Three Middlesbrough fans in Rome for the Uefa Cup match against AS Roma were stabbed during clashes with Roma supporters late on 14 March. Around 200 English fans had been drinking in two bars in Campo de Fiori when a group of extremist Roma fans known as Ultras threw a lighted flare into one of the bars. Fifteen Middlesbrough supporters were injured in the ensuing violence and required hospital treatment, according to a British Embassy spokesman. One of the men with stab wounds to his back and chest underwent an operation but was said to be in a stable condition. The embassy spokesman said five Italians were being held by police in connection with the incident.

Middlesbrough was due to play AS Roma on 15 March in the second leg of the fourth-round tie, in which Middlesbrough currently leads 1-0.