Gerrard says sorry for bar punch-up

Jul 23 2009

England footballer Steven Gerrard has apologised for lashing out three times at a man in a bar brawl, saying he mistakenly believed he was about to attack him.

The Liverpool captain said he was sorry for his part in the trouble with businessman Marcus McGee in the early hours of December 29 last year.

Gerrard, who denies affray, told Liverpool Crown Court he regretted hitting the 34-year-old victim in a row over music but insisted he thought Mr McGee was about to attack him.

Asked what Mr McGee said to him, Gerrard apologised to the jury for his language before replying: "He said to me 'You are not putting no f****** music on in here'.

"I was shocked and tried to speak to him and asked him what his problem was.

"I asked why I couldn't have an input in the music and tried to explain that I had permission from the manageress."

John Kelsey-Fry QC, defending, asked: "Did he explain it?" to which Gerrard replied: "No."

Gerrard, of Formby, Merseyside, added: "He turned away from me and wasn't really listening to what I was trying to say and he swore at me a couple of times and we had an argument for four or five seconds and then he walked away."

Minutes later Gerrard, refusing the advice of friends to ignore the incident, returned to Mr McGee and the row continued.

Mr Kelsey-Fry asked Gerrard: "Why did you deliver a blow to Marcus McGee?" He replied: "To defend myself. We were arguing and I felt that Marcus came towards me and that's why I raised my arms. I firmly believed Marcus came towards me to hit me."