Former Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann, 54, was stopped by police on suspicion of drink driving after being pictured drinking beer at Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany
Ex-Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann was stopped by police on suspicion of drink driving after attending Oktoberfest in Munich.
Lehmann was pictured at the world-famous festival in southern Germany on Sunday. The 54-year-old was then pulled over by police in the early hours of the morning after leaving the event in his car.
“Mr. Lehmann was subjected to a police check on September 23, 2024 at around 1:30 a.m. due to his unusual driving behaviour in a car in the inner city area of Munich,” senior public prosecutor Anne Leiding told The Sun.
“The police are said to have noticed a clear smell of alcohol and an unsafe manner. A breath alcohol test did not produce any usable results, whereupon a blood sample was ordered and the driver’s licence was confiscated. Our investigations are still pending. Suspicions of drunk driving continue.”
Lehmann has had his driving licence confiscated by police while they investigate the allegations further. He was reportedly wearing full traditional Bavarian dress, including Lederhosen, earlier on Sunday at the beer festival.
Lehmann told Bild: “I can’t say anything about it at the moment.”
Lehmann played for Arsenal between 2003 and 2008, making 200 appearances and winning the Premier League and FA Cup. He was a part of the famous Invincibles side, who went the entire 2003/04 league campaign unbeaten.
He also played for Schalke, AC Milan, Borussia Dortmund and Stuttgart during a successful playing career, which saw him win 61 caps for Germany. He famously saved two penalties for Germany in their 2006 World Cup quarter-final shootout victory against Argentina.
As well as the Premier League with Arsenal, Lehmann won the Bundesliga, UEFA Cup and Serie A with Borussia Dortmund, Schalke 04 and Milan respectively. Since retiring, he has done punditry work, as well as coaching at Arsenal and Augsburg.
The ex-goalkeeper lives in Starnberg, south-west of Munich, and has regularly attended Oktoberfest – a famous festival in the Bavarian city, which runs from September 24 to October 6. It is known for its gigantic beer halls and carnival rides.