Payne fined for drunken joy-ride

Wellington Phoenix defender Tim Payne has been fined A$700 after pleading guilty to a drink-driving offence in Australia.

The New Zealand international football player was sentenced at Manly Local Court yesterday, after he was stopped by police while joy-riding on a golf cart on a public road in the early hours of March 24 when he was supposed to be in Covid19 quarantine.

According to NSW Police, Payne underwent a roadside breath test and was then taken to Mona Vale Police Station where he allegedly returned a 0.100 breath-alcohol reading.

He pleaded guilty to a mid-range drink-driving charge on June 10. Yesterday, Payne was ordered by the court to pay a A$700 (NZ$747) fine.

Earlier this month, Payne was slapped with a four-game suspension from the FFA for breaching the National Code of Conduct, as was back-up Phoenix goalkeeper Oliver Sail, who was in the passenger seat of the golf cart at the time. Sail was not charged by the police.

The Wellington Phoenix have since returned to Australia, where they are currently in the midst of another 14-day stint in quarantine as they prepare for the resumption of the A-League season in mid-July.

The team’s next match is against leaders Sydney FC on July 17. Their remaining six regular season games will be played in Australia.

Although they will be without Payne for their next four rounds, the 26-yearold’s loss has been offset by the return of first-choice right-back Louis Fenton from a long-term shoulder injury.

❏ Robbie Fowler’s time as Brisbane Roar coach is over, with the Liverpool legend and the A-League club severing ties.

Fowler’s future has been in doubt since he returned home to England after the competition was halted in March due to the Covid-19 crisis.

When the Roar returned to training last week, Fowler and assistant Tony Grant were still in England with no plans on when they were to return to Australia.