REPUBLIC of Ireland midfielder Darron Gibson has been charged in relation to an alleged hit-and-run incident near the footballer’s home in Atrincham, Greater Manchester.
Reports say the driver of a black Nissan Skyline GT-R Nismo collided with a cyclist and drove off, before pulling into a nearby Shell petrol station and hitting a pump.
The police were called and Gibson was detained at the scene, while the cyclist was uninjured.
Greater Manchester Police have said the 27-year-old Everton player was charged with driving without due care and attention, driving with excess alcohol and failing to stop after a road traffic collision.
“This is in relation to an incident on Sunday, August 16 where police were called to reports that a car had collided with a cyclist on Park Road, Trafford, and failed to stop before pulling into a petrol station on nearby Dunham Road and colliding with a pump,” a spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said.
Gibson has been bailed to appear at Trafford Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, September 1.
The former Manchester United player, who is currently recovering from a groin injury, was not named in Martin O’Neill’s Ireland squad yesterday for the forthcoming Euro 2016 qualifiers with Gibraltar and Georgia.
The Derry-born midfielder turned out for Northern Ireland at Under-16 level before opting to represent the Republic, going on to win 25 caps.
His last appearance for Ireland was in the 1-0 loss to Scotland last November, while injury has restricted him to just 10 league appearances over the past two seasons for Everton.