Newcastle fan stabbed in the back and arms during horror attack in Milan ahead of the club's first 2023-24 Champions League fixture at San Siro

A Newcastle United fan is in hospital after being stabbed in Milan ahead of the Magpies’ Champions League game at San Siro.

Eddie McKay, a 58-year-old from Tyneside, is said to have been with his son and a friend when they were attacked by “seven or eight people” wearing balaclavas to cover their faces — as per Sky News.

The incident in question took place at around midnight on Monday evening in the Navigli district of Milan.

Police have confirmed that McKay was treated by paramedics at the scene before being taken to a local medical facility.

McKay’s family are travelling to Italy to be by his side, with his daughter Rachel telling Sky Sports News: «My dad is stable and in a bit of shock. He's gutted he's missing the match, but just wants every other Newcastle fan out here to be aware and be safe.

»He has just had two knee replacements, so he fell when he was being chased and that is when he was attacked.

«My brother is okay, but is in shock after seeing that happen to our dad. I'm flying out there later. We haven't slept all night.»

Milan police forces have stopped short short of stating that the attack was football related, with a spokesperson saying: «A 58-year-old Englishman, a Newcastle fan, was stabbed around midnight by a group of seven or eight people while he and a friend were between via Segantini and via Gola in Milan.

»He received a stab wound in the back and two in the arms.

«A police car intervened, and the man was taken to Policlinico hospital, where he is not in serious condition.»

Newcastle are preparing to face AC Milan in what will be their first Champions League game for 20 years.

Eddie Howe delivered a top-four finish in the Premier League last season and had been hoping to see everybody connected with the