Six men face extradition to Crete over the assault of footballer Robbie Hughes who was left in a coma after taking a severe beating while on holiday.

Six men were arrested under extradition powers in connection with the serious assault on 17 June 2008 of the 27-year-old.

Mr Hughes was left in a coma and endured four life-saving operations after being attacked outside a bar in Malia, Crete, last year.

The former Croydon Atletic and Sutton United footballer from south Croydon, recovered and is now playing football again.

Officers from the Metropolitan Police Service, with assistance from Surrey and Sussex police, served European Arrest Warrants this morning on: Curtis Mathew Steven Taylor, age 20, from Thornton Place, Horley, Surrey; Daniel Mark Bell, age 21, from Wolverton Gardens, Horley, Surrey; Sean Kevin Branton, age 20, from Middlefields, Horley; Joseph Peter Vincent Bruckland, age 20, from Reigate Road, Hookwood, Surrey; Benjamin Peter Herdman, age 20, from Old Hollow, Worth, Sussex; George Hollands, age 22, from Kingsley Grove, Reigate, Surrey.

The six men will appear in custody at City of Westminster Magistrates Court this afternoon.