Brentford Players Who Intervened in Assault Named
Vitaly Janelt and Kevin Schade helped man who was being racially abused
Vitaly Janelt and Kevin Schade. Picture: Brentford FC
August 20, 2026
Details of an incident earlier this year involving two Brentford FC players have emerged in recent court proceedings.
A Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court hearing has heard how the German duo of Vitaly Janelt and Kevin Schade were returning through the Richmond area having played in Leeds earlier in the day on 22 March. The two players were not travelling back with the rest of the team due to the international break which meant they were due to fly to represent their country rather than return to training with their club.
While in their car on Queen’s Road at around 2am they witnessed what appeared to be an ongoing assault.
63-year-old David Wheeler was verbally abusing a security guard from Nigeria named Israel Ilesanmi. The footballers intervened with Mr Schade striking Wheeler leaving him with a black eye. Eye-witnesses reported the players as being ‘bloodied’ after the incident but this is not believed to have been their own blood.
Wheeler, who works as a van driver for a pharmaceutical company opted to defend himself in court. He admitted having drunk seven cans of beer that night but claimed he had assumed Mr Ilesami was a look out for burglars despite fact he was wearing a Hi-Viz jacket. According to an account in the Sun, he started abusing him and said, “You’re not English. Why are you here? What are you looking for?”
When the two Brentford players intervened he also racially abused them.
Police later arrested Wheeler on suspicion of common assault, attempted criminal damage and a racially aggravated public order offence.
Wheeler had initially denied using racist language and had entered a not guilty plea but reversed this when he was informed that the recording of the 999 call had picked up the exchange saying he was ‘mortified’ to hear that he had used racist language and that his recollection of the evening was blurry.
His claim that he had acted under duress was rejected by Judge Luis Williamson who fined him a month’s wages of £1,699 and order him to pay £150 compensation to Mr Ilesami.
Brentford FC has not commented on the case.
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