Oasis cancel German tour but not UK dates

Oasis abandoned their tour of Germany yesterday as Liam Gallagher flew back to Britain for surgery to replace two teeth knocked out in a nightclub brawl.

Management postponed concerts in Bremen today and tomorrow's gig in Düsseldorf when they realised the rock group would not be fit to perform after a fight with five Italians in a hotel nightclub in Munich early on Sunday. Concerts in Munich and Hamburg had already been postponed after three members of the band were arrested and spent 12 hours in police cells.

Gallagher requires further orthodontic surgery in England after emergency dental work on Monday. The band's drummer, Alan White, is recovering from a head wound after being released from a specialist clinic.

A spokeswoman for the band said Oasis expected to play at Cardiff International Arena on Sunday night at the start of their eight-date British tour. Commercial pressures may force the band to improvise if their charismatic lead singer fails to recover from dental work and other facial injuries.

A statement on behalf of the band said: "Following the events of last weekend Oasis have reluctantly taken the decision to postpone the remaining dates on their German tour." A spokeswoman for Oasis said: "The band are coming home and Liam will be off to see the dentist. We are hopeful that the UK dates will go ahead as planned. The damage to Liam's teeth is worse than it first appeared and he will have to return to the UK for surgery before he will be able to perform again."

The postponement of the German leg of the tour is the latest setback for the band on the road and follows several incidents that have caused shows to be cancelled, including a fight between Gallagher and his brother, Noel, the band's guitarist, in 2000.

Liam Gallagher, who is 30, faces a maximum two-year prison term in Germany if he is found guilty of assaulting a police officer. Management have paid €250,000 (£160,000) bail to release the band members and two security guards.