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Real Madrid footballer Karim Benzema faces possible jail sentence for speeding Real Madrid footballer Karim Benzema faces possible jail sentence for speeding
(about 3 hours later)
Footballers and their fast cars have been a regular source of headlines. But now a 160mph race between Audi and Porsche-driving Real Madrid players on the Spanish capital's outer ring-road sees striker Karim Benzema facing a possible jail sentence and other team-mates facing hefty fines. Footballers and their fast cars have been a regular source of headlines. But now a 160mph race between Audi- and Porsche-driving Real Madrid players on the Spanish capital's outer ring road has left striker Karim Benzema facing a possible jail sentence and other team-mates facing hefty fines.
Benzema was caught driving his Audi RS5 sports car at 135mph along a four-lane road that has a 70mph limit. The player is due to appear in court – and faces a prison sentence of up to six months – but he was not reported to be the fastest of the Real Madrid racers. Benzema was caught driving his Audi RS5 sports car at 135mph along a four-lane M40 road that has a 70mph limit. The player is due to appear in court – and faces a prison sentence of up to six months – but he was not reported to be the fastest of the Real Madrid racers. That record went to the unnamed driver of a Porsche that, like Benzema's Audi, was being leased by the Spanish football club.
That record went to the unnamed driver of a Porsche that, like Benzema's Audi, was being leased by the Spanish football club. A police camera clocked the car going at 162mph – not far short of the 185mph top speeds of Formula One racing cars – but failed to take a usable picture of the mystery car and no charges were brought.
A police camera, however, clocked the car going at 162mph – not far short of the 185mph top speeds of Formula One racing cars — but failed to take a usable picture of the mystery car and no charges were brought. Police decided not chase the two cars, part of a group of five driven by Real Madrid players on their way home from a match in Granada, on the basis that it would be too dangerous.
Police decided not chase the two cars – part of a group of five driven by Real Madrid players on their way home from a match in Granada – on the basis that it would be too dangerous for both parties and for anyone else on the Spanish capital's M40 motorway. A few kilometres later, however, they pulled over five Real Madrid cars and breathalysed the drivers. All were below the alcohol limit, but midfielder Michael Essien paid a spot fine for driving at 105mph.
A few kilometres later, however, they pulled over five Real Madrid cars and breathalised the drivers. All were below the alcohol limit, but midfielder Michael Essien paid a spot fine for driving at 105mph. Spain's association of road traffic victims welcomed the case against Benzema, who has a history of motoring infringements: he ran a high-powered car into a tree in Madrid in 2009; was involved in an accident between a Porsche and a Lamborghini on the island of Réunion, also in 2009; and was fined by police in Ibiza in 2011 for speeding in what was reported to be a race between his Porsche, a Ferrari and a Lamborghini.
Spain's association of road traffic victims welcomed the case against Benzema, who ran another high-powered car into a Madrid tree in 2009.
He was also involved in an accident between a Porsche and a Lamborghini on the island of Reunion four years ago and in 2011 was fined by police in Ibiza for speeding in what was reported to be a race between his own Porsche, a Ferrari and a Lamborghini.
"Whoever breaks the law must pay, especially if they are a famous footballer," Ana Noveya, president of Spain's Stop Accidents group told El País newspaper."Whoever breaks the law must pay, especially if they are a famous footballer," Ana Noveya, president of Spain's Stop Accidents group told El País newspaper.
Several Real Madrid players own Porsches, including defender Sergio Ramos, who was one of those stopped and breathalysed.Several Real Madrid players own Porsches, including defender Sergio Ramos, who was one of those stopped and breathalysed.