Crystal Palace midfielder Ryan Hall was one of the players at a five-a-side football match which ended with a security guard being seriously assaulted after angry players surrounded a referee.

The alleged assault took place during a match at Goals Soccer Centre in Elmers End Road, Beckenham, at about 7.45pm on Tuesday.

Security guard Matthew Ballard had to be taken to Mayday Hospital with facial injuries after the incident. It is believed that he stepped in to help the match official after players disagreed with his decision to send a man off.

Fans have discussed the incident on a Palace internet message board, some expressing surprise that a first team player had apparently been playing five-a-side with his friends.

It is thought that club manager Neil Warnock has been made aware of the match and that he has spoken to Hall - a product of Palace's academy and a former Croydon schoolboy - about the game.

No arrests have been made but police are taking witness statements and reviewing CCTV footage from the centre.

A spokesman for Crystal Palace Football Club said: "We at Crystal Palace FC have a very strong view regarding the conduct of our players and the incident regarding the allegations of Ryan Hall we are investigating further.

"If the story is substantiated we will take the matter further, until we have all the facts we are not prepared to comment.

"However, after speaking to the player he has a significantly different version of events regarding the alleged actions of himself."

Anyone who has any information about the incident should call Bromley police on 01689 891212.

  • Hall leaves Palace on loan deal. For the full story click here