French fans attacked in Kiev after Europa League tie

Travelling French club, St Etienne had its fans attacked by opposition supporters from Ukrainian club, Dnipro when the two teams clashed in a UEFA Europa League tie on Thursday, after they were said to have burnt the Ukrainian flag.

Though Dnipro won, its fans still attacked the French fans; making it the second time the Ukrainian club will report attack on opposing teams in the season; following an attack on supporters of Danish club, FC Copenhagen in a Champions League qualifier; an act which earned Dnipro a home ban.

“There was a fight between the French and Ukrainian supporters at Prorizna Street in Kiev,” an eyewitness told local TV station, Hromadske TV.

“There were a lot of wounded people, with knife cuts and bruises from bats. I also heard at least 10-12 gunshots,” the witness added.

Anton Gerashchenko, adviser to the Ukrainian ministry of internal affairs, said in a statement on his Facebook page: “Two French fans were hospitalised with head injuries. Those French supporters inopportunely were caught in the heat of the moment. And our hooligans will be accusing the Frenchmen, no matter who started the fight.”

Dnipro reached the last 32 as Group F runners-up, five points behind Inter Milan, with seven points from six games.