Roma fan Filippo Lombardi has been jailed for three years for violent disorder, but cleared of inflicting grievous bodily harm on a Liverpool fan.
Sean Cox was left in a coma after violence outside Anfield ahead of the Champions League first leg in April.
The 53-year-old suffered brain injuries after being punched, and jurors heard he is unable to talk or sit up unaided.
Lombardi had been charged with GBH in relation to the incident.
Roma fan Filippo Lombardi has been jailed for three years for violent disorder, but cleared of inflicting grievous bodily harm on a Liverpool fan.
Sean Cox was left in a coma after violence outside Anfield ahead of the Champions League first leg in April.
The 53-year-old suffered brain injuries after being punched, and jurors heard he is unable to talk or sit up unaided.
Lombardi had been charged with GBH in relation to the incident.
Today at Preston Crown Court the 21-year-old admitted to having wrapped a belt around his hand for protection after Reds supporters began to “get more aggressive” in the wake of Mr Cox being punched.
Lombardi admitted to violent disorder, but denied the charge of inflicting grievous bodily harm and today he was found not guilty of the latter.
Giving evidence earlier this week, the 21-year-old stated that he "didn't realise what happened" to Mr Cox but "I feel really sorry for him for what happened, it's a very, very horrible situation for them" even though "I'm not involved in this assault".
The jury at Preston Crown Court was told another man, referred to as N40, was responsible for the punch that knocked Mr Cox to the ground, causing his injuries.
Lombardi was given a three-year jail sentence for violent disorder, which he had already admitted to.