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Sebastien Bassong fined for dodging £7 Tube fare with expired travelcard
Ex-Tottenham and Newcastle star Sebastien Bassong fined £220 after using friend's expired travelcard to avoid £7 Tube fare.
In brief
Ex-Tottenham and Newcastle star Sebastien Bassong fined £220 after using friend's expired travelcard to avoid £7 Tube fare. Sebastien Bassong, ex-Tottenham and Newcastle United player, fined £220 for dodging £7 Tube fare by using someone else's expired travelcard. Originally reported by Dailymail.
Sebastien Bassong fined for dodging £7 Tube fare
Ex-Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United star Sebastien Bassong was fined £220 for dodging £7 Tube fare by using someone else's expired travelcard.
“The ex-footballer was carrying the Oystercard of the friend's ex-girlfriend, which had been issued to her as a driver on the Docklands Light Railway (DLR), court documents showed.”
Bassong used expired travelcard to avoid fare
Bassong was spotted tailgating a friend through barriers at St Paul's station in May using a friend's ex-girlfriend's travelcard.
“The ex-footballer was carrying the Oystercard of the friend's ex-girlfriend, which had been issued to her as a driver on the Docklands Light Railway (DLR), court documents showed.”
Bassong's financial hardship claim
Bassong claimed financial and personal hardship due to divorce and unemployment when using the travelcard.
“Bassong, who was an £8 million signing for Spurs in 2009, had been using her travelcard because he was 'experiencing financial and personal hardship due to a divorce and unemployment'.”
TfL officer spotted Bassong using travelcard
A TfL revenue control officer spotted Bassong pretending to tap an Oystercard before tailgating through station barriers.
“Adebukola Anifowose, a revenue control officer for TfL, told the court in a statement she spotted Bassong at 1.08pm 'pretend to tap an Oystercard enclosed in a white wallet before tailgating through the wide-aisle gate behind another male'.”
Bassong offered fake travelcard
Bassong offered a TfL staff nominee pass when challenged, but it was confirmed not to belong to him.
“Bassong offered up a TfL staff nominee pass when challenged, which allows free travel on London transport.”
Travelcard last used in October 2025
The travelcard had last been used in October 2...
“System checks later confirmed that the pass did not belong to him and had last been used in October 2025”
Bassong's defense
Bassong claimed the travelcard was provided by a friend assisting him due to financial hardship.
“The accompanying male was spoken to, this individual later informed me that he was assisting Mr Bassong, who was experiencing financial and personal hardship due to a divorce and unemployment, by providing him with the nominee pass.”
Travelcard registered to ex-girlfriend
The travelcard was registered to the friend's ex-girlfriend, who claimed to be a DLR driver.
“It was subsequently established that the pass was registered to an ex-girlfriend of this male, who reportedly claimed to be a DLR driver.”
Bassong convicted in court
Bassong was convicted of using rail network without valid ticket at Wimbledon Magistrates Court on October 30.
“Bassong was convicted of using the rail network without a valid ticket at Wimbledon Magistrates Court on October 30.”
Fines and costs ordered
Magistrate ordered Bassong to pay £220 fine, £7 fare, £250 prosecution costs, and £88 victim surcharge.
“Magistrate Graham Burbage fined him £220, ordered him to pay the £7 fare for his journey from Arnos Grove to St Paul's, and directed him to pay £250 in prosecution costs and an £88 victim surcharge.”
Bassong did not enter plea
Bassong did not enter plea to the charge and was convicted behind closed doors.
“Bassong did not enter a plea to the charge, and was convicted behind closed doors in a Single Justice Procedure hearing.”
Bassong's 28-day deadline
Bassong has 28 days to settle court bill totalling £565.
“Bassong, who now runs a motivational coaching business, has been given 28 days to settle the court bill totalling £565.”
Bassong's background
Bassong was an £8 million signing for Tottenham in 2009 and played for Newcastle United.
“The Frenchman, 40, who spent several seasons in the Premier League with Spurs, Newcastle and Norwich, was stopped by a Transport for London (TfL) officer after he was spotted tailgating a friend through the barriers at St Paul's station in May.”
Bassong's current work
Bassong now runs a motivational coaching business.
“Bassong, who now runs a motivational coaching business, has been given 28 days to settle the court bill totalling £565.”
Bassong's financial situation
Bassong claimed financial hardship due to divorce and unemployment.
“Bassong, who was an £8 million signing for Spurs in 2009, had been using her travelcard because he was 'experiencing financial and personal hardship due to a divorce and unemployment'.”
Bassong's travelcard details
The travelcard was issued to Bassong's friend's ex-girlfriend as a DLR driver.
“The ex-footballer was carrying the Oystercard of the friend's ex-girlfriend, which had been issued to her as a driver on the Docklands Light Railway (DLR), court documents showed.”
At a glance
Sebastien Bassong, ex-Tottenham and Newcastle United player, fined £220 for dodging £7 Tube fare by using someone else's expired travelcard.
