# 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. - Title: Sebastien Bassong fined for dodging £7 Tube fare with expired… - Summary: Ex-Tottenham and Newcastle star Sebastien Bassong fined £220 after using friend's expired travelcard to avoid £7 Tube fare. Sebastien Bassong, ex-Tottenham… - Keywords: sebastien bassong, tottenham hotspur, newcastle united, travelcard, tube fare, fined, transport for london, tfl, magnate, arons grove, st pauls station, divorce - Source: Dailymail — https://dailymail.com/sport/football/article-16259537/Ex-Tottenham-Hotspur-Newcastle-United-star-Sebastien-Bassong-fined-dodging-7-Tube-fare-using-expired-travelcard.html?ito=1490&ns_campaign=1490&ns_mchannel=rss - Published: 2026-11-02T18:02:26+00:00 - Read time: 2 min - Topics: sebastien bassong, tottenham hotspur, newcastle united, travelcard, tube fare, fined, transport for london, tfl, magnate, arons grove, st pauls station, divorce ## 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. ## Key takeaway Sebastien Bassong, ex-Tottenham and Newcastle United player, fined £220 for dodging £7 Tube fare by using someone else's expired travelcard.