Fan dies after Wembley assault
A football fan died today following an assault before England’s European Championship qualifying match against Wales, police said tonight.
The victim, in his 40s, suffered a heart attack at Wembley Stadium, in north London, before he was rushed to hospital with head injuries. He is understood to have been a Wales supporter.
Six suspects have been arrested, all of whom are understood to support the away team, a Scotland Yard spokesman said.
Emergency services were called to an area outside the ground at around 7.20pm, following reports of an assault shortly before kick-off.
A London Ambulance Service (LAS) spokesman said: “I can confirm that LAS got a call at 7.20pm to reports of an assault outside Wembley Stadium.
“Staff treated a 44-year-old man who had suffered a cardiac arrest. Extensive efforts were made to resuscitate the patient and he was taken to hospital.”
Staff on stand-by at the international match, which England won 1-0. were on the scene within three minutes, the spokesman said.
The victim was taken to a north London hospital in an ambulance belonging to a private medical contractor employed by Wembley. He was pronounced dead at 8.50pm.
A post-mortem examination will be arranged in due course.
Police believe they have identified the victim but await formal confirmation that all his next of kin have been informed.
Officers from the Met’s Homicide and Serious Crime Command are now investigating his death.
