Jesse Lingard has been slapped with a fine by South Korean authorities for riding an e-scooter without a helmet or a license. The former Manchester United midfielder, who now plays for FC Seoul, has apologised for uploading a photo to social media which landed him in hot water.
The picture, posted to Snapchat, showed Lingard riding the electric scooter in the Apgujeong-dong area of Seoul before it was promptly deleted. Riders are required to wear helmets and hold a valid driver’s license under South Korean law.
News outlet YTN revealed that the police would conduct an investigation into the incident. And it has now been confirmed that Lingard was forced to pay a £106 fine for his offences.
Before receiving his punishment, Lingard said in a video posted to Instagram: “Obviously I was on an e-scooter yesterday, driving around for a couple of minutes on the e-scooter. I didn’t know the rules of wearing a helmet or having a license as well.
“In England, and probably in Europe as well, you can just pick up an e-bike or e-scooter off the street and just start riding it. To anyone visiting South Korea, obviously, you’ve got to check the rules. It can be dangerous. Safety first for everyone. Helmets on and obviously, I won’t do that again.”
The 31-year-old later added: “Sorry guys in my previous video I meant countries outside the UK have different rules for riding an e-scooter. Regardless, stay safe and know the rules.”
Lingard spent seven months without a club after leaving Nottingham Forest at the end of the 2022/23 season. He was snapped up by FC Seoul in February, who offered him a two-year deal worth just shy of £20,000 a week, according to reports.
The former England international, who won his last cap in 2021, has scored four goals in 18 matches since. He previously racked up well over 200 games for United, having graduated from their academy and spent more than two decades on the books.
Lingard also enjoyed loan spells with the likes of Leicester City, Birmingham City and Brighton. But he found particular success during a temporary stint at West Ham in 2021, bagging nine goals in 16 games and sparking an unsuccessful attempt from the Hammers to sign him permanently.
It remains to be seen whether Lingard one day returns to Europe or sees out his career in the K League, where former Tottenham youngster Paul-Jose Mpoku and ex-Manchester City academy player Nana Boateng also earn their living.
