A £15,000-a-week Newcastle United star has been fined after being caught without a TV licence.
Striker Lomana LuaLua, 23, admitted the offence and was fined £175, said a spokeswoman for the TV Licensing Authority.
He was not thought to have attended the hearing before Newcastle magistrates.
The Democratic Republic of Congo striker was signed from Colchester United for £2.25m three years ago after reputedly being discovered by the Essex club playing football on Hackney Marshes.
But the exuberant forward, whose trademark goal celebration of six somersaults delights crowds at St James' Park, has recently fallen out of favour with manager Sir Bobby Robson.
A poor performance in a reserve game saw him hauled off by the manager.
He has made only one substitute appearance this season as Newcastle lost a Champions League qualifier to Partizan Belgrade on penalties.
The licensing authority said: "Everyone is treated equally. Anyone who is caught installing or using television equipment to receive broadcasting services is breaking the law and risks prosecution."
A spokeswoman for the club said no one was available to comment.
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