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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 1 month 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 has left 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 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. | 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. |
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 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. |
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 breathalysed 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 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. |
"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. |
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