Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard is unlikely to face a Football Association or club charge following his arrest in a Merseyside bar.
Gerrard - who was released by police at 11.25 last night - has been arrested with five other men after an alleged brawl in a Southport night club, during which a man suffered facial injuries and was taken to hospital. The row allegedly began over the choice of music being played in the bar.
The England player, who was thought to be out celebrating his club's 5-1 win over Newcastle on Sunday, is expected to be free to lead his side out to face Preston in the FA Cup next weekend, unless he is rested by manager Rafael Benitez. No other Liverpool players are thought to be among those being interviewed by police.
The FA and Liverpool have so far declined to comment but they are expected to treat this as a personal matter for Gerrard.
Liverpool lead the Premier League and after scoring two goals against Newcastle, Gerrard said that it was important to deal with the pressures that came with a title challenge.
Gerrard has been a key part of Liverpool's push for a first title in almost 20 years, having scored eight Premier League goals this season. He has also been an influential member of Fabio Capello's reinvigorated England side, who have made an unbeaten start to their World Cup qualifying campaign.
The midfielder has previously made the headlines over off-the-pitch events.
At the end of last year, Gerrard's wife, Alex Curran, was held as masked men burgled their house while he was on Champions League duty.
Celebrating ... Steven Gerrard, hours after match win, in the bar before trouble started
Stevie G.B.H.
(That's Gerrard Bar-room Havoc)
SOCCER star Steven Gerrard was last night released after 21 hours in police custody over a bloody punch-up in which a DJ was badly beaten. Liverpool and England midfielder Gerrard, 28, was nicked with five pals after fighting broke out early yesterday.
DJ Marcus McGee, 34, needed four stitches to head wounds.
Blood and shards of broken glass could still be seen on the floor of a pub yesterday after a punch-up which left England soccer hero Gerrard in police custody.
Liverpool skipper Gerrard was nicked as he celebrated scoring twice in his side抯 5-1 trouncing of Newcastle on Sunday
Steven Gerrard was taken into police custody in the wee hours ofMonday morning, after he and five friends were accused of attacking aDJ at a Southport nightclub.
The Liverpool captain has since been released, and investigationswill continue until the constabulary decide whether or not to pressahead with charges of a 'section 20 assault'.
However, Gerrard's place in England's upcoming friendly with Spainhas not been jeopardised, as the Football Association have declaredthat they won't even consider sanctioning the 28-year-old - unless heis found guilty.
"No one knows the full facts so we are not even discussing thismatter. No player is banned from representing England while they arethe subject of a police inquiry," an FA spokesperson said in The Sun.
"That position would only change in the case of a conviction for aserious criminal offence. Then the case would be considered on itsindividual merits."
England will face the European champions in a friendly clash on February 11 at Sevilla's Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.
Post time 30-12-2008 07:45 AM
Author
Celebrating ... Steven Gerrard, hours after match win, in the bar before trouble started
hmy3: 
