Carolina cheerleaders arrested after fight, bathroom sex in Tampa bar

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- Two Carolina Panthers cheerleaders were arrested in Tampa, Florida, early today after a bar dispute.

A police arrest report says the dispute broke out after bar patrons complained the women were having sex in a bathroom stall and taking too long in the bathroom.

Police say the cheerleaders left the stall. One began arguing with a bar patron , eventually hitting the patron in the face with a closed fist.

The Tampa Tribune reports that local officials are checking into whether one of the women arrested gave a false identification.

One woman was charged with battery, and the other with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.

They were released on bond.

The incident happened 11 hours before the kickoff of the Panthers' NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The cheerleaders traveled to Tampa on their own because members
of the team's Top Cats squad are on the sidelines only at home games.

Panthers officials say they're aware of the reported incident, but declined comment.

(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)