By Andrew Warshaw
February 21 – In what appeared to be yet another unprovoked anti-Semitic ambush, Tottenham Hotspur fans have been attacked in a bar in the French city of Lyon on the eve of their side’s Europa League last-32 tie.
Three supporters were taken to hospital after a group of thugs wearing balaclavas targeted an English-owned bar.
According to witnesses, the attackers, who were not believed to be Lyon fans, gave Nazi salutes as they launched their assault on the bar where around 150 Tottenham fans were present.
Landlord Dave Eales was quoted as saying: ” The pub was rammed with Tottenham fans watching the Champions League on the television. The front of the pub, which is made up of reinforced glass, was attacked by 20 to 25 people. They threw projectiles through the windows. There was a stand-off. They didn’t get into the bar. Then it calmed down.
“[But] then they came back a second time and it all started again. There were three injured Tottenham fans taken away by ambulance. One of them had a head injury. I’m not sure how bad it was.”
Some witnesses said the attackers smashed doors and threw cast iron chairs, wooden objects and a flare in to the pub.
Eales said he had anticipated trouble and that he had warned the local police.
“The most disappointing thing is that I spoke to the police a couple of days ago about the potential for trouble because of what people associate Tottenham being.”