Twenty foreign students were set upon by a violent mob in a Mid Sussex park.
Police are appealing for witnesses to the attack in Clair Park, Haywards Heath.
The assault began when one member of the exchange group, visiting Sussex from Germany, the Ukraine and Russia, was asked by a teenager if he was German.
When he replied that he was, one of the seven youths launched into a vicious assault and knocked him to the ground while the rest of the gang joined in by kicking him.
Students who went to the aid of their friend were also attacked.
The attackers were between 16 and 18. Three wore baseball caps.
Police said today they were investigating eight complaints of common assault and one allegation of causing actual bodily harm.
They are appealing for any witnesses who were in the park at around 10pm on Saturday to contact PC Vicki Blythe on 0845 60 70 999.
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