The Manchester City fan who was attacked in Belgium following City’s Champions League win over Club Brugge on Tuesday night is in a stable condition in hospital but remains in a coma, his son has confirmed.
The 63-year-old, named Guido De Pauw by local media reports, is Belgian and part of a City supporters’ club in the country. Guido and 233 other members of the City supporters’ club had attended the game at Brugge. He was attacked at a service station in nearby Drongen following the Premier League side’s 5-1 win over the hosts on Tuesday evening.
Manchester City fans in the away match at Club Brugge on Tuesday 19, October. | PHOTO: The Independent |
“After the match, we stopped at the parking lot along the E40 in Drongen,” Mr. De Pauw’s son, Jurgen, told HLN, a local media house 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 since been arrested in connection to the incident. 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 include a ban on attending football matches across Europe. The other two arrested on more serious charges are still in police custody awaiting judgment.
A total of 1500 Manchester City supporters attended the match against Club Brugge. | PHOTO: Julian Finney/Getty Images |
After the incident, both Man City and Club Brugge issued a statement condemning the incedent.
“Everyone at Manchester City is shocked and saddened to hear reports of an attack on one of our supporters after the Champions League game in Bruges last night,” Manchester City said in a club statement.
“We are currently working with our counterparts at Club Brugge as well as Belgian and Greater Manchester Police to establish more information.
“Our thoughts and best wishes go out to the family and friends of the Belgian-based supporter, who remains in hospital.”
A statement from Brugge read, “Club Brugge was horrified to learn of the events at the E40 motorway parking lot in Drongen where a Manchester City supporter, who had previously been a guest at the Jan Breydel Stadium, was attacked.
“Club Brugge strongly disapproves of all criminal behavior, both inside and outside the stadium, and puts tolerance first. Our thoughts go out to the family and friends of the Manchester City supporter.”
Manchester City defeated Club Brugge 5-1 to climb to second place in Group A of the UEFA Champions League. The Premier League reigning Champions travel to Brighton this evening for a Premier League meeting at the American Express Community Stadium.
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