Everton midfielder Steven Pienaar has been banned from driving for
12 months after pleading guilty to drink-driving, a court official
confirmed.
Pienaar was also fined £1,000 for the offence and
ordered to pay a further £100 fine for failing to comply with
a traffic signal.
The South Africa international was found to be nearly twice
the legal limit after he was breath-tested by police in Liverpool.
He was originally listed to appear at Liverpool Magistrates'
Court on Dale Street on Tuesday but his decision to plead meant he
was dealt with 24 hours earlier.
The 27-year-old was pulled over by police in the early hours
of Sunday, February 21, the day after Everton's 3-1 win over
Premier League champions Manchester United at Goodison Park.
Merseyside Police found the Toffees star had 61 micrograms of
alcohol per 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35 micrograms.
His year-long driving disqualification could be reduced by
three months if he completes a course before October 7.
A collection order for payment was made and Pienaar was
ordered to pay a total of £100 in costs to cover both the
charges brought against him, the court official said.
He arrived at the Merseyside club on loan in the summer of
2007, and his move from Borussia Dortmund was later made permanent
when Everton paid £2million for him.
Everton Football Club declined to comment.
