Scrapper Yannis takes on Rotten (From Oxford Mail)

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Scrapper Yannis takes on Rotten

6:39pm Tuesday 22nd July 2008

The lead singer of Oxford band Foals has claimed he had a bust-up with punk legend Johnny Rotten.

Yannis Philippakis is reported to have told the crowd at Sunday's Latitude Festival in Suffolk: "We were in Spain yesterday and I got into a fight with Johnny Rotten. I was handcuffed and we nearly didn't make it," before dedicating the band's next song to "Johnny Rotten and his meathead friends."

Mr Philippakis, of Summertown, was referring to an incident between members of Sex Pistol Johnny Rotten's entourage and Bloc Party singer Kele Okereke in Barcelona on Saturday.

Mr Okereke claimed Mr Philippakis and Kaiser Chiefs frontman Ricky Wilson tried to protect him.

The singer has released a statement which said he was involved in an incident with three members of Mr Lydon's crew.

The statement added Philippakis and Kaiser Chiefs frontman Ricky Wilson tried to protect him.

Mr Okereke said he was punched and kicked in the head and left with cuts, bruises and a split lip.

He added the incident was witnessed by 50 people and was reported to police in Britain and Spain.

Foals declined to comment on the incident.

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