Las Palmas forward Sergio Araujo has avoided jail time despite being sentenced to nine months in prison for refusing to undergo a breathalyser test.
Araujo, who has also had his licence withdrawn, refused to take a breathalyser after being stopped by Spanish police on Sept. 26. The verdict was announced on Tuesday in a Las Palmas court.
Under Spanish law, any sentence under two years can be suspended, meaning the Buenos Aires-born player is expected to avoid serving time in prison.
Araujo, who is reportedly going to appeal the decision, is also set to be punished by his club.
Las Palmas president Miguel Angel Ramirez recently stated that if found to have been negligent, disciplinary proceedings will be opened against the player.
The Argentine has scored two goals in 10 La Liga appearances this season for Las Palmas, who sit ninth in the standings after 11 games.
The 24-year-old spent the 2014-15 campaign on loan at Las Palmas from Boca Juniors and scored 24 goals in 43 appearances to help the Canary Island-based club to promotion to Spain's top flight. Las Palmas bought Araujo in the summer of 2015, with the forward signing a five-year deal.
