England fan goes missing on way to World Cup in US as family issue plea
A man from Leeds has mysteriously disappeared after heading out to this summer's FIFA World Cup.
Michael Hewitt (known as 'Little Mick' by his loved ones) had intended to watch the England men's national football team play its second group game against Ghana in Boston this month, which ended in a goalless draw.
On route was a layover in Barcelona, Spain, and that's where Leeds United fan Hewitt's communications totally ceased.
The man's family believe he never reached his American destination, with his phone being out of service since Sunday, June 21 and no updates from Hewitt himself on social media.
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According to his brother Mike, the last time anybody heard from Hewitt was when he'd landed in the Spanish city.
Per The Daily Star, the concerned sibling shared: "On Saturday 20th June, Mick left Leeds, heading to Boston, USA for one of England's World Cup group games, travelling via Barcelona.
"He doesn't seem to have made it to Boston, and our last contact with him was from Barcelona in the early hours of Sunday morning, 21st June.
"Since then, his phone has been out of service and he hasn't posted any updates on social media. As you can imagine, we are now very worried for his safety."
Hewitt has since been reported missing to the police, while the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is currently running a case.
Interpol is now also involved as Hewitt's loved ones attempt to establish whether he travelled beyond Barcelona or not.
Mike went on to add: "Known to many as 'Little Mick', particularly within the Leeds United community, he will be a familiar face to lots of Whites fans across the globe, having followed the Club home and away for decades.
"If anyone has seen Mick since Sunday 21st June, or had any contact with him since then, please could you let ourselves or the FCDO know? Thank you."
West Yorkshire Police's statement read: "We have received a missing person report in relation to a man from Leeds. The report was received at 3.09pm on Sunday 28 June."
Since England's lacklustre performance against the Ghanians, Thomas Tuchel's men secured a top-place finish in their World Cup group by defeating Panama 2-0.
At 5pm UK time tomorrow (July 1), DR Congo await them as they enter the Last 32 knockout round, with tournament co-hosts Mexico potentially waiting for them in the Last 16 contest if they prevail.
Dan Seddon