Jason Denayer has expressed regret after footage emerged of the defender's involvement in a street fight.
The Manchester City centre-half, currently on loan at Sunderland, was filmed kicking out at a man during a brawl which took place on Sunday.
The Belgium international insists he was defending his friend and did not instigate the violence, which can be seen in the below video.
https://twitter.com/buzzsportv/status/867014610993524736?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fbleacherreport.com%2Farticles%2F2711494-jason-denayer-filmed-launching-kick-at-mans-head-during-belgium-street-brawl
"I reacted instinctively," Denayer said, via
BBC Sport.
"Of course I regret to have been caught up in a conflict that was not mine to begin with, but I saw my friend was in real danger and I had to interfere and protect him."
The incident reportedly took place outside of a Brussels nightclub and began when a friend of Denayer's became involved in a scuffle with another man, the man the former Celtic man ultimately lashed out at.
"Jason tried to be peaceful and to avoid further escalation," the player's agent, Jesse De Preter said.
"He then gets pushed away from the scene and about 40 people start to fight. Jason went to his car, which was destroyed 50% by friends of the guy, but he went home and told the police.
"The police have made a report but there are no charges against Jason. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time."
