Players charged after street fight

The club has said it will protect its name

Two Oldham Athletic Football Club players have been charged with assault and public disorder following a fight involving police officers.

Paul Murray, 25, and Alan Smart, 27, were arrested and questioned at Chadderton Police station, Greater Manchester, after the incident at 0230 BST on Wednesday.

Two police officers sustained minor injuries during the fight in Victoria Street, Chadderton.

Mr Murray and Mr Smart, both from Kensington Gardens in Preston, Lancashire, have each been charged with a public order offence, and with assaulting a police officer.

'Good name'

They will appear before Magistrates in Oldham, Greater Manchester, on Monday.

A spokeswoman from Greater Manchester Police said: "Two officers from the police station went into Victoria Street after hearing shouting in the street.

"A scuffle broke out and two people were then arrested.

"The officers went to the Royal Oldham Hospital for treatment and were later released."

In a statement on the Oldham Athletic Football Club website, the club's chief executive Alan Hardy said: "If any player breaks the club's discipline guidelines then they will be severely dealt with... to protect the good name of Oldham Athletic."