October 22, (THEWILL) – The Manchester City fan who was attacked in Belgium after the club’s Champions League victory over Club Brugge on Tuesday night is in a stable condition in hospital but is still in a coma.
According to local reports, the 63-year-old is Belgian and a member of a City supporters’ club in the country. Following the Premier League side’s 5-1 win, which he and 233 other club members attended, he was attacked at a service station in nearby Drongen, as THEWILL reported.
“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.”
Prosecutors have confirmed that Mr De Pauw, who was fighting for his life at one point, is now stable in hospital, according to an update on the situation. He has not yet awoken from his coma.
A total of five suspects have been apprehended. One has been charged with theft with violence and theft with aggravated violence, while the other has been charged with intentional beatings and incapacitating injuries.
All five were charged with culpable negligence when they appeared in front of a judge in Gent on Thursday. Three of them have been released on strict conditions, including a prohibition on attending football games. The other two suspects, who were arrested on more serious charges, are still being held by police.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
