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September 3,
2002 (Tuesday)
"Woodgate for
England" anger
THE father of
Rotherham attack victim Sarfraz Najeib today branded "a
disgrace" the decision to allow Jonathan Woodgate to play for England.
The Najeib family has launched a civil claim for damages against
Woodgate, who was convicted of affray following the incident where
Sarfraz was seriously injured.
Today Sarfraz's father, Mohammed, said he was shocked the player had
been made available for selection by England boss Sven Goran Eriksson
before the civil claim had been settled.
The Leeds United star - and teammate Lee Bowyer - are involved in a
private prosecution by the Najeib family over the attack which left
Sarfraz unconscious. Today Mr Najeib said he was "shocked and angry"
that Woodgate would be allowed to be selected for next week's England
friendly against Portugal.
"It's an absolute disgrace. We were led to believe that Mr Eriksson
would not pick Woodgate and if he is selected it would be shocking,"
he said today.
Damages
Mr Bowyer was cleared of causing grievous bodily harm and affray at
trial, where team mate Jonothan Woodgate was convicted of affray. Mr
Najeib launched a civil claim for damages following the end of the
criminal case over an incident where Sarfraz was attacked and badly
hurt in Leeds city centre.
Meanwhile, Mr Bowyer's lawyer, Steven Barker, has offered
to "immediately" drive to meet the Najeib family to discuss an out-of-
court conciliation.
He has now offered to meet the family, which would avert for the need
for the case going to court. But he has angered the family by
claiming the civil case had been "hijacked for political motives" by
the civil rights movement. Today Mohammed Najeib hit back, saying he
wanted "justice" for his son and would fight all the way in a civil
action in court. "He can meet my lawyers, but I won't be seeing him,"
he told The Star.
Mr Najeib, of Brinsworth said: "This is about justice and not about
politics."
Mr Najeib scoffed at the lawyer's offer to meet up with him and
discuss an out-of-court compromise.
Today Mr Barker said: "I was appaled by some of the allegations made
by the civil claim which were contrary even to the Crown's case in
the criminal trial. I think this family has been hijacked for
political motives by the civil rights movement."
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