Report: Dortmund fans attacked in St. Petersburg

Violence marred the first leg of Borussia Dortmund's round of 16 Champions League tie with Zenit St. Petersburg.

ESPN FC's Stephan Uersfeld reports several Dortmund supporters were attacked by Zenit fans in the lead-up to Tuesday's first leg. 

Uersfeld translated a tweet from Dortmund's fan liaison officer Jens Volke, which stated groups of up to 20 Zenit supporters were trying to seek out Dortmund fans. Later, he indicated the attacks were ongoing.

Coincidentally, sections of Petrovsky Stadium were closed off for Tuesday's game as punishment for the actions of Zenit ultras, who lobbed fireworks at the pitch and hung racist banners during their team's group stage match versus Austria Vienna. 

Zenit’s general director, Maxim Mitrofanov, had promised to show Dortmund supporters "true Russian hospitality", offering them pies and tea “to soften the influence of any cold weather on the match atmosphere", according to Uersfeld. 

Unfortunately, his efforts may have been in vain.