Premiership footballer 'found in drunken sleep on motorway fast lane' blames referee's decisions

A premiership footballer appeared in court today accused of sleeping off a drinking session in the middle of a motorway.

Derby County defender Bob Malcolm was found asleep at the wheel of his Range Rover after it was almost involved in a horrific smash on the M1.

Malcolm, 27, a Scottish international player, later apologised for the bizarre incident before apparently offering every player's favourite excuse - blaming the ref.

He told fans he was "very upset and frustrated" by official Steve Bratt's handling of a match on Boxing Day, the day before Malcolm was arrested.

Malcolm appeared before magistrates in Chesterfield, Derbyshire charged with driving with excess alcohol.

It is alleged he gave a reading of 78mcg of alcohol per 100ml of breath - more than double the legal limit of 35mcg - when he was breathalysed.

The drama happened on the M1 northbound at Tibshelf, Derbyshire, at around 6.30am on December 27 last year.

A shocked motorist told police he nearly smashed into Malcolm's car, which was straddling the middle and fast lanes of the motorway.

The other driver pulled over, woke up Malcolm, persuaded him to move to the hard shoulder, and then phoned 999.

Malcolm, who joined Derby from Glasgow Rangers in September 2006, failed a breath test when officers arrived.

Magistrates adjourned the hearing after his solicitor, Glyn Lewis, said he had received details of the prosecution case only hours earlier.

Deputy District Judge Nicholas Hayles granted unconditional bail to Malcolm, who will next appear before the same court on January 29.

Malcolm was on loan to Championship side Queens Park Rangers at the time of the incident but is now back at Derby, who have suspended him.

Writing on QPR's website the day after his arrest, he confessed: "I want to apologise to all the supporters and in particular the young fans.

"I recognise that footballers are role models and that, as such, they should set a positive example. On this occasion, I have failed to do that.

"But I must say that I was very upset and frustrated with the poor performance of the referee in our match at Plymouth the evening before."

QPR had lost 2-1 to Plymouth during the Boxing Day game as a result of a goal scored in the fourth minute of the injury time allowed by referee Mr Bratt.

Malcolm, who has played three times for Scotland, added: "I would also like to stress that at the time of the incident, I was not driving my car.

"I had pulled over to the side of the road and was sleeping. Once again, I apologise for what has been a major error of judgment."

A spokesman for Derby confirmed Malcolm remained suspended pending the outcome of the case and an internal club investigation into the incident.

England star Barton bailed until March

England soccer star Joey Barton was bailed by magistrates after appearing in court today over allegations of attacking two 17-year-olds in the street with his brother and girlfriend.

Barton, 25, of Widnes, Cheshire, who plays for Premiership club Newcastle United, was arrested after a Boxing Day night out.

He has yet to enter a plea to charges of affray and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

His brother, Andrew Barton, 19, also of Widnes, has also been charged with actual bodily harm.

Joey Barton's girlfriend Nadine Wilson, 27, of Huyton, Merseyside, is charged with common assault and affray.

All three have been bailed to reappear before Liverpool magistrates again in March.