Steven Gerrard has been found not guilty of affray at Liverpool Crown Court - even though he confessed punching a man three times in a bar.
The Liverpool captain admitted hitting businessman Marcus McGee during the brawl at the Lounge Inn in Southport last December, which was triggered by a row over control of music.
He said he only swung at McGee because he thought he was about to be hit, and the jury accepted the player's explanation that it was in self-defence
Judge Henry Globe, recorder of Liverpool, told the city's crown court after the verdict that the football player "could walk away with his reputation intact".
Speaking to reporters outside the court, Gerrard said: "Can I just say how pleased I am with today's verdict.
"I'd like to put this case behind me. I'm really looking forward to the season ahead and concentrating on football.
"I'd like to say a big thank you to my legal team, my friends and family and to everyone at Liverpool Football Club for supporting me."
Six of Gerrard's friends who were involved in the incident will be sentenced next month after pleading guilty to charges of affray or threatening behaviour.
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The Liverpool captain admitted hitting businessman Marcus McGee during the brawl at the Lounge Inn in Southport last December, which was triggered by a row over control of music.
He said he only swung at McGee because he thought he was about to be hit, and the jury accepted the player's explanation that it was in self-defence
Judge Henry Globe, recorder of Liverpool, told the city's crown court after the verdict that the football player "could walk away with his reputation intact".
Speaking to reporters outside the court, Gerrard said: "Can I just say how pleased I am with today's verdict.
"I'd like to put this case behind me. I'm really looking forward to the season ahead and concentrating on football.
"I'd like to say a big thank you to my legal team, my friends and family and to everyone at Liverpool Football Club for supporting me."
Six of Gerrard's friends who were involved in the incident will be sentenced next month after pleading guilty to charges of affray or threatening behaviour.
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