Ex-Man Utd star Jesse Lingard slapped with fine by South Korean police after investigation into ill-judged social media post

Lingard’s troubles began when he shared a video on his Instagram account, showcasing himself casually riding an electric scooter in the busy streets of Seoul. However, this seemingly harmless post quickly sparked a police investigation when authorities noticed that he was violating local regulations.

According to South Korean law, individuals are required to possess a valid driver’s license to operate electric scooters, a rule implemented earlier this year to enhance public safety. Furthermore, riders are also required to wear helmets. Lingard was quick to acknowledge his mistake and issued a public apology via a statement posted on social media.

Lingard’s apology may have helped mitigate some of the public backlash, but it did not exempt him from the legal consequences. After the completion of the investigation, South Korean police confirmed that Lingard had been fined a total of 190,000 won ($142) for his unlicensed e-scooter ride.

During the investigation, police also examined whether Lingard had been under the influence of alcohol or drugs while riding the scooter. However, they determined that, given the time elapsed since the incident, it was impossible to confirm or pursue any charges related to intoxicated driving.

After a rough start to life in South Korea, Lingard has found his form, scoring four goals in his last nine appearances. And with the driving controversy off his back, the forward will look to further increase his tally when Seoul take on Daegu on Saturday.