The Untold Childhood Stories & Biographies of Football Stars
Raheem Sterling Arrested on Suspicion of Drug Driving After Lamborghini Crash on M3
Summary
HAMPSHIRE, England — August 13, 2026: Former England winger Raheem Sterling was arrested on suspicion of drug driving on Thursday morning after his Lamborghini collided with motorway barriers on the M3 in Hampshire, according to BBC Sport. The 31-year-old, who...
5 min read
Table of Contents
HAMPSHIRE, England — August 13, 2026: Former England winger Raheem Sterling was arrested on suspicion of drug driving on Thursday morning after his Lamborghini collided with motorway barriers on the M3 in Hampshire, according to BBC Sport. The 31-year-old, who most recently played for Feyenoord in the Dutch Eredivisie, was bailed by police while enquiries continue.
What Happened on the M3 on August 13
Hampshire Police confirmed that just before 9am on Thursday, August 13, 2026, officers received reports of a Lamborghini in collision with motorway barriers on the M3 southbound, close to the Minley Interchange. The incident involved no other vehicles, and no injuries were reported.
“Just before 9am on Thursday, we received reports that a Lamborghini was in collision with barriers on the M3 southbound, close to the Minley Interchange,” Hampshire Police said in an official statement. “No other vehicles were involved and no injuries were reported.”
Police confirmed that the driver — identified as a 31-year-old man from Berkshire — was arrested on multiple suspicions. “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,” the force stated. “He has been bailed while our enquiries continue.”
Sterling’s Camp Denies Drug Involvement
A source close to Sterling, as reported by BBC Sport, pushed back sharply on the drug element of the allegations, saying there was “no proof” of drugs in Sterling’s system. The same source offered a candid assessment of the former Manchester City and Chelsea star’s mental state in recent months, describing what they called an extremely difficult personal period.
“He has had an extremely tough couple of years,” the source told BBC Sport, adding that Sterling had been made to “feel worthless” and “forgotten about” during a career period marked by diminishing opportunities at top clubs.
Sterling has not made any public comment as of the time of publication. No statement has yet been issued by his representatives or by Feyenoord, the Dutch club where he most recently played.
The Charges Sterling Faces
| Charge (Suspicion) | Status |
|---|---|
| Driving whilst unfit through drugs | Arrested; bailed pending enquiry |
| Driving dangerously | Arrested; bailed pending enquiry |
| Possession of a Class C drug | Arrested; bailed pending enquiry |
| Failing to provide a specimen | Arrested; bailed pending enquiry |
In the United Kingdom, a Class C drug typically covers substances such as anabolic steroids, ketamine, or some benzodiazepines. Police have not publicly specified which substance is alleged to have been in Sterling’s possession.
A Career That Has Drifted Far From Its Peak
Sterling’s arrest comes at a low point in a career that once promised extraordinary heights. Born on December 8, 1994, in Kingston, Jamaica, Sterling rose through the Liverpool academy to become one of England’s most exciting forwards through the 2010s. His £49 million move from Liverpool to Manchester City in June 2015 made him one of the most expensive British players of his era, and under Pep Guardiola he won four Premier League titles, two FA Cups, and five League Cups.
A high-profile transfer to Chelsea in the summer of 2022 for approximately £47.5 million failed to reignite his form. Loan spells followed, including a return to Arsenal in the 2024-25 season, before he moved to Feyenoord in the Netherlands for the 2025-26 campaign. At international level, Sterling earned 82 caps for England and scored 20 international goals, but was controversially dropped from squads in later years amid off-field controversies.
The source close to Sterling, speaking to BBC Sport, painted a picture of a footballer who has struggled deeply with his diminished status. The language used — feeling “worthless” and “forgotten about” — suggests the past two years have taken a significant personal and psychological toll on the player who once wore the number 7 shirt for England at major tournaments.
Context: Sterling’s Off-Pitch Controversies
This is not Sterling’s first time making headlines away from the pitch. In December 2022, he was forced to fly home from England’s World Cup camp in Qatar after an alleged break-in at his family home in Surrey. He later returned to the squad. His time at Chelsea was frequently interrupted by questions about his role, form, and future at the club.
The Thursday morning incident on the M3 will reignite questions about the welfare of a player who, at his best during the 2018-19 Premier League season, scored 17 league goals and was widely regarded as one of the top five players in England. His trajectory since leaving City has been a steep decline that has prompted concern among former teammates and football observers alike.
What Happens Next
Sterling has been released on bail, meaning no charges have been formally filed as of August 13, 2026. Hampshire Police’s enquiry is ongoing, and it remains unclear how long it will take before a charging decision is made. In cases involving suspected drug driving in England and Wales, police typically conduct toxicology tests that can take several weeks to process.
Should charges be brought and a conviction result, Sterling could face a mandatory driving ban of at least 12 months, a potential fine, and up to six months in prison for the drug driving element under UK law. The failing to provide a specimen charge alone carries similar penalties.
As of publication, neither the Football Association nor FIFA has issued any comment on the arrest. Sterling’s club situation also remains unclear — his contract status at Feyenoord for the 2026-27 season has not been publicly confirmed, and no club has come forward with a statement.
The story is developing. This article will be updated as Hampshire Police release further information or as Sterling’s legal representatives make a public statement.
Related Coverage
- Brian Madjo, 17, Becomes Youngest Scorer in UEFA Super Cup History on Aston Villa Debut
- Galatasaray Submit €45m Bid for Arsenal Winger Gabriel Martinelli
- Atletico Madrid Agree £34m Deal to Sign Cristian Romero from Tottenham
- Football News & Stories — Lifebogger Blog
Sources
Photo: Антон Зайцев, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
