A man needed 25 stitches after being pushed through a glass window.
The attack happened outside a city pub where drinkers were watching yesterday's Arsenal v Manchester United match.
Police said the confrontation started after a misunderstanding.
A customer at the Hobgoblin pub in York Place, Brighton, objected to a referee's decision and shouted out an insult.
Another customer thought the abuse was directed at him and a scuffle broke out.
The pair and others went outside. The victim, in his 20s, was grabbed and one of his arms smashed through a window, causing a 6in wound.
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