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Brawling Royal Ascot thug is professional Watford footballer, 18, who boasted about boozed-up fight with pals
A BRAWLING Royal Ascot thug is a professional Watford footballer who boasted about his boozed-up fight with pals, Sun Online can reveal today.
Reece Miller, 18, posed smirking with the Sun's coverage of the brawl that saw one man KO'd and chairs, tables and drinks go flying during the posh racing event.
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The Academy player, who last year won the Premier League’s Under-23 Goal of the Season, was in the thick of the fight as the Queen cheered on her horses nearby.
And shocking footage shows Reece, dressed in a pinstripe suit and flatcap, trade blows - in a brawl allegedly sparked when a woman was pushed over during the races last Friday.
Watford Football Club today confirmed it had suspended the third year academy striker, who could earn around £1,000 a week.
A club spokesman told The Sun Online: "We are treating this matter with the utmost seriousness. The club will not tolerate any behaviour which tarnishes its image and a full disciplinary investigation is now in process.
"As soon as the footage was brought to the club's attention, an immediate decision was taken to suspend the player.
"He will now face an inquiry with all disciplinary options available to the club. There will be no further comment until the investigation is completed."
Did you see what happened or know anyone involved in the brawl? Get in touch at [email protected] or 02077824368
It comes after a friend of Reece said he was shocked at the photo of the teen posing proudly with coverage over the brawl.
He said: "I thought the fact they were posing about it after was pretty disgusting.
"There were women in the video and Ascot is a family event and I saw one was KO'd.
"I thought it was disgusting and embarrassing.
"I just thought 'imagine if that was my Mum or sister' and they were all trying to show who was the bigger man. It was a bit embarrassing really. It's not the first time there's been violence like this at Ascot."
On the club's website, Miller is described as a "strong and powerful centre-forward".
It added: "He has an eye for a goal and a fantastic attitude to work hard out of possession and win the ball back for the team."
He previously played for Reading FC Under 16s.
The carnage took place in Ascot’s Windsor Enclosure – the economy section of the Berkshire racecourse — on Friday.
Dolled up racegoers were seen watching in horror as the brawl unfolded, with men trading blows and sending furniture flying.
Another witness told The Sun Online about 16 people were involved in the punchup, saying: "Basically, one of the boys pushed a girl over.
"The another group came over and got quite aggressive."
We are treating this matter with the utmost seriousness. The club will not tolerate any behaviour which tarnishes its image and a full disciplinary investigation is now in process.
Watford Football Club
He said security was quick to pull apart the brawl, which lasted about five minutes.
No arrests were made but cops later made three arrests as two groups exchanged blows.
Two men — one 59 of Epsom, Surrey, the other 26 of Chelmsford, Essex — and a woman, 26, also from Chelmsford, were arrested for affray.
Police later confirmed all those arrested were released under investigation.
Reece had joined Watford Football Club in 2017, previously saying he had high hopes to be signed onto his first professional contract.
Speaking after being awarded the Under-23 Goal of the Season in 2018, he said: "I’ve started to get into the Under-23s team and I’ve come off the bench a few times, so obviously, my next target is to break through into that team permanently. Then I’ve got to try and get a pro deal for next year – as soon as possible really.
"I’m quite old fashioned. I like to hold it up and then get in the box and try and score as many goals as I can."
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Thames Valley Police said more than 292,000 racegoers attended the Royal Ascot this year, with 26 people arrested for assaults. Chief Superintendent Wong said: “These arrests represent an incredibly small minority of all those who attended Royal Ascot.
"My officers have commented on how positive the conversations were with members of the public who joined in the celebrations in Ascot, in Windsor Great Park as well as within the racecourse itself. Thank you to everyone who made it an enjoyable week for us too.”
Reece Miller kicks the Premier League's Under-23 Goal of the season
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The Queen stuns in a pink outfit as she arrives at sunny Royal Ascot to cheer on her horses
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