World Cup footballer faces illegal drinking charge only

Three of the four charges brought against Craig Moore, former captain of the Australian national football team, have been dropped.

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DUBAI // Three of the four charges brought against Craig Moore, former captain of the Australian national football team, have been dropped. Moore was arrested last Wednesday after an argument with a taxi driver over a Dh50 fare. "He was drunk and got into an argument with the taxi driver. The argument got violent and police were called in. He then pushed one of the officers," said Major Gen Khamis al Mazeina, the deputy head of Dubai Police. Moore was charged with non-payment of a taxi fare, insulting a public official, assaulting a public official, and illegal consumption of alcohol.

He was released on bail on Friday, according to the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Moore's case was reviewed on Monday, the Dubai Public Prosecutor said yesterday. The footballer reached a settlement with the taxi driver and the non-payment charge was dropped. The police officer involved also withdrew the complaints of insulting and assaulting a public official. "The victims expressed their wish to withdraw their complaints, so we dropped the charges against him as per the legal procedures law," said Sami al Shamsi, the Bur Dubai chief prosecutor.

Moore has been referred to the Dubai Court of Misdemeanours to face a charge of illegal consumption of alcohol. If convicted, he faces a maximum jail term of three months, a fine of up to Dh5,000, or both. Public prosecutors could not confirm a date for a court appearance. Moore's wife, Heather, flew from the couple's home in Brisbane to be with her husband. The retired footballer, who owns a residential property in Dubai, is in the country on business.

Moore, a central defender, spent most of his 16-year club career with the Scottish club Rangers; he played for two seasons with Newcastle United. He was capped 52 times for the Australian national team, known as the Socceroos. @Email:amustafa@thenational.ae