West Ham midfielder Manuel Lanzini faces a driving ban and a hefty fine after he was caught illegally driving a brand-new Porsche through the City without a licence or insurance.
The 29-year-old Argentinian midfielder was pulled over by police in January as he drove the leased Porsche Cayenne down Aldgate on a trip to the pharmacist.
Lanzini, whose wife and chauffeur were insured to drive the vehicle, claimed at the roadside he knew he needed to get a UK licence but had been delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic.
He pleaded guilty at Bromley magistrates court last week, just days before he was involved in a dramatic car crash on his way to the West Ham training ground.
“Thank you very much. I want to thank you for all the messages you sent me of love and support.”
According to court documents, Lanzini was pulled over by PC Darren Francis just after 3pm on January 27 in a routine traffic stop.
“I had cause to stop a grey Porsche Cayenne”, said the officer in his statement. “The vehicle stopped in Aldgate and the driver was asked if he had his driving licence and if the vehicle belonged to him.”
PC Francis said Lanzini produced his Argentinian driving licence, which is valid until 2024, and told the officer he had been living in the UK for the last five years.
“A check on the vehicle via the Police national computer also showed that the vehicle was a lease vehicle and only insured to two persons, one been the wife of Lanzini and his driver Victor Williams.”
He said Lanzini said he “had only driven a short distance and only lived round the corner but needed to visit the pharmacist.”
PC Francis discovered Lanzini had been convicted of driving without insurance in 2020, adding: “Lanzini stated that he knew that he should have a UK licence and that Covid had delayed this process.
“When asked if he knew that he shouldn’t be driving he stated that he did know.”
Lanzini’s lawyer, Mark Haslam, whose past celebrity clients include Arsenal and Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud, former Watford captain Troy Deeney, and minor Royal Lady Tatiana Mountbatten, asked for an open court hearing for the footballer to plead his case.
The Hammers star faces penalty points for each offence which could amount to a driving ban, as well as financial penalties.
“He wishes to plead guilty to both matters but would seek a court hearing to advance his mitigation in person,” the solicitor wrote.
Lanzini, who lives in a £4.7 million apartment in the London Docklands, pleaded guilty to using a motor vehicle otherwise then in accordance with a licence and using a motor vehicle on a road without third party insurance.
His case will be heard at City of London magistrates court on April 12.
