Reports are circulating this evening that Richard Keogh has been sacked by Derby County, following the drink-driving incident that left him with an injured knee.
The Guardian report that Keogh has rejected an ultimatum by the club to either accept a massive pay cut to his £24,000-a-week.
As a result, the Republic of Ireland defender has now left the club. Keogh sustained knee ligament damage that had already ruled him out of contention until 2020 at the earliest.
Derby County explained their reasoning for the sacking:
"Derby County Football Club has completed the disciplinary hearing regarding Richard Keogh in respect of his involvement in the events of Tuesday, September 24th.
"As a result of that process, Mr Keogh has had his contract terminated with immediate effect for gross misconduct. He has the right of appeal within 14 days.
"As we have said from the outset, the Club will not tolerate any of its players or staff behaving in a manner which puts themselves, their colleagues, and members of the general public at risk of injury or worse, or which brings the club into disrepute.
"The club will be making no further comment at this time regards this matter, until the conclusion of any potential appeal."
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