SUNDERLAND Football Club chairman Bob Murray was hit in the face with a glass while he enjoyed a meal in a restaurant with manager Mick McCarthy.

The assault happened at Vujon, an Indian restaurant on Newcastle's Quayside, at 11pm on Friday.

Mr Murray's wife, Sue, sustained an eye injury from the flying glass.

A witness said the man who attacked Mr Murray first spoke to him in the men's toilet and asked: "Why don't you put your hand in your pocket for McCarthy?"

After they returned to their tables, the man continued to speak to Mr Murray in the same manner for some time.

The attack took place when Mr Murray's party, which also included Mr McCarthy's wife, Fiona, stood up to leave.

The witness said: "There was blood all over the restaurant after Murray and his wife were glassed."

Vujon, voted best North restaurant in last year's Good Curry Guide, is a popular restaurant for high-profile customers. The restaurant's owner, Matab Miah, said: "Mr Murray is a regular and very valued customer. This is the first time that an incident of this kind has happened at the restaurant in the 16 years we have been here. Everything happened inside the premises and the assault came from another diner."

A Sunderland Football Club spokesman said: "We can confirm that there was an incident at a Newcastle restaurant. Mr and Mrs Murray and Mr and Mrs McCarthy were having a meal when the incident occurred at approximately 11pm. A beer glass was used in an attack on Mr Murray.

"He sustained an injury to his face. Mrs Murray also sustained an eye injury caused by flying glass.

"The police have advised Mr and Mrs Murray and Mr and Mrs McCarthy and the club not to comment further."

A police spokesman confirmed they were investigating the incident.