A MURDER hunt has been launched after two North-East men were stabbed in an early-morning fracas outside an Amsterdam bar.

One man died and the other was seriously injured in the attack, which happened only hours after Middlesbrough FC played in a Uefa Cup match in a nearby city.

Police last night said that there was no evidence to link the game with the killing, but confirmed both men were from Teesside.

The injured man was being treated in a Dutch hospital for serious but not life-threatening injuries.

A second and unrelated incident happened shortly after Boro's goalless draw in Alkmaar - 27 miles from Amsterdam - in which a local man was attacked with a glass.

Police said a Briton was arrested in connection with the assault, which left the victim with severe facial injuries.

Detective Chief Superintendent Mark Braithwaite, head of crime and operations with Cleveland Police, said more details of the fatal stabbing would be released after the families of the victims had been contacted.

He also said that senior detectives from the force's murder investigation team could fly to Amsterdam this weekend to help with the inquiry.

"There has been major speculation that the two men had travelled to Holland to watch the Middlesbrough game with Alkmaar," said Det Chief Supt Braithwaite.

"What is known is that the two Cleveland men were visiting a bar called Pinocchio's, at Warmoestraat in the centre of Amsterdam, when it appears there was a confrontation with a third man at about 3am yesterday.

"All three went outside, a stabbing occurred in the street, and that resulted in the death of one man and serious injuries inflicted on the other."

The majority of Boro fans travelled to Holland for the match against AZ Alkmaar on the official club flight, and would have been back in the UK at the time of the murder.

But Det Chief Supt Braithwaite believes some supporters would have made their own way to Amsterdam - staying overnight or longer - and could hold crucial clues.

Last night, it was suggested that between 2,000 and 4,000 supporters made the trip, but security at the 8,000-capacity stadium meant only 408 travelling fans were allowed in.

Police in Amsterdam said the two men were attacked by a black man after they refused to buy drugs from him.

A spokesman said: "Police officers and a medical team gave the two men medical support and had to revive one of the victims.

"The man died of his injuries in a hospital a little while later."

Rob Nichols, editor of Boro fanzine Fly Me to the Moon, said: "It is such a shame that something so tragic has marred the club's trip to Holland."

Dave Allan, Middlesbrough FC's head of media and communications, said: "Cleveland Police are keeping the football club fully informed as more information becomes available."

The club's Uefa Cup debut on foreign soil, in September last year, was marred by violence between rival fans before the match against Banik Ostrava, in the Czech Republic. Last month, Swiss hooligans confronted Boro fans before the Uefa match against Grasshoppers Zurich, in Switzerland.

Anyone with information is asked to call Cleveland Police on (01642) 301333.