Former Newcastle United and Cardiff City forward, Sammy Oluwaseyi Ameobi, has been charged in a British court following his involvement in a hit-and-run incident that left a teenage girl hospitalized.
The 32-year-old, who enjoyed a successful football career before transitioning to a new apprenticeship role, is facing legal repercussions for his actions.
Ameobi, who began his career at the Newcastle United Football Academy and represented both the Nigeria U-20 team and England U-21 team, has been in the spotlight for a hit-and-run accident that occurred in November 2024.
According to the Scottish Sun, Ameobi, who was racing to his new job as an apprentice, crashed his vehicle into the 19-year-old victim’s car before fleeing the scene.
The female victim suffered undisclosed injuries and was rushed to the hospital’s Accident and Emergency department. Her car was deemed a total loss following the crash.
The incident was initially shrouded in mystery, but a public appeal from the victim’s mother, who shared details including Ameobi’s license plate number, helped the police track down the former footballer. CCTV footage of the accident played a crucial role in identifying him.
During his court appearance at Chester Magistrates’ Court, Ameobi pleaded guilty to failing to stop after an accident and driving without insurance.
He was fined £240, ordered to pay £181 in costs and a victim surcharge, and received six penalty points on his driving licence. In response to the charges, the retired footballer expressed remorse for his actions.
“Obviously, what I did was wrong. I understand that. It was completely out of character. I panicked at that moment to be honest with you. I am not trying to make excuses for it,” Ameobi said.
“My wife and I were in the hospital with my son the night before.He had choked on medication he had for eczema. I didn’t get any sleep. I was rushing to get to work and worried about my son. I just panicked at that moment. That is all that was.”
Ameobi, who enjoyed a £6.4 million career as a footballer, is now working as an apprentice earning £360 a week, a significant drop from his previous income.
His last professional football contract was with Middlesbrough, whom he joined in 2021 before being released the following year due to injury struggles.
