Soccer Extreme : The bouncer allegedly punched in the face by Ledley King says he was told by the soccer star: “You’re a fat P*** ****.” Doorman Wahib Butt claims the boozed-up England ace taunted him about his earnings and hit him outside a London nightclub.
Wahib Butt
During the row King, 28, allegedly sneered at Wahib and other bouncers: “Do you not know who I am? “I am a rich guy and I’ve got nothing to lose. I earn £80,000 a week, you are nothing in your £10-an-hour job. I could make you lose your job.”
King — said to have been so drunk he could hardly stand — was restrained by the club staff and arrested by police on suspicion of racially aggravated common assault.
The Tottenham captain, who had been out in the West End following his team’s 0-0 draw with Everton, spent the night in a sparse cell in a police station.
Yesterday Wahib, 22, told how King turned up alone at 2am demanding to be allowed into Punk nightclub in Soho. The player was photographed with glaring eyes and his jeans slung below his waist.
Wahib said: “He was so drunk we told him to come back when he was more sober.
“He walked across the road, opened his trousers and urinated all over the pavement in front of everybody. He came back and was so close to my face I could feel his spit on me.
“He started shouting, ‘Do you not know who I am?’ and bragging how much he earned.
“We tried to calm him down, but he called me a ‘f***ing P*** ****’ and also called me fat.
“He also called my manager a ‘balding white ****’. That’s two racist insults in one go.
“I felt very embarrassed that someone called me that.
“He represents England and it didn’t set a good example for children.
“As I turned he punched me in the face. I was in a lot of pain and my face was all bruised and my teeth are very, very sore.
During the flare-up King also scoffed at Wahib for supporting Liverpool and belittled their skipper Steven Gerrard.
He ranted: “I play for Tottenham, you play for fat Gerrard.”
After being nicked King had his DNA, mugshot and fingerprints taken. Sources say he then passed out for five hours.
He was later interviewed before being released on bail for four weeks.
King left the station through a side exit and was driven home by a chauffeur.
Later he issued a statement apologising to Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp for “a night out that went too far”.
He said much of what had been “suggested” was out of character.
He added: “I am keen to resolve this and concentrate on my football.”
The club said in a statement of its own: “We are aware of an incident and await details.”
Picture taken at one of Ledley’s previous violent drunken assaults
Wahib Butt
During the row King, 28, allegedly sneered at Wahib and other bouncers: “Do you not know who I am? “I am a rich guy and I’ve got nothing to lose. I earn £80,000 a week, you are nothing in your £10-an-hour job. I could make you lose your job.”King — said to have been so drunk he could hardly stand — was restrained by the club staff and arrested by police on suspicion of racially aggravated common assault.
The Tottenham captain, who had been out in the West End following his team’s 0-0 draw with Everton, spent the night in a sparse cell in a police station.
Yesterday Wahib, 22, told how King turned up alone at 2am demanding to be allowed into Punk nightclub in Soho. The player was photographed with glaring eyes and his jeans slung below his waist.
Wahib said: “He was so drunk we told him to come back when he was more sober.
“He walked across the road, opened his trousers and urinated all over the pavement in front of everybody. He came back and was so close to my face I could feel his spit on me.
“He started shouting, ‘Do you not know who I am?’ and bragging how much he earned.
“We tried to calm him down, but he called me a ‘f***ing P*** ****’ and also called me fat.
“He also called my manager a ‘balding white ****’. That’s two racist insults in one go.
“I felt very embarrassed that someone called me that.
“He represents England and it didn’t set a good example for children.
“As I turned he punched me in the face. I was in a lot of pain and my face was all bruised and my teeth are very, very sore.
During the flare-up King also scoffed at Wahib for supporting Liverpool and belittled their skipper Steven Gerrard.
He ranted: “I play for Tottenham, you play for fat Gerrard.”
After being nicked King had his DNA, mugshot and fingerprints taken. Sources say he then passed out for five hours.
He was later interviewed before being released on bail for four weeks.
King left the station through a side exit and was driven home by a chauffeur.
Later he issued a statement apologising to Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp for “a night out that went too far”.
He said much of what had been “suggested” was out of character.
He added: “I am keen to resolve this and concentrate on my football.”
The club said in a statement of its own: “We are aware of an incident and await details.”
Picture taken at one of Ledley’s previous violent drunken assaults
Ledley King Statement (http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com)
'I sincerely regret that a night out with friends went too far. I have apologised to Harry and I fully appreciate that, as a professional footballer, I have a duty to behave in a responsible manner.
'I am assisting the police with their enquiries. Anyone who knows me, knows that much of what has been suggested is totally out of character. I am keen to resolve this as soon as possible and concentrate on my football. I shall be putting my all into ensuring I give my best for the remaining fixtures.'