ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE:REPUBLIC OF Ireland international Richard Dunne and James Collins are waiting to hear the severity of their punishment after Aston Villa officials yesterday questioned both players as part of their internal investigation into the trouble that broke out during a team-building exercise in Leicestershire last week.
Dunne and Collins were involved in a heated argument with a member of Villa’s backroom staff at Champneys spa last Wednesday night, prompting both players to issue public apologies over the weekend for their behaviour.
Villa had initiated disciplinary proceedings by that point, with the club determined to establish what went on after Gerard Houllier, the manager, left the premises to attend Tottenham Hotspur’s Champions League game against Milan with his assistant, Gary McAllister.
As part of the internal process, Dunne and Collins were yesterday asked to explain their conduct before the club decide the appropriate disciplinary action to take. With the players not allowed to have their own advisers present, it is understood a representative of the Professional Footballers’ Association was in attendance.
Villa are expected to inform Dunne and Collins of their decision within the next couple of days, with the most likely outcome being the club will fine each player the maximum two weeks’ wages.
It is quite possible Dunne, who is sidelined with a shoulder problem, has played his last game for the club.
Guardian Service
