Sean Cox was attacked by a Roma fan outside Anfield last April.
AS Roma and their president, Jim Pallotta, will donate €150,000 to help with Liverpool fan Sean Cox’s recovery, it has been announced.
Cox was at Anfield last April for the Champions League semi-final first leg with the Italian club when he was assaulted by one of their fans prior to the game.
The 53-year-old father of three, who is from Dunboyne, was left in a coma after sustaining serious head injuries. His wife, Martina, explained earlier this month that he continues to make “small steps of progress” in his recovery.
It was announced on Thursday that Roma have pledged €100,000 through its Roma Cares foundation, while Pallotta has added a further €50,000 as a personal donation.
Roma officials had travelled to Ireland at the end of last week to meet Sean’s wife and representatives helping to manage the family’s fundraising efforts. As well as the money donated, Roma have also agreed to work with the Cox family in the years ahead on further fundraising initiatives.
“Everyone at the club was shocked and saddened by what happened to Sean Cox outside Anfield and the huge impact it’s had on not just him but also his wife, his children and his family and friends,” said Roma’s Managing Director, Mauro Baldissoni.
“Back in April we wrote to Mrs Cox to offer any help or support we could provide at a time that was right for the family. Now, having sat down on Friday with Martina and listened to the long journey Sean still has ahead of him, we wanted to make a donation that will help support Sean’s ongoing rehabilitation costs.”
Pallotta added: “What happened to Sean Cox should never happen to anyone attending a football match. Our thoughts today, as they have been from day one, are with Sean, Martina and their whole family. We all hope Sean makes as full a recovery as possible.”
“Our life has been turned upside down by what has happened to Sean,” said Martina Cox.
“There is no sign of Sean being able to return home any time soon and even with extensive specialist rehabilitation efforts, which will take years, he will require care for the rest of his life.”
Mrs Cox added: “We are hugely appreciative of today’s donation by AS Roma and Mr Pallotta, and more particularly by committing to meaningful assistance over the coming years with the struggle Sean is facing into.”
