Peter Sagan has been fined €5,000 by a Monaco court after violating a COVID-19 curfew last April and for injuring a police officer at the moment he was stopped and refused to be taken to hospital.
According to reports in the Monaco and French media, Sagan was alleged to be drunk when he and his brother were stopped by police at 12:30 a.m. on April 25.
The Nice-Matin newspaper suggested Sagan “struggled like a madman” when police tried to take him into custody. A police officer suffered a hand injury during the arrest, with local media reporting he needed two days off work to recover.
Sagan’s lawyers justified his actions saying he feared he would be "forced to be vaccinated."
According to reports, after several hours in police custody, Sagan admitted he had no memory of what had happened and apologised.
A judge fined him €5,000, plus a further €100 for violating the curfew. He will also have to pay €1,500 civil charges.
Sagan is currently in South America after attending the presentation of the Vuelta a San Juan.
He issued a brief message a few hours after news of the fine emerged, expressing his regret about the incident and claiming it will not happen again.
“Regarding the news that appeared today related to the night of April 25th, I wish to take this opportunity to convey my most sincere apologies," Sagan wrote on social media.
"It was an ugly experience that made me think profoundly and draw valuable lessons. I am truly sorry for this incident which will not happen again.”
