EXCLUSIVE: Sunderland hit Bramble with mega-fine after nightclub arrest

Titus Bramble has been hit with a £200,000 fine by Sunderland for his nightclubbing antics.

The defender has been handed the toughest possible sanction by Steve Bruce after his arrest last month after boozing in Yarm, Teesside.

Bramble has agreed to fork out the usual fine of two weeks wages allowed under PFA guidelines for "bringing the club's name into disrepute."

And with Sunderland chiefs livid at his behaviour, Bramble is also stumping up a further penalty of four weeks wages.

Sunderland are hoping to send out a strong message with their massive fine.

Bramble now faces a court appearance this week charged with two counts of sexual assault and one of urinating in public.

Bramble, 30, was originally also arrested on suspicion of possessing a class A drug, but has not been charged with any drug offence.

Sunderland have confirmed that Bramble tested negative for all banned substances during their own probe.

The former Newcastle star was arrested after an alleged incident in a taxi, and was subsequently heavily criticised for his antics by boss Steve Bruce, which came after a demoralising defeat at Norwich.

The defender will resume training with Sunderland's first team this week now that Sunderland's investigation and disciplinary hearing has concluded.

But he has to go through the criminal courts to fight the police charges.

Sunderland yesterday released a statement explaining: "Sunderland AFC has confirmed that following a full investigation, defender Titus Bramble has been fined and given the maximum sanction permitted for bringing the club's name into disrepute.

"The club can also confirm that the allegation of a drug related offence has been dropped and that he has tested negative for all banned substances, as he has done in all previous drug tests carried out throughout his career. Sunderland AFC is unable to comment further at present."

Bramble was not been allowed back into first team training during his suspension, but has been on an individual fitness programme.

Owner Ellis Short wants to run a club with a healthy image among young fans and with roots embedded in the local community.

Bramble's fine sends a strong warning to players that they are expected to behave like professional athletes at all times.

In the days after Bramble's arrest Bruce slammed the man he signed from Wigan, saying players were losing touch with reality.

Bruce said at the time: "Usually, most of them will remember the roots from which they are born and bred and have that respect for where they come from and the people who are still there.

"Unfortunately now with the rewards they get, they alienate themselves and should show more responsibility.

"Certainly in Titus' case - as you know there is a police investigation, but I don't think he should be in that position anyway.

"I don't think on a Tuesday night, you should be in a nightclub - I don't think any footballer should be in a nightclub on a Monday night, Tuesday night, Wednesday night, not with a game on a Saturday, especially after the way you have just been beaten on the Monday night.

"In my day, the vast majority of people I played with would have put their head down, gone into the bunker."