A suspected Russian football hooligan has been charged with paralysing an England fan after attacking him with an iron bar.
The 31-year-old suspect has not been officially identified, although Russian media have reported his first name as 'Pavel'.
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He is alleged to have repeatedly struck 50-year-old Andrew Brache with the bar, leaving him with brain injuries, broken bones and paralysis on the left side of his body.
Mr Brache was left lying badly injured on the ground after the assault, before French police officers successfully managed to resuscitate him.
The assault is alleged to have been carried out ahead of England's game with Russia in Marseille, France during Euro 2016.
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The Russian may face up to 10 years in prison if he is found guilty of found guilty of 'violence carried out in a group carrying weapons, causing permanent disability', the Daily Mail has reported.
The alleged hooligan is likely to be kept in prison until his trial later this year, and is said to deny being involved in any wrongdoing.
The Russian is believed to have been a member of a highly organised hooligan group who targeted England supporters in Marseille during Euro 2016.
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He was first arrested by German police last month during a stopover in Munich while on his way to watch Spartak Moscow's Europa League match against Athletic Bilbao in Spain.
Russian authorities and fans have taken umbrage with the arrest, with Moscow football fans launching a campaign to support the man.
Denis Mikerine, Russia's Ambassador in Berlin, said of the arrest: "We consider this case to be a possible way of exacerbating and politicising football hooliganism ahead of the 2018 World Cup in Russia."
The day of England's Group B match with Russia at Euro 2016 was marred by trouble in Marseille, both inside the Stade Velodrome where the match was held and in the streets of the Mediterranean port city.
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Thirty-five people were injured in clashes between fans as rival groups fought directly with one another while also throwing bricks, bottles and chairs.
Three Russians have already been jailed in France over the clashes with over 20 more Russians deported, albeit for relatively minor offences.
Six England fans were also sentenced to short spells in prison and banned from France due to their involvement in the violent confrontations.
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It's speculated that Russian hooligans will look to renew tensions with England fans during this year's World Cup.
Due to how the tournament has been drawn, the two countries cannot meet until the semi-finals of the competition at least.
Featured Image Credit: PATopics: SPORT, World News, Euro 2016, News, England, Russia