What kind of punishment could Raheem Sterling get after being found guilty of dangerous driving?
Raheem Sterling has admitted to dangerous driving after crashing his Lamborghini into motorway barriers in May. Last month, he was charged with dangerous driving, possessing nitrous oxide, and failing to provide a specimen. He appeared at Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, September 15.
Sterling, who used to play for Manchester City, Liverpool, and Chelsea, admitted to driving his Lamborghini Urus dangerously on the M25, M3, A327, and Minley Road before the crash on May 28.
Back in August, when he was charged, Hampshire & Isle of Wight police said: “Raheem Sterling, 31, from Berkshire, is facing charges after a crash on the M3. The single-vehicle accident involved a Lamborghini and happened near Minley Interchange. No one else was involved, and no injuries were reported.”
If found guilty, Sterling could face up to two years in prison, which would be a big setback for his hopes of continuing a top professional football career.
He was released from his contract at Feyenoord after making only eight appearances last season. Sterling had great success earlier, winning the Premier League four times with Man City after moving from Liverpool in 2015 and then joining Chelsea in 2022. Since then, his career has taken a downturn, including a loan spell at Arsenal and being banned from using Chelsea’s facilities before his contract ended by mutual agreement in January this year.
After that, he had a short stint at Feyenoord but wasn’t kept on for the new season after limited playing time. While UK law allows a maximum of two years in prison, there’s still a chance he might avoid jail and focus on what’s next for his football journey.
At 31, Sterling still has some years ahead to show his skills, even though things haven’t gone well lately. Just last week, Jonjo Shelvey, now managing the Arabian Falcons in Dubai’s second division, mentioned that Sterling might have opportunities there. Shelvey said a few well-known free agents, including Sterling and Jadon Sancho, had reached out for options, as many players scramble to find clubs after the UK transfer window closes.
Sterling could consider moving to Dubai or wait for an English club to take a chance on him, but after recent events, that would be a big gamble.