Pienaar pleads guilty to drink-driving

Everton midfielder Steven Pienaar was banned from driving for 12 months after pleading guilty to drink-driving, a court official confirmed today.

The South Africa international was also fined £1,000 (€1,100) for the offence and ordered to pay a further £100 (€110) fine for failing to comply with a traffic signal.

Pienaar 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 today, but his decision to plead meant he was dealt with yesterday.

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 (€110) 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 £2m (€2.2m) for him.

Everton Football Club declined to comment.