Burnley fan stabbed outside stadium before Olympiacos Europa League tie

Burnley played Olympiacos in the Europa League last night

A travelling Burnley fan was stabbed outside the Karaiskakis Stadium last night before the team's Europa League qualifier against Olympiacos. The man required stitches after he was attacked with a knife outside the ground. Three other away fans were beaten and robbed during what they had hoped to be a romantic European away day until it turned nasty.

Twenty-three Burnley fans were also arrested for being drunk, disorderly and refusing to board coaches provided by the club.

Burnley released a statement after the game in which they praise the behaviour of the vast majority of their travelling fans. The statement read:

"The vast majority were once again impeccably behaved, with the coaching operation to transport supporters to the ground put in place by the club again a great success, as it was in the previous round in Istanbul.

"However, five of our supporters were unfortunately injured – including a person who received a stab wound to the leg – and received medical attention at the stadium.

"Those injured all travelled independently to the stadium, outside the organised travel operation.

"Burnley is working closely with Olympiacos and the local Greek police to investigate these incidents."

Burnley lost the game 3-1, meaning their European dream hangs by a thread, but the away goal could prove crucial if Sean Dyche's men can keep a clean sheet in the return leg at Turf Moor. The Clarets will be without new signing Ben Gibson for the second leg after he was sent off in the 59th minute.