Billy Vunipola, a rugby player from England, is fined for obstructing arrest at a Mallorca nightclub according to the court.
A court in the Balearic Islands stated that Vunipola will need to pay a €240 fine (approximately $257) and an additional €500 in compensation to the victim of this incident. This was decided during an express trial held on Sunday.
Vunipola faced charges of serious disobedience to an authority and resisting arrest, as indicated in the court's sentencing document shown to CNN.
The court's statement mentioned that Vunipola acknowledged being at a nightclub in Palma where a police presence was required due to a fight.
"The accused stated that he did not comply with the police orders and, at a certain point, when they tried to restrain him, he jumped on top of one of them, causing an injury," the press release shared.
The Spanish National Police of Mallorca noted to CNN that a taser was used against an individual in Palma during the early hours of the morning.
The Balearic Islands Superior Court of Justice confirmed to CNN that Vunipola is exempt from the four-month sentence since he lacks a criminal record in Spain and his sentence is less than the two-year minimum requirement.
Vunipola, who has made 75 appearances for England since 2013, said that his roles in an "unfortunate incident" that escalated beyond his control occurred while leaving a nightclub on Sunday.
"Contrary to media reports, there was no violence, no fight, and I did not threaten anyone with bottles, chairs, or any other objects," added Vunipola.
He acknowledged having been charged with resisting the law and stated that he had already paid the €240 fine. Vunipola offered a heartfelt apology to all those involved.
The incident involved Vunipola not following police orders and getting injured in the process, as shown in the three-page court document detailing the sentence.
English rugby club Saracens, where Vunipola has spent most of his successful career, will handle the incident internally and not make any public statements until they've reached a decision.
Vunipola, a significant player for England and Saracens during the past decade, last took part in the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France and most recently played for his club against Bath in a Premiership match, replacing another player in the second half.
Read also:
Source: edition.cnn.com
