Three young Sunderland footballers accused of firing a toy pellet gun at passing pedestrians from a moving car have been disciplined by the club.

Sunderland AFC today confirmed that first team fringe forward Chris Brown, 19, and 18-year-old youth team defenders Sean Taylor and Ryan Bell, have received "maximum" fines under club rules.

They have also received written warnings from the club and have agreed to perform ten-weeks community service within the city of Sunderland.

All three apologised after receiving police cautions following complaints from pedestrians in the Sunderland area who were hit by plastic pellets fired from a toy gun, apparently from a passing car.

Each of the three players was suspended pending an internal inquiry by the club.

But following the imposition of the disciplinary measures all three are now eligible to resume playing and Brown featured in the first team squad for last night's (TUE) Carling Cup tie at Crewe.

A further youth team player, 18-year-old midfielder Niall Flynn, was arrested and bailed by police following inquiries into a further, from a man injured in the arm from a pellet allegedly fired in Whitburn Road, Sunderland.

The 40-year-old victim, believed to be an off-duty police officer, was walking with his daughter when the incident took place, on September 4. Northumbria Police has yet to reveal if further action will be taken against the Irish youth international player.