Italians held as football fan fights for his life

A LIVERPOOL supporter left fighting for his life after being attacked before a Champions League match is a popular and well-respected businessman, friends have said.

Sean Cox, a 53-year-old father of three, suffered serious head injuries after being assaulted outside Anfield stadium on Tuesday.

Two men in their 20s from Rome have been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.

Family members have flown from Dunboyne in Co Meath to maintain a bedside vigil at Walton Neurological Centre, where Mr Cox remained in a critical condition last night.

Friend Damien O’Reilly, a local councillor, described Mr Cox as a role model and cornerstone of the community

He said: “He has done huge work locally. Sean is heavily involved in the community.

“Everyone is just in shock and we are praying for a speedy recovery.”

Other friends and fellow football fans have taken to social media to express their disgust at the attack and to wish Mr Cox well and a Go Fund Me page has been set up to help with medical bills and other costs.

Mr Cox is a former chairman of St Peter’s GAA (Gaelic sports) club in Dunboyne.

In a statement, the club said: “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.”

Liverpool Football Club said it was “shocked and appalled” by the incident and urged fans to help Merseyside Police with their appeal for information.