Stoke star Fuller arrested in early hours

Fuller pictured for Stoke during this season's FA Cup (REUTERS)

Stoke striker Ricardo Fuller was arrested after an incident at a nightclub yesterday morning, the football club said today.

Fuller was accused of assaulting a 21-year-old man in the bar area of JFK nightclub, in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent.

Staffordshire Police said the victim suffered minor facial injuries and did not need hospital treatment.

The incident, at around 1am yesterday, came just hours after Stoke's 3-0 Barclays Premier League victory over Blackburn.

A statement on the club's website, www.stokecityfc.com, read: "The club can confirm that Fuller was arrested in the early hours of Sunday morning following an incident in a nightclub in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent. We will be making no further comment at this time."

A Staffordshire Police spokesman said: "At 1am on Sunday February 7, an incident occurred at JFK nightclub in Trinity Street, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, following which a 30-year-old male was arrested on suspicion of assault.

"He has been bailed pending further inquiries.

"The incident is being fully investigated by Staffordshire Police and any witnesses to the incident are asked to contact police on 0300 1234455."

The Jamaican, who joined Stoke in August 2006, is due to report back to police next month.

Fuller's arrest came as a man who was found unconscious during the match died in hospital.

Blackburn fan John Steven Taylor, 30, from Avallon Way in Darwen, Lancashire, was found unconscious at Stoke's Britannia Stadium shortly after half-time.

He was treated at the scene for a head injury and cardiac arrest, then taken to the University Hospital of North Staffordshire where he died in the early hours of yesterday morning.

A 25-year-old man from Preston was arrested in connection with the incident and has been bailed pending further inquiries.