FIVE men wanted by the Greek authorities after a former Oxford United footballer was attacked outside a Crete nightclub have launched a High Court bid to escape extradition.

Lawyers for Curtis Taylor, 20, Daniel Bell, 21, Sean Branton, 20, Benjamin Herdman, 20, and George Hollands, 22, say they face months, possibly years, in a “disgusting” Greek jail without charge.

All five deny involvement in the near-fatal attack on Rob Hughes in the resort of Malia in June 2008.

Their counsel, Alun Jones QC, said the Greek authorities had acted on the basis of “mere suspicion” and none of the five had even been accused of involvement in the attack on Mr Hughes.

The High Court hearing is expected to last up to two days.