DUBAI // The former Australian World Cup football captain Craig Moore was jailed after a drunken brawl with a taxi driver and the police, a senior officer said yesterday. Mr Moore, 34, had argued with the taxi driver over a Dh50 fare, Major Gen Khamis al Mazeina, deputy head of Dubai Police, said. "He was drunk and got into a argument with the taxi driver. The argument got violent and police were called in. He then pushed one of the officers," Maj Gen al Mazeina said.
Mr Moore was arrested after the incident last Wednesday night, charged with alcohol consumption, brawling and resisting police, and referred to the public prosecution. He was released on bail on Friday, according to the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Public prosecutors could not confirm a date for a court appearance. Mr Moore's wife, Heather, has flown from the couple's home in Brisbane to be with her husband.
The footballer owns a residential property in Dubai and was in the country on business, his wife told The Australian newspaper. Mr Moore declined to comment when contacted by The National yesterday. Officials from the Australian Embassy in Abu Dhabi are providing Mr Moore and his family with consular assistance, and are in contact with his lawyer. Mr Moore, a central defender, spent most of his 16-year club career with the Scottish club Rangers, apart from two seasons in England with Newcastle United of the Premier League.
He also played 52 times for the Australian national side, known as the Socceroos, before retiring after the 2010 Fifa World Cup in South Africa. wissa@thenational.ae
