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BSP-06
FBL-AUS-NZL-HEALTH-VIRUS
A-League footballer breaks quarantine in golf buggy joyride
WELLINGTON, March 26, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Wellington Phoenix midfielder Tim
Payne tearfully apologised Thursday for breaking COVID-19 quarantine in
Australia when he drunkenly drove a golf buggy along a Sydney street.
Payne and his passenger in the buggy, teammate Oliver Sail, face the
prospect of a heavy fine or suspension over the escapade in the early hours
of Tuesday morning.
“I’m incredibly sorry and incredibly embarrassed,” Payne told New Zealand’s
Radio Sport.
“I take full responsiblity for my actions and what unfolded on that
night… I 100-percent fully expect there to be repercussions.”
The New Zealand-based Phoenix were in isolation in Sydney in the hope that
they could play in the A-League if the Australian competition continued
behind closed doors.
But the plan proved fruitless when the season was cancelled and the team
returned home on Tuesday.
New Zealand international Payne, 26, said his teammates were drinking at
their remote accommodation in northern Sydney on Monday night when he and
Sail decided to take a golf buggy for a ride.
He said the pair were stopped by police, although he denied reports they
were arrested and members of the public intervened to stop them.
The reports said the buggy was stopped about five kilometres (3.1 miles)
from the players’ accommodation and Payne blew positive on a roadside breath
test.
“Definitely a mistake on my behalf, it’s just one of those things you wish
you could take back,” he said.
Football Federation Australia said it was investigating and taking the
matter very seriously.
“If any misconduct is found to have occurred, FFA will be swift in taking
action under the FFA national code of conduct,” it said.
Wellington Phoenix confirmed an incident involving Payne and Sail had taken
place, saying it too was investigating.
BSS/AFP/GMR/1003 hrs