Jesse Lingard has found himself in hot water with South Korean authorities after violating road rules while riding a scooter in Seoul.
The former Manchester United star was fined for breaching two traffic laws on September 16, when he was seen riding a kickboard through the Apgujeong-dong neighborhood.
Lingard, 31, shared a video of himself cruising the streets in a tracksuit and baseball cap, which quickly went viral.
According to South Korean law, riders must possess a valid driver’s license to operate a scooter and are required to wear a helmet. Lingard was fined 190,000 Korean Won (approximately £106) by Seoul police for failing to comply with these regulations.
A source close to the player told South Korean news agency Newsis that rumors suggesting Lingard was intoxicated during the ride were “nonsense.”
The source clarified: “Lingard had no idea. He didn’t know that he needed a license to ride it. He was with his mother and younger sister in Korea, enjoying a meal in Apgujeong-dong. Any claims of drinking are untrue.”
Following the incident, Lingard took to Instagram to apologize to his 9.2 million followers, advising them to “check the rules” before riding a scooter in a foreign country.
He admitted, “I didn’t know the rules about wearing a helmet or needing a license. In England, and probably in Europe, you can just pick up an e-scooter and ride. Anyone visiting South Korea, make sure to check the rules. It can be dangerous—safety first for everyone. Obviously, I won’t do that again.”
Since joining K-League side FC Seoul in February, Lingard has appeared in 18 matches, scoring four goals. However, this isn’t the first time the midfielder has faced legal trouble.
Last year, Lingard was fined £57,000 and banned from driving for 18 months after admitting to drink-driving in his £200,000 Lamborghini in Manchester, where he was found to be twice the legal alcohol limit.
At the time, Lingard issued a public apology, saying, “I want to acknowledge my mistake and publicly apologize for my unacceptable actions. I understand the consequences of my actions, and I deeply regret putting others at risk. I’m sorry to my fans and everyone who has supported me. I accept the court’s decision and the fine.”
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