Barton arrested after altercation

QPR midfielder Joey Barton has been arrested on suspicion of affray after an altercation outside a nightclub in Liverpool, sources said.

Barton, 29, was involved in trouble in the early hours of Monday while on a night out with his girlfriend in Liverpool city centre.

Two men, aged 21 and from the Old Swan area of Liverpool, were arrested on suspicion of a public order offence at around 5:30am at the scene of the incident, outside Garlands nightclub in the city. But after they were held in custody and questioned, Barton and a 20-year-old man were also arrested on Monday afternoon.

All have been bailed pending further inquiries, apart from Barton, who remains in police custody where he will be questioned by officers.

A spokesman for Merseyside Police said: "Following an altercation in Eberle Street, Liverpool city centre, in the early hours of this morning, four men have been arrested on suspicion of affray.

"Two 21-year-old men were arrested at the scene in the early hours of this morning and another two men, a 20-year-old from the Liverpool area and 29-year-old from the Widnes area, were arrested this afternoon.

"The two 21-year-old men and the 20-year-old man have been questioned by officers and have been released on bail pending further inquiries.

"The 29-year-old man remains in police custody where he will be questioned by detectives."