Naharnet

Report: Keita Hit with 415,000 Euros Fake License Fine

Liverpool-bound Naby Keita has reportedly been hit with a 415,000 euros ($480,009) fine for allegedly using a forged driving license.

The Guinea international and RB Leipzig midfielder fell offside with police after twice attempting to gain a German driving permit by using fake Guinean documents.

Germany daily Bild quote the figure of 415,000 euros, due to calculations based on Keita's daily salary, and Leipzig's district court would only confirm to SID, an AFP subsidiary, that the fine is a "six-figure sum."

The 22-year-old, who will join Liverpool for the 2018/19 season, has lodged an appeal against the penalty and should the matter now go to court, the case is likely to be heard next year.

Prosecutors in Leipzig accuse Keita of forgery after he allegedly tried to use fake Guinea driving documents to obtain a German license last December, then again in January.

Staff at Leipzig's licensing center became suspicious and handed the documents to police.

Forgery experts identified the papers as "total counterfeits", according to Leipzig's district court.

However, a spokesman for Keita's club RB Leipzig said that "after detailed discussions with the player, we don't assume this is a forgery matter."

He is not the first football star in Germany to be hit recently with a huge fine for a driving-related offense.

Germany winger Marco Reus had to pay a penalty of 540,000 euros in 2014 when it emerged he had been driving without a valid driving license.

Keita has also landed himself in hot water on the pitch in recent weeks after being sent off three times in seven games for both club and country.

Source: Agence France Presse


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