The friends and family of a young university graduate spoke of their shock at his arrest in Portugal over soccer-related violence.

John Jackson, 22, of Throckley, Newcastle, had attended Euro 2004 with friends and has no prior violence convictions.

His mother Margaret was in tears as she answered the door at the family's modern end-terraced council home yesterday.

She sobbed: "This can't be happening, John is not a yob.

"He is a university graduate, he is well brought up and has a good job in computing.

"He has never been in trouble in his life and is certainly not a trouble maker.

"All I can think is that he must have been nearby while other people were causing trouble and he was arrested as well.

"He is a big lad but he is not an aggressive person, this has come as a terrible, terrible shock to me."

A neighbour said: "John is a biig football fan but he's not one for causing trouble.

"He's a decent lad, his family were really proud at how well he has done in his career.

"I can't see him going out to Portugal to cause trouble, he just isn't the type."