The victim of an assault by Roma fans ahead of last night's Champions League semi-final at Anfield has been named as Seán Cox of Dunboyne, County Meath.
Mr. Cox, 53, is in a critical condition at Walton Neurological Centre following an assault by Roma supporters outside of the Albert Pub beside Anfield. Merseyside Police confirmed that Mr. Cox suffered a head injury when he was struck by a belt.
Mr. Cox is well-known locally, and is a prominent member of St Peter's GAA Club in Dunboyne. Having served as chairman of the club from 2013 to 2015, he is now listed as the club's Assistant Treasurer on the club's website.
The club released a statement this afternoon in response to the attack.
The Club is aware of an incident involving our Club colleague, Sean Cox, at the Champions League game in 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.
Merseyside Police continue to detain two Italian men on suspicion of attempted murder, and Detective Inspective Paul Speight has appealed to witnesses to come forward with information.
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.
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.
In a statement, Liverpool Football Club added that it is "shocked and appalled" by the incident.
Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson posted his best wishes to Mr. Cox on Instagram.
The thoughts and prayers of all the players are with the Liverpool fan who is currently very poorly in hospital, after being badly hurt ahead of our game last night.
He came to watch a football match and support our team - the only result that matters to us now is that he recovers and can return home to be with his family and loved ones.
You’ll Never Walk Alone
See Also: How Are UEFA "Shocked" By Yet Another Attack By Roma Fans?
