Mali Striker Apologizes to Bulgaria after Drink-Drive Probe

Malian striker and Levski Sofia player Garra Dembele, who was arrested earlier this week on suspicion of drink-driving, has appealed for forgiveness in an open letter to the Bulgarian society, fans and the club.

"I address this letter to the society, the fans, the club's owner and management and last but not least the fellow players in the club. Hours after my arrest I became aware of the mistake that I have made and humbly accept the criticism and consequences that followed," the letter reads.

In the letter Dembele admits that he has misled and disappointed many people and asks for a second chance to restore the lost trust.

The 24-year-old, nicknamed the "Goal Machine" by Bulgarian media, was more than three times over the legal alcohol limit when he was arrested in the early hours on Friday in Sofia's 'College City', where a lot of night clubs are located. He is also being investigated by the police for producing a forged licence.

Levski sporting director Georgi Ivanov has threatened to release Dembele from the club if he commits a second offence.

Garra Dembele, 24 started his career as an exciting young prospect in the French team of Auxerre. He even played in the French Under-21 national squad. In October 2006, though, his career went downhill, as he was accused of raping 22-year old American student while in Rome. The raping charges were subsequently dropped, but Dembele never played in a top-level European team since this case.

However, Dembele is a still serious contender for winning the European Golden Boot award for scoring the most goals in the course of a single season.

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