Three Celtic players arrested after a fracas at the club's Christmas party in the North-East were last night released on bail.

Bobby Petta, Johan Mjallby and Joos Valgaeren were attending the Glasgow club's party on Tyneside on Tuesday night when they were allegedly involved in a fracas outside a trendy night spot.

It was claimed that a press photographer's camera was stolen during the incident outside the plush Sea nightspot on the Newcastle side of the river.

The footballers spent almost 18 hours in police custody at Gateshead East police station.

Northumbria police said the three had been questioned in connection with an allegation of robbery before being released on police bail.

The players left the police station shortly before 9pm in a white people carrier with their heads covered by coats.

The players travelled to Newcastle yesterday for their annual festive bash and spent the evening drinking in pubs before making their way to a bar on the Gateshead side of the River Tyne.

The alleged incident happened as the players left Buffalo Joe's, an American-themed showbar where customers are served by bikini-clad waitresses.

Northern Ireland international Neil Lennon was also arrested at the scene, but was later released without charge. He refused to comment.

Celtic confirmed the players had been in Tyneside for a Christmas party.

Players from Celtic's rivals Rangers had been due to hold a night out in Newcastle the same evening but the venue was changed, according to a spokeswoman for Rangers.