Three Lions supporter left in a coma after being battered by Russian ultras at Euro 2016 has opened his eyes
Stewart Gray was brutally attacked by the vicious Russia supporters in Marseille earlier this month
AN England fan battered to the brink of death by ultra-violent Russia fans has finally opened his eyes.
Stewart Gray, 47, was left fighting for his life after he was clobbered with an object thought to be a metal bar during the Three Lions’ Euro 2016 clash with Russia on 11 June.
And his family - who have kept a vigil by his bedside - have confirmed he has finally opened his eyes.
A friend wrote on a fundraising page set up for Stewart: "Stew is now making steady progress. His eyes regularly open and no long term brain damage has been confirmed.
“Slow steps every day, but all in the right direction. However, he remains in a coma, in Marseille.”
It had earlier been feared that the football fan from Hinckley, Leics, could have suffered long-term brain damage.
The attack on him was so savage that French police confirmed they were treating the assault as attempted murder.
A Marseille prosecutor’s office spokesman said: “Such facts have led to us investigating an attack on two England fans as attempted murder.
“We are currently interviewing witnesses, and looking through some 200 hours of video footage to find all those responsible.”
A crowdfunding site aimed at helping his recovery has raised more than £24,000 to date.
Another Three Lions fan, Andrew Bache, was left in a coma after being attacked by Russian hooligans.
The Portsmouth fan was only saved by the quick-thinking of French riot police, who performed CPR in the middle of the street.
Fourteen England fans in total were treated in hospital for the sinister violence that saw 150 trained ultras go on the rampage in the southern French city.
Many were found to be wielding hammers, metal bars, knives and coshes.
Scuffles later erupted in the stands following the two sides’ 1-1 draw and tear gas was deployed in the city centre.
It led tournament organisers to warn both Russia and England that they faced being booted out of the competition.
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