Tevez given driving ban after letter confusion

LONDON (AFP) –

Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez (R) tries to avoid a challenge from Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny during their Premier League match at the Emirates Stadium in London on January 13, 2013. Tevez was disqualified from driving for six months on Wednesday after a court heard he failed to understand a letter sent to him by police.

Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez was disqualified from driving for six months on Wednesday, after a court heard he failed to understand a letter sent to him by police.

The 28-year-old Argentina international, who did not attend the hearing at a court in Manchester, was also ordered to pay £1,540 ($2,469, 1,855 euros) in fines and costs.

Tevez pleaded guilty to two counts of failing to provide information relating to incidents when his car was clocked speeding.

His solicitor, Gwyn Lewis, told the court he did not recognise the word ‘constabulary’ on the letters he received from police.

“He does understand the word ‘police’, but not more complicated words. The letters are written from Cheshire Constabulary and the word police doesn’t appear on it anywhere,” Lewis said.

“The word constabulary is not one that is recognised internationally, but of course police is.

“The correspondence was not dealt with properly and that has resulted in these offences.”

On the possibility that his client might face a fine, Lewis said: “He is a footballer and in that regard he is relatively well paid.”

Tevez also admitted that he did not have a proper British driving licence, but he said he was not at the wheel when his car was caught speeding.