Chelsea have reportedly held talks with defender Wesley Fofana, who was sentenced to 300 hours of community service for dangerous driving. The French centre-back appeared before a judge last week and was given the punishment after pleading guilty to offenses committed in April.
The Crown Prosecution Service has released footage of the incident, which took place near the Premier League side’s Cobham training facility. Fofana, 24, has faced widespread criticism and Chelsea have intervened. According to The Athletic, the Blues believed Fofana’s conduct needed to be addressed through a formal meeting.
He was given a driving ban in May for another speeding offense, which was set to last until May 13, 2027.
He was disqualified from driving for a further 18 months following his recent dangerous driving conviction.
The Athletic also reported that District Judge Julie Cooper imposed costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £114.
“Once your disqualification ends, you will no longer be able to drive until you pass your extended driving test. If you drive as a disqualified driver, you will almost certainly be sent to prison, which is career-ending,” Judge Cooper said.
Road safety charity Brake is also focusing on the issue.
According to Brake’s website, the company aims for “a world where there are no deaths or injuries from traffic accidents, and where everyone can travel safely and healthily, no matter who they are or how they travel.”
Brake’s Luca Straker added to The Athletic: “It’s disappointing to see people ignoring speeding regulations and not showing the necessary respect to the road and road users. Every car is a large piece of machinery and can kill or seriously injure people.”
“Through our National Road Victim Service’s work with families in need, we see the devastating consequences of road accidents every day. It is important that those in positions of influence act responsibly in these situations so that those who look up to them can follow their example.”
Fofana moved from Leicester to Chelsea in 2022 for a fee of £70 million, but was plagued by fitness issues during his time at Stamford Bridge.
He missed the entire 2023/24 season with an anterior cruciate ligament injury and has only made six appearances this season, four of them in the Premier League.
He also featured in the Blues’ recent Champions League match, a 5-1 victory over Ajax at Stamford Bridge.
Next up for the current holders of the Conference League is a trip to Azerbaijan to take on Qarabag.
Romeo Lavia, another player who has dealt with recent fitness concerns, is gradually making his way back to action after making his return against Tottenham on Saturday.
Head coach Enzo Maresca said of the midfielder: “(Romeo) is training with us, he’s fine and he’s 100 percent fit, but we have to be careful because we don’t want him to be sent off again. We want him to enjoy being a footballer.”
