Unlawful killing verdict over fan

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An inquest into the death of a Middlesbrough fan in Amsterdam has recorded a verdict of unlawful killing.

Brendan O'Connor, 36, from Camden, north London, but originally from Teesside, travelled to Amsterdam last year to watch his team in the Uefa Cup.

He died from a knife wound to the heart following a dispute.

Dutch drug dealer Iwan Roy Vyent, 42, was cleared of murder, but convicted of manslaughter by a court in Holland last month and jailed for four years.

Vyent had denied murder and claimed he was acting in self-defence.

Family's frustration

Mr O'Connor had travelled to Holland with his friend Howard Boville, 38, from Stockton, to watch Middlesbrough play AZ Alkmaar in the Uefa Cup.

They could not get tickets for the game and watched the match from the bar.

Mr Boville suffered serious damage to his pancreas in the stabbing and returned home in January 2006, after spending weeks in a Dutch hospital.

Mr O'Connor's family were said to be "bitterly disappointed" at the verdict.

After Wednesday's inquest, Det Supt Tony Hutchinson said the family was still frustrated they did not know the full reaons for the fight.

He said: "I can only imagine what is must be like to try and put myself in their shoes.

"They want answers. They would love to know what's happened to Brendan and why the fight has started because, apart from anything else, it would bring some closure."