AC Milan 0 Ajax 0: Three Ajax fans stabbed and another man injured in violent clashes before Champions League match

Ajax supporters clashed with both AC Milan fans and Italian demonstrators as violence marred the build-up to the Group H decider

An AC Milan v Ajax scarf is left in a pool of blood left after violent clashes between fans of the two clubs (GETTY IMAGES)

Three Ajax supporters were stabbed before Wednesday night’s Champions League match with AC Milan after fighting broke out between the two sets of fans, Italian Police have confirmed.

They also collided with Italian demonstrators who were protesting against Enrico Letta’s government throughout the day, with reports emerging just before kick-off that fans had been injured in the clashes.

One supporter suffered a knife wound to their stomach and was left in a serious but not life threatening condition, while the other two fans were wounded in the buttock and the leg, confirmed a Police spokesman.

“The one with the stomach wound is clearly the most serious but as far as I understand it's not life threatening,” the Police spokesman confirmed.

All three were taken to the San Carlo hospital in Milan, and a fourth man was also injured by a knife attack, although the local street salesman’s wound was minor and he was not required to go to hospital.

San Carlo Hospital in Milan where the injured fans were taken to (GETTY IMAGES)

Police also confirmed that the three Ajax supporters were arrested as part of a separate incident involving the attempted robbery of a street kiosk.

Once the action on the pitch finally got underway, Milan had Riccardo Montolivo sent-off early-on by Premier League referee Howard Webb after a nasty challenge on Christian Poulsen.

But despite having an extra man for the majority of the game, Ajax were unable to convert their advantage into the victory they required to overtake their Italian counterparts and progress to the Champions League last 16, and AC Milan hung on to a 0-0 draw to join Barcelona in progressing from Group H.

Riccardo Montolivo reacts after being sent-off by referee Howard Webb (GETTY IMAGES)