Chelsea defender Wesley Fofana escaped imprisonment despite admitting to dangerous driving – his ninth motoring offence. The £75 million French footballer received 300 hours of unpaid community service and an extended driving ban for reckless conduct on a Surrey motorway.
Shocking dashcam footage shown at Staines Magistrates’ Court revealed Fofana swerving through traffic at high speed. The 24-year-old improperly used the hard shoulder of the A3 Esher Bypass in Hook. Prosecutor Rabbi Khan confirmed the April 20 incident occurred around 4:50 p.m., endangering other road users.
Khan stated: “The defendant drove on the hard shoulder at speed in a 50mph zone. This was aggravated by an approaching signposted bend without indication during manoeuvres.” At the time, Fofana was already serving a two-year driving disqualification for previous speeding violations.
The court imposed an additional 18-month ban, extending his disqualification until May 2027. District Judge Julie Cooper criticized Fofana’s disregard for road safety. She emphasized his influence on young fans: “Many look up to you. If they mimic your driving, they could die.”
Fofana appeared in court wearing black, flanked by bodyguards. He only confirmed his name and address before leaving with a smirk. The defender was ordered to pay £85 in costs plus a £114 victim surcharge.
His lawyer Imogen Cox acknowledged Fofana’s actions were indefensible: “The 15-20 second video speaks for itself. He apologizes and claims this taught him a valuable lesson.” The injury-plagued defender has made just two Premier League appearances this season since joining Chelsea from Leicester City in 2022.
Judge Cooper issued a stern final warning: “After disqualification, you must pass an extended driving test. Any further offences will likely result in prison – which would end your career.”
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