Raheem Sterling, the former forward for Manchester City, Chelsea, and Arsenal, was arrested early Thursday morning on charges related to impaired driving due to suspected drug use, according to sources from the Press Association.
The arrest occurred when Hampshire Police stopped Sterling while he was driving his Lamborghini on the southbound lane of the M3 motorway.
A police spokesperson confirmed the incident in a statement, noting, “Just before 9 a.m. on Thursday (May 28), we received reports of a Lamborghini that had collided with a barrier on the M3 southbound near the Minley Interchange.”
Authorities stated that no other vehicles were involved in the crash, and there were no reported injuries. “The driver, a 31-year-old man from Berkshire, was arrested on suspicion of driving while disqualified due to drugs, dangerous driving, possession of a class C drug, and failing to provide a specimen,” said the spokesperson.
Sterling has been released on bail as the investigation continues. Following the arrest, the Press Association reached out to representatives of Sterling, who confirmed the details of the situation.
A source familiar with Sterling’s circumstances mentioned that he has been feeling “worthless” and “forgotten” in recent times. They indicated that the former England international, who recently played for Feyenoord in the Netherlands, has experienced significant mental strain after enduring a challenging few years in his career.
The source elaborated, “This illuminates the current treatment of players whose performance no longer meets expectations—often deemed expendable. Many notable England players from the past decade have faced similar feelings of being forgotten. The mental strain on him is immense.” They noted that Sterling’s transition to the Netherlands was an attempt to reconnect with his passion for football, but negative emotions continued to haunt him.
Despite the setbacks, the spokesperson emphasized that Sterling was arrested “on suspicion,” clarifying, “There is no evidence against his regime.” He remains out on bail while authorities conduct their inquiries.
Throughout his career, Sterling has made a significant impact on the England national team, scoring 20 goals in 82 appearances, contributing to the team’s success in reaching the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup and the final of Euro 2020. His football journey began at QPR’s academy before moving to Liverpool, where he made his professional debut.
In 2015, Sterling transferred to Manchester City, achieving considerable success with four Premier League titles, five League Cups, and an FA Cup in 2019. After a stint with Chelsea beginning in 2022, his performance waned under manager Enzo Maresca, leading to a loan to Arsenal for the 2024-25 season. In February, he signed a short-term deal with Feyenoord, making eight appearances in the Eredivisie.
