Source: Telegraph
Steven Gerrard found not guilty of affray
The Liverpool Football Club captain was accused of attacking businessman Marcus McGee, 34, after a row over music in a bar.
The 29-year-old was with friends at the Lounge Inn in Southport, Merseyside, in the early hours of December 29 when his party clashed with McGee, a member of another group.
The prosecution said Gerrard, from Formby, Merseyside, became furious that his request was refused and "lost it", punching Mr McGee "with the style and speed of a professional boxer".
At Liverpool Crown Court, Gerrard denied affray and said he was acting in self-defence, having mistakenly believed Mr McGee was about to attack him.
Five of his friends admitted affray.
They are Ian Gerrard Smith, 19, of Hilary Avenue; John Doran, 29, of Woodlands Road; and Paul McGrattan, 31, of Linden Drive, all Huyton; and Accrington Stanley footballers Robert Grant, 19, of Enstone Avenue, Litherland; and Ian Dunbavin, 28, of Guildford Road, Southport.
Another friend, John McGrattan, 34, of Rimmer Avenue, Huyton, admitted threatening behaviour.
As he sent the jury out, Judge Henry Globe QC, the Recorder of Liverpool, described the events at the Lounge Inn as an "explosion of violence".
