Brighton & Hove Albion fan speaks after being stabbed before Europa match in Rome

Jack Stephenson was attacked in Rome on Wednesday night

One of the two Brighton & Hove Albion fans stabbed in Italy before a match with Roma has spoken to the BBC.

Jack Stephenson was attacked in the Italian capital on Wednesday night and spent 13 hours in hospital.

Despite having three stitches in his leg, he still managed to attend the game in the Stadio Olimpico.

Mr Stephenson said: "Nothing was going to stop me from getting to the match, even if it was not a good result in the end."

Speaking to BBC South East Today, he said: "I'm quite glad it happened to me and not someone else in my group, as a lot of people who I was out with were older."

Jack was given a spare crutch by staff at the hotel he was staying at

Mr Stephenson said he did not get a crutch after leaving the hospital, "which was not good because I could barely walk".

"I used social media to see if anyone had a spare crutch around by chance but luckily the hotel I was staying at had a spare one - albeit it was a child's one," he said.

As he entered the stadium on Thursday ahead of the match he was serenaded by fellow Seagulls fans who sang his name as he made his way to a seat.

He praised the work of staff members from the club, who came to visit him, as well as the Italian authorities and Sussex Police.

Mr Stephenson was flying home on Friday.

"All these European trips have been great and I have still enjoyed myself in Rome," he said.

Despite not being able to play football due to his injuries, Mr Stephenson intends to watch Bognor Regis v Hornchurch on Saturday then watch Brighton's next game on Sunday, at home to Nottingham Forest.

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