Ex-Sunderland, Blackburn Rovers and Leeds United star banned from driving | OneFootball

Ian Poveda has left English football, but he's been punished by the courts after his departure

For a player with such a glittering list of clubs on his CV from his youth career, many would have expected Ian Poveda's career to go better than what it has been.

The London-born Colombia international started his career at Chelsea's academy, before passing through Arsenal, Barcelona, Brentford and Man City in a nine-year period, and with that kind of record, there looked to be a top flight-level player in there.

Now 26 years of age though, Poveda's Premier League appearances have amounted to just 14, which all came during the 2020-21 season with Leeds United after he joined the Whites after not making the grade at the Etihad Stadium, and despite becoming a top flight player once more with Sunderland last year, the winger was on the fringes at the Stadium of Light, and was never going to play a part under Regis Le Bris.

Ian Poveda handed punishment despite leaving Sunderland earlier this year

It may have been a surprise when Sunderland took a punt on Poveda in 2024 on a free transfer when his Leeds deal expired, especially as he'd had an indifferent loan stint at Sheffield Wednesday in the months before, but he appeared just six times in their Championship promotion season before effectively being frozen out.

Poveda has now left England altogether, signing for Inter Bogotá in Colombia's top flight on a free transfer, but he's been punished despite being halfway around the world in South America.

The playmaker has been handed a driving ban by the UK courts, having been stopped by police officers in February 25 in South Tyneside.

Poveda was accused of driving at 100mph in a 70mph zone by police, and despite pulling over immediately, the footballer has been punished due to his license already having a number of points accumulated at the time of the incident over a year ago.

Three previous speeding offences had seen Poveda rack up nine points on his license, and he's already served a ban whilst on loan at Blackburn Rovers during the 2021-22 season for driving whilst disqualified.

Now, Poveda has been handed another six-month driving suspension by the courts for his latest misdemeanour, which he pleaded guilty to without attending, although it's unclear as to whether that only starts when the 26-year-old returns to the country at any point during or after his current stint in Colombia.

Ian Poveda should've achieved a lot more in England than he did

For a player of Poveda's clear ability, he should have undoubtedly made more of an impact at the club's he has passed through.

Leeds saw enough in him to give him a number of run-outs at Premier League level, but he never lasted at Elland Road, with his loan stints at Blackpool, Blackburn Rovers and Sheffield Wednesday ending up being much of a muchness, with availability sometimes costing the Colombian.

There was evident natural ability on the ball there, but a lack of application has perhaps been Poveda's downfall, and he's headed to the country where he plays his national football for to try and resurrect his career.