Premier League star Djibril Cisse has been arrested on suspicion of common assault following an incident outside a lap dancing bar.
The Sunderland footballer was later released on police bail by officers investigating the incident during the early hours of Monday in Newcastle city centre.
It is understood the alleged assault took place at around 3am outside the Diamonds club on Grey Street between Cisse, 27, and an unnamed woman.
A Northumbria Police spokesman said: "A 27-year-old man was arrested for common assault at around 3am on Monday in Grey Street, Newcastle. He has been bailed pending further inquiries."
The striker, who is on loan at Sunderland from French club Marseille, used to play for Liverpool under the reign of Gerard Houllier.
It was while playing for Liverpool that he met his wife Jude and they married in 2005. They have two children.
He is a popular player with Sunderland fans and he is renowned for often eye-catching hairstyles and dozens of tattoos that cover his body.
