The England and Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard has been charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and affray following an alleged nightclub brawl, Merseyside police said. The Reds captain was charged with two other men who had also been arrested after a "disturbance" outside a late-night bar in Southport, Merseyside in the early hours of yesterday morning. "Merseyside Police has charged Steven Gerrard, 28 years, of Formby, Sefton, John Doran, 29, and Ian Smith, 19 years, both from Huyton, Liverpool, with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and affray following an incident at Bold Street in Southport in the early hours of Monday, December 29," Merseyside Police spokesman said in a statement. The venue's DJ, a local man, 34, required hospital treatment after suffering facial injuries. Gerrard, 28, was released from Southport police station early this morning. Liverpool Football Club released a statement throwing their full support behind their captain. In a statement to the Associated Press, the statement read: "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." He was at the restaurant and bar ? which turns into a nightclub ? with friends to celebrate Liverpool's 5-1 win over Newcastle. "The three men will be appearing at North Sefton Magistrates' Court on January 23," the statement said. The spokesman said that Gerrard and the two other men had been bailed and three other men who were arrested in connection with the incident were released on police bail pending further inquiries. *PA Sport
