FORMER Ipswich Town star Bobby Petta will not face any police charges following a fracas with a photographer at a Christmas party, police said today.Petta was on a night out with his Celtic teammates in Newcastle shortly before Christmas when there was an incident allegedly involving a Daily Record photographer.

FORMER Ipswich Town star Bobby Petta will not face any police charges following a fracas with a photographer at a Christmas party, police said today.

Petta was on a night out with his Celtic teammates in Newcastle shortly before Christmas when there was an incident allegedly involving a Daily Record photographer.

Three players, including Petta, were arrested after the fracas.

They had spent the evening drinking in pubs and bars before heading for a trendy American-themed bar near the Millennium Bridge at Gateshead.

The fracas centred around the alleged taking of the photographer's camera outside Buffalo Joe's nightclub.

A group of players were later arrested by police outside the plush Sea nightclub, a favourite haunt of footballers and celebrities.

A total of seven were interviewed and three – Belgian defender Joos Valgaeren, 26, Swedish midfielder Johan Mjallby, 31, and 28-year-old Dutchman Petta – were held overnight.

Detective Chief Inspector Jim Napier said: "We carried out a full and thorough investigation into what was a serious allegation and submitted a file of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service.

"We have now been advised that no further action should be taken as there is insufficient evidence to support a prosecution.

"The management and players of Celtic FC have fully co-operated with our inquiries throughout."

Valgaeren, Mjallby, and Peta were all due to answer bail at Gateshead police station next week, but this has now been cancelled.