Chelsea defender Wesley Fofana has been handed a driving ban after being found guilty of dangerous driving following a high-speed incident that took place earlier this year.
The 24-year-old was caught speeding along the hard shoulder of the A3 Esher bypass in his Lamborghini, a move described by the court as reckless and unacceptable for someone of his stature.
The verdict was delivered on November 1, 2025, after Fofana pleaded guilty to one count of dangerous driving relating to the April 20 incident.
During the hearing, the court was shown dash-cam footage capturing the defender weaving through traffic at high speed, driving on the hard shoulder, and ignoring basic safety rules in a 50mph zone. The prosecution told the court that “the witness identified the danger and this defendant was driving on the hard shoulder at speed in a 50mph zone.”
Fofana’s solicitor admitted that there was “no explanation or excuse for his driving on that day.”
District Judge Julie Cooper issued a stern warning to Fofana, stressing the importance of setting a good example for younger fans who look up to him. “You obviously realise there are a lot of young people who look up to you and they would like to be like you and follow you.”
“They will not be able to handle their car and do some ridiculous driving manoeuvres and they are dead. You need to be much more responsible about your behaviour.”
The court imposed an 18-month community order on Fofana, which includes 300 hours of community service, in addition to his driving ban. Judge Cooper warned that any breach of the new order could lead to a prison sentence, which would have severe consequences for the player’s career.
This latest punishment adds to Fofana’s growing record of driving offences. Earlier this year, in May, he was already handed a two-year driving ban after being found guilty of eight separate speeding offences involving various luxury vehicles.
In total, Fofana had accumulated an astonishing 47 penalty points on his licence, far beyond what is legally permissible for a driver in the UK.
The judge in the earlier case had already warned the Chelsea star that repeated offences could lead to imprisonment and jeopardize his footballing future. Friday’s verdict now underscores the seriousness of that warning and reinforces the court’s stance that even famous athletes are not above the law.
The court also noted that Fofana had cooperated with the investigation by voluntarily attending an interview at the police station. His solicitor told the court that the player had “apologised for driving and said he had learned a valuable lesson about his driving and had no explanation for his driving on that day.”
However, given his repeated offences, questions remain over whether earlier interventions were effective in curbing his reckless behaviour.
For Chelsea, this development comes at an awkward time. Fofana, who has struggled with injuries since joining the club from Leicester City, now faces renewed scrutiny over his conduct off the pitch.
The club, known for its efforts to promote professionalism and community engagement, may find itself needing to address the matter publicly to mitigate reputational damage.
While Chelsea has yet to release an official statement, it is expected that internal disciplinary measures could follow, as clubs typically hold their players to strict behavioural standards.