Anton Ferdinand gets six-month driving ban

Sunderland defender Anton Ferdinand was banned from driving for six months on Wednesday after being convicted of using a mobile phone while at the wheel of his car in July.

The 25-year-old — brother of England captain Rio Ferdinand — spoke only to confirm his name and address during a brief hearing before Newcastle magistrates.

Ferdinand was banned because he already had 12 points on his licence from a previous offence. The footballer was also fined 1,000 pounds and ordered to pay 85 pounds court costs.

A lawyer for Ferdinand said the footballer had been speaking to his mother about a personal family matter when he was spotted by police.

“It was of paramount importance to him. He realises it was a silly thing to do,” Anthony Senior told the court.