France’s World Cup winning captain Hugo Lloris escaped from being given a jail term but was slashed with a 20-month driving ban and a USD 65, 000 fine for the drink-driving case he was charged with last month.
The Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper was arrested on August 25 in London for a drink-driving case after he was found to be drunk during a routine stop in Central London at around 2:20 am.
“On 15th of July, he was the proudest man of the planet,” Lloris’ attorney David Sonn said referring to the day Lloris and his France team had won the World Cup after defeating Croatia 4-2 in the final in Moscow, quoted the Reuters.
“Forty days later, he was arrested in central London,” he added. “Today he apologises to the court.”
Lloris, who was driving a Porsche, was stopped for a routine check-up when it was found that he was more than the limited 35 microgrammes in a breathalyser test.
“I wish to apologise wholeheartedly to my family, the club, my teammates, the manager and all of the supporters,” Lloris had said then in a statement released by his club.
“Drink-driving is completely unacceptable, I take full responsibility for my actions and it is not the example I wish to set.”
His lawyer, however, argued that the goalkeeper had booked a cab, which was later cancelled.
“He had booked a taxi but unfortunately the taxi cancelled at the last minute.” That is when “he decided to drive.”
Lloris reportedly had to spend seven hours in the jail that night before he was released out on bail.