Roma have announced they will donate an initial sum of €150,000 to Liverpool fan Sean Cox, with more fund-raising initiatives planned.
Cox was on his way to the Champions League semi-final at Anfield in April when attacked by two Roma ultras.
The 53-year-old father of three from Dunboyne in Ireland was left in a coma for months, but still needs intensive medical care.
Roma have announced they will donate an initial sum of €150,000 to Liverpool fan Sean Cox, with more fund-raising initiatives planned.
Cox was on his way to the Champions League semi-final at Anfield in April when attacked by two Roma ultras.
The 53-year-old father of three from Dunboyne in Ireland was left in a coma for months, but still needs intensive medical care.
“AS Roma and club president Jim Pallotta have today announced that they will donate an initial sum of €150,000 to the family of Liverpool fan Sean Cox to help with his medical and rehabilitation costs,” read a statement.
“Roma will donate €100,000 through its Roma Cares foundation, while Pallotta has decided to make a personal donation of €50,000.
“Today’s announcement comes after club officials flew to Ireland on Friday to meet with Sean’s wife Martina and representatives helping to manage the family’s fundraising efforts.
“Having offered an initial financial donation, Roma have also agreed to work with the Cox family on further fundraising initiatives that will help cover ongoing costs for Sean over a multi-year period.”
There is also a GoFundMe page set up to raise money for Sean Cox’s medical costs, with many Italian supporters contributing.
“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 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.”
Club president Jim 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,” explained 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.”