Soccer-Firmino fined and handed a one-year driving ban

Feb 1 (Reuters) - Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino was fined 20,000 pounds ($25,286.00) on Wednesday and banned from driving for a year after he pleaded guilty to charges of drink-driving. Firmino's lawyer told Liverpool Magistrates' Court the Brazil international's family home had been raided by robbers the day before he was stopped by police driving his Range Rover at 3 AM on Christmas Eve. He and his family had moved into a city centre hotel as a result of that incident and he was returning to it after a restaurant dinner with friends when he briefly drove on the wrong side of the road. Liverpool said in a statement that Firmino, whose driving ban can be reduced by completing a course, had been disciplined by the club and reminded of his responsibilities and about his future conduct. "The nature of this action will remain private, however it does not impact on his availability for selection for matches," the Premier League club added. "The club considers this to be an isolated incident, and a rare lapse in judgement and professionalism." Firmino joined Liverpool from German team Hoffenheim in 2015 for 29 million pounds. ($1 = 0.7910 pounds) (Reporting by Alan Baldwin, editing by Ken Ferris)