Honda Heat flanker Kei Touma has been arrested while driving under the influence of alcohol following a team meal, the top-flight club has announced.
Kei Touma, 24, who made four appearances off the bench last season, was arrested on Saturday 14 September.
Following a club meal, which involved the consumption of alcohol, Touma (below) returned to his car to sleep.
Teammates Yuto Yohena, 24, a fly-half whose yet to play in League One and prop Gun Tajima, 25, who has four League One appearances to his name, joined Touma in his car.
Touma drove away from the car park at 6am while his two teammates were still asleep and did not notice the car starting.
After driving 100m from the car park, Touma was stopped by the police and his alcohol level was found to be over the legal limit and he was arrested.
The two passengers were woken up by the police when the driver was arrested.
Honda has reduced the driver Touma’s annual salary and banned him from participating in team activities for six months.
Passengers Yohena and Tajima have been banned from participating in external team activities for six months.
A Honda statement said: “We are extremely sorry that a player who is part of a mobility manufacturer and should embody fair play has been arrested for such an act, and we sincerely apologise to everyone who regularly supports Mie Honda Heat for the concern and inconvenience this may have caused.”
A League One statement said: “It is extremely regrettable that a player from a League One team has been arrested for violating the Road Traffic Act (driving under the influence of alcohol), and Japan Rugby League One takes this very seriously. "Going forward, Japan Rugby League One will have its Disciplinary Committee investigate and deliberate on this matter in accordance with the Japan Rugby League One Disciplinary Regulations. We will report on the outcome of the Disciplinary Committee's deliberations at a later date.”
Kieran Crowley's side, which includes star names such as Pablo Matera and Franco Mostert, kick off their 2024-25 season on Saturday 21 December against TJ Perenara's Black Rams Tokyo.
Picture courtesy of Honda Heat
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