England midfielder arrested

Yarm - England midfielder Stewart Downing has reportedly been arrested on suspicion of assault.

The Daily Mail reported on Sunday that the Liverpool player was arrested after allegedly hitting his ex-girlfriend in a nightclub fight.

When asked about the report, Cleveland Police would only say that "a 27-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of assault."

Downing is 27.

Police say officers in northeast England were "called to an incident at a pub on Yarm High Street shortly before 1 am" on Sunday, and added that a 32-year-old woman was also arrested on suspicion of assault.

Both people remained in police custody on Sunday while the investigation continued.

Liverpool did not respond to requests for comment.

Yarm is near Middlesbrough, where Downing used to play.