Former Australia football captain Craig Moore, reportedly involved in a drunken brawl in Dubai over a taxi fare, was slapped with a fine by court on Sunday for drinking, a media report said. "Moore was fined 1,000 dirhams (about 272 dollars) on Sunday for consuming alcohol," the daily Gulf News said on its website.
"Dubai Misdemeanors Court presiding judge Abdullah Khulaif Abu Zaid fined the Australian footballer Moore, who pleaded guilty when he appeared in court," it added.
The former Socceroo skipper had been questioned over "alcohol consumption, aggression and insult of a functionary and refusing to pay a taxi fare," Dubai prosecutor Sami Salem al-Shami said on Wednesday.
But he was ordered to appear before the Misdemeanors Court on charges of "alcohol consumption under conditions not authorised by law" after the "private parties" - the cab driver and policeman - dropped the matter, Shami said.
Last week, The National newspaper cited Dubai police as saying Moore was arrested after a row with a taxi driver that escalated into a confrontation with police.
The report said Moore drunkenly argued with the cab driver about a fare of 50 dirhams (13.60 dollars) before police were called to intervene and that "he then shoved one of the officers."
Such an offence is punishable by up to three months in prison, a 5,000-dirham (1,360-dollar) fine, or both, The National said.
Non-Muslims may consume alcohol in Dubai, but only in hotels or clubs.
Moore played his club football for Glasgow Rangers, Borussia Moenchengladbach and Newcastle United.
He retired from the sport in July after this year's World Cup, following a distinguished career that included 52 caps and three goals for the Socceroos.