Two Roma fans arrested for attempted murder after attacking Spurs supporters with knives ahead of Lazio match

By Paul Hirst, Press Association

PUBLISHED: 06:58 EST, 23 November 2012 | UPDATED: 07:18 EST, 23 November 2012

Two Roma fans have been charged with attempted murder after Tottenham fans were attacked by a gang wielding knives and knuckle dusters in Rome ahead of their Europa League clash with Lazio.

Italian police said two Roma fans - Francesco Ianari, 26, and Mauro Pinnelli, 25 - were charged after Spurs supporters Ashley Mills suffered knife wounds to his head and leg during an ambush at the Drunken Ship pub in Campo de Fiori while he and fellow supporters enjoyed a drink in the Eternal City at 1am on Thursday morning.

A police spokeswoman said: 'They have been charged with attempted murder for involvement in riots and causing serious injury with a knife and are due to appear in court soon.'

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Spelling it out: Lazio fans display a banner and Palestine flags at the Stadio Olympico

Andre Villas-Boas has meanwhile urged UEFA to take action against Lazio if their fans are found guilty of chanting anti-Semitic songs at Tottenham during the Europa League draw at the Stadio Olimpico.

The home supporters chanted 'Juden Tottenham' during the first half of the goalless draw, which came the day after fans of the London club were attacked in a vicious scuffle in a city centre pub.

On Friday morning, the FA confirmed they would file an 'urgent report’ to UEFA over the instances.

An FA spokesperson said: 'We were saddened and alarmed to see reports of violent incidents prior to the game as well as anti-Semitic chants.

'The FA had a crowd control advisor present at the fixture who will provide an urgent report which we will pass on to UEFA as a matter of priority.'

UEFA fined Lazio £32,500 for their fans monkey chanting at three Spurs players during the reverse fixture in September, and Villas-Boas hopes the organisation move swiftly to establish the facts.

'It will take another investigation,' the Tottenham manager told a press conference.

Furious: Andre Villas-Boas greets Lazio counterpart Vladimir Petkovic after the match - but the Portuguese was livid with the home fans

Furious: Andre Villas-Boas (left) greets Lazio counterpart Vladimir Petkovic after the match - but the Portuguese was livid with the home fans

'It happened last time and it was acted upon quickly by UEFA. We will have to wait and see if there is anything to act upon. If there is UEFA have to act.'

UEFA are expected to decide whether to launch an investigation tomorrow when they receive the match delegate's report.

Overshadowed: Ultras ran amok in Rome's Drunken Ship pub on Wednesday night, injuring several Spurs fans

The game had already been overshadowed before kick-off by the shocking and brutal attack on a group of the club's supporters early this morning.

Around 20 men burst in to the Drunken Sailor pub in Campo dei Fiori at around 1am and beat the fans with sticks and glass bottles. One fan is recovering in hospital after being stabbed in the head and leg.

No way through: Lazio and Spurs conjured a goalless draw

Villas-Boas expressed his disappointment at the attack, saying: 'It is an extremely difficult moment for them.

'We have to be aware there is a police investigation and I'm not in control of all facts. But there is massive disappointment and the fear they've gone through is hard.

'To point a finger at this point would be incorrect but (we) give them a message of support. As a club, we will try to help them overcome this.'