Russian fans jailed for permanently disabling British man during Euro 2016 riots in Marseille
Andrew Bache, 55, was attacked and hit over the head three or four times, witnesses claimed.
Monday 14 December 2020 15:09, UK
Two Russian football fans have been jailed for attacking a British man and leaving him permanently disabled during the Euro 2016 riots in France.
Pavel Kosov was sentenced to 10 years in prison, while Mikhail Ivkin was ordered to serve three years behind bars.
They were convicted of "gang violence with weapons, leading to permanent infirmity" for the attack on Andrew Bache in Marseille.
The 55-year-old, from Portsmouth, was left in a coma after receiving three or four blows to the head during violence that swept the city at the time of the European championships in June 2016.
The Spartak Moscow supporters have been held in a French prison since March 2018 and will be banned from returning to France after they serve their sentences.
Mr Bache's son Harry represented him in court to face his father's attackers.
His lawyer Olivier Rosato said the assault left Mr Bache severely disabled and unable to return for the court case.
"It's a decision that satisfies the family. They wanted Kosov's sentence to be severe because he was the first to punch Andrew, and from behind, causing him to smash his head on the ground, which was granite," Mr Rosato said on Monday.
The riots in Marseille's Old Port district lasted for several days - both before and after England's match against Russia.
Riot police fired tear gas and water cannon as the unrest broke out.
The British police commander on duty in Marseille at the time previously told Sky News there were 100 English fans he described as "walking wounded" during the violence.
Thirty of them were taken to hospital and five were feared fatally wounded.