Friend tells of '˜unprovoked attack' on Pompey fan Andrew Bache at Euro 2016

Andrew Bache has been left in a coma after being attacked in Marseille

Mr Bache was repeatedly struck over the head with an object – believed to be an iron bar or hammer – by Russian hooligans in Marseille on Saturday.

Jay Ricketts, 44, who set up a fundraising page for Mr Bache, has told The News of the 51-year-old’s condition.

He said: ‘It’s been difficult as none of his family are out there, it’s difficult to get information.

‘His brother and son are on their way now.

‘As far as we know he’s been put in an induced coma to help the swelling in his brain to go down.

‘There’s no real update on his condition as such time as they bring him out of that.

‘His life was saved by the French police who gave him CPR.

‘This was a completely unprovoked attack by the Russians.

‘He sustained severe head injuries.’

French prosecutors have said 150 well-trained Russians are behind the violence.

Jay said Mr Bache was in a group of about six friends who had gone out hoping to follow England’s progress in the tournament.

He added: ‘He’s a long-time Pompey and England fan, gone out to watch the march.’

Russian hooligans struck the Pompey fan over the head with a bar or hammer up to five times, a second friend said.

Video posted on YouTube shows Russian Ultras running toward England fans in a busy square before the video zooms in on a group surrounding a man, who friends say is Mr Bache.

The man is repeatedly hit with an object as French riot police rush through the chaos to pull the attacker away.

Dramatic photographs show a bloodied Mr Bache being resuscitated by a police officer.

Mr Bache lives in Southsea and is a regular at the Lawrence Arms in Southsea.

A second friend, who did not want to be named, told The News: ‘He got caught up in it.

‘He got smashed over the head with a hammer or iron bar four or five times.

‘We’re trying to get money up together to help with his mortgage.

‘He was there with a group of friends.

‘The Russians came into the square. It’s quite sickening.

‘Most people got away but he got caught up in it.’

To donate to Mr Bache see crowdfunding.justgiving.com/Pepefrompompey