Two in court over football attack

TWO ITALIAN men have been remanded in custody after appearing in court charged in connection with an incident which left a Liverpool football fan fighting for his life.

Filippo Lombardi, 20, and Daniele Sciusco, 29, both appeared at South Sefton Magistrates’ Court charged with violent disorder after the Champion’s League semi-final at Anfield on Tuesday.

Lombardi, who has a shaved head, was also charged with wounding/inflicting grievous bodily harm on 53-year-old Sean Cox, who suffered serious head injuries when he was assaulted before the match between Liverpool and Roma.

No pleas were indicated and the case was sent to Liverpool Crown Court, where both men will appear on May 24.

District Judge Jack McGarva said he would not grant bail for the two men, who wore grey tracksuits and spoke through an interpreter.

Father of three Mr Cox, from Dunboyne, Co Meath, Ireland, remains in a critical condition after the attack.

In a statement released by police, his family said: “We want the world to know that Sean is the most amazing and wonderful husband, dad, friend, son, uncle, and brother, and he has brought us all nothing but joy.

“He is a truly decent man who adores Liverpool FC and just came over from his home in County Meath, Ireland, to watch his beloved team.”

Members of Mr Cox’s family have flown over from Ireland to maintain a vigil at his bedside in the Walton Neurological Centre in Liverpool.

Sporadic trouble broke out in the city centre before Tuesday’s game, as more than 50,000 fans descended on Anfield, including about 5,000 fans from Italy.