British football woke Wednesday to the news that a fan had been killed during clashes before the previous day’s Euro 2012 qualifier between England and Wales at Wembley.
The 44-year-old Wales fan died from cardiac arrest, having suffered serious head injuries shortly before the game. Six other Wales fans were arrested in connection with the incident.
Emergency services were called at around 7.20pm and the man, who was taken to hospital by the London Ambulance Service, was pronounced dead at 8.50pm.
“I can confirm that LAS got a call at 7.20pm to reports of an assault outside Wembley Stadium,” said an LAS spokesman.
“Staff treated a 44-year-old man who had suffered a cardiac arrest. Extensive efforts were made to resuscitate the patient and he was taken to hospital.” Cardiff City released a statement to confirm that the deceased was a supporter of the club.
“Late on Tuesday night, details reached us concerning a tragedy where a Wales and Cardiff City supporter died at the match between England and Wales,” the statement read.
“Out of respect for the family of the supporter, the sensitivity of the situation and until full details and circumstances are ascertained, no statements will be made until deemed fit by proper channels.” The man is the third to die in violence in or around English grounds in the past decade.
In 2010, a Blackburn Rovers fan from Darwen, Lancashire died after being struck by a bin thrown by Stoke City fans, while an Aston Villa steward died in 2003 during a running battle between more than 100 rival hooligans after a game between Villa and Queens Park Rangers.
