Brighton axe taxi firm after driver arrested over suspected drug use | OneFootball

Brighton & Hove Albion have axed a taxi company used for player transport after a driver was arrested at the Amex following suspected drug use, according to NY Times.

The arrest came after last Saturday’s 1-0 friendly win against Bologna, when players were instead taken home in club vehicles and alternative taxis.

The match doubled as a trial for a new routine, with players collected from home by taxis to the Lancing training base for a pre-match meal, then a 25-minute bus ride to the stadium. The same taxis were due to take them home.

A CCTV operator spotted a driver in a restricted area, tracked his movements, and footage was said to show him taking a white powder. Police detained him and the club immediately stood the firm down under its zero tolerance policy on drug use.

It was Brighton’s second pre-season disruption this summer. In July a training camp in Evian, France, was cancelled at short notice after helicopter landings transporting U.S. president Donald Trump and other world leaders to the G7 summit damaged pitches, and the club switched to Austria.

Brighton drew 0-0 away to Norwegian side Tromso on Thursday in the Conference League play-off round first leg. They open their Premier League campaign at home to Aston Villa on Sunday, with the second leg at the Amex on August 27.

Source: NY Times

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