England fan in coma after being 'ambushed by Russian thugs' at Euro 2016Andrew Bache suffered life-changing injuries when violent clashes broke out at the Three Lions' opening game in Marseille.This is the first picture of an England fan in a coma after being reportedly ambushed by a gang of Russian hooligans at Euro 2016.
Portsmouth supporter Andrew 'Pepe' Bache was left fighting for his life when violent clashes broke out during the Three Lions' opening game in Marseille.
The 51-year-old suffered a brain injury after he was hit several times with an iron bar.
His injuries are said to be no longer life-threatening but could be life-changing, according to a source close to the family.
They said he is still in a serious condition and the extent of his injuries can't be confirmed until he is taken out of the induced coma.
Police are probing images from the scene after the incident was captured on CCTV footage.
A Foreign office spokesperson confirmed Andrew was among those injured in the violence on Saturday.
They said: "We are in contact with French authorities about a British national injured in Marseille and stand ready to provide further support."
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It comes after shocking pictures emerged of French police officers helping resuscitate an England fan who was attacked by Russian thugs before the Euro 2016 game.
Police said a 51-year-old man was reportedly 'hovering between life and death' after suffering a serious head injury following Saturday's attack.
This is understood to be Mr Bache, who is no longer in a critical condition, but is yet to be confirmed.
Speaking at a press conference, France's chief prosecutor has described how Russians trained to fight were involved in the violence.
He said: "There were 150 Russian supporters who in reality were hooligans.
"These people were well prepared for ultra-rapid, ultra-violent action. These are extremely well trained people."
Robin said some Russian supporters were turned back on arrival at Marseille's international airport but that others had arrived overland.
Most of the 35 people who were injured in the fighting were English, the prosecutor said, adding that two Russian nationals were being expelled from the country.
The French government today warned England could face disqualification from the tournament if there is a return to the chaos seen in Marseille over the weekend.
Ministers vowed to expel foreign football hooligans disturbing public order after more than 100 people were arrested over a weekend marred by violence and vandalism in Marseille.
French interior minister Bernard Cazeneuve has asked for restrictions on the sale and consumption of alcohol in Euro 2016 host cities after three days of drunken violence in Marseille, largely involving Russian and English fans.
Alcohol restrictions could apply on the eve and the days of matches, in public spaces, bars around stadiums and stores that sell alcohol for consumption off the premises. Local officials will be allowed to decide which areas would be dry.
Mr Cazeneuve said he had instructed local officials to issue expulsion orders for "all foreign supporters whose behaviour disturbs public order.
"Their actions distract the police from their primary mission, which is to protect our country from the terrorist threat," he said.
Authorities in France said 116 people had been arrested since Friday in incidents connected to the tournament, with 63 of them still being held in prison and the rest released.
Three people had been expelled from the France and five others barred from entering the country.
Uefa branded the behaviour of England and Russian fans before and after their 1-1 draw at the Stade Velodrome on Saturday as "unacceptable" and said it would not hesitate to impose additional sanctions if the chaos around the game is repeated.
The body has opened disciplinary proceedings against the Russian Football Union for alleged crowd disturbances, racist behaviour and the setting off of fireworks by its fans during the game on Saturday night.
It appealed to both country's football bodies to urge supporters to "behave in a responsible and respectful manner", adding: "The Uefa executive committee has warned both football associations that - irrespective of any decisions taken by the independent disciplinary bodies relating to incidents inside the stadium - it will not hesitate to impose additional sanctions on the Football Association (FA) and the Russian Football Union (RFU), including the potential disqualification of their respective teams from the tournament, should such violence occur again."
A Downing Street spokeswoman said six British nationals remain in hospital after supporters fought with Russian and local French hooligans over three consecutive days.
The spokeswoman said, while UK officers have been in France since before the tournament began, they had offered to send more "to support the security operation around the match in Lens".
She added UK police would be assisting the French with their post-incident investigations and that Home Secretary Theresa May had spoken to her French counterpart, Bernard Cazeneuve, the interior minister, to continue to co-ordinate and work closely together on the response.
Russian sports minister Vitaly Mutko has also condemned the violence.
England fans were seen fleeing the stands shortly after the final whistle was blown as balaclava-clad thugs punched through a line of stewards before attacking bystanders.
The incident raised serious questions about French security at a time when the country is on high alert after November's terrorist attacks on Paris.
The scenes from Marseille were described by the FA as "terrible" as it called on the local authorities to deal with the perpetrators swiftly.
England fan Sam Blackwell was at the Stade Velodrome on Saturday night and told the BBC that security had been "very poor" with stewards left to cope on their own for five to 10 minutes before help arrived.
Some supporters are struggling to make the long journey from Marseille to Lens due to strikes affecting planes and trains.
Andrew's friends are raising money to help him recover from his injuries and you can donate here.
Daily Mirror
