Gibson and Sunderland part by mutual consent

DARRON GIBSON has left Sunderland by mutual consent after his suspension by the club following a second drinkdriving charge concluded yesterday.

The Republic of Ireland international was arrested by police on St Patrick’s Day after he was involved in an accident in the vicinity of the club’s training ground.

Gibson (right) was subsequently charged with driving with excess alcohol in his system.

It is his second such charge in three years having been found guilty of drink driving in 2015 and banned from the roads for 20 months. ‘Following the conclusion of his recent suspension, Darron Gibson will leave Sunderland AFC by mutual consent,’ a statement on the club’s website read.

The 30-year-old had not featured for the Black Cats since January after he suffered a groin injury, and his career at The Stadium of Light was on rocky ground before this season even began. A video emerged of Gibson criticising his Sunderland teammates to supporters while drinking in a hotel after a pre-season defeat to Celtic. He recovered, making 30 appearances for the club during the course of this campaign, but this latest indiscretion has proved a step too far.

When the former Manchester United and Everton midfielder’s suspension was announced earlier this month, Sunderland chief executive Martin Bain said: ‘We expect the highest standard of behaviour from our players and should any individual fall short of those standards, then robust action must be taken.’