Celtic players released on bail after party fracas

THREE Celtic players arrested after a fracas at the club's Christmas party were last night released on bail, police said.

Bobby Petta, Johan Mjallby and Joos Valgaeren were attending the Glasgow club's party on Tyneside on Tuesday night when they were allegedly involved in a fracas outside a trendy night spot.

It was claimed that a press photographer's camera was stolen during the incident outside the Sea nightspot on the Newcastle side of the river.

The footballers spent almost 18 hours in police custody at Gateshead East police station.

Northumbria police said the three had been questioned in connection with an allegation of robbery before being released on police bail.

A police spokeswoman said: "Three persons arrested in relation to the incident have been bailed to attend Gateshead East police station between 1 and 2pm on March 24, 2003."

The players left the police station shortly before 9pm in a people carrier with their heads covered by coats.

The players travelled to Newcastle for their annual festive bash and spent the evening drinking in pubs before making their way to a bar on the Gateshead side of the River Tyne.

The alleged incident happened as the players left Buffalo Joe's, an American-themed bar where customers are served by bikini-clad waitresses.

Northern Ireland international Neil Lennon was also arrested at the scene, but was later released without charge.

Lennon refused to comment when asked about Tuesday night's events.

Belgian defender Valgaeren, 26, a £3.8 million signing, and midfielders Mjallby, 31, capped 40 times for Sweden, and 28-year-old Dutchman Petta are due to return to Gateshead East Police Station on March 24 next year.

Celtic confirmed the players had been in Tyneside last night for a Christmas party.

Players from Celtic's Old Firm rivals Rangers were due to hold a night out in Newcastle yesterday, but the venue was changed to Liverpool, according to a spokeswoman for Rangers.

In a statement, Daily Record editor Peter Cox said staff from the paper had been sent to spot players from the Glasgow clubs and a photographer had been involved in the incident.

He said the photographer, Paul Chappells, was chased when he began taking photographs of a violent fracas and two cameras worth £12,000 were smashed beyond repair.