A man has been arrested in connection with an alleged assault in south-west London in which two Brentford players were left bloodied after attempting to intervene.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed the arrest of a 63-year-old on Tuesday, 24 March, on suspicion of common assault, attempted criminal damage, and a racially aggravated public order offence.
Police were called in at around 2am on Sunday 22 March, several hours after Brentford’s goalless draw at Leeds United at Elland Road, following a report of an assault on Queen’s Road, Richmond.
Officers confirmed the initial victim was uninjured and, after further enquiries, identified a second victim who had been subjected to racially aggravated verbal abuse.
The two Brentford players, who were returning home from the Saturday night Premier League match in Yorkshire, stepped in to calm the situation before police arrived. Witnesses reported that both players were bloodied during the incident. Neither required medical treatment.
The club has not commented on the arrest, and the identities of the players involved remain undisclosed, though they are understood to be first-team members.
Summary: what we know so far
Two Brentford first-team players intervened in an alleged assault in Richmond, west London.
A 63-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of common assault, attempted criminal damage, and racially aggravated public order offences.
The incident occurred at around 2am on Sunday 22 March, after Brentford’s goalless draw at Leeds.
The primary victim was uninjured; a second victim experienced racially aggravated verbal abuse.
The players were bloodied in the incident but did not require medical treatment.
Brentford have declined to comment on the arrest or the players’ involvement.