England fan questioned over fight (From Romsey Advertiser)
When news happens, text ROMS and your photos or videos to 80360. Or contact us by email and phone.
England fan questioned over fight
7:28am Saturday 23rd March 2013 in National News © Press Association 2013
The Foreign Office confirmed an England fan had been arrested in Italy
An England football fan is being questioned by police in connection with a fight that reportedly left a man in a coma, the Foreign Office said.
The incident happened in Italy before Friday night's match against San Marino.
Reports in Italy say that the 21-year-old man was arrested after the dispute broke out outside the Bounty pub in Bologna, 75 miles from the enclave republic of San Marino, where England won their Group H World Cup qualifier.
Local newspaper La Repubblica reported that a 65-year-old England fan was in a coma in hospital after undergoing major surgery for a head injury.
A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: "We can confirm the arrest of a British national in Italy on 21 March. We are providing consular assistance."
La Repubblica reported that a group of at least seven football fans, who had been drinking, started fighting outside the pub in the Via delle Moline.
They described the 65-year-old defending himself with a bar stool before being punched and then hitting his head on the ground as he fell.
England won the game 8-0 against the part-time minnows of San Marino at the Stadio di Serravalle, before Tuesday's crucial trip to Montenegro.
