Chelsea defender Wesley Fofana has been handed a driving ban after a dangerous speeding incident that saw him using the hard shoulder as his personal fast lane during heavy motorway traffic.
The French footballer was caught racing down the M4's emergency lane at 77mph near Heathrow Airport last November, while other vehicles were crawling in congestion. Magistrates have now banned the 24-year-old from driving for six months and hit him with a hefty fine.
Dangerous Decision During Rush Hour
Fofana, who earns an estimated £75,000 per week, made the reckless choice to bypass stationary traffic by using the hard shoulder - a move that could have had catastrophic consequences. The incident occurred during evening rush hour on November 21st, 2024, when the hard shoulder was clearly marked with red crosses indicating it was closed to traffic.
Prosecutor Taha Hassan told Uxbridge Magistrates' Court: "The hard shoulder was closed and there were red X's on the gantries. The defendant was travelling along the hard shoulder at 77mph while the main carriageway was heavily congested."
Legal Consequences for Chelsea Star
The court heard that Fofana admitted to the speeding offence but claimed he was unaware the hard shoulder was closed. However, this defence failed to sway magistrates, who imposed a six-month driving ban alongside financial penalties including:
- A £846 fine
- £338 in prosecution costs
- A £338 victim surcharge
Despite his substantial earnings, the defender opted not to employ legal representation, telling the court he couldn't afford a lawyer - a statement that raised eyebrows given his Premier League salary.
Pattern of Traffic Offences
This isn't Fofana's first brush with traffic authorities. The court was informed that he already had three penalty points on his licence from a previous speeding offence. These latest violations took him to 11 points - well over the limit that triggers an automatic ban.
The incident raises serious questions about professional athletes' responsibility on the roads, particularly given the potential consequences of high-speed driving in emergency lanes designed for breakdowns and emergency vehicles.
Fofana, who joined Chelsea from Leicester City in 2022 for approximately £75 million, has been plagued by injuries in recent seasons. This driving ban adds off-field troubles to his challenges, though it's unlikely to affect his training schedule with the club.
