Surprised England fan aids old enemy

An England football supporter put animosity to one side last week when he saved Gabriel Batistuta, the Argentine star, from being stranded at Wembley.

Richard Buffrey, 24, agreed to take on the unlikely assignment after Batistuta was unable to find a taxi to take him and his family back to their hotel after the 0-0 draw with England on Wednesday.

Mr Buffrey, who had borrowed a people carrier from work to get to the match, responded to pleas from the footballer's agent and drove the player back into London. In return for his efforts, he was rewarded with $100 (£62) and an autographed programme.

Last night Mr Buffrey, a car salesman from Ipswich, relived the unlikely turn of events and said that he had been pleased to help out, even if it was the opposition. He said he had driven to Wembley with six friends and watched the match before going for a drink in a nearby bar before the 80-mile return.

"We were still enjoying a drink when an American man walked in asking if anyone had a taxi. There was no reply and he then asked if anyone had a big vehicle to take him and a few friends to Knightsbridge in return for a hundred bucks. I agreed because it sounded like easy money.

"I was wondering who I was going to give a lift to, when this chap admitted he was Batistuta's agent and that I was going to be driving him. I got in the car and then Batistuta ran out of the players' entrance with his mother, father and sister behind him.

"Lots of Argentine fans were waiting and cameras were flashing as he jumped into the back. He just said: 'Drive, drive'."

Mr Buffrey said that on the way to the Chelsea Hotel in Sloane Street, where Batistuta was staying, he was absolutely charming. "I asked him which English clubs he liked and he replied, 'Manchester United'. Then when we drove down Park Lane he was pointing at the McLaren F1 sports car showroom and shouting to his parents, 'Nice car, nice car'."

Mr Buffrey then drove back to Wembley to pick up his friends. He said: "I am just really glad I was able to help him. It was an almost unreal experience and I kept having to pinch myself and prove it was really happening."

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