It's celebrity streetfighting

On a soccer pitch, it would be called violent conduct - and they'd definitely be sent off.

Outside a nightclub at 3am, it was simply a shameful catfight - and there was no referee to show the red card.

In a shocking scene that could have come straight from Footballers' Wives, a group of young women beguiled by the shallow world of soccer celebrity clashed in the street amid scratching, swearing and flailing fists. And the reason, apparently, was a player - the 6ft 7in Southampton star Peter

Crouch. Trouble flared early yesterday as revellers spilled on to the pavement outside the Funky Buddha club in Mayfair.

On one side were Page 3 girl Lauren Pope - who once turned her attentions on Prince Harry - and her friend Penny. On the other, two wannabes from the celebrity circuit.

Crouch had joined other soccer stars for a night on the town. Past and present Chelsea players Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Celestine Babayaro and Didier Drogba were also earning the attentions of the female clientele.

Then 21-year- old Miss Pope, a former amour of Chelsea's John Terry, left with orange- clad Penny at the same time as Crouch and Babayaro.

Miss Pope, in faded denims and a low-cut top, was suddenly confronted by the two wannabes - one in white, one wearing pink.

'They came up screaming their heads off,' said an onlooker. 'One said something like, "I was talking to him, you f...... bitch. You think you are so pretty, you f...... celebrity."

Miss Pope was knocked off her stilettoes and ended up flat on her back, then Penny was bustled to the ground after trying to help her. One of the attackers was even heard to shout gleefully: 'I hit a celebrity - that'll teach her.'

Crouch and Co had vanished when the mele started. Eventually, the opponents retreated to their cars - only to leap out and start fighting again. Finally, they were separated by some male onlookers.

The wry observation of one witness summed up the tawdry encounter of the female brawlers: 'There were hair extensions all over the road.'