Fernando Ricksen, the Rangers footballer, is facing a drink driving charge after failing a breath test, it emerged last night.

It is understood the #3.5m defender was breathalysed by police officers after his car crashed into a lamppost in Newton Mearns, Glasgow, in the early hours of yesterday morning. He was uninjured.

It is believed the Dutchman, who had been expected to play against St Johnstone at Ibrox today, has now been reported to the procurator-fiscal.

A spokesman for Strathclyde Police said last night: ''We can confirm that following a road accident in the Newton Mearns area of Glasgow a 24-year-old male will be the subject of a report to the procurator-fiscal in connection with road traffic offences.''

Last week, Ricksen became the first player in Scottish football to be tried by television when he received a two-match ban after the disciplinary committee of the Scottish Football Association used video evidence to find him guilty of violent conduct against Darren Young, the Aberdeen midfielder.

Ricksen was given a two-match ban for deliberately kicking Young during a game at Pittodrie last month.

However, he successfully appealed against the punishment on Thursday and the SFA put his suspension on hold until a disciplinary appeals tribunal hears his case.