Lloris issues apology after arrest for drink-driving
Hugo Lloris, the Tottenham captain, has “wholeheartedly” apologised after being arrested and charged with drink-driving.
The France goalkeeper, a World Cup winner just a month ago, spent Thursday night in a cell after failing a breath test during a routine stop in Marylebone after a night out with international team-mates Olivier Giroud and Laurent Koscielny.
Lloris now faces a hefty club fine and could also be stripped of the captaincy by manager Mauricio Pochettino. The 31-year-old was forced to miss training while he was charged on Friday morning following seven hours in custody and he later issued a public apology for his actions.
“I wish to apologise wholeheartedly to my family, the club, my team-mates, the manager and all of the supporters,” said Lloris, who is still expected to start against Manchester United on Monday. “Drinkdriving is completely unacceptable. I take full responsibility for my actions and it is not the example I wish to set.”
Scotland Yard confirmed he will appear in court next month, two days after he returns from international duty.
A Metropolitan Police statement said: “A man has been charged following a routine patrol stop in Gloucester Place, W1. Hugo Lloris, 31, of East Finchley, was charged with drink driving on Friday, 24 August. He has been bailed to return to Westminster magistrates’ court on Tuesday 11 September.”
Tottenham also confirmed they would take action. “The club takes matters such as this extremely seriously and it will be dealt with internally,” a spokesman said.
Lloris, who signed a new £150,000-per-week deal at Tottenham in 2016, was selected in Fifa’s team of the World Cup, despite gifting Croatia a goal before his side lifted the trophy.
Meanwhile, construction of Tottenham’s new stadium was hit by another blow yesterday when a video emerged of hundreds of gallons of water flooding across two floors after a mains pipe burst. The club have insisted the incident will not slow down building works.