SOCCER: Steven Gerrard was supported by Liverpool today as he faced a maximum five-year jail term if convicted of assault. The club captain was publicly backed by the Anfield hierarchy, who issued a statement offering him "all the support he needs".
While the father-of-two was recovering at his mansion home from 21 hours in police custody, the club said: "Steven has been an outstanding servant to Liverpool for the last 10 years and the club will give him all the support he needs at this time."
And behind the scenes club sources confirmed England international Gerrard had done nothing wrong by being out with friends.
"The players flew back from their game with Newcastle and all the players have had two days off," said the source.
"They only play again on Saturday so it was agreed everyone could have Monday and Tuesday off.
"They'll all be back in training tomorrow along with Stevie. The thinking is he will get on with things as normal.
"The whole club is 100 perm cent behind Stevie and that includes the manager who has told him as much."
In the early hours of today the midfielder was charged with actual bodily harm and affray.
He is accused of assaulting businessman and part-time DJ Marcus McGee, 34, who was injured during a fight at the Lounge Inn, Southport, Merseyside.
Gerrard had been drinking in the bar — which turns into a nightclub — on Sunday evening with friends to mark Liverpool's 5-1 win over Newcastle United.
The evening started well. Before the night was in full swing Gerrard enjoyed a chat and drinks with Anfield legend Kenny Dalglish.
"Stevie was signing autographs for people and was most certainly not drunk," said the source.
"He was talking to Kenny about how he could help Kenny's wife's cancer charity work."
After Dalglish left, Gerrard's group toasted him for scoring two goals in the victory over Newcastle.
But trouble apparently flared in the early hours and the star was arrested with five other men.
He was charged with John Doran, 29, and Ian Gerard Smith, 19, both of Huyton, where Gerrard grew up.
Mr McGee allegedly lost a tooth in the nightclub fight and needed several stitches to a face wound.
The extent of Gerrard's alleged involvement in unclear. He will attend North Sefton Magistrates' Court in Southport on January 23rd.
Other brushes with the law within football
George Best: The former Manchester United winger, who died in 2005, was convicted of drink-driving and assaulting a policeman in 1984.
He was jailed for 12 weeks and spent Christmas in Pentonville Prison in north London.
Tony Adams: The Arsenal defender served two months at Chelmsford Open Prison in 1990 for drink-driving offences.
After admitting to alcoholism, Adams founded the Sporting Chance clinic to help sportspeople with drink, drug and gambling addictions and is now manager at Portsmouth.
Jonathan Woodgate/Lee Bowyer:The former Leeds United teammates were at the centre of a 2001 trial after a student was attacked in the city.
Woodgate, who now plays for Tottenham Hotspur, was found guilty of affray and sentenced to 100 hours community service.
Both he and Bowyer were cleared of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
Bowyer, who now plays for West Ham United, was also cleared of affray.
Their first trial at Hull Crown Court collapsed when the Sunday Mirror printed a prejudicial interview with a member of the Asian victim's family.
Jermaine Pennant: A Liverpool teammate of Steven Gerrard, the winger was sentenced to three months in jail for drink-driving in 2005.
Then an Arsenal player, he went on loan to Birmingham City after his release where he became the first footballer to play while wearing an electronic tag.
Joey Barton: The Newcastle midfielder was jailed for six months this year for attacking a man in Liverpool city centre in the early hours of December 27th last year.
The 25-year-old was caught on CCTV kicking and punching the man to the ground while drunk.
