Roma fan jailed following Anfield clashes

A Roma supporter has been sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison for his role in violent clashes outside Anfield which saw a Reds supporter seriously injured.

29-year-old Daniele Sciusco accepted a charge of violent disorder, with prosecutor Keith Sutton telling Preston Crown Court he was wielding a belt as he confronted Liverpool fans ahead of the Champions League semifinal match.

The judge was keen to stress that Sciusco was not directly involved in the attack on 53-year-old Irishman Sean Cox, who was left in a coma.

But he did tell the Italian, said to be among 25 ‘ultras’ filmed descending on Walton Breck Road outside the stadium prior to kick-off, that he was part of the violence which saw Cox suffer ‘catastrophic’ injuries.

READ: Jurgen Klopp wary of Brighton

READ: Liverpool ownership group claim club ‘is not for sale’

“The Champions League semi-final was a major international football event that was being televised across Europe, and your actions and the actions of the Italian group tarnished significantly what was intended to be a sporting and enjoyable occasion,” he said as he passed down the sentence.

“It’s important to stress you are not being sentenced for the dreadful attack on Mr Cox, but it did occur during violent disorder of which you were a part, and the impact on him has been catastrophic.”

The court heard that, while Cox is now out of the coma, his condition remains ‘very dire’.

21-year-old Filippo Lombardi will stand trial later this year after being accused of inflicting grievous bodily harm on Cox.

Following a recent pre-season friendly against Napoli at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, the Liverpool squad unfurled a banner in support of the father-of-three from County Meath.

The post Roma fan jailed following Anfield clashes appeared first on AnfieldHQ.

Source: anfieldhq.com