The father of Liverpool footballer Yossi Benayoun has been charged with assaulting his wife during a row on Saturday night.

Yehuda Benayoun, 57, was arrested on Sunday morning after allegedly slapping Zeri Benayoun in the face and hitting her on the shoulder. She had complained to police in the Negev town of Dimona.

Mr Benayoun claims he pushed her in retaliation and his solicitor Natalie Fourian said: "My client has done nothing wrong and is confident that the truth will come to light in court."

Mrs Benayoun is said to have told police: "He gets angry with me every time I leave the house. He sometimes follows me to check where I'm going. I did not want to break up the family, so I've not complained previously."

Mr Benayoun was released on remand under house arrest for five days to his daughter's home on Kibbutz Beeri in the Negev, while further questioning continues.

He was charged with aggravated assault and threatening behaviour. The charge sheet said Mr Benayoun twice slapped his wife in the face, hit her on the shoulder and threatened to murder her.

Yossi Benayoun was reportedly told about the incident before Liverpool's game at Burnley.

Mr Benayoun, a former employee of the Dimona Municipality, received a six month suspended prison sentence in 2002 after being found guilty of assaulting a Maccabi Haifa fan.

The fan was verbally abusing his son who was then playing for Maccabi Haifa.