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Soccer fan stabbed to death at Euro 2004
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-06-23 08:32

Undated file photo received from West Midlands Police shows Stephen John Smith holding his two-year-old nephew Ben Taggart-Smith. Smith, an English soccer fan, died after being stabbed in the heart by a Ukrainian pickpocket in central Lisbon during celebrations for England's victory over Croatia in the Euro 2004 football championship. [AFP]

An English soccer fan was stabbed to death early Tuesday after trying to defend himself against a suspected Ukrainian pickpocket, police said.

Stephen Smith, 28, was stabbed once through the heart near Rossio square downtown, police spokesman Alexandre Coimbra said. Smith was dead on arrival at Sao Jose Hospital.

The Ukrainian, whose name was not provided, was chased by police and arrested. Police believe the killing was not related to the European Championships. Ukraine does not have a team at the tournament.

"The Ukrainian was hanging around, looking to steal from a group of English fans," Coimbra said. "When they tried to defend themselves he pulled a knife and stabbed one of them before running away."

Smith had been in Portugal since the start of Euro 2004, Coimbra said. Other fans with him at the time may be called as witnesses.

English fans placed flowers, team caps, handwritten notes and a flag at the scene of the stabbing.

The Ukrainian was living illegally in Portugal and was known to police as a pickpocket though he had no previous convictions, Coimbra said.

Lisbon police said there were no reports of violence after the game between England and Croatia in Lisbon on Monday night. England won 4-2 and advanced to the quarterfinals while Croatia was eliminated, but fans from both teams celebrated together.

People react as they look at at objects including a pair of shoes with writing, flowers, an England cap and newspapers placed on a marble bench in Rossio square, in the center of Lisbon, Portugal, near Rua Agusta street where a 28-year-old England fan was stabbed to death, during the Euro 2004 soccer tournament early Tuesday June 22, 2004. [Reuters]

UEFA spokesman William Gaillard said the fan's death was not directly connected to Euro 2004.

"Unfortunately, these are things that happen during a tourist season," Gaillard said.

The Rossio square has been a traditional Lisbon meeting place since the 14th century. Maria das Dores, a florist at Rossio, said pickpockets were common there.

Tens of thousands of job-seeking Ukrainian immigrants have settled in Portugal in recent years, but a recession has damaged their employment prospects.

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