Police have begun hunt for the “Cowardly” Swansea City fans who beat a 16 year-old Chelsea fan that suffers with autism.
Following the Premier League match on Saturday that finished 5-0 to the Blues, the teenager and his brother were punched in the face and verbally abused when making their way back to the city centre.
The attack was completely unprovoked and the boy’s father – who asked for their names to not be made public - said that he had wanted to watch Swansea play for many years.
The incident on Llangyfelach Road left the boy with facial and eye injuries and needing hospital treatment.
His father couldn't make it to Wales due to work so his older brother travelled from University in Scotland to take him to South Wales.
His father was quoted as saying “My son has had Swansea on his to-do list for a couple of years, and was really looking forward to the trip. I had some texts from the boys during the day saying how much they were enjoying the visit — then this happened. How could somebody do this to a young boy? It is a disgusting and cowardly thing to do.”
The attack took place at around 5:30pm on Saturday, near the Commercial Inn pub. Police are urging anyone with information to come forward.
“One of the effects of my son’s condition is that he can’t see the bad in people — he just doesn't understand why somebody would want to do this bad thing to him. His one passion is football, and I always take him to all home matches, as well as two or three away matches each season, as it’s his one release. The physical scars will heal in time, however mentally and emotionally — especially given his disability — this will be a big step backwards for him.” His father continued.
Four men, believed to be in their 20’s, approached the brothers and began abusing them for supporting Chelsea, as they saw that the younger brother was wearing a Chelsea scarf. They then punched the teenager in the face and fled.
Luckily not so long after the incident the boys were able to flag down a police Car. The officers took them to the hospital for treatment and then gave them a lift to the train station.
“The police were brilliant, very supportive, and I just hope somebody will come forward with information to help them. Somebody must know the lads who are responsible for this, and I hope it pricks their conscience to know what they did.” Said their dad.
A spokesmen for the South Wales Police said “Police investigating an assault on Llangyfelach Road on Saturday, January 17, are urging any witnesses — or anybody with information about what happened — to come forward.”
If you have any information they could have the investigation then please contact South Wales Police on 101 or you can anonymously call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, referencing 15000019331.
Source: DSG
