Detectives investigating an unprovoked attack on a football fan after the Tottenham Hotspur vs Chelsea FA Cup semi-final match at Wembley have released a CCTV image of a man wanted for questioning.
The victim – a 23-year-old Tottenham fan called Michael – is believed to have been assaulted when other Tottenham supporters mistook him for a Chelsea fan.
Officers have previously released images of Michael’s injuries and have today, with the assistance of a witness, released the image of a man they wish to identify in the hope that either the public, or Tottenham fans, will be able to name him.
Michael, who is a former Tottenham Hotspur Football Club groundsman, was admitted to hospital with serious facial injuries and continues to undergo a schedule of surgery and treatment in relation to a broken eye socket, cheek bone, jaw and fractured skull.
The incident happened on Saturday, 22 April at approximately 19:30hrs outside Moore Spice Indian restaurant in Engineers Way, near Wembley stadium. Michael went to the match with a group of friends and was walking past the restaurant when he was targeted by another group of Tottenham fans. We believe that Michael was mistaken for a rival Chelsea supporter and was punched in the face causing extensive injuries.
The suspect is a white man in his early 20s, approximately 5ft 10ins tall. At the time of the attack he was wearing a black hooded top or jacket.
Detective Constable James Robb of Brent CID, the investigating officer said: “This unprovoked and cowardly attack has resulted in injuries that could affect the rest of a young man’s life.”
“There is no place for this kind of violence in football or anywhere else. We will not stop with our investigation until the culprit(s) are brought to justice. Someone knows who committed this unprovoked attack and I sincerely hope they do the right thing and help us place this violent individual before the courts. “
“All information that we receive is treated in the strictest confidence, but you can also remain completely anonymous by calling Crimestoppers.”
Anyone who has information that could assist police in identifying the suspect should call Brent CID on 0208 733 3737 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
+ A 21-year-old man arrested on Tuesday, 9 May on suspicion of assault was released with no further action.