Tess de la MareWest of England

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Clinton Mola's defence solicitor claimed he did not realise he needed car insurance

A footballer has been told to "grow up" by a magistrate after telling a court he did not know he needed car insurance to drive in the UK.

Bristol Rovers player Clinton Mola, 25, was stopped by police on 28 November 2025 while driving a black Audi SQ8 SUV in central London.

The midfielder, who started his career at Chelsea, was just four months into a previous two-year driving ban when he was pulled over.

The father-of-one was handed a further three-year driving ban and a fine and costs totalling £2,238 after admitting driving while disqualified and driving without insurance at Westminster Magistrates Court.

The player had his partner and child in the car when he was stopped in Southwark, and told officers he did not know he needed insurance, or that he had previously received a ban.

Fadi Daoud, defending, said most of Mola's previous driving experience had been with a Mercedes provided by sponsors in Germany during his time playing for Stuttgart.

"He had...