A French policeman has emerged from a coma six weeks after being clubbed over the head by German thugs during the World Cup, hospital officials said Tuesday.
Daniel Nivel, 44, regained consciousness Monday and was taken off a respirator. He was expected to begin rehabilitation in the next few weeks, Lille hospital said in a statement."He suffers serious problems concerning understanding and speech and will need extensive rehabilitation," the statement said. The hospital said Nivel also has muscular problems on his right side.
Nivel was attacked by a group of German fans shortly after a June 21 soccer match between Germany and Yugoslavia in this northern French town. At the time of the attack, Nivel was guarding a police vehicle near the stadium. He was hit on the back of the head with an iron bar.
Four suspects are in custody in Germany, facing charges of attempted murder, causing serious bodily harm and disturbing the peace. Another man is being held in France.
German prosecutors say they have caught most of those involved but that their investigation remains open.