Chaos appears to ensue at a Christmas bash for Premier League clubs QPR and Crystal Palace.
Queens Park Rangers and England central defender Steven Caulker has been taken to hospital with head injuries after a mass brawl erupted at a Christmas party involving players from Premier League sides Queens Park Rangers and Crystal Palace, according to reports in Tuesday morning’s Sun.
Tuesday’s Sun front page: Prem stars’ Xmas brawl #tomorrowspaperstoday #bbcpapers pic.twitter.com/yGA5egZ0KA
— Nick Sutton (@suttonnick) December 8, 2014
The bash was held at a South West London pub and involved stars from both sides – but chaos appeared to erupt after a drink was reportedly spilled on former Manchester United centre back Rio Ferdinand, with Joey Barton having to step in as a peacemaker to stop the situation spiralling out of control.
Details on the incident are currently sketchy, but the Sun report confirms that Caulker, formerly of Tottenham Hotspur and Cardiff City, was ‘rushed’ into hospital following the incident after suffering head injuries.
The incident comes at a terrible time for both clubs as they are embroiled in a Premier League battle for survival, with QPR having climbed further up the table at the weekend thanks to a crucial home win over Burnley and Neil Warnock’s Palace also having picked up a creditable result – 0-0 away at Tottenham Hotspur.
QPR have made a brief statement through head of media and communications Ian Taylor on Twitter, confirming that Caulker was treated for a cut head but denying that he was involved in an altercation:
Re an article in The Sun: ‘Following Saturday’s Premier League win versus Burnley & with no further fixture for nine days … #QPR
— IanJTaylor (@IJTaylor81) December 8, 2014
Continued: ‘He did suffer a cut to his head, which he received treatment for at hospital before being discharged on the same evening’ #QPR — IanJTaylor (@IJTaylor81) December 8, 2014
Continued: ‘He did suffer a cut to his head, which he received treatment for at hospital before being discharged on the same evening’ #QPR — IanJTaylor (@IJTaylor81) December 8, 2014
Continued: ‘The club will be making no further comment’ #QPR
— IanJTaylor (@IJTaylor81) December 8, 2014