Meath man in critical condition after serious assault at Liverpool v Roma game
UPDATE 1pm: Dunboyne GFC have released a statement in relation to their former club chairman Sean Cox after the 53 year-old was brutally attacked before last night's Champions League semi-final between Liverpool and Roma.
"The Club is aware of an incident involving our Club colleague, Sean Cox, at the Champions League game at Anfield last night. Sean is a long serving and popular member of St. Peter’s GAA Club in Dunboyne. At this point we hope that Sean is receiving all of the medical care he requires and that he makes a full and speedy recovery. Our thoughts and prayers are with Sean and his family, and we hope that they get the privacy and space they need. We will not be making any further statement at this time."
- St. Peter’s GAA Club
UPDATE 10am: The man critically injured after being attacked by Roma fans outside Anfield last night has been named as Sean Cox from Dunboyne. Mr Cox is believed to have struck in the head with a belt just minutes before the Champions League semi-final clash between Liverpool and the Italian club was due to get underway. It is understood he travelled to the game with his brother.
Mr Cox's wife is believed to have travelled to the Walton Neurological Centre where Mr Cox (53) is currently being treated for his injuries.
Mr Cox, who is heavily involved with his local GAA club St Peter's and well known in Dunboyne, was left fighting for his life following an altercation at approximately 7.35pm outside the ground. Local TD Thomas Byrne tweeted "I sincerely hope and pray that Sean Cox, a most decent man of the Dunboyne community, makes a full recovery."
Liverpool FC also issued a statement:
"Liverpool Football Club is shocked and appalled after a Liverpool supporter was left in a critical condition having been attacked prior to the Champions League fixture against AS Roma.
"Our thoughts, in the first instance, are with the victim and his family at this very traumatic time. We will be offering them our full support.
"The club has been liaising with the emergency services since the incident occurred and will continue to do so.
"Liverpool FC directs supporters and those in attendance at the game to Merseyside Police’s appeal for information.
Police in Liverpool arrested two Italian men for attempted murder after an assault before Liverpool's Champions League semi-final against Roma at Anfield left a 53-year-old Irish man in a critical condition.
Police said that the unnamed man had been attacked outside the ground with a belt and suffered a head injury.
It is understood he is from Co Meath and travelled to the game with his brother.
They added that the victim's family have been notified and appealed for anyone who may have witnessed the attack or had further information to contact them.
"Merseyside Police can confirm that two men, aged 25 and 26 years from Rome, have been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a 53-year-old man was seriously injured before the Champions League semi-final game this evening (Tuesday, 24 April 2018).
"The man was arrested inside the ground after officers carried out a number of proactive inquiries in a bid to identify those involved in the incident.
"Officers were called to the Albert public house at about 7.35pm following reports that a man, believed to be 53 years from Ireland, had been seriously assaulted."
Paramedics attended at the scene and the victim, who suffered a head injury, was taken to Walton Neurological Centre where his condition is described as critical.
Chief Superintendent Dave Charnock, said: “The vast majority of the 52,500 fans attending the game were well behaved and went to watch a good game of football.However, a minority of fans from both Liverpool and Roma were involved in isolated pockets of disorder in the city centre and near to the ground.
“During one incident a 53-year-old man, believed to be a Liverpool fan, was assaulted near to the ground during what is believed to have been an altercation between Roma and Liverpool fans. He is currently being treated for his injuries at Walton Neurological Centre, where his condition is described as critical. Two men, aged 25 and 26 years from Rome, have been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and have been taken to a police station where they will be interviewed by detectives.
Officers are particularly keen to speak to anyone who witnessed the incident and have information which could help them with their inquiries to contact them immediately.
Forensic examinations have been carried out at the scene and CCTV footage from the area will be reviewed in a bid to identify the offender/offenders.
Detective Inspector Paul Speight, said: “We believe the victim, was in Liverpool with his brother, for the Liverpool v Roma semi-final and was assaulted during an altercation between Roma and Liverpool fans near to the Albert pub at about 7.35pm.
“Witnesses report that the victim was hit with a belt and then fell to the ground. Paramedics treated him at the scene and he was taken by ambulance to Walton Neurological Centre, where he is being treated for a head injury. His condition is currently described as critical and his next of kin have been informed.
“The place where this incident occurred is right by the ground and was heaving with fans making their way to the game. I would appeal to anyone who has any information, or mobile phone footage of the incident to contact us urgently, as information they have could be vital to our investigation.”
The two men arrested have been taken to a police station where they will be questioned by detectives.