Everton midfielder Steven Pienaar gets drink-drive ban

Premier League footballer Steven Pienaar has been banned from driving for 12 months after pleading guilty to drinking and driving.

The Everton midfielder was pulled over by Merseyside Police in the early hours of 21 February - the day after the club's 3-1 win over Manchester United.

The South Africa player was found to be nearly twice the legal limit when breath-tested by officers in Liverpool.

Pienaar, 27, was fined £1,000 by Liverpool magistrates.

He was also ordered to pay a further £100 fine for failing to comply with a traffic signal.

The case was originally listed to appear at Liverpool Magistrates' Court on Tuesday.

Driving course

But Pienaar's decision to plead guilty meant he was dealt with on Monday, a court official said.

The South Africa international was pulled over hours after Everton's Premier League victory at Goodison Park.

Merseyside Police found he had 61 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35 micrograms.

His year-long driving disqualification could be reduced by three months if he completes a course before 7 October.

Pienaar was also ordered to pay £100 in costs.

He was brought to Goodison Park on loan in the summer of 2007 and signed for £2.05m when he permanently left his former club, Borussia Dortmund in April 2008.

Everton FC declined to comment.