Ireland escapes punishment

No charge as FA simply remind Ireland of his responsibilities to the game

Last updated: 6th November 2007   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Ireland escapes punishment

Ireland: Escaped punishment

Related links

Teams

Players

Also see

Manchester City's Stephen Ireland has escaped punishment after dropping his pants in front of a live TV audience in a bizarre goal celebration on Monday night.

The midfielder scored the winning goal in City's Premier League victory over Sunderland and celebrated by pulling down his shorts to reveal a pair of skimpy briefs, sporting a Superman logo.

It was thought the Football Association may take action against the 21-year-old, but it has simply reminded Ireland of his responsibilities to the game

This gentle course of action has pleased PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor, who told BBC Radio Five Live: "I think it is fair enough just to give him a warning."

Controversy

This is the latest controversy involving Ireland, who pulled out of playing for the Republic in September, citing the death of a grandparent, when in fact his partner had suffered a miscarriage.

He then made some ill-advised comments about how much he hated football on a website and last month put his entire international career on hold amid reports, subsequently denied, he had been attacked by some Ireland team-mates over his 'new' hairstyle.

"The lad has had serious personal problems," added Taylor.

"I am sure the whole football world will take an understanding attitude to this.

"Football is about joy and celebrating goals, as long as you don't go over the top."

Surgery

Meanwhile, City midfielder Michael Johnson will undergo abdominal surgery within the next 24 hours.

The 19-year-old was substituted at half-time during the Sunderland game after being troubled by an injury that has hampered him for most of the season so far.

City boss Sven Goran Eriksson told the club's official website: "He cannot go on like this because he plays but then cannot train for a few days.

"We all know what a talent he is, he should be getting better, but he is in pain one day and not on the next, so he's not taking that step forward. He would do if he was fit."