THE Football Association is investigating claims that a young woman footballer was head- butted.

Lyn Stanley, 20, alleges she was attacked by Pauline Godward, 44, who is one of the highest qualified female coaches in the country.

Ms Godward, who leads County Durham-based Chester-le-Street Town Ladies' Team, admitted a scuffle broke out, but said it had nothing to do with football.

Ms Godward, of Wrekenton, Gateshead - one of the first three women in the country to qualify for a UEFA (B) coaching badge - trains the Chester-le-Street Town Ladies as well as the County Durham schools team for girls.

She said: " It was a social night out for an 18th birthday party and there was an argument and a scuffle broke out.

"As far as I'm concerned this has got nothing to do with the football team, so I don't want its good name dragged through the mud. The two things aren't connected."

A Durham FA official confirmed he had received a letter of complaint - a copy of which had been sent to the Football Association headquarters.

A police spokesman confirmed an assault happened at about midnight on Friday, October 15, in Times Square, Newcastle.

He said: "A 20-year-old woman was assaulted and suffered a swollen nose.

"A 44-year-old Gateshead woman has been given a formal caution."