Source: Daily_Mail
Man City's Micah Richards quizzed by police over nightclub assault
Questioned: Richards[LNB] Manchester City [LNB]and England defender Micah Richards has been questioned by police over an alleged assault outside a nightclub. [LNB]The 20-year-old international was arrested yesterday over the alleged assault on a man in Hale, Greater Manchester, in the early hours of Christmas Eve. [LNB]Richards was questioned by police and later released on bail, reported the Manchester Evening News. [LNB]The alleged victim, claims he was assaulted outside a club in Ashley Road, Hale at approximately 12.30am on December 24, but Richards has not been charged with any offence and denies involvement. [LNB]'We can confirm that he attended a police station by appointment,' said a City spokesman. 'He is fully co-operating with the police with their inquiries. I would like to point out that he has not been charged with any offence and vigorously denies any involvement. The investigation continues and the club remains fully supportive.' [LNB]Eastlands manager Mark Hughes expects Richards to be involved against Middlesbrough on saturday.[LNB]He said: 'We are very supportive of Micah. He went to the police station in apre-arranged appointment. It is an on-going situation, we are aware of that andwe are supportive of him. [LNB]'When asked whether the defender was in the right frame of mind to be consideredfor selection this weekend, he replied: 'Absolutely.' [LNB]A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: 'A 20-year-old man has been arrested after an assault outside a Hale nightclub. The man was arrested on suspicion of section 47 assault by appointment on 4 February. He has been bailed until 8 April and enquiries are continuing.' [LNB]In a separate incident it was revealed that a 29-year-old man had been arrested and questioned by Manchester police on suspicion of blackmailing one of City's players.[LNB] The man has been bailed until March 4. A police spokesman said: 'A 29-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of blackmail as part of an investigation by police on January 31. He has been bailed until March 4 and the enquiries continue.' [LNB]Richards' arrest is just the latest incident to hit the club in recent weeks. [LNB]Richards' team-mate, record signing Robinho was questioned by police last month over allegations of sexual assault in Leeds. [LNB]The Brazil international forward strenuously denied any wrongdoing. [LNB] Wright-Phillips charged with violent conduct after Delap clash[LNB]City don't have a blank chequebook, insists Hughes[LNB]Hey big spenders - so refined or profligates extraordinaire? Sportsmail's club-by-club guide to what your team's squad costs[LNB]MANCHESTER CITY FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE NET[LNB] [LNB]
