Fan convicted of Euro 2004 hooliganism transferred to UK prison

The former firefighter, 53, was extradited last year but has now returned to Britain, having served half his sentence.

The father of six was convicted over a riot during the Euro 2004 tournament but has always claimed he was not given a fair trial.

Jago Russell, chief executive of Fair Trials International, said: “We are relieved that Garry will now be able to serve the remainder of his sentence back in the UK closer to his family, but this falls far short of justice.

“We will continue to campaign for reform of the extradition laws that have put him and his family through hell.”

Mann was extradited last May after his lawyers failed in a last-ditch attempt to secure a judicial review of his case at the High Court.

After surrendering to Portuguese police at Heathrow Airport, he travelled to Lisbon before being transferred to an undisclosed prison.

Mann, from Faversham, Kent, said he had been the victim of a “witch-hunt” by the Portuguese authorities.

A Birmingham City supporter, he was drinking with friends in a bar in Albufeira when a riot involving football fans began in a nearby street.

He was arrested, tried and convicted within 48 hours.

His legal team said he was only granted five minutes with a lawyer before trial, could not understand the proceedings and did not know what charge he faced until after he was convicted.

Judges and police officers have expressed concerns that he did not get a fair hearing.