Football club official attacked

Bob Murray has been involved with the club for more than 20 years

The chairman of Sunderland football club, Bob Murray, is recovering after he was attacked in a restaurant.

The club has confirmed he was attacked with a glass in Newcastle, while out for a meal with his wife and club manager Mick McCarthy and his wife.

Mr Murray received a facial injury from a beer glass in the attack at about 2300 on Friday; his wife suffered an eye injury from flying glass.

The club said police had been informed about the incident.

It is thought former Republic of Ireland manager Mr McCarthy intervened to try and stop the attack.

Long-serving

A Sunderland statement said: "The police have advised Mr and Mrs Murray, Mr and Mrs McCarthy and the club not to comment further at this time."

Mr Murray is the longest serving chairman in the club's history.

The 60-year-old has been a Sunderland supporter since the age of nine when his father took him to see his first game.

A Northumbria Police spokesman said: "We can confirm that we are investigating a complaint from the chairman of Sunderland AFC that he was assaulted in a Newcastle restaurant last night."