Raheem Sterling held on drug-driving suspicion after Lamborghini crash on Hampshire motorway

Raheem Sterling has been arrested for drug driving after crashing his Lamborghini in Hampshire.

Updated on: May 31, 2026, 10:32:57 IST

Written by Probuddha Bhattacharjee

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Raheem Sterling has been arrested on suspicion of drug driving after crashing his Lamborghini into motorway barriers in Hampshire, England, on Thursday morning - the latest blow in what has become a turbulent final chapter to a once-glittering career.

Raheem Sterling had been arrested on suspicion of drug driving. (AFP)

The 31-year-old, currently on the books of Dutch Eredivisie club Feyenoord, allegedly collided with barriers on the M3 southbound near the Minley Interchange at around 9am. No other vehicles were involved, and no injuries were reported.

Four charges, released on bail

Hampshire Police confirmed Sterling was arrested on four counts: driving while unfit through drugs, dangerous driving, possession of a Class C drug, and failing to provide a specimen. He has since been released on bail pending further enquiries.

"The driver, a 31-year-old 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. He has been bailed while our enquiries continue," the statement from Hampshire Police.

Crucially, these remain allegations. A source close to Sterling stressed that the arrest was made "under suspicion" and that no substance has been confirmed in his system. The investigation is ongoing.

Also Read: European Champions watch their city burn: PSG's 2nd UCL title celebrations turn ugly as fans take to vandalism, violence

From Premier League glory to freefall

The incident is a grim footnote to a career that once stood among England's finest. Sterling came through QPR's academy, made his name at Liverpool, and hit his peak at Manchester City under Pep Guardiola, winning four Premier League titles, five League Cups and the FA Cup.

He earned 82 England caps, scoring 20 goals, and was central to Gareth Southgate's side reaching the 2018 World Cup semi-finals and the Euro 2020 final at Wembley.

His £47.5 million move to Chelsea in 2022 was supposed to signal a bold new chapter. Instead, it unravelled steadily. A public falling-out with coach Enzo Maresca effectively ended his time at Stamford Bridge, and a loan spell at Arsenal in 2024–25 offered little more than bit-part appearances.

In January 2026, Chelsea and Sterling parted ways by mutual consent. Within weeks, he had joined Feyenoord on a short-term deal, contributing just one assist in eight appearances before this week's events.

Neither Sterling nor his representatives have commented publicly. With his Feyenoord contract nearing its end and retirement discussions already circulating in European football circles, Thursday's arrest adds a deeply unwelcome dimension to an already uncertain future.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Probuddha Bhattacharjee
Probuddha Bhattacharjee is a sports writer and analyst with expertise spanning cricket, football, and multi-sport events, with a strong emphasis on data-driven journalism and tactical storytelling. He currently focuses on international cricket, the Indian Premier League, global tournaments, and emerging trends shaping modern sport, blending advanced statistics with strong narrative context to explain performance, strategy, and decision-making. His work aims to bridge the gap between numbers and storytelling, helping readers understand not just what happened on the field, but the tactical and structural reasons behind it. Trained in data journalism through the Google News Initiative (GNI) Data Journalism Lab, Probuddha works extensively with ball-by-ball datasets, performance metrics, and trend-based modelling to produce evidence-backed reports, explainers, and long-form features. His analytical approach focuses not only on outcomes but also on process—selection strategies, phase-wise tactics, workload management, and the influence of preparation and planning on match results. He is particularly interested in how statistical patterns reshape conventional cricketing narratives and provide clearer tactical insight for modern audiences. Beyond cricket, Probuddha has written analytical and news-driven pieces on football and other major sporting events, with a growing interest in sports governance, scheduling dynamics, and the economics of elite competitions. He also tracks how rule changes, franchise structures, and broadcast pressures influence the evolution of contemporary sport. He has previously contributed to platforms such as OneCricket, Sportskeeda, and CrickTracker, and continues to specialise in analytical storytelling, live coverage, and audience-focused reporting. His work prioritises clarity, context, and credibility, while consistently exploring innovative ways to present data through accessible narratives and structured match analysis.Read More

Stay updated with the latest sports news, including latest headlines and updates from the Durand Cup Final Live. Catch all the action from tennis Grand Slam tournaments, follow your favourite football teams and players with the latest match results, and get the latest on international hockey tournaments and series.