Initially the city’s police had reported no casualties from what they said was a minor incident late in the evening.

However, this afternoon they confirmed one fan had suffered a broken nose and at least two others were taken to hospital by ambulance to have stitches inserted in head wounds.

There was also a suggestion a child was slightly hurt, although police were unable to confirm that.

Some reports said as many as eight Dundee fans were hurt.

None of the Scottish supporters was detained in hospital, and police were going to great lengths today to stress that by and large the invasion of around 2000 visiting fans had been peaceful.

They stressed the visitors had not provoked what was described as an isolated incident.

This afternoon Dundee officials were trying to track down those fans who had been injured.

“We are naturally concerned for those fans and we are making every effort to find them and ensure they are fine,” said spokesman Niall Scott.

“Obviously as we are in a foreign country making contact with the fans is not proving easy,” Mr Scott added.

Dundee also pointed out that the Perugia police had confirmed the trouble was not started by their supporters, who showed restraint in the face of provocation.

Earlier, there was indeed praise for the Scots from local police following the incident.

Around a hundred or so fans had congregated in the Piazza Quatro Novembre and were enjoying the party atmosphere until they were confronted by the several dozen local youths.

Police earlier said the situation was defused by the Dundee fans’ refusal to get involved.

At the official UEFA meeting this morning, the local police chief praised them and passed on his thanks to Dundee.

He confirmed the incident had been provoked by Italians who, as far as he was aware, were not even football fans.

Today the police set up a mobile information office in the main square to assist the visitors, and staff there reiterated how well behaved the fans had been.

“The Scottish have been very well mannered and have come here to enjoy themselves. From what we have seen they are managing to do that, and we are very happy to see them,” said a spokeswoman.

There was more praise from Dundee’s Italian director, Giovanni di Stefano.

“Our supporters are here to enjoy themselves and, from what I’ve seen, the locals in Perugia are having a great time playing host to them,” he said.

“This is what football should be about. It’s a lot better than that nonsense in Turkey at the weekend, when you could not even have English fans at the game.”

Local businesses were also happy at the 24-hour boost to their economy. Bar owner Giovanni Cihaglia was delighted to be doing a roaring trade.

“Since lunchtime yesterday, our bar has had many fans from Scotland coming in.

“It has been great fun, and they have been spending lots of money as well as having a good time,” he said.

In a move to ensure there will be no problems after tonight’s game, civic authorities in Perugia this afternoon decreed that all city centre bars and restaurants would close after 11 pm.

Dundee officials have asked the Mayor to have a re-think although they accept that it is unlikely the decision will be overturned.

With most fans heading for various departure points around Italy immediately after the game the decision is not expected to be a major inconvenience.

Dark Blues fan Dave Lord said that as far as he was aware the attack on the Dundee supporters had been an isolated incident.

“We heard that there were quite a lot of bottles flying about.

“The Italian youths apparently charged and the police took their time getting up there but that seems to be the only incident.

“The rest of the Italian fans have all been absolutely fine with us,” he added.