Then, the £12million Sunderland striker proudly posted a picture of the cabbie’s phlegm-covered jacket on Instagram with the message “Al spit on ya back ya c***.” Scottish international Fletcher also filmed the sickening incident on his mobile as the rickshaw took him and a pal through the streets of London.
During the video, which he also posted, Fletcher, 26, can be seen grinning beside his giggling friend.
Footage and images of the vile incident were later removed from the player’s account.
There are around 150 bicycle rickshaw – or pedicab – drivers working in London.
They are mainly foreign students striving to pay for their studies.