Oliver Glasner handed six-month driving disqualification
Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner has been handed a six-month driving disqualification after admitting to a speeding offence in south London, reports BritPanorama.
The 51-year-old Austrian was caught travelling at 29mph in a 20mph zone on the Old Kent Road in Bermondsey last July. Glasner entered a guilty plea via written correspondence to Willesden Magistrates’ Court, acknowledging he had exceeded the speed limit on 15 July.
A magistrate handed down the half-year ban last Tuesday, with the manager also ordered to pay a £660 fine plus additional costs. A speed camera recorded Glasner driving his BMW along the busy south London thoroughfare shortly before 7.30am that morning, during a turbulent time for the club, coming just three days after Palace learned their European qualification had been downgraded.
Having secured a spot in continental competition through their cup success, the Eagles were informed they would compete in the Europa Conference League rather than the more prestigious Europa League. The Austrian manager chose not to challenge the disqualification in court, instead accepting the ban without requesting an open hearing.
Court documentation revealed that Glasner had accumulated previous motoring convictions, which meant he faced an automatic prohibition from driving. In his written submission to the court dated 27 January, Glasner took full ownership of his actions: “I fully accept responsibility for my actions and understand the seriousness of this matter,” he stated. “I have taken steps to ensure it will not happen again.”
He subsequently confirmed in a second letter on 16 February that he would accept the driving ban without contesting it at a hearing. Records from the court showed the football manager already had prior driving offences, placing him in line for an automatic disqualification once additional penalty points were applied.
The Metropolitan Police brought the speeding prosecution against the football manager. Glasner initially attempted to resolve the matter by paying a fine, the court heard. Case worker Emily Delroy explained the circumstances: “Payment was made and licence details provided for electronic endorsement.” However, the additional penalty points would have resulted in the total current points on the licence being 12 or more.
A refund was subsequently requested and prosecutors issued a single justice notice instead. Beyond the £660 fine, Glasner must also pay £130 in costs and a £264 victim surcharge, bringing his total financial penalty to over £1,000. His Palace side face Tottenham in a crucial Premier League relegation clash this evening.
As the stakes rise in the fight against relegation, Glasner’s recent troubles underline the multifaceted pressures that football managers face both on and off the pitch.
