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Police investigating brawl allegedly involving Everton's Pickford

Tony McArdle - Everton FC / Everton FC / Getty

Police have launched an investigation into a street brawl in Sunderland that allegedly involved Everton and England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford over the weekend.

"At 12:19 a.m. on Monday, April 1, police received a report of a disturbance involving a large group of individuals on Tunstall Road, Sunderland. Enquiries are ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident and locate those involved," the Northumbria police said in a statement, courtesy of the Press Association and Andy Hunter of the Guardian.

"Nobody is believed to have been seriously injured and no arrests have been made."

A video emerged on Monday showing what appears to be Pickford being led away from a scuffle outside a bar. Onlookers could be heard yelling the former Sunderland goalkeeper's name.

Warning: Video contains coarse language

Another video shows Pickford posing for pictures while a man shouts "small arms" and "butterfingers" in reference to his high-profile mistakes this season at Everton before the 25-year-old gives him the middle finger.

It's understood Pickford was in his hometown visiting family for Mother's Day. The incident allegedly occurred when Pickford's fiance was verbally abused shortly after Sunderland were defeated in the Checkatrade Trophy final against Portsmouth on Sunday.

Reports suggest that Pickford was the target of "good-natured banter" and was not bothered by the abuse until his fiance was insulted, which allegedly led to the brawl.

Everton announced Monday that they have begun an internal investigation into the incident but did not disclose whether the player in question was Pickford.

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