THIS is the first picture of the England fan left in a coma after being ‘ambushed by Russian hooligans’ at Euro 2016.
Andrew Bache was left fighting for his life when clashes broke out between fans during the Three Lions’ opening game in Marseille.
The Portsmouth fan, 51, suffered life changing injuries when he was repeatedly smacked over the head with what is believed to be a hammer or iron bar after reportedly being set on by the Russian thugs.
He was said to be “hovering between life and death” in a Marseilles hospital and it is likely he will be in a coma for days.
It is understood Andrew’s son Harry has since flown from Australia to visit his dad in France.
Andrew – who is known to friends as Pepe – was in the country for England’s opener against Russia.
Friends say the attack was “unprovoked” and that his life was “saved by the French police who gave him CPR”.
Friend Jay Ricketts, 44, said: “As far as we know he’s been put in an induced coma to help the swelling in his brain to go down.
“This was a completely unprovoked attack by the Russians. He sustained severe head injuries.”
Andrew was in a group of about six friends when he was attacked.
A second friend, who did not want to be named, added: “He got caught up in it. He got smashed over the head with a hammer or iron bar four or five times.
“The Russians came into the square. It’s quite sickening. Most people got away but he got caught up in it.”
A source close to the family said: “His injuries are no longer life threatening but could be life changing.”
They added: “He is still in a serious condition and they won’t know the extent of his injuries till he is taken out of the induced coma.”
It believed cops “have excellent CCTV footage of the attack and have identified those involved and pictures have been forwarded to the French police”.
A Just Giving page set up to help Andrew has so far raised more than £4,000.
It says: “We're raising money for Andrew Bache to support him both now and in the future following his injuries in Marseille.”
A Foreign Office spokesperson confirmed: “We are in contact with French authorities about a British national injured in Marseille and stand ready to provide further support."
On Saturday night Russian thugs stormed the English section of Marseilles’ Velodrome.
Fans have described their horror as the hooligans forced them flee and one man was seen carrying his terrified young son away from the fighting in the stands.
Others told how they were attacked before the match by Russians wearing England shirts, gum shields and armed with baseball bats and truncheons.
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At least 35 people were injured before and during the match.
One fan had a chair smashed over his head and was kicked down stairs.
Dad Martyn Lowe, 28, of Stoke-on-Trent, was left with a bulging eye after being bottled and punched unconscious by Russians.
Builder Ian Allsop, 45, of Luton, was beaten with a bat.
He said: “About 300 Russians came out of nowhere in the afternoon. They wore gum shields, some had England shirts on to mix in. They were thick-set, stocky guys.
“People were getting bottles smashed on their heads, bats smashed into them. Loads of people were hurt.”
France’s Interior Minister, Bernard Cazeneuve, called for a booze ban in all host cities on match days and the day before in a bid to help stem the violence.
To help Andrew’s friends and family in raising money to aid his recovery visit here.
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