Disgraced players fined for prank
Three Sunderland footballers suspended for firing paintball pellets at passers-by have been fined by the club.
Chris Brown, 19, Sean Taylor and Ryan Bell, both 18, have also been ordered to do 10 weeks' community service.
All three players can now play for the club again after apologising for their behaviour which they described as "childish and immature".
A fourth player, Niall Flynn, 18, is still suspended while police probe a separate shooting incident.
What we did reflected badly, not only on ourselves, but also on the club
Sunderland players Chris Brown, Sean Taylor, Ryan Bell
A spokesman for the club said: "The club has taken this matter very seriously, carrying out a thorough investigation in the two weeks since the incident occurred.
"All three players will receive the maximum fine possible under the club's disciplinary policy and have been issued with formal written warnings."
The three players were arrested and formally cautioned for firing pellets at people from a car window in Sunderland two weeks ago.
'Childish, immature'
A statement issued on behalf of Brown, Bell and Taylor, on Tuesday said: "We understand that what we did was unacceptable and we apologize sincerely for this.
"We are embarrassed by our behaviour which was childish and immature and we are extremely upset about the perceptions people now have of us.
"While our actions were irresponsible our intentions were not malicious and we never intended to cause anyone any harm."
It added: "As employees of Sunderland AFC we realize that what we did reflected badly, not only on ourselves, but also on the club.
"We also realise that as footballers we are in a privileged position and that many young people look up to us as their role models."
Three Sunderland footballers suspended for firing paintball pellets at passers-by have been fined by the club.
Chris Brown, 19, Sean Taylor and Ryan Bell, both 18, have also been ordered to do 10 weeks' community service.
All three players can now play for the club again after apologising for their behaviour which they described as "childish and immature".
A fourth player, Niall Flynn, 18, is still suspended while police probe a separate shooting incident.
What we did reflected badly, not only on ourselves, but also on the club
Sunderland players Chris Brown, Sean Taylor, Ryan Bell
A spokesman for the club said: "The club has taken this matter very seriously, carrying out a thorough investigation in the two weeks since the incident occurred.
"All three players will receive the maximum fine possible under the club's disciplinary policy and have been issued with formal written warnings."
The three players were arrested and formally cautioned for firing pellets at people from a car window in Sunderland two weeks ago.
'Childish, immature'
A statement issued on behalf of Brown, Bell and Taylor, on Tuesday said: "We understand that what we did was unacceptable and we apologize sincerely for this.
"We are embarrassed by our behaviour which was childish and immature and we are extremely upset about the perceptions people now have of us.
"While our actions were irresponsible our intentions were not malicious and we never intended to cause anyone any harm."
It added: "As employees of Sunderland AFC we realize that what we did reflected badly, not only on ourselves, but also on the club.
"We also realise that as footballers we are in a privileged position and that many young people look up to us as their role models."
