Islington Tribune - News: Man stabbed after football match brawl

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Islington Tribune - by JAMIE WELHAM
Published: 8 February 2008

Man stabbed after football match brawl

THE streets were “awash with blood” after a football match erupted into a mass brawl that left one man sprawled in the street suffering with stab wounds to the leg and another seriously injured.
Horrified witnesses cradled the 25-year-old victim after the fight spilled into Yerbury Road, Holloway when the losing team sought revenge for a shoulder barge during a heated football match in Whittington Park.
Neighbours were too scared to intervene in what they described as a savage attack on a team of students, but alerted police when the brawl kicked off shortly after 8pm on Sunday evening.
A witness said the losing team pounced on the students as the match finished.
He said: “It was a mass brawl. I understand the victim shoulder-barged someone in the losing team during the game and he didn’t take very kindly to it.
“The fight started on the pitch but spilled out onto the road. The pack mentality scared me – they were like rabid dogs, kicking and punching.”
Police confirmed the victim and suspect were on opposing team but are yet to make any arrests. The victim is recovering in Whittington Hospital, where his injuries are not believed to be life threatening.
Residents say the football pitches have become a magnet for anti-social behaviour.
John Hayes said: “We seem to get kids who come from neighbouring estates and as far away as Camden and Hackney looking for trouble.
“There is little to no police presence and it does seem as though the parks patrol are too scared to come out when it gets dark.”

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