LONDON, Sept 5: The family of Najeib Sarfaraz, a student of Pakistani origin, has strongly criticized the football authorities’ decision to end the international exile of its players, Lee Bowyer and Jonathan Woodgate, who were involved in a “racially-motivated brutal attack” on Najeib more than two years ago.

The highly-publicized attack on the 23-years-old student from South Yorkshire is being considered as a high-profile case of alleged racial attack.

The Sarfaraz family says, the attack was racially motivated and without any provocation.

Najeib suffered a broken leg, a broken nose and a fractured cheekbone. Cuts to his eyebrow had to be glued together and a head-wound needed 12 stitches. The victim had said that one attacker had called him “Paki”. Describing the moments before the attack, he said: “One of them said, ‘Do you want some Paki?’”

This became a high profile case, as those involved in the attack were not some street thugs but two of the great football stars of England. One of the alleged attackers, Bowyer was cleared of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, and affray though he was still heavily criticized by the judge for his actions.

The other football star, Woodgate, was convicted of affray and sentenced to 100 hours of community service. The decision of the court was criticized by some members of the Asian community and the family of the victim.

The players’ international exile was removed and the two players were allowed to take part in the European championship.

Suresh Grover, a spokesman for the Najeib family, said: “The family are very disappointed with the decision of the Football Association and the manager of the team to allow players to take part in the championship.”