Newcastle make decision after Jamaal Lascelles 'threatened by gang' in violent brawl
Newcastle defender Jamaal Lascelles was caught up in a violent brawl
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Police are investigating a brawl involving Newcastle captain Jamaal Lascelles - and the club insist they will deal with the matter internally.
Officers from Northumbria Police were called following an altervation on Westgate Road in Newcastle during the early hours of Sunday morning on August 20.
Lascelles went on a night out with his younger brother and a friend following Newcastle's 1-0 Premier League defeat to Manchester City.
The 29-year-old, along with the rest of his team-mates, had been given two days off by manager Eddie Howe.
Newcastle star Jamaal Lascelles reportedly acted in self defence
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The Daily Mail report that, after leaving a nightclub, Lascelles' 19-year-old brother was elbowed in the throat.
It's claimed the attack on the teenager was 'unprovoked'.
Lascelles then had a bottle of vodka thrown at him, with the glass narrowly missing his head. It's said a group of 'six to eight' men then attacked the Newcastle star, with the skipper 'punched from all angles'.
The Toon captain was able to throw one men to the floor but his brother was punched in the face.
Lascelles' friend was then 'kicked in the head' and 'knocked unconscious'.
The gang in question then supposedly told the Newcastle star they would 'shoot' him and his brother.
Video footage shows Lascelles leaning over one of the men in the road and calling for calm when he is suddenly punched in the face.
He then turns to his attacker and throws a punch in the direction of the same man.
The publication stresses that Lascelles was acting in self-defence and was 'trying to protect his teenage brother'.
The gang reportedly ran off before the emergency services could arrive, with Lascelles' friend then taken to hospital for treatment.
Onlookers reportedly feared the worst and were concerned the unconscious man was dead.
No arrests have currently been made but police are investigating the matter.
Newcastle, for their part, have seen the video and insist they will deal with the matter internally.
Lascelles has been captain of the club ever since 2016 though is yet to make a single Premier League appearance so far this season.
He was an unused substitute on Sunday as Howe's side lost 2-1 to Liverpool at St James' Park, with Darwin Nunez netting a stunning late double.
Speaking after that defeat, Howe admitted he was left hurt by the result after Anthony Gordon's strike had put his team ahead.
“That’s a painful as a game as I’ve had here for me and for us," said the 45-year-old.
“I thought we played really well today. The opening stages of the game can’t be forgotten by me.
“The sending off almost harms us really in the match although the chances were there for us to kill the game.
"The second goal changes everything and we didn’t get it. Nunez comes on and they’re looking for one moment and they don’t just get one they get two.
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Jamaal Lascelles has been captain of Newcastle ever since 2016
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“Whenever you lose in those circumstances it’s hugely painful.”