Delort, a former France under-20 international who, at 26, has played for nine clubs in France, England and Mexico, is on loan from Toulouse to Ligue 1 rivals Montpellier, not far from his hometown of Sete.

He was in his 4X4 which was being driven very fast by a friend, the source told Midi-Libre newspaper.

When police signalled that the car should stop, the driver refused and instead accelerated. A chase ensued between Adge and Marseillan, just south of Sete.

When the driver was finally persuaded to stop, police found that he was drunk and did not have a driving licence.

Midi-Libre reported that Delort told police: “I don’t give a damn. I make 150,000 euros a month.”

Delort has started all three of Montpellier’s games this season, including Saturday’s win at Amiens, without scoring

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© Agence France-Presse