Raheem Sterling Bailed After Suspected Drug-Driving Arrest In England

LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — Former England forward Raheem Sterling has been arrested after police said a Lamborghini collided with motorway barriers in southern England.

Hampshire Police said the incident happened shortly before 9:00 am (0800 GMT) on Thursday on the southbound M3 near the Minley Interchange. Sterling, 31, who is from Berkshire, is suspected of being the driver of the vehicle, which allegedly struck barriers on the Hampshire stretch of the motorway.

According to police, no other vehicle was part of the crash and no one was reported hurt. The force said the driver was held on suspicion of driving while unfit through drugs, dangerous driving, possession of a Class C drug and failing to provide a specimen. He was later released on bail as investigations continue.

People close to Sterling told Britain's Press Association news agency that the player, formerly of Manchester City and Chelsea, had been made to “feel worthless” and “forgotten about”. The source said Sterling had endured “immeasurable” psychological pressure after an “extremely tough couple of years”.

The same source stressed that Sterling had been arrested “under suspicion” and said there was no “proof of anything in his system”.

Sterling has played 82 times for England, scoring 20 goals. He was part of the national team that reached the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup and the Euro 2020 final.

At club level, Sterling began his senior career at Liverpool before moving to Manchester City in 2015. During his time at City he won four Premier League titles, five League Cups and the 2019 FA Cup.

He joined Chelsea in 2022, later fell out of favour, and spent the 2024/25 campaign on loan at Arsenal. After leaving Stamford Bridge, Sterling signed a short-term contract with Feyenoord in February and made eight Eredivisie appearances for the Dutch club.