Six men accused of an assault on footballer Robbie Hughes appeared in court today to face extradition to Crete over the attack.

The men were arrested by police this morning under extradition powers in connection with the serious assault on 17 June 2008 on the 28-year-old.

Mr Hughes was left in a coma and endured four life-saving operations after being punched and stamped on the head 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.

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 all appeared at City of Westminster Magistrates Court this afternoon.

All six men were remanded in custody by District Judge John Zani until December 11.