Chelsea defender Wesley Fofana has been handed a six-month driving ban after being caught committing a dangerous speeding offence on one of Britain's busiest motorways.
The French international was recorded travelling at 78mph along the hard shoulder of the M6 near Cheshire while already carrying penalty points on his licence, a court heard this week.
Reckless Driving Captured on Camera
North Cheshire Magistrates' Court was told how the 24-year-old footballer was caught by a safety camera van while illegally using the emergency lane as a traffic-beating shortcut. The incident occurred on the northbound carriageway between junctions 16 and 17 last November.
At the time of the offence, Fofana already had six penalty points on his driving licence from previous motoring violations. This latest infringement triggered an automatic totting-up ban under UK driving regulations.
Legal Consequences and Mitigation
Despite not appearing in person, Fofana pleaded guilty to the speeding charge through his legal representative. The court imposed a six-month driving prohibition and ordered him to pay £1,034 in fines and costs.
In mitigation, the court heard how the professional footballer relies on his vehicle for travel to training and matches. However, magistrates emphasised that all drivers must adhere to the same road safety laws, regardless of their profession or status.
Pattern of Motoring Offences
This isn't the first time Fofana has faced driving-related penalties. The Chelsea star previously received three penalty points for exceeding a 30mph limit in August 2022, followed by another three points for a 2023 speeding violation.
The hard shoulder incident adds to growing concerns about professional footballers' driving records, with several high-profile players facing similar sanctions in recent years.
Fofana, who joined Chelsea from Leicester City in a £75 million transfer, has been sidelined from football since suffering an ACL injury during pre-season training last summer. The driving ban adds further complication to his rehabilitation and travel arrangements during his recovery period.
