Liverpool supporters attacked in Turin

A Liverpool fan suffered minor head injuries in an attack by Juventus supporters in Turin overnight, Italian police said yesterday.

Eight Juventus fans were questioned and reported for assault and possession of weapons after police discovered iron bars and baseball bats following the clash in a bar around midnight.

The overnight trouble flared when Juventus fans entered a city centre pub where a handful of Liverpool supporters were drinking.

The attack bore the hallmarks of a planned operation by a group of around 20 hard-core Juventus "ultras", who toured the city centre looking for Liverpool fans, ANSA news agency said.

To avoid detection by a much-increased police presence, some of the "ultras" were accompanied by young women, who slipped away when the Liverpool fans were spotted.

Assailants then covered their faces with black and white scarves and burst into the pub, overturning chairs and tables before attacking a small group of Liverpool fans, ANSA added.

Though they initially escaped in three cars that had been parked near the pub, the "ultras" were quickly intercepted. The metal bars and baseball bats were discovered in the cars.