13 December 2023 , 17:50
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Manchester City have warned their supporters to be extremely vigilant after a group of fans were attacked by Red Star Belgrade hooligans before their Champions League game.
City face Red Star in their final group game, having already secured their passage to the last 16. The match may be a dead rubber, but tensions have been running high in the Serbian capital ahead of the 5.45pm kick-off on Wednesday evening.
A group of travelling City fans were attacked at around 11pm on Tuesday by a group of balaclava-clad thugs, who used wooden sticks to cause injuries, according to local newspaper Telegraf. Thankfully, Manchester Evening News reports that, although a few were hospitalised, they have now been discharged after sustaining only minor injuries.
A club statement read: “Manchester City FC is concerned by the news of an attack on our travelling fans last night in Belgrade. We are working closely with the local police to provide additional safety advice and support to all fans attending this evening's match.”
The club have taken extra precautions to try and protect their fans, adding: “We have arranged coaches leaving Student Square at 3:30PM (local time) to safely transport all our fans to and from the Rajko Mitic Stadium. We strongly advise all fans [to] use this mode of transport.
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“Local police advise that all our fans avoid displaying club branded items or colours, and an email has been shared with you containing further travel and safety advice.”
Videos on Twitter showed a group of around 30 Red Star hooligans wearing dark clothing and masks trying to break their way into a bar which housed City supporters. City fans can be seen trying to defend themselves and stop the onrushing ultras from gaining entry into the bar.
Manchester City are already guaranteed top spot in Group G (Srdjan Stevanovic/Getty Images)The shocking scenes were similar to those which took place in Paris recently, when Paris Saint-Germain thugs tried to attack Newcastle supporters in a bar.
City fans have been told that they might be held inside the Rajko Mitic Stadium after the full-time whistle to try and keep them safe. Travelling fans will be held for at least 30 minutes, and up to an hour and a half, with food and drink to allow home supporters to disperse.
Man City have a perfect record in the Champions League this season, having won all five of their matches to sit top of Group G. They are already guaranteed top spot, while Red Star are rock-bottom, with just one point from their five matches.