Two Brighton supporters were injured during a knifepoint robbery in Rome while visiting the Italian capital for their side's Europa League last-16 tie, police said Thursday.

The two men aged 28 and 29 were taken to hospital for "minor knife wounds" in their thighs, a spokesman told AFP.

Police were called to the historic Monti district of Rome after a restaurant waiter raised the alarm around midnight on Wednesday evening.

The two football fans had been attacked in the street by "six of seven people wearing masks", the police spokesman said.

The pair were robbed of a belt bag containing their identity documents and wallets. An investigation is underway.

Brighton and Hove Albion are playing Roma on Thursday evening at Rome's Olympic Stadium.