Dad describes horrific scenes as Three Lions fans rush to leave Marseille after days of violence
Fans depart France in droves after brutal clashes with 'highly-co-ordinated' yobs leave dozens in hospital
DISTRESSED England supporters have told of the brutal attack they were subjected to by “highly-co-ordinated” thugs in Marseille yesterday.
Three Lions fans have left the French port city in droves following four days of harrowing violence.
Those departing told how a mix of Russian and local hooligans assaulted them with baseball bats and knives ahead of last night’s England vs Russia match.
The thugs wore mouth guards and used telescopic batons as they launched the shocking assault on terrified England fans.
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Father-of-two Martyn Lowe, 28, has described the horrific scenes.
While sitting outside the Queen Victoria pub with friends, Martyn, of Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, said his trainers, iPhone and cash had been stolen off him.
Sporting an unsightly black eye, he told the : “We were outside the pub in the Old Port having some beers.
“Then at least three or four hundred Russians came marching through.
“One of them hit me on the head with a bottle and as I reeled back, he punched me in the face.
“I had no idea how many were attacking me. They came at me from every direction.
“I was trying to get away but the next thing I was on the floor. I came to in the ambulance.
“They must have kicked me on the floor because I've got broken ribs.
“They were huge guys and they didn't come to watch the football, that's for sure. It looked like they were very organised.
Martyn told how the last thing he remembers is being taken to hospital in an ambulance, where he woke covered in blood, without any shoes.
Blaming Russian fans for the violence, he admitted all he wants now is to head home: “I’ve never had any trouble before - I've seen the odd scuffle but nothing like that.
“The Russians are to blame. The England fans were just having a sing-song. There was never anything untoward.
“I didn't see a single policeman do anything. If that's the way they get their kicks then fair enough.”
Painting a similar picture, Richard Wakefield, 40, told how he had travelled to Marseille with friend Chris Snowdon, 39.
The Southampton fan said: “We were walking to the ground minding our own business when the Russians attacked.
“There was a big group of them. They came running at us and were kicking and hitting people.
“I got a smack round the head and have a cut eye. I lost my phone after being knocked down.
“It’s just so sad. The police had been great, firm but sensible. Then the Russians went berserk.
“Funnily enough, we’ve got tickets for Russia against Slovakia in Lille. There’s no way we’re going now.”
Leaving Marseille today, Russia fans apologised for their ultras’ actions.
Disbelieving fan Dasha Timofeeva, 27, from Siberia, was at the game with her 55-year-old father when Russia fans charged at England following the 1-1 draw.
She insisted: “We are of course sorry to the English who got hurt, but please believe us that not all Russian people are like these hooligans.
“There is a hooligan sub-culture in Russia and sorry but there is nothing us fans can do about that.
“We were very surprised that there were no police in the stadium. Why not?
“In Russia the police are very strong and keep the hooligans in control. There was no control in the stadium last night.
“But also, the English fans were not kind either. My father and I were in the Old Port and had to run away from the bottles and gas.”
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