A gang of aggressive Atalanta FC supporters launched an assault on a hotel in Lisbon where Rangers’ fans were staying before their Europa League match against Benfica on Thursday night.
On the same evening, Atalanta faced Sporting Lisbon in their own Europa League clash, and it was the minority of their “ultra” fanbase that made headlines prior to the game.
Videos circulating on social media show masked thugs, armed with batons and sticks, approaching the entrance of the Eden Hotel in central Lisbon, emphasizing the severity of the attack.
Despite the efforts of a hotel security guard to lock the lobby doors and keep the Italian hooligans out, he was unable to prevent their assault.
However, the situation took a turn when a large group of Scottish fans, dressed in blue, poured out of the hotel to confront their adversaries on equal ground.
The response from the Rangers fans forced the Italian attackers to retreat to Rossio square, where the violence escalated as both groups engaged in a brawl.
Witnesses were horrified as they saw one of the ultras being cornered and brutally beaten until he lost consciousness. Numerous videos capturing clashes between the fans circulated on social networks.
Metal railings and chairs became weapons in the hands of both sides as the violence erupted in Rossio square.
The chaotic clash finally came to an end when the Portuguese Police arrived at the scene, using force to apprehend and arrest anyone they could, dispersing the rest back into the streets of Lisbon.