Norway’s Erik Mykland sentenced for cocaine use
Erik Mykland, nicknamed Myggen (mosquito, as he used to flap his arms and hands like one when celebrating his goals), was sentenced to 140 hours of community service. Photo: Brageforlag.no
OSLO — Former Norway international Erik Mykland was sentenced to 140 hours of community service Monday after pleading guilty to buying and using about 50 grams of cocaine in 2006.
The Oslo District Court ruling said the offence was mitigated because the case was old, and the use lasted only a few months before Mykland, 37, cut out the illegal drugs on his own.
Mykland made a comeback last year by returning to former club Start, nearly four years after he decided to retire following a year on the sidelines with injuries. He was arrested in September 2008 on drug charges.
The player told reporters that he did not see himself as a drug abuser, since he voluntarily cut out the drug after a short time. His contract with Start runs through 2009.
The midfielder was a star player for Norway in the 1990s, despite scoring only two goals in 78 games. He was in Norway’s squad for the 1994 and 1998 World Cups, as well as for Euro 2000.
The court gave Mykland seven months to complete his community service, or face up to five months in prison if he fails to comply. The type of service had not been set.
Source: The Canadian Press
