Flag-attack fans were in hooligan territory

Rochdale-based Oldham Athletic fan Richard Atwood is writing to the Football Association to ask why England’s friendly against Spain was played in Seville after his friend Mark Winterbottom was attacked in the city and left with a broken jaw.

Mr Atwood, 32, an accounts manager from Rochdale, wants an explanation as to why the FA agreed to play the game in Seville where there is a hardcore hooligan element which is often involved in football violence.

“The game was switched from Madrid because of fears of racist abuse against the England players.

“But Seville is well known for its so-called ‘Ultras’ — a hardcore of fans who are always fighting,” he explained.

There were a number of unsavoury incidents before and after England’s 2-0 defeat on Wednesday. Mr Atwood has since heard that one England fan is still in a Seville hospital recovering from stab wounds.

“I heard stories of England fans having knives pulled on them. As we approached the ground, you could feel the tension,” he added.

As we reported last week, Richard and Mark, 30, an accountant from Chadderton, were with a group of Oldham fans outside the stadium in Seville when they were attacked as they posed for a picture with an Ernie Cooksey tribute flag - the former Rochdale and Oldham midfield player who died tragically of skin cancer last year.

Mr Winterbottom has now been discharged from North Manchester Hospital after having emergency surgery to have a plate inserted in his jaw.

He said: “We were having our photograph taken with the flag as we do outside every ground we visit when some Spanish fans snatched it.

“I tried to grab it back and a scuffle followed. One of the Spaniards punched me in the jaw.

“It was quite a blow as it sent my glasses flying to the ground. There was bleeding from my mouth and I was soon covered in blood.”

Mr Winterbottom didn’t go to the police because he feared he might be branded a troublemaker if they saw his blood-splattered clothing.

He went to the match not realising the severity of the injury which was only diagnosed when he went to the Royal Oldham Hospital on his return home on Friday morning.

Doctors diagnosed a broken jaw and he was transferred and admitted to North Manchester Hospital where he underwent surgery on Saturday afternoon.

A hairline fracture was also discovered on the opposite side of his jaw, though that is expected to heal without the need for surgery.