Raheem Sterling Charged with Dangerous Driving and Possession of Nitrous Oxide

Raheem Sterling has been charged with dangerous driving and possession of nitrous oxide after a motorway crash involving a Lamborghini, Hampshire and Isle of Wight constabulary have confirmed.

The charges stem from a single-vehicle collision on the M3 southbound near the Minley interchange on 28 May. Police say no other cars were involved and no injuries were reported.

Sterling, 31, is accused of dangerous driving, possession of nitrous oxide for wrongful inhalation and failing to provide a specimen. He is due to appear at Basingstoke magistrates court on 15 September.

Career Highlights

The incident marks a stark turn for a player who, at his peak, stood at the heart of England’s modern era. Sterling scored 20 goals in 82 appearances for his country, a central figure in Gareth Southgate’s run to the 2018 World Cup semi-finals and the Euro 2020 final.

His club career has traced a high-profile path. Raised in the academy at QPR, he broke through at Liverpool before a major move to Manchester City in 2015. In Manchester he collected four Premier League titles, five League Cups and an FA Cup, becoming one of the most decorated English forwards of his generation.

The trajectory shifted after his 2022 move to Chelsea. Game time faded, and he spent the 2024–25 season on loan at Arsenal. After leaving Stamford Bridge, he signed a short-term deal with Feyenoord until the end of last season. He is currently without a club.

Off the Pitch

Off the pitch, Sterling has long been a prominent voice against racism in football and wider society. In the 2021 Queen’s birthday honours he was made an MBE for services to racial equality in sport, recognition for his role in fronting anti-racism and anti-discrimination campaigns and for speaking out forcefully on abuse faced by Black players.

Now, instead of transfer talk or international recall debates, his next date is in a magistrates court in September.