King released on bail after alleged assault

LONDON (Reuters) - Tottenham Hotspur captain Ledley King has been released on bail after being arrested for alleged assault outside a London nightclub in the early hours of Sunday morning, media reported.

"Police on a routine vehicle patrol were flagged down by members of the public outside a nightclub in Soho Street at 2.30 am this morning. A 28-year-old man was arrested and questioned on suspicion of a racially aggravated common assault," a Metropolitan Police spokesman said.

"He has since been bailed to appear in a central London police station in mid-July."

King, who has 19 England caps, played in Tottenham's 0-0 draw at Everton in the Premier League on Saturday.

Tottenham confirmed in a statement that they were aware of an incident involving King while the player himself later issued an apology on the club's website (www.spurs.co.uk).

"I sincerely regret that a night out with friends went too far," King, Tottenham's longest-serving player, said.

"I have apologised to (manager) Harry (Redknapp) and I fully appreciate that, as a professional footballer, I have a duty to behave in a responsible manner.

"I am assisting the police with their enquiries. Anyone who knows me, knows that much of what has been suggested is totally out of character. I am keen to resolve this as soon as possible and concentrate on my football. I shall be putting my all into ensuring I give of my best for the remaining fixtures."

(Reporting by Martyn Herman and Stefano Ambrogi, editing by Justin Palmer and Pritha Sarkar)