First photo of England fan on crutches who was battered over the head with chair by Russian thug during the Marseilles mayhem
Carpenter Carl Neale, 42, was ambushed by hooligans on flight of steps
AN England fan seen being battered over the head with a chair by a Russian thug during the Marseilles mayhem was on CRUTCHES.
Carpenter Carl Neale, 42, travelled to France with pals despite injuring his knee just days before the tournament kicked off.
Pictures flashed around the world showed him bravely trying to defend himself with one of his crutches after being ambushed on a flight of steps.
As he tries to hobble down the stairs a Russian in a sun hat behind him picks up a brown wooden chair and smashes down on his head.
The shocking footage then shows Carl tumbling down the stairs before he is picked up by his friend Ashley Spreckley who took him to hospital.
Last night Ashley, from Leicester, was on his way home and he told The Sun: “It just all went mental. Poor Carl had to have stitches in his head.
‘’It was crazy there. The Russians were animals they were complete nutters and UEFA should throw them out. We didn’t do anything and we were ambushed.
‘’I have never seen anything like what I saw in Marseilles before the match. It was absolute mayhem. The Russians were dressed all in black and just coming out of no where to ambush us.
‘’We were being attacked with bottles and anything they could get their hands on - I’m surprised no-one was killed. Still, it won’t put us off and we plan to be here for the Wales game and support the lads.’’
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Russian fans wearing gum-shields and hiding behind balaclavas left 19 Brits in hospital after launching coordinated attacks in Marseilles.
Four England supporters were left in a critical condition after being battered by thugs wearing bum bags containing fighting equipment including mixed martial art gloves.
Meanwhile the parents of an England fan pictured bloodied and bruised after being attacked by Russian Ultras has condemned the hooligans.
Tom Murphy, 27, was photographed with blood pouring from a head wound amid sickening Marseille violence before the opening group match with Russia.
His dad Gary, 57, of Upminster, Essex, said he was stunned to see the picture of his son, an air traffic controller at London City Airport, looking injured and dazed in The Sun yesterday.
The horrific photo showed blood pouring down Tom’s face and white t-shirt.
Gary said: “I have seen the photos. I am in touch with him. I don’t know exactly what happened yet but he is on his way home.
“They were attacked. All I do know is that he is fine and that photo looks a lot worse than it was.
“It’s terrible. We just want him home.”