Chelsea have reportedly held discussions with defender Wesley Fofana following his sentencing to 300 hours of community service for dangerous driving. The French centre-back received the punishment after admitting guilt for an offence committed in April, appearing before magistrates last week.
The Crown Prosecution Service has made public footage of the incident, which took place close to 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 required addressing through a formal meeting.
He had previously been issued with a driving prohibition in May for separate speeding violations, with the ban running until May 13, 2027.
He received an additional 18-month driving disqualification following the most recent dangerous driving conviction.
The Athletic also reports that district judge Julie Cooper imposed costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £114.
"At the end of the disqualification you cannot drive until you pass an extended driving test and if you drive as a disqualified driver you will almost certainly be sent to prison and that is career-ending," Judge Cooper is quoted as saying.
Road safety charity Brake has also weighed in on the matter.
Brake, according to their website, are pursuing: "A world with zero road death and injury, where we can all move in a safe and healthy way, whoever we are and however we travel.
Brake's Luca Straker added to The Athletic: "It is disappointing to see people disregarding speeding restrictions and not giving the road and road users the full respect they need. Every car is a large piece of machinery that has the capacity to kill or seriously injure someone.
"Every day, we see the devastating consequences of road crashes through our work with families needing the support of our National Road Victim Service. It is important for any person in a position of influence to act responsibly in these situations, so that those who look up to them can follow their example."
Fofana moved to Chelsea from Leicester for an initial £70million in 2022 but has battled with fitness problems during his spell at Stamford Bridge.
He was sidelined for the entire 2023/24 season following an ACL injury and has made just six appearances this term - four of those coming in the Premier League.
He also featured in the Blues' most recent Champions League fixture, a 5-1 triumph over Ajax at Stamford Bridge.
Up next for the reigning Conference League holders is a journey to Azerbaijan to take on Qarabag.
Another player dealing with recent fitness concerns, Romeo Lavia, is being gradually reintroduced following his return against Tottenham on Saturday.
"[Romeo] is training with us, is okay and is 100 per cent fit, but we have to be careful with him because we don't want him out again. We want him to enjoy being a football player," head coach Enzo Maresca said of the midfielder.