Claire Rowlands, the mother of Manchester City star Phil Foden, was taken into police custody following an incident last September where she allegedly knocked off a man’s baseball cap in a bar during a tequila-fueled weekend in North Wales.
The Llandudno Magistrates’ Court heard that Rowlands, 44, was asked to leave a nightclub after her actions, fueled by alcohol, sparked a confrontation.
The sequence of events unfolded after Rowlands consumed shots at a friend’s campsite, then proceeded to a sports bar and Bentley’s nightclub. CCTV footage presented in court showed Rowlands knocking a baseball cap off a man’s head and attempting to put it back on, leading to her ejection from the nightclub.
Despite being found not guilty of assault, Rowlands admitted to drunk and disorderly behavior, resulting in a £100 fine, £85 in court costs, and a £40 surcharge. In her defense, Rowlands explained, “I was just drunk. I was having some fun. I had done it to a lad before. It was just a little fun, really.”
Rowlands, reportedly inebriated, voiced her unconventional party trick of knocking off someone’s cap and putting it back on. She described the act as banter and fun, expressing surprise at facing consequences for her actions.
After being ousted from the nightclub, Rowlands allegedly used profanity toward police officers who subsequently detained her. Spending the night in cells, she admitted to “kicking off” with the policemen and acknowledged her behavior, stating, “I was a bit of a b****.”
During court proceedings, Rowlands emphasized her limited alcohol consumption but remarked, “I don’t drink much, but when I do, I make up for it. I’m like an animal.” The court’s chairman acknowledged Rowlands’ inebriated state, noting her playful intentions and the absence of evidence proving a deliberate use of force.
Phil Foden, Rowlands’ son, is a prominent figure in English football, having represented the national side 31 times and garnered accolades with Manchester City, including five Premier League titles and the Champions League. The incident involving Rowlands highlights the challenges associated with the public scrutiny faced by families of high-profile athletes.
