Carew fined for lapdancing fiasco

Aston Villa striker John Carew has earned himself a stiff fine from his club after being caught cavorting with a lap-dancer prior to a crucial UEFA Europa League tie with Ajax Amsterdam.

Carew’s decision to visit a strip joint in the early hours of Thursday morning has drawn condemnation from players and management at Villa Park, and led to the striker serving a one match suspension.

“John was disciplined because he breached the rules,” Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill told the BBC. “John thinks there are mitigating circumstances. I listened and then I made a decision he was wrong. It was a large oversight on his part.”

Apart from sitting out Aston Villa’s victory over Ajax, Carew also suffered the indignity of being fined for misconduct. The Norwegian made amends for his misdemeanour by scoring a goal against Wigan on the weekend.

“John assures me it won’t happen again so I will believe him,” O’[Neill continued. “It wasn’t the brightest thing to do. Most of the players in the dressing room are saying it should be doubled.”