'Drunk' Billy Slater attacked at Manchester nightclub Billy Slater in action against Ireland in the World Cup. AUSTRALIAN rugby league star Billy Slater was detained in police custody on suspicion of affray after an early morning fight outside a Manchester nightclub. But the fullback was released without charge after police reviewed CCTV footage and determined a 40-year-old Manchester local was the instigator of the fight. However, head coach Tim Sheens won't be too impressed at the situation Slater found himself in while leaving a nightclub in one of Manchester's busiest thoroughfares, Bridge Street, at 2.44am local time. Slater was clearly intoxicated , so much so that sources told The Australian he would have to remain in the police cell for five hours "to sleep off the alcohol." But Australian rugby league management collected Slater as soon as he was cleared of any wrongdoing and took him back to the team hotel. Fresh after a 50-0 demolition of Ireland in Limerick, the Australian players were allowed some "down time" after returning to their Manchester base on a chartered airline flight. The drama started soon after 2.40am when Slater and other Kangaroos players left a nightclub. Slater had forgotten his jacket and went back inside the venue and was then attacked. Witnesses told the police the two men were fighting violently. Manchester police said in a statement: "One of the men threw a punch at the other, so the victim retaliated and punched him back in self defence." Police have asked for witnesses to the incident to come forward. The incident has cast a shadow over the Kangaroos' preparation for this weekend's quarter-final match in Wales against the US. It follows the first-night incident in Britain involving the Kangaroos when Josh Papalii was robbed, also in Manchester, after a late night out. In a statement released late last night, the Australian Rugby League confirmed Slater was detained by police and then released without charge. "After reviewing CCTV footage of a scuffle outside a Manchester nightclub, police have determined Slater was the victim who acted in self-defence and have informed him of his right to press charges," the statement said. Billy was returning to the venue to collect his jacket that he left behind when he was attacked. Both men were detained for several hours while police reviewed footage of the incident. The Australian team players were free of official duties after returning from Ireland. Sheens had not imposed any team curfews on the players, telling The Australian last month he was relying instead on their professionalism and dedication to bring home the World Cup. Slater has played 23 Tests and 22 games for Queensland, alongside his 241 NRL games for Melbourne Storm.