The father of a Huddersfield man jailed following football violence in France has been told that he probably won’t be able to see his son for weeks.

Chris Booth, 52, of New Mill, has been told that he will need to produce documents to prove that he his Alex’s father before he is allowed to visit him in a Marseille jail.

Mr Booth, who is still in the French city following his son’s jailing for throwing an object during crowd trouble, said the documents were back home in Huddersfield.

Once he has them, it could take up to 15 days before a visitor application is processed, he has been told.

“It unlikely I will get to see him for three weeks. I have no means of contacting him whatsoever.”

Mr Booth last saw Alex, 20, a chef, on Sunday in a police cell shortly after his arrest.

Alex Booth from Huddersfield with Russian fans before the match. He was later arrested and jailed
Alex Booth from Huddersfield with Russian fans before the match. He was later arrested and jailed

“He told me he was by himself and there was no reading material and that the cell was pretty crap.

“He was very emotional and very tired. They would not let me give him any clothes. That is why he had to stand trial in an England shirt.”

Alex has since been transferred to an adult jail.

Mr Booth is hoping to speak to an English-speaking lawyer this week to inquire about prison access and if there are any grounds of appeal against the sentence.

But he isn’t holding out much hope.

Alexander Booth on the seafront in Marseille

“I have been to see the British Consul today who advised me to go home as any appeal will take longer than the sentence to be heard.

“Because the sentence is short, there won’t be any remission. I was underwhelmed by the service (of the Consul).

Mr Booth said he had been left confused by the French justice system and claimed there were “discrepancies” in the case.

He said that Alex’s statement in court had included an admission from his son that he had thrown a “plastic cup in a field” but had not aimed it at anyone.

Video Loading

Mr Booth believes his son would not have used the word “field” as the offence is said to have happened in a public square with grassed areas.

“I can’t see him using that phrase. The location was a square.”

Father and son had been in close proximity in the square, although they were not together at all times, said Mr Booth.

“I can’t categorically say that he’s not thrown anything.”

The pair were together when Alex was arrested, which happened shortly after he had been pepper-sprayed by police.

Mr Booth said his son’s lawyer, who did not speak English, was reliant on a translator who was “far from perfect”.

READ MORE:

READ MORE:

“I just don’t believe he has had a fair trial at all. I was waiting to be called as a witness but didn’t get to speak. I did try but was told to sit down.”

Mr Booth, who had travelled to Marseille with his son and to meet up with his brother Nigel, said his son was a “scapegoat” for what had happened.

He admitted earlier this week that his son had a “boisterous” side but was not a hooligan.

And he was critical of the French police, claiming officers had stood by while fans were badly beaten.

“I watched on Saturday as one England fan was battered half to death. I could see the lad having his head stamped on an all sorts. Police were 40 yards away but didn’t move. It was disgusting.”