Former Premier League star Michail Antonio facing trial on motoring charge - after telling court he 'almost died' in smash months earlier

Published: 11:43, 19 June 2026 | Updated: 11:48, 19 June 2026 Former Premier League star Michail Antonio is to stand trial on a motoring charge - after telling a court he 'almost died' in a car smash. Antonio, who crashed his Ferrari into a tree in 2024, was facing a driving ban after his £200,000 Lamborghini Urus was clocked speeding in Birmingham in March last year. He was convicted in his absence in April for failing to give information relating to the identification of the driver of the high-powered car. But he persuaded magistrates to re-open the case today after blaming his 'spiralling' life for not responding to a court summons. Ex-West Ham star Antonio, of Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, will now stand trial at Birmingham Magistrates' Court next March. The 36-year-old was originally charged with driving at 50mph in a 40mph zone on the city's inner ring road in March 2025 but that matter was dropped. Representing himself in court today, Antonio told magistrates: 'I almost died in a car crash in December 2024. 'On the day of the offence I was not even physically driving at the time because I broke my femur, I wasn't allowed to drive.' Michail Antonio, pictured in West Ham colours, blamed his 'spiralling' life for not responding to a court summons The 36-year-old ex-West Ham ace was originally charged with driving at 50mph in a 40mph zone in his Lamborghini (pictured) on the city's inner ring road last March Antonio, dressed in a Prada top, claimed he had given his Lamborghini to a company to sell three months before it was clocked speeding. The footballer said he did not think he was in the country when he was sent a court summons. 'I was in Qatar, obviously working to sort my football career,' he said. 'After the crash I was released by West Ham. My life was spiralling all out of the way. 'Because I was trying to focus on my career and my life, I did not focus on anything else. 'Everybody, the whole world, saw I almost died in December. There is no way I could drive a car. 'I know for a fact I didn't do it.' His April conviction was set aside. The footballer was hospitalised after his Ferrari crashed into a tree in Theydon Bois, Essex, in December 2024 Antonio spent more than three weeks in hospital with a badly broken leg and faced a gruelling journey back to fitness  During the hearing Antonio asked if the media was allowed to remain in court. Asked by the magistrate if he was famous, he replied: 'Yes, I'm a footballer. I used to play for West Ham.' He was later allowed to use a rear exit of the court building to avoid awaiting photographers outside. Antonio already has six points on his licence - including for having no insurance when he crashed his Ferrari. He faces a mandatory six points if convicted of the new offence and an automatic ban under the 12 points totting-up procedure. Antonio is facing separate driving charges in London next month. He almost died in December 2024 when he crashed his £260,000 grey Ferrari GTC4 Lusso into a tree in Epping Forest, Essex as he drove home from training. The Jamaican international had to be cut free by firefighters after being left trapped in the high-powered car for 45 minutes. He spent more than three weeks in hospital with a badly broken leg and faced a gruelling journey back to fitness. The father-of-six was released by West Ham six months after the crash. He went on to train with Leicester City and Brentford before signing for Al-Sailiya in the Qatar Stars League in March. The footballer's Lamborghini was caught speeding in Birmingham just days before he told the BBC he was 'staying far away from sports cars'. Antonio told presenter Helen Skelton he felt he had been given 'another chance at life' after he was 'close to dying'. He said: 'I had seen the pictures but it was ten times worse in person. The car was an absolute mess. It was difficult for me. 'I've always been a fan and friend of sports cars and old classics, but I can't lie to you, sports cars are not my friends. 'So right now, I have a Mercedes people carrier and my brother is my driver. For now, anyway, I'm staying far away from sports cars. 'Every time I get behind the wheel, I worry that even if something small happens, it will be like 'ah, Michail's been in a crash again'. 'That kind of negativity gets in my mind and gives me a bit of nerves.' Antonio, who grew up in south London, also played for Reading, Southampton, Sheffield Wednesday and Nottingham Forest. In 2019 he crashed his £210,000 Lamborghini Huracan into the bin shed of a family home while dressed as a snowman on Christmas Day. He was on his way to the West Ham team hotel ahead of a Boxing Day match when the accident happened. Antonio later blamed the crash on a 'slippery road' and said he struggled to get insurance after the collision. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.