Convicted fan Garry Mann released from prison

The Independent- Tom Pugh

England football fan Garry Mann has been freed from jail after being transferred to a UK prison from Portugal where he was convicted of hooliganism, Fair Trials International said.

Father-of-six Mann, a former firefighter, said he was glad to be back with his family and now intended to "finally get on with my life".

Mann, 53, was extradited last year but returned to Britain in May, having served half his two-year prison sentence in Portugal. Mann, from Faversham, Kent, was convicted over a riot during the Euro 2004 tournament but has always claimed he was not given a fair trial.

He was arrested, tried and convicted within 48 hours in a case that was described by his supporters as a "travesty of justice".

Jago Russell, chief executive of Fair Trials International, said: "The European Arrest Warrant has turned this family's life upside down.

"Sadly, until it is reformed and we have better standards of justice in Europe others will suffer the same fate.

"We are delighted that Garry is finally able to return home but he should never have been extradited to Portugal following a trial which can only be described as a travesty of justice."