World Cup winner spent seven hours in custody at Charing Cross police station following night out with Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny and Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud before he was released on bail ahead of a court hearing next month
WORLD Cup winner Hugo Lloris has apologised after being charged with drink driving today after being pulled over by police at 2.20am.
The France and Spurs captain and goalkeeper was arrested after failing a roadside breathalyser test.
Lloris, 31, was stopped by police in Gloucester Place, close to Baker Street, central London.
It followed an evening out with Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny and Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud.
He was taken to Charing Cross police station where his mug shot, fingerprints and a DNA swab were taken before he was banged up in a cell.
It is understood he spent around seven hours in custody before being charged and released on bail to appear at Westminster magistrates' court next month.
The Metropolitan Police said : “A man has been charged following a routine patrol stop in Gloucester Place, W1.
“Hugo Lloris, 31, of East Finchley, was charged with drink driving on Friday, 24 August.
“He has been bailed to return to Westminster magistrates’ court on Tuesday, 11 September.”
Lloris was pictured with his French international team-mates Koscielny and Giroud earlier in the evening.
The trio, who were joined by other friends, had been dining at Bagatelle, an exclusive French and Mediterranean restaurant in Mayfair where a pizza costs £34.
He has since apologised for his actions: “I wish to apologise wholeheartedly to my family, the Club, my teammates, the manager and all of the supporters. Drink driving is completely unacceptable, I take full responsibility for my actions and it is not the example I wish to set.”
News of his arrest will stun millions of football fans and comes after Lloris led France to victory at this summer’s World Cup in Russia.
He has a reputation for being quiet and dignified and is respected and idolised by young fans.
Father-of-two Lloris is married to his childhood sweetheart Marine and lives in a grand house close to North London’s exclusive Bishop’s Avenue with electric gates.
He refused to comment when he turned up at his home on foot just after 11am today dressed in a black shirt over a white T-shirt and ripped designer jeans.
A Spurs spokesman said: “The club takes matters such as this extremely seriously and it will be dealt with internally.”
The French star started his career with OGC Nice before he joined Ligue 1 giants Olympique Lyonnais in 2008.
After four successful years he moved to Tottenham and is now captain of Mauricio Pochettino's side.
He has made over 200 appearances for Spurs and over 100 for France.
