'Our thoughts and prayers are with Sean and his family' – GAA club of seriously injured Irish Liverpool fan release statement after Anfield attack
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'Our thoughts and prayers are with Sean and his family' – GAA club of seriously injured Irish Liverpool fan release statement after Anfield attack

THE Irishman attacked by Roma fans before Liverpool's Champions League semi-final against Roma on Tuesday night remains in a critical condition this afternoon.

Sean Cox, 53, from Dunboyne in Co. Meath, is fighting for his life at Walton Neurological Centre in Merseyside following the assault outside a pub near Anfield stadium.

The father-of-two is a member of St Peter's GAA in Dunboyne and the club have now released a statement.

"The Club is aware of an incident involving our Club colleague, Sean Cox, at the Champions League game at Anfield last night," a spokesperson said.

"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.

Sean Cox was attacked by Roma fans outside the Albert Pub near Anfield at 7.35pm

"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."

Two Italian men were arrested on suspicion of murder inside Anfield stadium during the match, which Mr Cox's beloved Reds won 5-2.

In a statement on the Merseyside Police website, the force confirmed that "two men, aged 25 and 26 years from Rome, have been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a 53-year-old man was seriously injured before the Champions League semi-final game.

"[They] were arrested inside the ground after officers carried out a number of proactive inquiries in a bid to identify those involved in the incident.

"Officers were called to the Albert public house at about 7.35pm following reports that a man, believed to be 53 years from Ireland, had been seriously assaulted.

"Paramedics attended at the scene and the victim, who suffered a head injury, was taken to Walton Neurological Centre where his condition is described as critical."

Mr Cox travelled to the game with his brother and has a wife and two grown-up children back home in Ireland.

It's understood that the Irishman's wife has traveled to Walton Neurological Centre to be at his bedside as his grown-up children remain at home awaiting further news.