Former Republic of Ireland midfielder Darron Gibson has been handed a two-year community order and banned from driving for 40 months after he admitted drink driving.
District Judge Roger Elsey did not jail him after hearing at South Tyneside Magistrates' Court that the former Sunderland player was going through a number of psychological issues at the time, for which he is now receiving treatment.
Sunderland suspended Gibson with immediate effect after he was charged with drink driving back in March.
A club statement at the time said: "Sunderland AFC has suspended Darron Gibson with immediate effect after the player was charged with driving with excess alcohol on Saturday 17 March. The football club has commenced a full investigation into the matter."
Chief executive Martin Bain added: "We expect the highest standard of behaviour from our players and should any individual fall short of those standards, then robust action must be taken."
In 2015, Gibson - then with Everton - pleaded guilty to hitting a cyclist while drink-driving in Cheshire and then fleeing the scene.
He was banned from driving for 20 months and given a 12-month community order.
