Arsenal Fan Injured After Napoli Fans Attack Piebury Restaurant

Napoli fans are said to have attacked a north London
restaurant favoured by Arsenal supporters before the
clubs' Tuesday evening Champions League clash.
Piebury Corner near the Emirates Stadium had to
close after dozens of thugs tore through the building
smashing windows, breaking chairs and swinging
belts.
A man in his 40s was taken to Whittington Hospital
in north London with cuts to his head, though a
London Ambulance Service spokesman said his
injuries were not thought to be serious.
The front window of Piebury Corner was broken by
classless Napoli fans last night. I hope UEFA does
something... pic.twitter.com/vNRqvartxU
— (@DonMadt) October 2, 2013
Witness Emily Gould, who works at the eatery, said
around 50 customers were inside the premises, on
Holloway Road, when a 30-strong mob of rival
supporters stormed the building prior to kick-off.
She said: "I think they were Italian men with Napoli
colours and scarves tied around their faces. They
were shouting something in Italian, chanting and
causing trouble down the street.
"Then then came in to the shop. I was terrified. They
started swinging belts around. The customers were
very frightened."Ms Gould said many of those already inside Piebury
Corner ducked for cover as the rival fans entered. She
said one man had to be taken to hospital with what
she believed was a deep gash to the head after he
was struck by a swinging belt buckle.
"There is blood all over the floor," the employee said.
"We have been told by police we cannot clear up yet
because of the investigation. There is a lot of damage
to the shop. The tables and chairs are wrecked."
The Metropolitan Police described the incident as
"football-related". A spokesman said a man had been
arrested in the area for a public order offence,
unconnected to the damage at Piebury Corner.
Arsenal beat Napoli 2-0
Piebury Corner owner Paul Campbell said the attack
was "completely unprovoked".
He said: "We have had Napoli fans inside all day
today, they have been having a good time and not
bothering anybody at all. They have been no
problem.
"Then we had a minority of them come in, being
violent, picking up chairs and tables. There were
three girls sat near me and these thugs just came in
and grabbed the chairs from under the girls.
"It was completely unprovoked, I think they just
picked us at random because they saw a busy
restaurant and they wanted to fight someone -
anyone."
Mr Campbell said he had no reason to suspect any
trouble from Napoli fans before kick-off.
He said: "We are popular with home fans and the
travelling European fans too. This just came from
nowhere."
Last year, Tottenham fans were attacked by Italian
thugs in Rome ahead of their Europa League tie with
Lazio.
Arsenal defeated Napoli 2-0 during the sides' clash.
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