Couple's racist terror

Mike Keegan

October 10, 2007

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Abdul and Maqsooda Sattar

AN Asian couple have spoken of their terror after they were subjected to a racist attack by a gang of football thugs.

Maqsooda Sattar, 64, was spat at and had alcohol thrown at her by about 20 beer-swilling hooligans on Saturday.

Husband Abdul, 73, confronted them but was punched to the floor, kicked in the head and showered with drink.

The attack happened near close Rochdale's Spotland ground at 1.30pm, before their derby clash with Bury.

Mrs Sattar was walking to her doctor's surgery for a flu jab when the men, believed to be Bury fans aged 16-20, ran over.

She said: "They were swearing and shouting horrible things at me. They called me a P***, threw beer at me and spat at me - I was just shocked."

Medical centre staff came out and the attackers fled.

Police were called and a witness was taken to the ground but could not identify them.

Mr Sattar was taken to hospital with bruising but no serious injuries.

The couple, who have lived in Rochdale for 34 years, said the incident left them `extremely shaken'.

Son-in-law Ibrar Ul-Haq, 42, said he was `disgusted' by the attack.

He said: "It's absolutely sickening. They were quite an outgoing pair but now they are afraid to leave the house. Mrs Sattar is having baths every couple of hours because she still thinks she can feel the alcohol on her.

"And it's not just the race element that is disturbing - it's their ages as well.

"All of the family are stunned. I have a 13-year-old son who, thankfully, has never encountered this kind of thing."

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police is appealing for information. Anyone who saw the the attack can call police on 0161 872 5050 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.

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mauger 9, HANNOVER GERMANY (10/10/2007 at 08:38)

This is Bloody Disgusting!This is just the same as in the one time Eastern Germany.
Each Country has it's Scumrats.

The Bobelesque, In The Rye (10/10/2007 at 08:39)

I would dispute the figures! They say there 20 of them - at Spotland! That's almost the entire crowd surely.

tezza, tyldesley (10/10/2007 at 09:45)

Disgraceful, I do hope that Bury Football Club will do there best to find out who these thugs are and then ban them for life from any future games

macker in N.Z., AUCLAND N.Z. (10/10/2007 at 10:30)

they are scum this is why people leave the England

What's In A Name?, Manchester (10/10/2007 at 10:33)

It's not entirely surprising that it takes 20 of these dense morons to take on an elderly couple. Sympathy should probably be applied to both sides, on one side the elderly couple who will need to pick up the pieces after the incident and on the other the protagonists who will undoubtedly live the life of a primate for the rest of their days, unaware of the pleasures a basic level of intelligence can bring. I suspect that it will be the victims who, over time, will come out of this experience stronger but clearly, without electric shock treatment or a return to primary school to learn the basics of life, the racist element in Rochdale will have to make do with existing on the same basis as other spineless creatures. Once again, the politics of hate have been exposed as a movement of cowardice led by ineffectual boot boys. It's a shame that the people of towns such as Rochdale, cut adrift economically over the last 20 years, don't realise that until they help to stamp out such small minded bigots then a reputation will persist with the rest of the county that anyone living north of Birmingham must be hill hugging simpletons. Who will want to invest in a town where people throw beer over women, young or old, black or white?

Mark, South Manchester (10/10/2007 at 12:04)

Well the second worst police force in the country will be investigating this - so don't expect any arrests. As per usual!

WILL (10/10/2007 at 12:22)

This is an absolute disgrace that these people have been targeted like this It is even more sickening that these 2 are pensioners that have lived in that area for many years. I really hope they find the scum bags that carried out this attack..

ace, manchester (10/10/2007 at 12:32)

This is the scum we have in britain find them then give them five lashes of the birch and let this couple watch revenge is sweet,its time to control these thugs protect our elders,once again this government refuse to protect our citizens....disgusting.

shayna (10/10/2007 at 12:32)

why, if anyone sees a group of 20 (more or less)of 'beer swilling thugs' hanging around, does no one call the police?

how can people look the other way with accounts of brutal beating attacks in the news so much,and mobile phones in every pocket?

unless the local police are totally un-responsive, there is no excuse for these situations not to be diffused; i agree, it's totally disgusting.

joanne card, manchester (10/10/2007 at 12:33)

whats in a name. good breakdown I like it, had a laugh there. I however would not give the purpotrators the benefit of the doubt, feed them to ace

Mark, South Manchester (10/10/2007 at 12:50)

What's In A Name?, Manchester - just what are you going on about?
These crimes happen all over the country - or do you think that the "brain dead violent thugs" who live south of Birmingham, are unlike ours, at least politically correct?
Violent thugs are violent thugs - they have no fashionable cosmopolitan morals.

The Bobelesque, In The Rye (10/10/2007 at 12:59)

What's in a name: I am astounded to hear that this sort of thing only happens north of Birmingham. As a regular visitor to the metropolis I was under the impression that such activities extended a lot firther south.

Mr Angry, Bury (10/10/2007 at 14:09)

I am embarrassed by the fact that these pond life call themselves Bury supporters as I have been following Bury since 1973 on and off. Totally disgusting, must be hard men eh? 20 of them onto an elderly couple The birch is needed

The Bobelesque, In The Rye (10/10/2007 at 14:24)

Mr Angry: sorry comrade but I agree with you - again.

shakerstef, Bury (10/10/2007 at 22:14)

I am dorry but i was at the game from 1.00 and i find it very hard to believe this attack happened, there was a huge police presence at the game and even in the streets leading upto the ground there were police there, if you ask me there trying to make something out of it, i have been following bury for 10 years and never witnessed anything like this

DAMO, BURY (11/10/2007 at 09:41)

What is interesting is the large number of reports, via word of mouth, of attacks by what have been described as "local scallys" of a similar age and size of group, on random people both before and after the Saturday and Tuesday night games against Rochdale. Including an oap Bury fan requiring Hospital treatment after he and his Gradson were attacked. I find it hard to believe that whoever carried out either of these attacks would risk attending the actual matches. Also there was a huge police presence all along Spotland Road on Saturday.

ace, manchester (11/10/2007 at 11:53)

What the hell is wrong with you lot? These two people (elders) Felt threatened we should worry more on how to help them and stop this sort of behavior not whos to blame and which team they might support? my god these two elders felt at risk we should be feeling terrible this has happened.and find ways to stop it happening.

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