AFC Bournemouth winger Jordon Ibe has issued an apology after appearing to breach the coronavirus lockdown guidelines to get a haircut.

The former Liverpool prospect posted a picture on Instagram of himself getting a trim.

In the image the 24-year-old can be seen wearing a haircut cape with the slogan 'breaking the rules & changing the game' printed on it.

Ibe can be seen wearing a face mask, while the barber, Nikky of Slick Rick Barbers in London, has a face mask and protective gloves on.

The midfielder subsequently deleted the post from his social media account.

In a statement made through his representatives reported by The Athletic, Ibe said: “I didn’t think it through and I apologise.

"I made sure to wear protective equipment but I didn’t realise it was in breach of the guidelines.

"There wasn’t any intent to disobey the guidelines and as soon as it was brought to my attention, I took the post down immediately.”

The current government guidelines state that people in England are allowed to meet one other person, however, they must maintain social distancing and be outside at all times. Rule breakers could be fined by police.

Barbers and hair salons are not due to open across the country until July 4 at the earliest.

Cherries have launched an internal investigation into the incident.

An AFC Bournemouth spokesperson said: "“We are aware of a social media post made by one of our players.

"We have launched an internal investigation, the outcome of which will remain confidential."

Ibe, who joined Cherries from Liverpool in 2016 for £15million transfer fee, had been training with the club's under-21s squad for a number of months before the coronavirus lockdown.

It is understood he was not due to return to training with the first team under the Premier League's Project Restart.

As reported, earlier this year Ibe was banned from driving and given a £7,500 fine by the courts after crashing his Bentley into a London coffee shop.

Ibe also struck a Mercedes car when he smashed into The Pantry on Plaistow Lane in Bromley, south east London, shortly before 5am on July 30, 2019, causing thousands of pounds of damage to the building.

Ibe, who drove off after stopping briefly at the scene, admitted a charge of careless driving and was found guilty of one count of failing to stop after an accident at a court hearing in February.

He was handed a 16-month driving disqualification and 12-month community order at a sentencing hearing at Bromley Magistrates' Court.

District judge Catherine Moore also ordered him to pay a £7,500 fine and £500 compensation to those affected by the crash, as well as a £181 surcharge and £775 in costs.