DETECTIVES are appealing for witnesses who may have seen a man stabbed outside West Ham’s Upton Park stadium before Tuesday’s Cup tie with Millwall. The 43-year-old remains in a stable condition in an East London hospital this morning, following the attack

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DETECTIVES in East London are appealing for witnesses who may have seen a man stabbed outside West Ham’s Upton Park stadium before Tuesday’s Cup tie with Millwall.

The 43-year-old remains in a stable condition in an East London hospital this morning, following the attack in Priory Road where paramedics managed to keep him alive.

He was attacked arriving at Upton Park with his family, including his teenage sons, making their way to the Millwall supporters’ gate when a large group of West Ham fans pursued them along Tudor Road.

The man and his two sons were separated from the rest of the family and attacked by the mob who threw punches and kicks.

He was then stabbed in chest before the thugs fled in various directions, but managed to make his way through the alley at the end of Tudor Road before collapsing by the bus garage in Priory Road.

SENSELESS ATTACK

“This was an innocent family man subjected to a senseless attack by those intent on causing violence,” said Det Ins Lee Barnard.

“He was subjected to a brutal and sustained attack as he and his family tried to flee to safety and would have lost his life if not for the swift intervention of paramedics.”

Witnesses or anyone with information is being urged to call Plaistow CID on 020-7275 5851, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800-555111. No arrests have been made so far.

The Football Association condemned the disorder that marred Tuesday’s match at Upton Park involving three pitch invasions following the stabbing incident outside.