Violence and Celebrations in Rome Ahead of Champions League Final

Tensions ran high in Rome before the Champions League final between Manchester United and Barcelona, with scattered episodes of violence reported in and outside the Italian capital. Despite authorities' efforts to impose an alcohol ban, many fans flooded the cobblestone streets, and two United fans were arrested for assaulting bystanders and police. Meanwhile, a Manchester United fan was hospitalized after suffering a stab wound, and 15 people, including supporters of both teams, were arrested by police.

Key Takeaways:

A Manchester United fan was hospitalized after being stabbed in the thigh near his hotel in the Vatican area, with four attackers speaking Spanish reportedly involved.
The fan was discharged from the hospital on Wednesday afternoon after telling investigators that the attackers spoke Spanish.
Two United fans, aged 19 and 45, were arrested for assaulting bystanders and police in Campo de Fiori, a popular square in the heart of Rome.
The men were drunk despite a ban on alcohol sales imposed by authorities in areas including the city centre and near the stadium.
Authorities arrested 15 people, including supporters of Manchester United and Barcelona, in separate incidents.
Fans from England and Spain arrived for the match, with 30,000 fans from England and 20,000 from Spain arriving largely on charter flights at Rome's airports.
Authorities monitored hardcore fans of Rome's local teams, particularly AS Roma, amid concerns that they might seek to ambush visiting supporters, as they clashed with United supporters in Rome in 2007.

Statistics:

50,000 United and Barcelona supporters thronged through Rome earlier in the day.
30,000 fans from England and 20,000 from Spain arrived for the match.
15 people, including supporters of both teams, were arrested by police in separate incidents.
Two United fans, aged 19 and 45, were arrested.

Sources:

The Associated Press (https://apnews.com)