Chelsea's Ashley Cole found guilty of speeding

Cole, 29, faces a driving ban after police recorded him driving his black Lamborghini Gallardo sportscar at 104 mph (167 kph) in a 50 mph zone near London on November 17.

The player told officers when he was stopped that he thought he was travelling at 80 mph and was being pursued by paparazzi photographers, the Press Association reported.

Cole was not present at the hearing at Kingston Magistrates Court, where his lawyers argued unsuccessfully that the police speed gun might have been faulty. Magistrates' chairwoman Judith Jewell said Cole may be banned when he is sentenced on January 29.