Rangers followers ambushed by Italian hooligans of workforce they’re not even enjoying

A Europa League journey to Lisbon turned violent for Rangers after a struggle between rivals followers was ignited.

Philippe Clement’s aspect are within the Portuguese capital forward of Thursday’s Europa League round-of-16 conflict in opposition to Primeira Liga giants Benfica. However, supporters from the Scottish Premiership leaders discovered themselves at struggle with one other fanbase altogether.

That’s after dozens of thugs from Italian outfit Atalanta had been seen swarming their Rangers counterparts exterior a lodge bar on Wednesday. La Dea had been additionally in Lisbon this week to face one other Portuguese powerhouse in Sporting CP, with their sport rescheduled to keep away from a conflict with Benfica’s fixture.

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But that wasn’t sufficient to keep away from violence altogether because it was as a substitute the 2 travelling groups that clashed within the streets. A mob of Atalanta thugs may very well be seen ready exterior the VIP Executive Eden Aparthotel, the place it appears their targets had been staying this week.

The Italians may very well be seen sporting largely black, with many sporting hoods and masks to cover their faces whereas they launched tables and chairs on the lodge entrance. Numerous aggressors is also seen wielding what gave the impression to be sticks and bats earlier than Rangers followers ultimately got here storming out of the constructing.

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The battle was then taken to the close by Rossio Square as sirens wailed within the background. Video posted by photographer Max Feehan confirmed a collection of smaller skirmishes breaking out, with belts and others projectiles getting used as weapons.

One fan gave the impression to be caught on his personal at one level as a rival thug in a cream-coloured general seized his alternative and rained punches on a weak goal. And the violence continued regardless of police automobiles streaming previous the commotion.

Warning: Distressing content material

One hooligan-content social media account posted a message purportedly despatched from a member of Rangers’ Union Bears supporter group. And it relayed the message that the Scots felt they received the higher of the back-and-forth.

It learn: “We left pub with 70/80 [fans] and went without police to our hotel. Atalanta show up and attack 10/15 outside hotel, more Rangers come down from rooms and after back and forward for a few minutes Rangers chase the full Atalanta group and a few Atalanta get injured and left behind. 40/50 Atalanta and about the same Rangers. Respect to Atalanta for the attack but win rangers.”

Atalanta left Lisbon considerably content material after drawing 1-1 of their first leg away to Sporting CP, whom they already topped within the group stage. Meanwhile, Rangers’ morale is bound to be affected after a contingent of their followers had been attacked lower than 24 hours earlier than their conflict with Benfica.