The Manchester City fan who was attacked in Belgium following the Champions League win over Club Brugge on Tuesday night is in a stable condition in hospital but remains in a coma.
The 63-year-old, named as Guido De Pauw by local reports, is Belgian and part of a City supporters’ club in the country - he and 233 other members had attended the game. He was attacked at a service station in nearby Drongen following the Premier League side’s 5-1 win.
“After the match we stopped at the parking lot along the E40 in Drongen,” Mr. De Pauw's son, Jurgen, told HLN after the incident took place.
"While we were already driving on, my dad was waiting outside for his two friends. There, a Club [Brugge] supporter approached him and pulled his scarf from his neck.
“When my dad asked for his scarf back, he received a heavy blow to the head after which the perpetrators fled and left my dad for dead.”
In an update on the situation, prosecutors have confirmed that Mr De Pauw, who was at one stage fighting for his life, is now stable in hospital. However, he is yet to awaken from a coma.
Five suspects have been arrested. One has been charged with theft with violence and theft with aggravated violence, while a second is charged with intentional beatings and incapacitating injuries.
All five, who appeared before a judge in Gent on Thursday, have been charged with culpable negligence. Three have been released under strict conditions, which includes a ban on attending football matches. The other two arrested on more serious charges are still in police custody.
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Source : 90min