SOCCER: An assault charge against England and Liverpool star Steven Gerrard has been dropped, a court heard today. But the Liverpool captain still faces a charge of affray following a bar-room brawl.
Businessman Marcus McGee, 34, lost a tooth and suffered a cut face in the fight in Southport, Merseyside.
Gerrard, 28, who appeared at North Sefton Magistrates' Court today, had been in the bar in the early hours of December 29th celebrating Liverpool's 5-1 defeat of Newcastle.
Prosecutor Nick Evans said after a review of the evidence it had been decided that Gerrard and the other six men accused of involvement in the brawl would only face lesser charges of affray.
The case was committed to Liverpool Crown Court for a hearing on April 3rd. Gerrard has not yet formally entered a plea but has said he intends to deny wrongdoing.
The incident occurred following Gerrard's man-of-the-match performance where he scored two goals in the win over Newcastle.
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has said the club is fully behind Gerrard whose court appearance comes the day before a Premier League game against Aston Villa.
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