Ferdinand was clocked driving at 92mph in his car

Ferdinand, 24, of Linton Common, West Yorkshire, was also ordered to pay �3,000 in costs.

The Manchester United star, who did not attend Leeds Magistrates' Court, was convicted of speeding at an average of 92mph on the M1 on 1 March last year.

He was pulled over in his Cadillac Escalade on the southbound carriageway of the motorway near Temple Newsam, Leeds.

Imposing the maximum fine, District Judge Roy Anderson admitted it would be seen as "derisory" compared to Ferdinand's earnings.

Ferdinand's solicitor, Barry Warburton told the court his client earned substantial amounts of money but was not "the archetypal, wild footballer".

'Serious inconvenience'

He added: "He is just the opposite and his feet are firmly on the ground."

Mr Warburton hinted that the footballer's charity work up and down the country could be affected by a driving ban.

He said he could not put forward an "extreme hardship" defence which would prevent a ban.

But he said: "I can say he will be seriously inconvenienced."

Most expensive defender

Ferdinand who already had nine points on his licence at the time of the offence, was given six more points for the latest speeding incident.

He was given 14 days to pay the fine and costs.

Ferdinand became the world's most expensive defender when he joined Manchester United for �30m in summer 2002.

He is currently training with the England squad ahead of Wednesday's European Championship qualifier against Turkey.