddie McKay was with his son and a friend when they were attacked by a group of seven or eight people, who he claims were wearing balaclavas.

The 58-year-old, from Newcastle, is in a stable condition, after being stabbed in Milan’s Navigli district at around midnight on Monday.

He suffered stab wounds to his back and arms after he fell to the ground while trying to run away.

Police in Milan confirmed Mr McKay was treated for injuries by paramedics at the scene and is in a city hospital.

Newcastle play AC Milan in their first Champions League match for 20 years on Tuesday night in the San Siro.

Mr McKay’s family are flying to Milan later today to be by his side.

His daughter, Rachel McKay, told Sky Sports News: “My dad is stable and in a bit of shock. He’s gutted he’s missing the match, but just wants every other Newcastle fan out here to be aware and be safe.

“He has just had two knee replacements, so he fell when he was being chased and that is when he was attacked.

“My brother is okay, but is in shock after seeing that happen to our dad. I’m flying out there later. We haven’t slept all night.”

Police say they do not yet know if the attack was related to football or other reasons.

A local police spokesperson said: “A 58-year-old Englishman, a Newcastle fan, was stabbed around midnight by a group of seven or eight people while he and a friend were between via Segantini and via Gola in Milan.

“He received a stab wound in the back and two in the arms.

“A police car intervened, and the man was taken to Policlinico hospital, where he is not in serious condition.”

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Newcastle have 4,000 tickets for tonight’s game in Milan. Ticketless fans have also travelled to the city ahead of the match.

A spokesperson for the club said: “We are deeply concerned by reports that a supporter was seriously assaulted in Milan on Monday evening, and we are liaising with local authorities to understand the circumstances.

“Our thoughts are with the supporter and their family, and we hope for a full and speedy recovery.”

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