Football fan cleared of killing

Daniel Janik, the man cleared of killing his best friend during a drunken brawl over a football match, has allegedly said he could have been the one to end up in hospital.

At a police station, the 30-year-old Polish hospital porter was alleged to have said: “It was an accident. If my friend was not in hospital I would be."

Sarah Plaschkes QC, prosecuting, described the death of Przemyslaw Lepkowskias as "tragic, futile and drunken".

The two men got into a fight while watching May’s Champions League final on television at Janik's house.

• UK
• Football

A man who killed his best friend in an alcohol-fuelled fight over a football match has walked free from court.

Daniel Janik, a 30-year-old Polish hospital porter, was cleared of murder and manslaughter at the Old Bailey.

The court heard how he and Przemyslaw Lepkowski, a 24-year-old hospital cleaner, watched Chelsea's Champions League final win over Bayern Munich on television, with each of them supporting opposing teams.

Sarah Plaschkes QC, prosecuting, said Lepkowski had suffered 41 injuries after the men got into a drunken brawl and he died of strangulation.

• UK
• Chelsea
• Champions League