British police are hunting a football thug who bit part of an ear off a fellow England fan from Newham in a gory race attack at the World Cup in Brazil.

Courtney Farquharson of Swete Street, Plaistow, was left scarred for life after his earlobe was chewed off during a brawl in the stadium after England’s 2-1 defeat to Uruguay.

Despite the 25-year-old student’s ordeal, he has managed to continue to enjoy himself in Sao Paulo – even posting a picture online showing his injury and joking about it.

Brazilian police searched for the thug in the crowd at England’s final group match against Costa Rica, but could not find him.

British police have admitted that they would not be able to charge him with the brutal assault because it was committed outside their jurisdiction.

But they warned that he could face a five-year worldwide ban.

Andy Holt, Deputy Chief Constable of South Yorkshire and national head of football policing, said: “I would expect an assault like this to carry a five-year ban.

“If we had the evidence, we would apply to the courts for a control order, which would mean he would have to hand in his passport during England football matches and report to a police station when the game is on.”

Shocking video footage of the attack taken by fans shows Courtney being targeted by two attackers who repeatedly punch him before one man sinks his teeth into his left ear

As the attackers flee, Courtney, who is mixed race, emerges bloodied with part of his ear gone and tells stunned onlookers: “He bit my ear off and called me a black ***!

The Recorder managed to briefly contact Courtney in Brazil via his Facebook page.

He said police were still continuing their inquiries. After saying he was an avid reader of the paper and insisting he was a Birmingham City follower rather than a West Ham fan, as some of the media had reported, he had to sign off.

His parents Lascelles, 67, and Kirsteen, 55, expressed concern about their son.

His mum said: “It’s been a shock for us, but he’s OK.”