Ex-West Ham Forward In Legal Hot Water

Michail Antonio is staring down a driving ban after a Birmingham court found him guilty of refusing to identify who was behind the wheel of his speeding supercar.

The former West Ham striker was convicted in his absence at Birmingham Magistrates' Court for failing to provide police with information following a speeding incident involving his Lamborghini Urus last year.

What The Court Was told

The luxury SUV was recorded travelling at an average speed of 50mph in a 40mph zone on Lee Bank MidleWay and BelgraveMiddleway in BirminGham on 1 March 2024. A letter was sent to Antonio's Beaconfield home three days after the incident, requesting the identity of the driver — but prosecutors told the court no response was ever received.

The original speeding charge was dropped, with the case focusing solely on his failure to cooperate with police. Antonio had no legal representation at the hearing, and the clerk noted he had offered no reason for his silence.

Ban Now looming

The 35-year-old Jamaica international already carries six penalty points on his licence — partly from a lack of insurance charge related to a horrific crash in December 2023, when he drove a Ferrari into a tree and spent three weeks in hospital.

A further six points from this conviction would automatically trigger a driving disqualification. He is due to be sentenced on 19 June at the same court.

Second Case Also On The Books

Antonio's road troubles do not end there. In a separate matter, the Metropolitan Police have charged him with failing to identify the driver of another Lamborghini Urus allegedly involved in a careless driving incident on Pall Mall in central London in the early hours of 5 November last year.

In that case, Antonio entered a not guilty plea, claiming the vehicle was on hire at the time and that he has documentation to prove it. That hearing has been adjourned to 7 July at Bexley Magistrates' Court.

Off The Field Update

The 36-year-old forward, once a fan favourite in the Premier League with West Ham, now plies his trade in the Qatar Stars League after ending his top-flight career.

Fans across Africa who followed Antonio during his explosive years in English football will remember him fondly — but his post-Premier League headlines have been dominated more by courtroom dramas than goals.