Ireland international Richard Keogh has been sacked by Derby County, reportedly after refusing to take a pay cut.
The 33-year-old was last month involved in a car crash which resulted in a knee injury which could keep him out of action until December of next year.
Following a team bonding session - an afternoon of bowling - Keogh, Tom Lawrence and Mason Bennett stayed out drinking. Keogh was a backseat passenger in Lawrence's car when it crashed into a lamppost later that evening.
The Guardian's Dave Hytner reports that Derby told Keogh that he could remain at the club if he agreed to a substantial reduction to his £24,000-a-week wages.
That was an offer which Keogh is said to have refused and the club have since told him he is no longer employed by them. Keogh subsequently referred the matter to his legal representatives.
The player's contract with Derby was due to expire at the end of next season. Prior to the incident, Keogh had been Derby team captain.
In a statement released on Wednesday evening, the club said:
Derby County Football Club has completed the disciplinary hearing regarding Richard Keogh in respect of his involvement in the events of Tuesday, September 24.
As a result of that process, Mr Keogh has had his contract terminated with immediate effect for gross misconduct. He has the right of appeal within 14 days.
As we have said from the outset, the club will not tolerate any of its players or staff behaving in a manner which puts themselves, their colleagues, and members of the general public at risk of injury or worse, or which brings the club into disrepute.
Bennett and Lawrence were both banned from driving for two years and ordered to carry out 180 hours of community service. However, both have since made appearances for the club.
Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
