Players arrested over 'race attack'

Players arrested over 'race attack'
By Telegraph online and PA
Last Updated: 5:31pm GMT 23/03/2007



Three Barnsley players have been arrested over an alleged racist attack on a taxi driver in Sheffield.
Officials at the South Yorkshire club said they could not comment on the arrests, but that no disciplinary action had so far been taken against the unnamed players.

The arrests followed an incident earlier this month which is understood to have happened after the players had a night out in Sheffield.

A taxi driver has claimed he was subjected to a racially-motivated assault by two of the players and that the third man racially abused him, before all three made off without paying the taxi fare.

The alleged attack took place four days after Barnsley were beaten 3-1 by Norwich and three days before they lost 2-0 at home to Sunderland. Barnsley currently lie 20th in the Championship.

South Yorkshire Police confirmed the arrests and said all three men had since been released on police bail pending further inquiries.

A spokesman said: "Police have arrested a 25-year-old man and two 24-year-old men in connection with an incident in a taxi travelling along Penistone Road in Sheffield on Wednesday March 7.

"The 25-year-old man and one of the 24-year-old men were arrested on suspicion of racially aggravated assault and making off without payment.

"The remaining 24-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of racially aggravated public order and making off without payment.

"They have all since been released on police bail pending further inquiries."