LaLiga: Barcelona centre-back Gerard Pique fined $54,000 by Spanish court for driving without a valid licence
Gerard Pique was stopped by municipal police in Barcelona as part of a routine check and was found to be driving without any points on his licence.

Barcelona: A Spanish court on Monday slapped Barcelona centre-back Gerard Pique with a fine of 48,000 euros ($54,000) for driving without a valid licence.
The 31-year-old, who arrived at the Barcelona court dressed in a grey sweatshirt and wearing a wool cap in the company of his lawyer, accepted the sentence for breaching Spain's driving laws at the hearing. He left the court smiling but without speaking to the press.
Pique was stopped by municipal police in Barcelona as part of a routine check and was found to be driving without any points on his licence.
In Spain, drivers licences operate on a system of points, which are deducted for any traffic offences. A driver who is left without any points will have their licence suspended for six months and must attend a course on traffic rules to recover it.
Pique could have recovered his drivers licence in June 2018 but he did not attend this course so his licence remained suspended in August when he was stopped by municipal police, according to the court ruling.
The player received a fine of 10,500 euros in 2015 for insulting two police officers who wanted to fine him for parking in a no-parking zone.
Images published by local media at the time showed Pique in a heated exchange with the officers, and crumpling the fine and throwing it on the ground.
Subscribe to Moneycontrol Pro at ₹499 for the first year. Use code PRO499. Limited period offer. *T&C apply
also read

Champions League: Real Madrid hit by Karim Benzema injury ahead of match against Atalanta
Madrid might cope without Benzema against Valladolid but his absence for the trip to Bergamo in the first leg of the Champions League last 16 on Wednesday would be a huge blow.

LaLiga: Lionel Messi's brace leads Barcelona to thumping Alaves win; Atletico Madrid beat Granada
Atletico Madrid's win was a significant psychological boost on the back of slipping up for the first time in nine games at home to Celta Vigo earlier this week.

What to watch in European football this weekend: Lionel Messi-led Barcelona at Sevilla; Porto hope to stop runaway leaders Sporting and an 'Olympico'
Sevilla and Barcelona clash at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on Saturday, with fourth-placed Julen Lopetegui side two points behind third-placed Barca while boasting a game in hand.