Groups and individuals from several countries across the globe, including Canada, Guatemala, Macedonia and Spain, have mobilised in support of Showan Shattak, an anti-homophobia campaigner assaulted over weekend in Sweden.

The 25 year-old, co-founder of the Swedish group Football Fans Against Homophobia and a Malmö Fotbollförening (MFF) supporter, was stabbed and beaten on Saturday night (8 March) and is now in a critical condition, according to Ultras Malmö Facebook page.

It is alleged that Shattak’s assault was performed by a right-wing group after he attended an International Women’s Day event in Malmö.

The campaigner has received a wave of support locally and internationally, after friends and fellow football fans launched the ‘Solidaritet med kamraterna i Malmö. #kämpashowan’ campaign in support of his recovery.

Protests against the incident also took place in several Swedish cities on Sunday (9 March), as word of the attack spread through social media.

The hashtag #KämpaShowan ("Fight, Showan!"), trended on Twitter and Facebook, as thousands spoke out against far-right violence and showed support through posts, videos and pictures.

Five other victims were reportedly also taken to hospital on the evening of the crime.

Following the attack, Ultras Malmö issued a statement condemning the assault.

It said: “All of our thoughts and all our love today goes out to our friend Showan who was last night was stabbed and beaten by Nazis. Showan is currently under sedation in hospital. Showan is one of Malmö’s most active figures and has strongly contributed to building up the culture of stands today in the MFF.

“Our stand is a place of communion and where everybody with a sky-blue heart is welcome. We will never accept racism and Nazism in our stands or in our city. We invite everyone to give their thoughts to Showan and his family. All love to you Showan. Fight!”