Crystal Palace F.C. manager Oliver Glasner has been banned from driving for six months after exceeding one of London’s strict 20 mph speed limits.
The 51-year-old coach was caught by a speed camera while driving his BMW along Old Kent Road in Bermondsey, south London, in July last year. According to court documents, Glasner was travelling at 29 mph in a 20 mph zone, which ultimately led to the penalty.
Furthermore, records showed that the Austrian already had previous driving offences. As a result, the accumulation of penalty points triggered an automatic driving ban.
The Crystal Palace manager wrote to Willesden Magistrates’ Court in northwest London, where he pleaded guilty to the speeding charge.
In addition, Glasner sent a handwritten note to the court promising that he would not break the law again. Instead of attempting to persuade magistrates to avoid disqualification, he accepted the consequences of his actions.
“I fully accept responsibility for my actions and understand the seriousness of this matter,” Glasner stated.
He added:
“I have taken steps to ensure it will not happen again. Due to the nature of my role, I will ensure I take the steps to address the issue.”
Consequently, a magistrate imposed a six-month driving ban during a private hearing last Tuesday.
Court Orders Fine and Additional Charges
Besides the disqualification, the court also ordered Glasner to pay financial penalties. Specifically, he must pay:
- £660 fine
- £130 court costs
- £264 victim surcharge
Altogether, the penalties amount to more than £1,000 in total charges.
Glasner’s Success With Crystal Palace
Despite the off-field issue, Glasner enjoyed major success with Crystal Palace earlier this year.
In May, he guided the club to victory in the FA Cup, securing the first major trophy in the club’s history. The achievement marked a historic milestone for the south London side.
However, the team’s form has been inconsistent this season. For instance, Palace were dramatically knocked out of the FA Cup in January by non-league side Macclesfield in the third round.
Shortly after that defeat, Glasner confirmed that he would leave Crystal Palace when his contract expires at the end of the season.
The decision reportedly reflects frustration with the club’s transfer policy. Several high-profile players have left the team, while those who remained at Selhurst Park were described by Glasner as being “abandoned completely” by the club’s hierarchy.
Relegation Battle Intensifies in the Premier League
Meanwhile, Crystal Palace are preparing for an important clash with London rivals Tottenham Hotspur F.C. in the Premier League.
The match is crucial because both clubs are struggling near the bottom of the table. Tottenham sit just one point above the relegation zone, while Palace are also fighting to avoid dropping into the bottom three.
Therefore, the result could play a significant role in determining the fate of both teams this season.
Court Documents Reveal Case Details
Although Glasner pleaded guilty in writing on January 27, he later confirmed in a second letter on February 16 that he accepted the driving ban without requiring a public court hearing.
However, details of the case only became public after the Press Association news agency gained access to the court documents earlier this week.
