Suspended sentence for Bodnar after fatal crash

Hungary international Laszlo Bodnar was given a one-year suspended prison sentence after causing the death of a cyclist while driving at excessive speed in late August, Hungary’s Football League MLSZ announced Friday.

The local court in Nyiregyhaza found Bodnar guilty of involuntarily causing the fatal road accident, the MLSZ said in a statement.

Along with his suspended sentence, Bodnar will have to pay a fine of 250,000 forint (950 euros), it added.

Bodnar, 30, a defender with Hungarian first division side Debrecen, was driving to his parents’ home in the north-east of the country in late August when he struck the 34-year-old cyclist, who later died from his injuries.

Tests showed no alcohol in the player’s bloodstream but the autopsy concluded the victim had been riding his bicycle drunk, the MLSZ said.

Bodnar skipped Hungary’s World Cup qualifier against Sweden on September 5 but played against Portugal four days later.

As Debrecen’s top player, he is due to face Lyon, Liverpool and Fiorentina with his side in their Champions League group matches.