Najeib family campaign statement
14 December 2001

Almost two years after he was brutally assaulted, student Sarfraz Najeib is still struggling to rebuild his life. The 21-year-old bears physical scars from the attack and continues to suffer psychologically from his ordeal. Meanwhile, Leeds United defender Jonathan Woodgate has been given 100 hours community service after being found guilty of affray over a brutal street attack on a student. He was cleared of the more serious charge of grievous bodily harm with intent. His team-mate Lee Bowyer walked free from Hull crown court after being cleared of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and affray.

Woodgate's friend Paul Clifford was sentenced to six years in prison after being found guilty of affray and causing GBH for his part in the attack on Sarfraz Najeib, who suffered severe injuries, including a broken nose and cheekbone, a fractured leg and a bite on the cheek during the attack in January 2000.

Another friend of Woodgate's, Neale Caveney, was found guilty of affray but cleared of causing GBH. He too received 100 hours of community service.

At a press conference held outside court the family expressed their gratitude to the following individuals: the brave and courageous witnesses for coming to the court and, to use Mr Duberry's words, 'telling it like it was'; Superintendent Hemsley and his team of investigators for collating all the evidence in a competent manner and his concern for the Najeib family; and Mr Campbell and Mr Waterman of the CPS for their preparation and thoroughness in presenting the case in court.

The result is a tremendous disappointment for the family. Ever since the brutal, savage and racist attack on Sarfraz the family have gone through living hell. Both Sarfraz and Shazad have still not recovered fully from their injuries. The prominence of the defendants and the likelihood of them being convicted has resulted in a race hate campaign against the family.

Only last week, Mr Najeib's car tyre was slashed and several serious threats have been made against Mr Najeib at his take-away shop in Sheffield. The attack on Sarfraz was motivated by racism. Although this may not have been the only motive it was, nevertheless, significant. Despite public announcements and directions by the trial judges and the concession by the Crown Prosecution Service, the family have not been in doubt about this issue. They remain mystified as to the reason why Safraz was asked not to repeat in court the racist threat directed at him immediately before he was punched. Sarfraz clearly remembers the words 'do you want some paki?' before he was attacked, and included the remark in his statement to the police.

The family are angry with the conduct of Leeds United Football Club throughout the affair. They have allowed both players to play whilst they were charged. In Spring 2000, Mr Najieb and his supporters, including Neville Lawrence, father of Stephen Lawrence, met with Mr Risdale at Elland Road to ask for the players to be suspended whilst they were accused of the charges. His attitude was both insensitive and unsympathetic. At the meeting he expressed concern at the growth of racist chanting by Leeds United supporters but offered no strategy for dealing with the problem. The McCormick affair further heightens our concerns. We will raise these issues with the Football Association.

We have done everything in our power to bring those responsible for the savage attack to justice, but justice has been denied. It has always been difficult for our communities to attain justice in this country and these verdicts only serve to shatter our faith even more. However, we remain determined to bring those responsible to justice, and would say to anyone who has faced racist attacks stand tall and fight.