Former England winger Raheem Sterling is set to appear in court next month after being charged with dangerous driving and possessing nitrous oxide for wrongful inhalation.
The 31-year-old was charged following a single-vehicle crash involving his Lamborghini on the M3 southbound near the Minley Interchange in Hampshire on May 28, 2026.
According to Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary, Sterling has also been charged with failing to provide a specimen. No other vehicles were involved in the crash, and no injuries were reported.
Sterling was arrested following the incident and later released on bail while police continued their investigations. He is due to appear before Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court on September 15.
Police had previously suspected Sterling of driving while unfit through drugs, but the offence was not included among the charges announced by the force.
A source close to the player had previously told BBC Sport that there was “no proof” of drugs in Sterling’s system.
The source also said Sterling had endured an extremely difficult period in his career and had been made to feel “worthless” and “forgotten about”.
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Sterling has been without a club since leaving Dutch side Feyenoord at the end of last season. He joined Feyenoord in February on a short-term contract after leaving Chelsea by mutual consent.
Before moving to Feyenoord, Sterling spent three seasons at Chelsea after joining the London club from Manchester City for £47.5 million in 2022.
During his seven years at Manchester City, Sterling won four Premier League titles, five League Cups and one FA Cup.
In 2024, he joined Arsenal on loan but returned to Chelsea the following year and was subsequently excluded from the first-team squad and made to train separately.
Sterling began his professional career at Liverpool before establishing himself as one of England’s leading attacking players during his time at Manchester City.
At international level, he earned 82 caps for England between 2012 and 2022 and represented the country at three World Cups and two European Championships. The court proceedings will determine the outcome of the charges against the former England international.
BBC
