Sweden's World Cup captain Johann Mjallby and two of his Celtic team-mates were released on bail by police tonight after spending nearly 18 hours in custody.
Mjallby (31), Belgian international Joos Valgaeran (26), and Dutch winger Bobby Petta (28), spent last night in police custody following a disturbance at a Christmas party in Gateshead, England.
A Northumbria police spokeswoman said: "Three persons arrested in relation to the incident have been bailed to attend Gateshead East police station between 1 and 2pm on March 24th, 2003."
Journalists and photographers had been waiting outside a bar where the Scottish champions celebrated their Christmas party last night. A Daily Record photographer had his camera allegedly stolen when the players left the bar and left for another club.
Earlier a police spokeswoman said: "The players were with the group from the club who were in the bar, as were a number of photographers.
"There was an incident of some sort. The players left the premises, then one of the photographers reported the theft of his camera to police."
Police said the camera had since been returned to its owner.
AFP