RAHEEM STERLING APPEARS IN COURT OVER DANGEROUS DRIVING CHARGE

Raheem Sterling has appeared at Basingstoke Magistrates' Court charged with dangerous driving, possession of nitrous oxide for wrongful inhalation and failing to provide a specimen. Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said the charges follow a single-vehicle collision on the M3 southbound, near the Minley interchange, on 28 May. The force said no other vehicles were involved and no injuries were reported. Sterling, who is from Berkshire, arrived at court wearing black trousers, black shoes and a dark top. According to reports, the car involved was a Lamborghini valued at around £270,000. Sterling's representative said, after his initial arrest, that he had been made to feel "worthless" and "forgotten about" in recent years.

Sterling has played in the Premier League for Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal. He came through Queens Park Rangers' academy before joining Liverpool, where he made his senior debut, and moved to Manchester City in 2015, winning four Premier League titles, five League Cups and the FA Cup in 2019. He left City for Chelsea in 2022, later fell out of favour there and spent the 2024-25 season on loan at Arsenal. After leaving Chelsea, he joined Feyenoord on a short-term deal in February, making eight appearances in the Dutch top flight. For England, he scored 20 goals in 82 appearances, helping Gareth Southgate's side reach the 2018 World Cup semi-finals and the final of Euro 2020.

Sterling was made an MBE in the 2021 Queen's Birthday Honours list for services to racial equality in sport. The honour came amid controversy over England fans booing players who took the knee before matches as a gesture against intolerance. His appearance at Basingstoke Magistrates' Court is the first hearing in the case brought over the May incident. Further proceedings are expected to follow.