Motherwell midfielder Callum Slattery was fined on Wednesday after shouting abuse at police officers during an incident which saw him boast: "I have more money than you."
Slattery, 23, who played three times for Southampton in the Premier League, pled guilty to two charges of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner. One of the charges was aggravated by prejudice related to sexual orientation.
The former England Under-20 international appeared in Glasgow Sheriff Court hours after scoring in Motherwell’s 5-0 win over Ross County on Tuesday night. On the night of November 7, 2021, Slattery - who showed signs of aggression - approached officers after he was kicked out of a Glasgow nightclub and asked for more information about his ejection.
Officers were informed Slattery had been removed due to his aggressive behaviour and he was advised to leave the area. It was at this point he boasted to officers: "I have more money than you and my lawyers are better than yours,” before proceeding to call them “c****.”
Slattery was asked for his details before stating: "I have a better lawyer than you do." Prosecutor Ross Canning added: "He told officers that the reason this situation happened was because he was English and that they were racist c****.
"He said: 'Just because you wear a yellow coat and black hat, I have got a better lawyer than you. I know the law, I'm a citizen, you all know nothing'."
Slattery then briefly left the scene before making a homophobic remark towards a female police officer. He was then told he would be put under arrest, but after running off he collided with a member of the public and tripped over a kerb.
He was then escorted by officers to Glasgow Royal Infirmary, where he continued to display aggressive behaviour. Slattery also stated to the constables: "My lawyer will have your jobs."
Kevin McCarron, defending, told the court that Slattery was dealing with a serious illness of a relative at the time. The lawyer added: "He is horrified and humiliated by his conduct that night - it is inexcusable.
"He is a young man who has never been in trouble in his life who was working in the Motherwell area. It was a quantity of alcohol for someone who doesn't drink which is entirely unsustainable. He is facing a penalty for it and he doesn't shirk away from it."
Slattery was fined £1350 and will pay it within two months. Sheriff Paul Reid said: “I have taken everything into consideration that’s been said by your lawyer and realise at the time you were going through severe difficulties.
“It doesn't take away your behaviour at the time which was disgraceful. You embarrassed yourself, your profession and your football club."
