Former England captain Wayne Rooney has appeared in court and admitted drink-driving. He was arrested when police stopped a car in Wilmslow, Cheshire, in the early hours on 1 September.
The 31-year-old was banned from driving for two years and ordered to perform 100 hours of unpaid work as part of a 12-month community order.
Rooney was also ordered to pay £170 when he appeared at Stockport Magistrates’ Court.
The court heard Rooney was almost three times the legal limit.
A breathalyser test showed his alcohol level was 104 microgrammes in 100 millilitres of breath.
The drink-drive limit in England and Wales is 35 microgrammes per 100 millilitres of breath.
In a statement issued after the hearing, the Everton footballer said: “I want publicly to apologise for my unforgivable lack of judgment in driving while over the legal limit. It was completely wrong.
“I have already said sorry to my family, my manager and chairman and everyone at Everton FC. Now I want to apologise to all the fans and everyone else who has followed and supported me throughout my career.
“Of course I accept the sentence of the court and hope that I can make some amends through my community service.”
Wearing a blue suit with his hands in his pockets, Rooney walked into the court building accompanied by a small entourage.
Rooney’s legal team had asked District Judge John Temperley to consider not imposing a community order because of his ongoing charitable work.
However the judge said he was “not convinced” that imposing a large fine “would have the same effect”.
Rooney was also told to pay £85 prosecution costs and a victim surcharge for the same amount.
