Champions league headache, very terrifying moment as marauding masked thugs attacked a group of Liverpool fans in the shadow of Kiev’s Olympic stadium.
Group of 20 hooligans launched a terrifying attack like a “pack of dogs ” just after 8.30pm tonight after Liverpool fans travelled to the Ukrainian capital, a table of British supporters shielded themselves with tables and chairs at the Rooster restaurant as the fans - wearing hoods and skull mask-emblazoned bandanas across their faces - stormed the establishment.
And the travelling supporters fled over barriers in terror as glasses, chairs and tables were hurled at them.
They were left covered in blood - with cuts and wounds to their heads and neck - and were forced to take cover.
The attack raises fears about the potential for further hooligan attacks as Liverpool prepare to take on Real Madrid in Saturday’s Champions League Final.
Eyewitness; Jason Frost, 50, from Nuneaton, was attacked just hours after arriving in Kiev after a travelling through Istanbul to watch Jurgen Klopp’s men take on the Spanish side on Saturday.
He said: “We were having dinner, completely minding our own business. I didn’t come here for this. I came to watch the football.
“We’ve been here for four hours and then we’re getting attacked. They came at us like a pack of dogs. It just kept coming. It was terrifying.”
Another Liverpool fan, who did not want to be named, was held by police in handcuffs as he tried the flee the scene. As he was forced
to the floor he pleaded to be released, yelling: “I’ve done nothing wrong, I was just having dinner.”
He told the Daily Mirror after being released: “We were just having dinner. They just stormed the place - they were throwing glasses and tables. It was terrifying.
“They wouldn’t release us and we just wanted to leave. We did nothing wrong.”
Thousands of Liverpool fans yesterday made the trip to Ukraine ahead of this weekend’s showpiece final, the trouble comes just a month to the day Liverpool fan Sean Cox was attacked before the Champions’ League semi-final against Roma at Anfield on April 24.
The dad-of-three, 53, of Co Meath, Ireland, is critically ill following the assault, Italians Filippo Lombardi and Daniele Sciusco were charged with violent disorder after the Champions League semi-final between the clubs on April 24.
Lombardi, 21, was also charged with inflicting grievous bodily harm on Mr Cox , 53, who travelled from Ireland to watch the match, won 5-2 by Liverpool.
The dad-of-three suffered serious head injuries and still remains in hospital at Walton Neurological Centre, with his wife Martina at his bedside.
This evening's attack came after heartbroken Liverpool fans faced the prospect of missing the big match because of travel chaos.
Furious supporters vented their anger on social media after their flights were cancelled at the final hour.
One supporter described it as an "absolute disgrace" while another said he "feels like crying".
Three flights have been cancelled by World Choice Sport, who claim they could not arrange suitable arrival slots at Kiev Borispyl airport.
It leaves hundreds of supporters stranded and having to make last minute plans to get to Ukraine for the game against Real Madrid on Saturday night.
On Tuesday Merseyside Police confirmed that a number of officers would be travelling to the Ukraine to help with the security operation around the match.
Chief Superintendent Dave Charnock earlier this week urged supporters not to travel without tickets.
He said: "Given the vigilance of police and security around the stadium, we would encourage fans to arrive in plenty of time to enjoy the atmosphere.
"I would also encourage people to look after their own personal safety by taking some simple precautions – look after your money and belongings, stay together in groups, drink sensibly and give yourself plenty of time to get to the ground."
Written by Dan Warburton for mirror.co.uk
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