Burnley’s Dale Stephens has been hit with a 12-month driving ban and given a £3,000 fine for drink driving.
The 32-year-old was pulled over in Alderley Edge on 14 March while driving a Range Rover and was found to be over the legal alcohol limit.
The former Brighton man had 59mcg of alcohol in his breath, with the legal limit set at 35mcg.
A statement from Burnley read: ‘Burnley Club are aware of a police incident involving one of our players, Dale Stephens.
‘As a football club we uphold strong values and hold all our players and staff to the highest standards. As such, we are treating this incident with the utmost seriousness as legal proceedings are undertaken.
‘As a club, we strongly disapprove of the actions that resulted in such an incident and therefore disciplinary procedures will also be carried out internally.
‘Burnley Football Club make no further comment.’
Cheshire Police made their own statement, which read: ‘Cheshire Police said in a statement: “A man who was caught drink driving in Nether Alderley has been banned from driving for 12 months.
‘At around 11.55pm on Monday 14 March officers stopped a black Range Rover on the A34, Congleton Road.
‘The driver of the car was arrested at the scene after failing a roadside breath test.
‘Dale Stephens, of Bollington Lane, Nether Alderley, was subsequently charged with drink driving.
‘The 32-year-old appeared at Stockport Magistrates’ on Monday 4 April where he pleaded guilty to the change.
‘The judge handed Stephens a 12-month driving ban and ordered to pay a £3,334 fine, £85 costs and £190 victim’s surcharge.’
Stephens has made just two Premier League appearances for Burnley this season and none since December. He was on the bench in the 2-0 loss to Manchester City at the weekend, but didn’t get on.
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