Derby County captain Richard Keogh was ruled out until the close of the season after sustaining a serious knee injury”as a result of an alcohol-related incident”, the team has confirmed.
The incident happened on Tuesday night, on which Derby explained in a declaration as a”scheduled team-building supper with employees”.
The club has promised to maintain a”rigorous internal investigation” to the actions of some of the players, while also assuring to”encourage them using their rehabilitation back in the squad and team”.
“As a team, we can’t, and do not, condone the activities of a small group of players on Tuesday day,” read the official announcement.
“The players were outside within a scheduled team-building supper together with team and as the vast majority of them acted sensibly and abandoned around 8pm and weren’t involved, a small group, for example, club captain Richard Keogh, lasted drinking at evening.
“They ought to have known when to cease and also ignored the chance to be driven home using automobiles placed by the bar, and opted to stay out.
“As a result of an alcohol-related episode, Richard Keogh has sustained a severe knee injury that can stop him from playing until the end of the season.
“The players involved with the episode on Tuesday evening is subject to a strict internal investigation under the club’s code of conduct and disciplinary processes, but over and over any punishment that they receive we will be expecting them to become involved using the outstanding job the Community Trust does serving the communities we serve.
“We have been very clear about our attitude towards alcohol and the players understand that at certain and specific instances of the season they are allowed a drink together as a set in a controlled atmosphere.
“Individuals engaged in Tuesday’s incident know they’ll pay a hefty price for their activities, but that we will encourage them with their rehabilitation back into the team and squad.
“We fully support the work of our mates at Drinkaware along with the unsanctioned actions of this small group of gamers is totally at odds the posture both Drinkaware and Derby County Football Club take regards smoking.
“We will use this scenario to redouble our efforts in highlighting the risks posed by smoking.
“We would also want to thank the emergency services for their swift help.”
Read more here: http://socceradvantage.com/?p=25848