Chelsea midfielder Moises Caicedo has been fined 1,444 pounds and given eight penalty points at Crawley magistrates' court for driving his 160,000 pound Audi RSQ8 without a valid licence or insurance.
The 24-year-old Ecuadorian, once Britain's most expensive footballer after his 115 million pound move from Brighton, admitted the offences. With eight points now on his record, he is close to a driving ban, with just four more points enough to trigger disqualification.
The case is an embarrassing episode for one of the Premier League's biggest stars. Driving without insurance is treated seriously by the courts because of the risk to other road users, who would be left without recourse in the event of a crash, and the fine reflects the gravity with which magistrates viewed the offence.
Caicedo's transfer to Chelsea made headlines around the world, with the fee setting a British record at the time and underlining the midfielder's status as one of the most coveted young players in Europe. He has since established himself as a key figure in the club's midfield, and his performances have largely justified the enormous investment.
Off the pitch, however, the midfielder now has a motoring conviction to his name. Footballers' driving cases routinely attract attention, partly because of the luxury cars involved and partly because of the contrast with the professionalism expected of elite athletes, and Caicedo's case has been no exception.
Chelsea have not commented publicly on the case. For Caicedo, the immediate concern will be keeping his licence. A ban would be a significant disruption to a player whose career depends on getting to training and matches, and the eight points now on his record mean he will need to drive with extreme care for years to come.
The case is the latest in a long line of footballers falling foul of motoring law, a genre of story that never fails to fascinate the public. The contrast between the enormous salaries of Premier League stars and the mundane reality of penalty points is part of the appeal. For Caicedo, the eight points represent a serious warning: under the totting-up procedure, twelve points within three years means an automatic ban, and he is now just one offence away from real trouble. Chelsea's coaching staff will be hoping the episode is a one-off, and that their record signing's focus remains firmly on the pitch. The midfielder will now be hoping that his driving record attracts less attention than his performances on the pitch.