Footballers' friends watched from a distance, trial told
Two friends of England international Jonathan Woodgate denied beating an Asian student senseless in a violent street attack, the Leeds United footballers trial has heard.
Paul Clifford and Neale Caveney told police that they followed a group of Asian men from a Leeds city centre nightclub to a nearby street but watched from a distance while the attack on Sarfraz Najeib took place.
The pair both said they were with central defender Woodgate and told him not to get involved, Hull Crown Court was told.
Clifford, 21, of Middlesbrough, said during police interviews that he was a former North East boxing champion but could not punch anyone because of "chronic arthritis".
Clifford, who is accused of biting Mr Najeib on the cheek, said he could not run fast after the Asians because he was wearing new shoes which had given him blisters.
The court heard that he saw Woodgate running in the same direction as the Asian group. "I know Woody," he told police, "I know how he runs - like a chicken."
Clifford and Caveney, 21, also of Middlesbrough, were involved in an incident outside the Majestyk night club in January last year but denied any involvement in the attack on Mr Najeib in Mill Hill, the jury was told.
Woodgate, 21, of Middlesbrough, England Under-21 international Lee Bowyer, 24, of Leeds, reserve team striker Tony Hackworth, 20, of Leeds, Caveney and Clifford deny causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Mr Najeib, of Rotherham, South Yorkshire. They also deny affray.
Woodgate, Caveney and Clifford, with Leeds United player Michael Duberry, 24, of Leeds, also plead not guilty to conspiring to pervert the course of justice.
Mr Najeib suffered serious injuries included a smashed nose, a broken cheekbone and a fractured leg.
