South Africa star Steven Pienaar was banned from driving for 12 months by a British court on Tuesday after pleading guilty to a drunk-driving offence.

The 27-year-old, a midfielder with English Premier League side Everton, was found to be nearly twice the legal limit after he was breath-tested by police in Liverpool.

Pienaar was stopped by police in the early hours of Sunday, February 21, the day after Everton's 3-1 win over English champions Manchester United at Goodison Park.

Merseyside Police found Pienaar had 61 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35 micrograms.

His year-long driving disqualification could be reduced by three months if he completes a course before October 7.

Pienaar was also fined 1,000 pounds (1,496 dollars) for the offence and ordered to pay a further 100 pounds (150 dollars) fine for failing to comply with a traffic signal.

He arrived at Everton on loan in 2007 and his move from Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund was made permanent when Everton paid two million pounds (three million dollars) for him.