Hunt on for ear-biting football yob

The assault came before the start of May's European Cup clash between Manchester United and Barcelona inside the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.

As thousands of fans waited for the game to start the suspect launched his assault and bit off part of his victim's ear before disappearing into the crowd.

Officers from Greater Manchester Police have now recovered mobile phone footage from a spectator at the game who filmed the aftermath.

Police said the victim, aged 46, had intervened during a row between the offender and a woman outside the stadium about an hour before the match, on May 27. The suspect threatened the victim and the men went their separate ways.

But shortly before the match started, the suspect saw the victim again inside the stadium and without provocation, launched the attack.

The suspect was wearing a blue Manchester United away shirt with the letters DEE and number 38 on the back.

Det Con Alex Robinson, from Greater Manchester Police's Force Football Intelligence Unit, said: "The victim had done absolutely nothing to warrant such a vicious attack and has been left permanently scarred by the assault.

"As any decent person would, he simply came to the aid of a woman who was being picked upon by this man outside the stadium but thought that was the end of the matter. I am very keen to find this person in order to prevent him from going to any future football matches here or abroad as he is clearly not a football supporter."

Anyone who recognises the man is asked to call police on 0161 856 6773 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.