Ffion Mair Williams had not been to an away game before

Here Ffion Mair Williams, who works at Gwynedd Council in north Wales, tells News Online how she was caught up in the troubles as a once-in-a-lifetime trip turned into a nightmare.

"It was the first away game I have ever been to - there were eight of us - four couples - who booked the trip in July.

"Before the game, the atmosphere was fantastic.

"At Duomo in the city centre, everyone was enjoying the occasion - the Italians were walking by, listening to everyone singing - it was really exciting.

"We got a taxi to the stadium and everyone we met were extremely friendly and welcoming.

"When we got in, we looked up from our seats, and there were lots of topless Italian men leaning over the bars on their balcony - making signs and shouting.

We saw one Italian man on the top tier shoving his hand down his throat so he would be sick - it landed on the people behind us Ffion Mair Williams

"It was all quite shocking, but we thought it would die down after kick off.

"But the worst was to come especially when the Welsh team started tackling the Italians hard.

"Lighters and bottles and air horns were all landing near us.

"I saw a pensioner who was standing in front of us getting hit on the head by a can - that was the first thing that really scared us.

"The Welsh fans started shouting back, telling them to stop, and trying to get the guards on the side to send people up to the upper tiers.

"Then I saw a 12-year-old boy in front of us who started screaming - his parents took him to the side, but I don't think they were allowed to leave.

"It was quite traumatic - more and more people were trying to leave. and get to the sides.

"Then we saw one Italian man on the top tier shoving his hand down his throat so he was sick. It landed on the people behind us.

Welsh supporters said police did not do anything to help

"It was a horrible feeling, like a hell - we were caught at the bottom, and unable to leave and having no control at all.

"We could do nothing to stop the violence - all we could do was ask the guards to help, but they said they didn't speak English and didn't understand.

"Women were spitting down as well, and a young boy who was throwing things down, then running back to hide.

"Half-time was worse - there was nothing to distract them. You were just hoping they would run out of things to throw.

"Some people were crying all around us.

"It was difficult to watch the game - and I missed some of the goals.

"It went on for the full 90 minutes, and the Wales fans were kept in for an hour after the match.

"Once the Italian fans had gone, the guards were controlling the Welsh fans with their batons.

"There was a fight in a corner, but most Welsh fans were just sitting waiting to leave.

"When we left the stadium, everyone was nervous and quiet - we didn't see any Italians ourselves, but one guy we knew was chased by a gang with chains.

"I rang home to say we were okay but my dad had only heard about Welsh fans fighting each other."