England fans battered by Russian thugs wearing Chelsea shirts and waving St George’s cross

AN ENGLAND football fan has revealed how he and his fiancée were brutally assaulted by Russian ultras wearing English football strips and brandishing the flag of St George.

Karl Bowater, 44, and Kerry Haycock, 34, were set upon by the depraved hooligans in Marseille, who were wearing Manchester United and Chelsea shirts.

They were attacked as they made their way to the Stade Vélodrome and Ms Haycock says she was punched in the face during the vicious onslaught.

The shaken Wolves supporter said: “We got ambushed by Russians. My fiance was having his head caved in.

“What might have happened if I hadn't put myself at risk to save him?

“He escaped with a swollen face. As I got punched to the floor for saving him, my other friend was kicked in the ribs and head on the floor.

“Luckily my friend escaped with two black eyes and sore ribs, another one of our lads ended up in hospital with 14 stitches to his head.

“Our other friend's dad had a bad cut to the head, lip and swollen jaw.”

Ms Haycock added: “They came from nowhere wearing Manchester United and Chelsea tops and bearing the England flag in one of their pockets.

“They were wearing gum shields and martial arts gloves.

“These attacks were all planned.”

Mr Bowater, an account director from Dudley, said: “They just ran towards us.

“As we walked down the hill towards the stadium I heard a noise behind me.

“I turned around and there was one lad in a Man United shirt and another that had an England flag tucked into his waist.

“I realised they were Russians but it was obvious they were trying to blend in as England fans.

“I got hit, my fiancée got punched a few times. One of the guys got punched too. He fell into a road sign and needed 14 stitches in his eye socket.

“We managed to get away but it was a harrowing and frightening experience and I've still got a lump on my jaw.”

Mr Bowater blames Uefa and French police for the violence, claiming the authorities were not capable of providing adequate security.

In response to the clashes, Uefa fined Russia £120,000 (€150,000) and handed the country a suspended disqualification from Euro 2016.