England football fan 'questioned over fight' in Italy

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An England football fan is reportedly being questioned by Italian police in connection with a fight that left a man in a coma.

The incident is said to have happened before Friday's World Cup qualifier between England and San Marino.

Reports in Italy said a 21-year-old man was arrested after trouble outside the Bounty pub in Bologna, 75 miles from the tiny republic of San Marino.

The Foreign Office confirmed that an arrest had taken place.

Local newspaper La Repubblica said a 65-year-old England fan was in a coma in hospital after undergoing major surgery for a head injury.

It reported that a group of at least seven football fans, who had been drinking, started fighting outside the bar in the Via delle Moline in Bologna.

The newspaper described the victim defending himself with a bar stool before being punched and hitting his head on the ground.

A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: "We can confirm the arrest of a British national in Italy on 21 March. We are providing consular assistance."

England won the match 8-0 at the Stadio Olimpico in Serravalle, San Marino, and play their next Group H qualifier in Montenegro on Tuesday.