LEEDS United star Jody Morris was named yesterday as the footballer being questioned by detectives investigating an alleged serious sexual assault on a 20-year-old woman.

The 24-year-old former Chelsea player was arrested on Tuesday by West Yorkshire Police, it was reported. He was released last night on police bail pending further inquiries.

Morris was detained at Leeds United's training ground at Thorp Arch, near Wetherby, West Yorkshire, and held overnight at Chapeltown police station in Leeds. A second man, not thought to be a footballer, was also questioned and was released on bail last night.

The woman claims she was assaulted in the Leeds area on Monday night.

A second footballer from the Premiership club is believed to have talked to police at Wetherby police station in connection with the matter but was not arrested.

West Yorkshire Police have refused to confirm any connection with their investigation into the allegations of sexual assault and Leeds United.

However, the football club has issued a statement pledging full support to the investigation.

"Leeds United Football Club has been advised by West Yorkshire Police of an ongoing investigation and, in line with club policy, full co-operation has been extended to the police," it said.

Detectives were granted permission yesterday to hold one of the men - thought to be Morris - for a further 12 hours.

* In a separate incident, a party organiser has been arrested and released on bail pending further inquiries over accusations by a 17-year-old girl that she was gang-raped by a group of Premiership footballers at a London hotel.

Nicholas Meikle, 29, went voluntarily to a police station where he was questioned last night by detectives.

The girl, a sixth-former at a Catholic school, has told police she agreed to have sex with one man and was then attacked by up to seven others, some of whom were allegedly Premiership footballers.

She claims the attack happened in room 316 at the Grosvenor House Hotel, in Park Lane, early on September 27.

Mr Meikle, from Catford, south London, who works for a public relations company, says the girl agreed to have sex with him.

He claims she then consented to sex with one of his friends and two Premiership footballers from two different clubs, and that at no stage was she raped.

The investigation into the claims is being carried out by Scotland Yard's Operation Sapphire team, which handles sex crimes.

Rumours about the identities of the players allegedly involved have flooded the Internet and circulated among fans, but the media has so far not published their names.

Public relations consultant Max Clifford, who is advising the girl and her family, said they welcomed the first arrest in the case but feared the investigation was taking too long and evidence might be lost.