Former Man United star Jesse Lingard ‘under police investigation in South Korea’ after the FC Seoul midfielder allegedly ‘rode an electric scooter without a licence’

Jesse Lingard is reportedly under police investigation in South Korea for allegedly riding an electric scooter without a licence. 

The former Manchester United and West Ham star, who made 32 caps for England, now plays his football in East Asia with FC Seoul.

South Korean news channel YTN claim that the 31-year-old was seen riding an unlicensed electronic scooter in the Apgujeong-dong neighbourhood in the city of Seoul on the evening of September 16.

It’s claimed that the Gangnam Police Station in the South Korean capital began an internal investigation today, in which they will look into whether Lingard had an international licence and whether he had been drinking. 

According to South Korean news agency Newsis, a football insider has denied that Lingard was intoxicated while using the electric scooter and that the player had ‘no idea’ that driving it without a licence was illegal.  

The source reportedly told Newsis:  ‘Lingard had no idea. He didn’t know that he needed a licence to ride it.

‘His mother and younger sister came to Korea for a trip and had a meal in Apgujeong-dong. Drinking is nonsense.

‘After this incident, the team said (driving a kickboard without a licence) is not allowed, and the player was clearly aware of it.’

Lingard is said to have uploaded a picture of him on the scooter on Snapchat before deleting it.  

Lingard made the surprising move to FC Seoul in the K League back in February of this year.

He has scored four goals in 18 league games and has also taken on the captain’s armband when other players have been out with injuries. 

Lingard’s time at the club has also been affected by injuries, after he underwent surgery on his meniscus in his knee back in April. 

Before his move to South Korea, the former Manchester United star was fined £57,000 and banned from driving for 18-months last year, after he was caught drink driving in his £200,000 Lamborghini. 

Lingard was found to be more than twice over the legal limit, as Manchester Magistrates’ Court last September heard how he was stopped by police in Sale, Greater Manchester, on July 8 last year.  

Lingard at the time said in a statement: ‘I want to acknowledge my mistake and publicly apologise for my unacceptable actions.

‘I completely understand and accept the consequences of my mistake by putting the lives of others at risk.’

Mail Sport have approached Lingard’s representatives for comment.