Pro soccer player gets subbed from game so goes to pub

[dave nz]

The idea that Burnley resembled a bunch of pub players in their 6-1 home defeat by Manchester City last Saturday may not be too far from the truth.

Kevin McDonald, the midfield player, was substituted at half time with the team 5-0 down and immediately left Turf Moor and headed to a local hostelry with his family to watch the second half on television.

The 21-year-old Scot had, by all accounts, a dreadful 45 minutes, but his decision to leave the stadium during the game and his choice of venue is a further embarrassment for the club, who have fined him for leaving the ground without permission, "a breach of club discipline".

McDonald issued a statement: “I now realise it was naïve, disrespectful and totally wrong of me to leave the ground at half time on Saturday. It was a gross misjudgement and instead I should have remained at Turf Moor to support my club and team mates," he said.

“I acknowledge that I also showed a serious lack of respect to all the fans who were at the ground and who pay good money to watch their team play.I would like to apologise to the players, management and supporters and I have accepted my punishment In closing, I would like to reassure all supporters that I am fully committed to helping the team as we fight to stay in the Premier League.”

It is another headache for Brian Laws, the beleaguered manager. Burnley have lost 12 of his 14 games in charge and there are rumours that he is in danger of the sack despite only succeeding Owen Coyle in January. The team are second-bottom in the Barclays Premier League, four points from safety.

McDonald has made fifteen starts and ten substitute appearances in the league for Burnley this season.