“The Burnley forward was in Portland as his Premiership team played the (soon to be) MLS Portland Timbers on Sunday at PG&E Park, and struck a blow for soccer detente — even though it cost him dearly….”

 Story and Image via SportsBy Brooks

“At one point during play Thompson tumbled into the Timbers’ beer garden, which is right next to the field. Finding himself practically in the lap of a drinking patron — and being British — he picked up the man’s mug and took a giant swig.  Then, back into action!

The team wasn’t amused, however : Head coach Owen Coyle fined the Thompson a week’s wages for “unprofessional behaviour.”

“I kind of fell over the billboards at the side of the pitch and there was a cafe right on the side,” Thompson said. “I landed on this person’s table and I don’t know what happened, I just instinctively grabbed this guy’s pint and had a drink.

“It shows you how bad a game it was that it got the biggest cheer of the night. It was just a bit of fun and it went down well, it was a bit of light-hearted banter, and the guy was really decent about it. He was laughing.”

But Thompson revealed that even the manager saw the funny side of it.

“The manager did say I was fined a week’s wages though for being the first player he’s ever seen drinking during a match.””