World Cup: England fan who had his earlobe bitten off is a good man, not a troublemaker, says family

The family of an England fan who had part of his ear bitten off in a suspected racist attack in Brazil today said he was a “good man” and they just wanted to “make sure he is OK”.

Student Courtney Farquharson, known as Rob, was savagely attacked during England’s World Cup defeat to Uruguay. He was later pictured with blood streaming down his face.

A police investigation is under way to catch the thug who attacked the 24-year-old and told him: “You shouldn’t be supporting England.”

Today Mr Farquharson’s parents Lascelles, 67, and Kirsteen, 55, said they were in shock over the incident. At the family home in Plaistow, East London, his father said: “Courtney is my son and he is a good man, he is not a troublemaker. He is not back yet and we are just hoping that he is OK.

“I am obviously very concerned and am waiting to talk to him to get the details of everything that happened out there.”

News of the attack spread after a video clip of the horrific assault — and Mr Farquharson’s dazed reaction — appeared on the internet.

Police in Brazil were today said to be closing in on the attacker, who held Mr Farquharson in a headlock before biting off part of his ear after England’s 2-1 defeat in São Paulo on June 19.

The assault did not appear to faze Mr Farquharson, however, as he attended England’s final World Cup match against Costa Rica five days later in Belo Horizonte. He also posted photographs on Facebook with his ear bandaged, striking a series of jovial poses with friends mimicking the assault.

Billy Grant, who writes for fanzine Brentford Beesotted and filmed the attack for website worldcupfancam.com, said he spotted Mr Farquharson before the final game.

He said: “I didn’t actually recognise him. He was covered in body paint. He came up to me and said ‘thank you so much for helping me out’.

“We came to his assistance, we called the steward, we helped him and walked him out of the stadium.”

The footage showed Mr Farquharson appearing shocked but still smiling in the immediate aftermath.

When asked what happened, he tells the camera: “He bit off my ear and called me a black ****”.

Mr Grant added: “I was with a huge group of England fans and we were all disgusted. Everyone was saying this never happens in England crowds. Every England fan I spoke to was outraged and wants the perpetrator caught.”