Liverpool winger Raheem Sterling charged with assaulting woman
Police said that a 27-year-old woman, known to Sterling, received facial injuries after an alleged incident involving the player took place in Liverpool in November.
Liverpool's teenage winger Raheem Sterling has been charged with assaulting a woman, a court in Liverpool heard on Friday.
The 18-year-old England international did not attend the hearing at Liverpool Youth Court in northwest England and was represented by his lawyer, Mick Hogan.
Police said that a 27-year-old woman, known to Sterling, received "slight" facial injuries after an alleged incident involving the player in Liverpool in November.
Hogan told the court that Sterling denies the allegation and added that, as the alleged offence occurred when the player was 17, the case should be moved to an adult court.
"I do have instructions to the effect that Mr Sterling will be pleading not guilty to this charge," Hogan told the court.
"He is aware of the hearing and the club are very supportive."
The prosecution said they supported the proposal to move the case to the adult courts and the matter was adjourned until February 22.
Jamaica-born Sterling has broken into the Liverpool team this season and made his senior England debut in a friendly game against Sweden in November.