Former Republic of Ireland U21 midfielder Samir Carruthers has apologised for his behaviour at the Cheltenham Festival but has still been fined two weeks' wages and suspended by his club MK Dons from Saturday's match against Brighton.
Cheltenham had earlier cancelled Wednesday's booking by a group of footballers after pictures, which appeared to show one of the players urinating into a beer glass on the first day of the festival, were published.
MK Dons man Carruthers, 22, was photographed relieving himself on a balcony while surrounded by racegoers.
Cheltenham moved to block the party from attending day two of the Festival, with the track tweeting: "In regards to images of inappropriate behaviour from yesterday, we have cancelled their booking for today."
MK Dons launched an investigation into the pictures and said that while Carruthers was involved, neither he nor any other MK Dons player threw it over the balcony.
MK Dons said in a statement: "The club is aware of pictures circulating in the national media of one of its players at the Cheltenham Festival. The club has commenced an internal investigation into the matter."
Following an investigation by Shrewsbury Town, striker James Collins has been fined the maximum allowable two weeks wages and warned of his future conduct.
“I cannot apologise enough for my actions and the pictures from my visit to Cheltenham Races yesterday,” he said.” I have completely let myself, my family, the fans, and the two clubs that I represent down and I am sorry to everyone involved.
“My actions are not excusable and whilst the pictures are rather misleading in that there were not people below this balcony and it was only a grassed area there is still no defence to what happened.
“As a footballer I understand and appreciate that we are role models and this has only emphasised the negative stereotype of the modern footballer and for that I am truly sorry and disappointed in myself. It is now something that I will work hard to change.
“I do feel this is totally out of character and something that has embarrassed me and my family and I fully accept the clubs punishment. I will now focus on what I know I am extremely lucky to do for a career and that is to play football.
