Everton defender Seamus Coleman has spoken about his donation to Liverpool fan Sean Cox, who is still recovering in hospital after being attacked by Roma supporters before the Champions League semi-final at Anfield in April. by saying, "Rivalries go out the window with stuff like that".
Republic Of Ireland captain Coleman has made a €5000 donation to fellow Irishman Cox, who suffered harrowing injuries before Liverpool's clash with Roma seven months ago, and he was alerted to the fundraising campaign going on by Red boss Jurgen Klopp, who also pledged €5000 to the 53-year-old Liverpool fan.
Electing to open about his reasons behind donating to the Press Association, Coleman choose to talk about how Merseyside football as a whole should come together to show support to Cox and that the battles on the pitch should be put to one side in favour.
Coleman said: " We have to be together. I think football is great for sticking together. Rivalries go out the window with stuff like that; you don't see a crest or a jersey, you see a man who came to support his team and unfortunately it didn't end too well for him that night." I saw on social media the Liverpool manager had donated some money and saw there was a link to a GoFundMe page, added Coleman.
"I wanted to put my name to it because sometimes that raises more publicity. That's what the Liverpool manager did. It's not about Liverpool and Everton, this is about a man who unfortunately was part of something he did not intend to be, continued Coleman.
Unsurprisingly Liverpool fans have been quick to show their gratitude towards Coleman, who is sure to be the enemy for Reds supporters when the Merseyside Derby takes place in early December, but for now the red side of Liverpool have wanted to praise the defender. "I've had people in the street, Liverpool fans, stop me and say 'Thanks very much," concluded Coleman.
The gesture by Seamus Coleman of putting 5 grand in the box for Liverpool fan,, Sean Cox is one of the most generously genuine things I've seen in a long, long time in football. God bless you Seamus lad. Tremendous stuff. [NickyAllt]
For a guy who I couldn’t stand, purely for footballing rivalry reasons... what a complete gent and nice guy. Good on you mate🔴🔵🔴🔵 [LFC_000]
On the pitch he is a rival. Off the pitch he is a human being. Today, I like him even more as a human being. [basarath]
