England ‘fan’ wearing Three Lions shirt arrested after taking knives and axe to Russia vs Team GB women’s football match
The student, 22, told police he'd unknowingly picked up the backpack containing the weapons in his rush to watch the match
AN England supporter was arrested as he tried to take four knives and an axe to a women's football match between Russia and Team GB.
The student, known only by his surname Chu, was caught with the weapons when his backpack set off an X-ray machine at the Hsinchu County Second Stadium in north-western Taiwan.
The 22-year-old, who was wearing a Three Lions shirt, was detained by police at the security checkpoint for the Universiade match - dubbed the Olympics of university students.
Chu told the authorities that he had unknowingly picked up the rucksack containing the throwing knives and axe in his rush to watch the game.
He told officers the weapons had been bought online four years ago, claiming he needed them for "self-defence".
Chu was arrested for attempting to bring the weapons into a public space, and was escorted from the stadium before kick-off.
Police are still investigating the case.
Great Britain lost the match 2-1, with Bristol City’s 21-year-old midfielder Georgia Evans scoring GB’s only goal in a penalty.
The loss also meant the end of GB Women’s involvement in the 2017 tournament, as they finished all three games without a win and ended up bottom of group D with zero points.
Russia and South Africa qualified for the knockout round on six and three points respectively.