Soccer fan attacked, hospitalized after Champions League game in Belgium

Fans of Club Brugge wave scarves prior to the Champions League Group A soccer match between Club Brugge and Manchester City at the Jan Breydel stadium in Bruges, Belgium, Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021. (AP Photo/Olivier Matthys)

A Manchester City supporter was hospitalized with life-threatening injuries after he was attacked by a group following a Champions League match in Belgium.

The 63-year-old fan, who is Belgian, was attacked in a parking lot at a service station at about 10:40 p.m. Tuesday night, the East Flanders prosecutor’s office said in a news release.  City had just beaten Club Brugge, 5-1.

According to prosecutors, the man’s football scarf was taken by a suspect in the station, who walked outside with it.

“Subsequently, the victim came into confrontation with several suspects in the car park and ended up on the ground after a physical aggression,” the prosecutor’s office said in a statement. “He is in mortal danger.”

City said it was working with police in Belgium and Manchester to establish more information about the incident.

“Everyone at Manchester City is shocked and saddened to hear reports of an attack on one of our supporters after the Champions League game in Bruges last night,” a statement from Manchester City reads. Our thoughts and best wishes go out to the family and friends of the Belgian based supporter, who remains in hospital.”

Prosecutors said there are witnesses to the attack. Five people have been arrested and the investigation is ongoing. Club Brugge also released a statement condemning the incident.

“Club Brugge strongly disapproves of all criminal behavior, both inside and outside the stadium, and puts tolerance first,” it reads. “Our thoughts go out to the family and friends of the Manchester City supporter.”

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