Hampshire Police issue a statement with footballer Raheem Sterling arrested on suspicion of drug-driving after a crash.
The former England international was pulled over by police, suspected of driving under the influence of drugs having allegedly being involved in a road collision.
Hampshire Police said to The Sun: “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.
“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 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.”
A source close to him said: “He was a prolific English international who has steered the England squad to significant heights over the last decade and has been made to feel worthless and forgotten about in recent years. The psychological strain that has put on him is immeasurable.”
Kelvin MacKenzie, an editor of The Sun, tweeted: “In a strange aside, presumably to explain why Raheem Sterling, 31, crashed his Lamborghini into the barriers of the M3 and was arrested for drug driving, possessing a class C drug and failing to provide a specimen, a source close to the footballer said he had a “hellish” couple of years.
“True his £325K a week pay at Chelsea had fallen to £23K a week with Feyeonord but that’s an odd description of hell.
“If some of that hell would head my way I’d be delighted.”
Three months ago, he had signed for Dutch club Feyenoord until the end of the season, and said in his first interview, as per BBC Sport: “As a free agent, I’ve had, for the first time in a long time, the opportunity to control the next step.
“In my career. I wanted to take my time to speak with clubs and their head coaches to better understand the role they envisioned for me and ensure that I can add real value in this next chapter.
“Having spoken in great detail with Robin, I’m confident that Feyenoord is a place I can be happy and establish myself as a valued member of the team. Playing abroad is a whole new challenge for me – and one I’m ready to embrace. Honestly, I’m just excited to get started.”
Head coach Robin Van Persie said: “Naturally it’s a fantastic feat that we’ve managed to convince a player of Raheem’s calibre to sign with us.
“His football resume speaks for itself: he’s a player whose qualities can change the outcome of a game without a doubt, and I am convinced he will turn out to be a valuable addition to the team as we work towards achieving our goals in the second half of this season.”
In March, he made his first start, which was a 3-3 draw against NAC Breda, but after the game, Raheem Sterling told an ESPN reporter ‘you shouldn’t be laughing’ after the interviewer had seemingly poked fun at his failure to score for Feyenoord.
He said: “I’m just trying to get myself to my level which I know I’m capable of, and that’s all with fitness, but there was some good combination play.
“[We need to] just keep building on it as a team, more to come.”
As seen in the video above, the interviewer brought up that Sterling had missed a chance to score in the second half, with Raheem replying back: “You shouldn’t be laughing my guy!”
He then admitted: “But yeah, it’s one that, as I said, [I need to] get the cobwebs off.
“I had the opportunity and that’s something, with my standards, I want to take and that would have been the game as well.
“It’s a good stepping stone and next one I’ve got to get it in the back of the net.”
BBC Sport were told by their sources that around 18 clubs in England and Europe were interested in Sterling.
But made the decision to play for Feyenoord as they play in a competitive league, wanted to help them reach the Champions League, but also was persuaded by Van Persie, who was keen to have him in his team.
He has made 8 appearances for them, and while he didn’t score any goals, he did contributed one assist, Feyenoord coming from behind to beat Excelsior.
Feyenoord finished the season 2nd with 65 points from 34 games played, but were 19 points behind title winners PSV.