Liverpool fan hurt in 'Swiss ambush'

A smoke or petrol bomb was thrown into the restaurant

Police in Switzerland said Liverpool fans attacked in Zurich may have been the victims of an ambush.

A 35-year-old man from Merseyside is in hospital with head injuries after a smoke or petrol bomb was thrown into a McDonalds restaurant.

Fifteen people were arrested in the violence on Monday night which involved about 100 people near the railway station.

Liverpool fans were in the Swiss city ahead of Tuesday evening's Champions League clash with FC Basle.

We do have a problem with hooligans in Switzerland but no bigger than other countries

Zurich Police spokesman Marco Cortesi

Swiss Police said seven of those arrested were from the Basle area, near the French and German borders.

Five Germans and three English fans are also being questioned by detectives.

Zurich Police spokesman Marco Cortesi said they believed German and Swiss fans had combined to launch a joint attack on Liverpool fans.

They were investigating why Basle fans were in Zurich, which is 100 kilometres away.

He added: "We do have a problem with hooligans in Switzerland but no bigger than other countries.

"This is not the first time we have had some problems with Basle and Zurich hooligans but not in this dimension."

The injured man, who has not been named, is expected to remain in hospital for several days.

Damage estimated at £4,500 was caused to the McDonalds restaurant.

More than 1,000 English supporters without tickets are expected at the game and British authorities have sent a team of hooligan specialists to help Swiss police maintain order.

Basle fans have been involved in most of the recent cases of soccer hooliganism in Switzerland.

Win needed

Police made 33 arrests after a rampage at a local league match in Basle in August.

Liverpool need to win Tuesday's game to go through to the next stage of the Champions League.

A draw would put Basle through.

The last meeting between the two clubs, at Anfield in September, ended in a 1-1 draw.