Former England international Raheem Sterling is literally out driving. Now he has been arrested, suspected of driving while intoxicated after crashing on the highway.
The 31-year-old reportedly crashed his Lamborghini on the M3 on Thursday, and he was stopped by police just after 09:00 (local UK time)
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Sterling was released on bail after driving his car into the crash barrier on the highway.
Hampshire Police stated the following:
“Just before 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, we received reports that a Lamborghini collided with the crash barrier on the M3 southbound, near the Minley exit.”
“No other vehicles were involved, and no injuries were reported.”
“The driver, a 31-year-old man from Berkshire, has been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs, of dangerous driving, possession of class C drugs and of failing to provide a sample. He has been released on bail while our investigations are ongoing.”
Career in free fall
Sterling’s encounter with the law is the latest sad chapter in a career that has been in free fall since he left Manchester City almost four years ago.
After establishing himself as a key piece in Manchester City’s trophy machine under Pep Guardiola, the winger completely derailed at Chelsea amid the chaos and turmoil at Stamford Bridge.
A loan spell at Arsenal last season – where the hope was that he could rebuild his career under Mikel Arteta, who had been a key part of the coaching staff during Sterling’s best time at City – ended in disaster.
Sterling only got five games from the start in the Premier League during his time at Arsenal. He scored just one goal in all competitions, and he was unable to play his way to a place in an attacking line that was hampered by injuries.
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The contract was terminated
Upon his return to Chelsea, the club’s manager at the time, Enzo Maresca, made it clear that Sterling had no chance of playing his way back into the plans. He then spent six months on the sidelines.
In the end, his contract was terminated in January – despite the fact that the deal, worth £325,000 a week, had 18 months left to run.
The former Liverpool star then secured a move to Dutch club Feyenoord in February, but he is already a free agent again – after only eight games.
A source told the Daily Mail that the man who was once a key player for England’s path to the Euro 2020 final has been in a very difficult situation – especially in the last two years.
“Negativity followed him”
“The mental strain that has been placed on him is immeasurable,” the source said.
“The moment he touches a ball, he’s told he’s a failure and he’s done. He is mocked and ridiculed.”
“He moved to the Netherlands to escape and to rediscover his love for the game, but negativity followed him. These have been some extremely tough years for him, and this incident sums it all up.”
