Newcastle United midfielder Joelinton has been charged with drink-driving and will appear in court later this month.
Northumbria Police confirmed the Brazilian was arrested in the early hours of Thursday morning before being charged with being over the limit.
“Shortly before 1.20am today [Thursday] officers pulled over a vehicle in the Ponteland Road area of Newcastle and arrested the occupant,” a police spokesperson said.
“Joelinton Casio, 26, of Ponteland, has since been charged whilst above the prescribed limit for alcohol. He is due to appear before magistrates in Newcastle on January 26.”
Joelinton’s arrest came barely 24 hours after he helped Newcastle reach their first domestic cup semi-final for 18 years, and their first League Cup semi-final since 1976.
He scored the second goal in their 2-0 win over Leicester City at St James’ Park to set up a two-legged showdown against Southampton for a place at Wembley.
Telegraph Sport has been told Joelinton informed the club of his arrest, admitting to having been found to have been marginally over the limit and apologising profusely.
After struggling to make an impact upon joining Newcastle from Hoffenheim for £40 million in 2019, Joelinton has been a revelation since Eddie Howe was appointed head coach in November 2021.
Originally fielded as a forward, his move to midfield has seen him flourish.
He is also expecting his third child with girlfriend Thays Gondim and celebrated scoring in Newcastle’s 3-0 Premier League victory away to Leicester on Boxing Day by putting the ball under his strip.