Former footballer Joey Barton has been arrested on suspicion of assault near a golf course.
The 43-year-old is understood to be one of two men arrested after an assault was reported in Huyton, Merseyside, on Sunday.
Former England footballer Eni Aluko’s lawyer, Gervase de Wilde, told Tuesday’s High Court hearing in a defamation case involving Barton that his instructing lawyer “received a call from the duty lawyer at Liverpool Police Station” just before the hearing.
Mr De Wilde told the court that former Manchester City and QPR midfielder Barton was “arrested yesterday and is currently in custody”.
A Merseyside Police spokesperson said: “We can confirm that two people have been arrested following reports of an assault in Huyton on Sunday 8 March.”
“Emergency services were called to Fairway at approximately 9pm following reports a man had been assaulted near Huyton and Prescott Golf Club.
“The victim was taken to hospital with injuries to his face and ribs.
A 50-year-old man and a 43-year-old man were both arrested on suspicion of section 18 wounding.
