26 Oct 2016

All White arrested for drink driving

10:57 am on 26 October 2016

All Whites goalkeeper Jake Gleeson has been charged with for drink driving after crashing his car in Oregon.

Gleeson plays for American Major League Soccer team the Portland Timbers.

All Whites goal keeper Jake Gleeson.

All Whites goal keeper Jake Gleeson. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Police said Gleeson called Timbers captain Liam Ridgewell for help after crashing his vehicle and both men now face charges of driving under the influence.

Ridgewell and Gleeson were each booked into the Clackamas County jail, according to the Sheriff's Office website.

They both posted bond and were released.

A Lake Oswego police spokesperson, Sergeant Tom Hamann, said police responded at about 10.30 pm (local time) to Pilkington Road and Willow Lane and found a two-car crash.

"It was a BMW emergency services that reported the crash to us," Mr Hamann said, referring to an in-car emergency alert system.

"Officers responded and found Gleeson's BMW sustained front-end damage with its airbag deployed after what appeared to be a crash into the rear of another car," he said.

"He had also apparently called a friend to come pick him up, and that was Ridgewell," Mr Hamann said.

After field sobriety tests were finished, officers determined both athletes were impaired, he said.

Gleeson, 26, faces charges of drink driving, reckless driving and reckless endangerment.

Ridgewell faces a drink driving charge.

Portland Timbers captain Liam Ridgewell in action

Portland Timbers captain Liam Ridgewell in action for the MLS team Photo: AFP

Their cases will go to a Lake Oswego municipal court for hearing, scheduled for 16 November.

Both men refused to take a breath test and they were cited for that too, Mr Hamann said.

Through the field sobriety tests, officers found enough evidence for the arrests and did not perform blood tests, Mr Hamann said.

New Zealand Football chief executive Andy Martin said they're disappointed by the news.

"We expect high standards of professionalism from our players both on and off the pitch so we are naturally disappointed to read this news but we need to know more before making any further comment," Martin said.

Martin said All Whites coach Anthony Hudson was in the process of gathering more information on the matter.

The Timbers issued the following statement following the players' arrests:

"The team is aware of the events that occurred last evening involving players Jake Gleeson and Liam Ridgewell and is in the process of gathering information on the matter.

"The team has been in close contact with the players, local law enforcement and the league office.

"The club will not have further comment until more information is available."

Gleeson joined the Timbers U-23 team in 2010 and signed a contract with the first team ahead of the club's inaugural MLS season in 2011.

He took over the starting goalkeeping role this year after an injury to Adam Kwarasey.

Gleeson missed the All Whites recent two-game trip to the United States due to injury.

He has made eight international appearances for New Zealand.

- RNZ

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