Newcastle United midfielder Cheick Tiote has been given a seven-month suspended jail sentence after admitting to possessing a fake driving licence.
The 27-year-old purchased the forged document from Belgium for £12,800 before trying to exchange it for a full UK licence.
Tiote has been ordered to complete 180 hours of unpaid work.
Judge James Goss QC said: "I give you credit for your plea of guilty, which has saved you from an immediate sentence of imprisonment.
"In that way you will be punished and I have no doubt that, using your considerable talent, you will be able to assist others in the community by encouraging them and passing on your skills that way."
Tiote joined Newcastle from Dutch side FC Twente in 2010.
