Footballers charged over nightclub brawl

Two footballers were charged on Tuesday in connection with the same nightclub brawl which saw Steven Gerrard accused of assault.

Accrington Stanley goalkeeper Ian Dunbavin, 28, and the club's midfielder, Robert Grant, 18, were both charged with affray, Merseyside Police said.

A third man, Paul McGrattan, 31, was also charged with affray and assaulting a police officer.

Liverpool and England player Gerrard, 28, remains on bail after appearing in court charged with assault and affray last month.

He was arrested in the early hours of December 29 after a disturbance at the Lounge Bar nightclub in Southport, Merseyside.

Company director Marcus McGee, 34, from Churchtown, Southport, required hospital treatment after receiving facial injuries in the incident.

Gerrard was at the bar with friends to celebrate Liverpool's 5-1 win over Newcastle United earlier that day.

Gerrard's solicitor indicated at his first court appearance that he would plead not guilty to the charges against him.

He is due to before North Sefton Magistrates again on March 20.

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