Two Brentford first-team players were left bloodied in the early hours of Sunday morning after rushing to the aid of a man allegedly being assaulted in south-west London.
Telegraph Sport understands the two players were travelling home from Saturday’s goalless draw with Leeds United when they saw a man being attacked in Richmond.
The assault, which was allegedly racially motivated, took place at around 2am. The unnamed Brentford players helped calm the situation before the police arrived.
Neither player suffered any injuries that required further treatment, with both described as completely healthy on Sunday, although witnesses said they were left bloodied by the clash.
A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said: “Police attended a report of an assault on Queen’s Road, Richmond at around 02:00hrs on Sunday, 22 March. Officers engaged with the victim. The investigation is ongoing and no arrests have been made at this time.”
Brentford had drawn 0-0 in Leeds on Saturday night, with the point helping them to close the gap to Liverpool and Chelsea in the race for European qualification.
Because of the match being the last before the international break, in which some Brentford players will be travelling to represent their countries, the squad was permitted to make their own travel arrangements back from Elland Road.
Telegraph Sport understands the two players in question were among those who made their own way back from Leeds.
Brentford are only three points behind fifth-placed Liverpool and two points behind sixth-placed Chelsea in the race for the Champions League places.
Qualification for Europe’s primary competition would represent an astonishing achievement by Keith Andrews and his players. Brentford were tipped by many at the start of the campaign to be relegated, but have completely defied those expectations.