Stabbed Spurs fan released from hospital
A Tottenham fan who was stabbed in an apparent anti-Semitic raid ahead of a Europa League match with Lazio last month was being released from the hospital on Monday.
Ashley Mills met with reporters at the San Camillo medical facility before his discharge, and said that he hopes to resume normal activity soon.
Mills would not comment on what happened during the raid at a pub in a central Rome square two weeks ago.
"I don't really want to talk about it," he said, sitting in a wheelchair. "My leg is getting a lot better now and that's the main thing."
Mills' femoral artery was gashed on his right thigh, and Dr. Piergiorgio Cao said that he risked losing his life had he not been operated on immediately.
Mills was flying back to London later Monday on a private medical flight provided by his insurance carrier.
Mills also suffered a cut to his scalp.
"It's not too bad," he said. "Once my hair grows back it will be alright."
Dr. Piergiorgio Cao said Mills suffered "massive bleeding" from the thigh wound.
"It was a complete repair of the artery without any prosthetic or artificial material, which is very important, because these kind of stab wounds have a danger of infections," Cao said. "So far he has no infection and the wound appears very clean, so I'm very optimistic about a very quick, full recovery."
Mills said he will remain a traveling football fan, and was hoping to return to Tottenham's White Hart Lane ground "as soon as possible."
"I still love football," he said. "I'm still going to go to as many games as I can.
"I'll have to take some time off, because I'm a self-employed builder, so obviously I'm not of use to anyone in this state," Mills added. "But it shouldn't be too long hopefully and I'll be back."
Two Roma fans arrested after the attack remain in jail and have been banned from sports grounds in Italy for five years.
At least seven people were injured in the early morning attack November 22, which left the pub wrecked.
Italian news reports, quoting unidentified witnesses, said the hooligans shouted "Jew" during the attack. Tottenham is known for having a large Jewish fan base from north London.
