Leeds United footballer Jonathan Woodgate was found guilty of affray today after an Asian student was battered unconscious in January 2000, but he avoided a jail sentence.
The 21-year-old was ordered to do 100 hours of community service. Team mate Lee Bowyer, 24, walked free from court after being found not guilty of grievous bodily harm with intent, the more serious charge, and affray.
Woodgate's friend Paul Clifford was sentenced to six years jail after being found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and affray.
Another friend, Neale Caveney, was found guilty of affray and also sentenced to 100 hours of community service.
The four denied all the charges.
Sarfraz Najeib, then 19, suffered a broken leg and a fractured cheek and nose after a gang of men attacked him in Leeds city centre. He stayed in hospital for eight days and his eyebrow had to be glued together.
A first trial of the four on the same charges was stopped in April after an interview in a Sunday newspaper. The second trial started on October 15th.
Leeds United chairman Peter Ridsdale indicated before the first trial that any player found to have taken part in the attack would be sacked.