The Daily Telegraph - Saturday - Sport Saturday
Sterling arrest for drug driving after crashing Lamborghini
Former England winger’s vehicle hits barriers on M3 Player released on bail while Hampshire police investigate
Raheem Sterling has been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs and possession of a Class C substance.
Hampshire police said they received reports that a Lamborghini collided with barriers on the southbound M3 carriageway, close to the Minley Interchange just before 9am on Thursday.
A statement added: “No other vehicles were involved and no injuries were reported.
“The driver, a 31-yearold man, from Berkshire, has been arrested on suspicion of driving a vehicle whilst unfit through drugs, driving dangerously, possession of a Class C drug and failing to provide a specimen.”
The former England international has been released on bail while inquiries continue.
Sterling signed for Dutch side Feyenoord in February on a shortterm deal until the end of the season.
The 31-year-old enjoyed success at Manchester City after joining from Liverpool in 2015. Sterling won the Golden Boy award as the world’s best young player during his time at Anfield and was awarded an MBE in 2021 for his services to racial equality.
At City, Sterling won four Premier League titles, five League Cups and the FA Cup. His subsequent move to Chelsea in 2022 coincided with a steep decline in his form.
His loan at Arsenal last season did not result in a permanent move despite being supported by Mikel Arteta – who had worked with him at City. Sterling left Chelsea by mutal agreement in January and signed for Feyenoord on a shortterm deal the following month. Sterling is currently without a club but the appeal of living on the Continent is huge and teams in Serie A are expected to register interest. Sterling will work with Ben Rosenblatt, his personal physio, next month to ensure that he is ready for pre-season. “I’ve enjoyed working with him,” Feyenoord coach Robin van Persie said recently. Sterling won 82 caps for England and played at three World Cup finals. His last game for England was at the 2022 World Cup. A source close to Sterling said that the strain of the abrupt end to his top-level playing career had taken a toll on his well-being.