Source: Telegraph
Footballer Micah Richards arrested
The 20-year-old defender was questioned by police after the alleged assault of a man, thought to be 18, in Hale, Greater Manchester, at around 12.30am on Christmas Eve. [LNB]Richards was arrested by appointment at a police station on Wednesday has been bailed until April. [LNB]He is the second Manchester City player to be arrested in recent days. Last week the Brazilian star Robinho was arrested over allegations an 18-year-old woman was raped in a nightclub in Leeds.[LNB]Yesterday Mark Hughes, the Manchester City manager, said the club would do everything to support Richards, and said he could be involved in Saturday's home game against Middlesbrough. [LNB]He said: "We are very supportive of Micah. He went to the police station in a pre-arranged appointment. It is an ongoing situation, we are aware of that and we are supportive of him." [LNB]Asked whether the defender was in the right frame of mind to be considered for selection this weekend, he replied: "Absolutely."[LNB]Richards, who joined Manchester City from Oldham Athletic as a 14-year-old, is considered one of English football's brightest young players, and became England's youngest capped defender when he made his full international debut in November 2006.[LNB]He has won 11 caps but has not featured under current England manager Fabio Capello and has struggled for form at club level this season. He signed a new five year deal with City last February.[LNB]A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: "A 20-year-old man has been arrested after an assault outside a Hale nightclub, at about 12.30am on December 24 2008. [LNB]"He has been bailed until April 8 pending further inquiries." [LNB]A Manchester City spokesman said Richard was co-operating fully with the police and "vigorously denies any involvement" in the alleged incident. [LNB]
