PREMIER LEAGUE

despite his conviction this week, and even though Lloris told Pochettino he would understand if it was taken from him. Keeper Lloris, 31, was twice over the legal limit when he was stopped for driving at 15mph in central London, in the early hours of August 24. Westminster magistrates heard on Wednesday his Porsche

Panamera “veered towards parked cards”, and Lloris was found surrounded by vomit. Pochettino said: “He already knew in the moment that it was a big mistake.

“Of course, anyone can make a mistake. He was lucky there was no consequence. That is important. And, of course, now it is a massive lesson for him – a life lesson. Because he is clever, he will learn and now he is going to move on.

“He pleaded guilty and that is it. As a man you need to recognise your mistake. But he has the capacity to move on and to learn, and be focused on playing football. I have no doubt about that.”

Lloris (above) was fined £300,000 by Spurs and will miss tomorrow’s visit of Liverpool with a thigh strain. And Pochettino added: “He apologised to everyone. The staff, the club, the fans, us, and said, ‘Any decision you take gaffer, or the club, I think is fair’. He made a mistake and he’s suffered the punishment that society demands. He has punished himself. “We are not God, we can’t judge people. He said, ‘Gaffer, it’s a massive lesson for me. I made a mistake and now I need to pay’. Like the man that he is, he is going to accept everything.

“Will he remain as captain? Of course.”