Fowler initially denied the offence, but his solicitor told South Sefton Magistrates' Court he broke the law while driving his BMW X5 last year.

The striker, who formally arrived in Townsville last week, was caught using the phone as he drove along in Bootle, England, on November 14.

The offence took him to 12 driving offence points and brought about a six-month ban. He was also given a £150 ($315) fine and ordered to pay £100 ($210) costs and a £15 ($31) victim surcharge.

When asked about the costs, Fowler 's solicitor Richard Green said property millionaire Fowler was technically unemployed at the moment because his new contract did not begin until April 1. He said Fowler was not speaking on the phone when he was caught.

Mr Green said: "He is currently in Australia and will be there for two years. I am asking for the court to deal with this in his absence and I can communicate the period of disqualification to him. His position all along is that he was not speaking into the hand-held phone at the time.

"He accepts he had it in his hand but wasn't using the device to speak into. He had a hands-free kit in the car but I have explained the law to him and he changed his plea."

To see Robbie arriving in Townsville...

To see Robbie's press conference in Townsville...