Police are investigating reports of a fight between two groups of people in a Leicester park.
Officers were called to Bede Park, off Western Boulevard shortly after 7pm on Sunday after members of the public reported a fight between two groups of people.
Police believe it involved a group of black men who were playing football and a number of white men and women who were drinking in the park.
Some of the white people allegedly racially abused the footballers, police said. It is believed two of the group of drinkers jumped into the nearby River Soar to escape.
Inspector Andy Parkes, commander of Hinckley Road Police Station said: "It appears this was a spontaneous incident between a group of black men playing football and another group of white men and women.
"Some racist comments may have been made resulting in an altercation between the two groups.
"Some of those involved ended up in the canal and one man was taken to the Leicester Royal Infirmary where he was treated for minor injuries."
Police are studying CCTV from the area and spoken to a number of witnesses.
Two men were arrested for offences "not directly" linked to the incident.
Insp Parkes added: "Obviously we received a number of calls from concerned members of the public who were in the park at the time, but we are appealing for anyone else who witnessed the incident or has information about it to contact the police immediately.
"It is a shame that this incident briefly spoilt the afternoon for the many people who were on Bede Park enjoying the fine weather.
"I would like to reassure members of the public that this does appear to be an isolated incident.
"However, officers carried out high visibility patrols in the area over the bank holiday."
Contact Leicestershire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers, which is anonymous, on 0800
