Steven Gerrard was cheered by supporters as he left court a free man yesterday, after being cleared of attacking a man in a bar brawl.
The England star admitted punching Marcus McGee three times but a jury took 75 minutes to find him not guilty of affray.
With his hands clasped behind his back, the Liverpool captain, who has scored more than 100 goals for the Reds, stood alone in the dock as the verdict was announced.
Gerrard, 29, showed no emotion as he learned he had been cleared.
The Judge, Henry Globe QC, the Recorder of Liverpool, told him: "You can walk away from this court with your reputation intact."
A relieved-looking Gerrard emerged from Liverpool crown court to cheers, applause and shouts of, "Come on, Rocky."
He told the fans: "Can I just say how pleased I am with today's verdict. I would like to put this case behind me.
"I am really looking forward to the season ahead and concentrating on football now.
"I would just like to say a big thank you to my legal team, my friends and family and everyone at Liverpool Football Club for supporting me. Thank you."
Club manager Rafa Benitez echoed his relief yesterday.
Benitez, who is in Singapore for Liverpool's pre-season match there on Sunday, said: "We are really pleased. Now he can just concentrate on playing football."
And Gerrard wasted no time getting back on the pitch. He played for Liverpool XI against Tranmere Rovers last night, scoring in their 2-2 draw. He had not joined the rest of the first team squad in Singapore because of his trial.
But his team-mates heard the verdict during a training session at the Singapore National Stadium. Led by Jamie Carragher, the squad linked arms and danced as fans started chanting Gerrard's name.
Gerrard always maintained he was acting in self-defense when he clashed with Mr McGee in the Lounge Inn bar in Southport, Merseyside, on December 29 last year. But Mr. McGee spoke of his fury last night at the verdict.
He said: "I can't believe this. What message does this give to any young lad who goes into a pub at the weekend?"
Gerrard and a group of friends had gone to the Lounge Inn following Liverpool's 5-1 victory over Newcastle United, during which he had scored twice. CCTV footage showed his party drinking beer, dancing and singing football songs.
But after Gerrard argued with McGee over the music a fight broke out. CCTV footage showed him landing three uppercuts at Mr. McGee, before being dragged away.
The fight continued without him and later a second brawl broke out, not involving Gerrard.
Mr. McGee, 34, lost a front crown and needed stitches to a head wound as a result of his injuries.
Five of Gerrard's pals admitted affray earlier this week and a sixth admitted threatening behavior.
But Gerrard always insisted he was trying to resolve the dispute and that he only lashed out at Mr. McGee in self-defense.
He told the jury: "I am sorry about the whole incident." The judge had reminded the jury to put aside their football loyalties while considering the evidence.
After the verdict, he told Gerrard: "With hindsight you may agree it was unwise of you to have approached Marcus McGee in an attempt to speak to him about your earlier trivial disagreement.
"However, that is far cry from saying you were criminally responsible for the violence which thereafter erupted."
He said that CCTV proved it was his pal John Doran who had launched the initial assault.
Gerrard's friends Ian Smith, 19, Doran, 29, Paul McGrattan, 31, and Accrington Stanley footballers Robert Grant, 19, and Ian Dunbavin, 28, all admitted affray.
Another friend John McGrattan, 34, admitted threatening behaviour. They will be sentenced next month.
The England star admitted punching Marcus McGee three times but a jury took 75 minutes to find him not guilty of affray.
With his hands clasped behind his back, the Liverpool captain, who has scored more than 100 goals for the Reds, stood alone in the dock as the verdict was announced.
Gerrard, 29, showed no emotion as he learned he had been cleared.
The Judge, Henry Globe QC, the Recorder of Liverpool, told him: "You can walk away from this court with your reputation intact."
A relieved-looking Gerrard emerged from Liverpool crown court to cheers, applause and shouts of, "Come on, Rocky."
He told the fans: "Can I just say how pleased I am with today's verdict. I would like to put this case behind me.
"I am really looking forward to the season ahead and concentrating on football now.
"I would just like to say a big thank you to my legal team, my friends and family and everyone at Liverpool Football Club for supporting me. Thank you."
Club manager Rafa Benitez echoed his relief yesterday.
Benitez, who is in Singapore for Liverpool's pre-season match there on Sunday, said: "We are really pleased. Now he can just concentrate on playing football."
And Gerrard wasted no time getting back on the pitch. He played for Liverpool XI against Tranmere Rovers last night, scoring in their 2-2 draw. He had not joined the rest of the first team squad in Singapore because of his trial.
But his team-mates heard the verdict during a training session at the Singapore National Stadium. Led by Jamie Carragher, the squad linked arms and danced as fans started chanting Gerrard's name.
Gerrard always maintained he was acting in self-defense when he clashed with Mr McGee in the Lounge Inn bar in Southport, Merseyside, on December 29 last year. But Mr. McGee spoke of his fury last night at the verdict.
He said: "I can't believe this. What message does this give to any young lad who goes into a pub at the weekend?"
Gerrard and a group of friends had gone to the Lounge Inn following Liverpool's 5-1 victory over Newcastle United, during which he had scored twice. CCTV footage showed his party drinking beer, dancing and singing football songs.
But after Gerrard argued with McGee over the music a fight broke out. CCTV footage showed him landing three uppercuts at Mr. McGee, before being dragged away.
The fight continued without him and later a second brawl broke out, not involving Gerrard.
Mr. McGee, 34, lost a front crown and needed stitches to a head wound as a result of his injuries.
Five of Gerrard's pals admitted affray earlier this week and a sixth admitted threatening behavior.
But Gerrard always insisted he was trying to resolve the dispute and that he only lashed out at Mr. McGee in self-defense.
He told the jury: "I am sorry about the whole incident." The judge had reminded the jury to put aside their football loyalties while considering the evidence.
After the verdict, he told Gerrard: "With hindsight you may agree it was unwise of you to have approached Marcus McGee in an attempt to speak to him about your earlier trivial disagreement.
"However, that is far cry from saying you were criminally responsible for the violence which thereafter erupted."
He said that CCTV proved it was his pal John Doran who had launched the initial assault.
Gerrard's friends Ian Smith, 19, Doran, 29, Paul McGrattan, 31, and Accrington Stanley footballers Robert Grant, 19, and Ian Dunbavin, 28, all admitted affray.
Another friend John McGrattan, 34, admitted threatening behaviour. They will be sentenced next month.
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