Blackburn Rovers manager banned for 18 months after drunk-driving

Knutsford - Blackburn Rovers manager Steve Kean has been charged £1,800 and banned from driving for 18 months, after being convicted of drinking and driving.

Following Blackburn's 1-1 draw with Manchester United back in May, Kean was pulled over by police near Knutsford, Cheshire, having sped past a marked patrol car at 90mph. While the legal drink-driving limit is 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath, Kean's breath test recorded 65 micrograms. The 43-year-old previously claimed his drink had been spiked, although he failed to provide sufficient evidence to the judge at Macclesfield Magistrates' Court. United's draw with Blackburn was enough for them to clinch their 12th Premier League title, hence Kean invited Sir Alex Ferguson to a reception at his office for a 'few' drinks. Kean told the court: "When I first went in I poured Sir Alex a glass of red wine and I poured one for myself. "I wished them all the best and congratulated them on winning the title. "I was well aware that I was driving so I had two-and-a-half glasses over the course of an hour." Following the celebration, Kean met a group of friends at a nearby pub, consuming a bottle of Budweiser. He added: "Football is an emotional game and your adrenaline is rushing but I felt fine. I was happy but not intoxicated, not at all" "I have done that journey lots of times and wouldn't attempt to do it (drunk)."