Exeter City Football Club can confirm that Ilmari Niskanen has been charged with driving with excess alcohol and is due to appear at Exeter Magistrates’ Court.
This is a serious offence, and the club is treating the matter with the utmost gravity. An internal investigation will be launched following the conclusion of the court case.
Ilmari Niskanen has issued the following statement:
“I recently made a very serious and bad mistake. A mistake that nobody should ever do, least of all a person who should be a role model to others. I am terribly sorry and fully regret my actions. I deeply regret the impact they may have on our club, my teammates, and our supporters both here in Exeter and back home in Finland.
“I'm very grateful that my actions that night did not impact any other people but know that even risking something happening to someone else is thoughtless and wrong. I will take full responsibility and deal with all the possible consequences. I know I have let all of you down, but I will do everything in my power to make things right and I am committed to making amends in every way possible.”
The club will not be issuing any further statement at this time.