Video emerges of Sterling's detention under nitrous oxide
The video published by The Independent shows the arrest of Raheem Sterling on May 28, when police intercepted him after a crash with his Lamborghini on the M3 motorway near Minley, while the 31‑year‑old former striker of Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal was consuming nitrous oxide.
Details of the arrest
Body‑camera footage from the officer shows Sterling inside the car as the officers approach. Six nitrous oxide cartridges and a deflated balloon are visible on the seat, which the footballer places behind the seat after opening the door. The officers ask him to exit the vehicle and hand over his phone, but he initially does not respond. The incident photograph, signed by Albert Gea of Reuters, accompanies the post.
Witness testimony
A driver traveling on the same motorway told The Sun that she recognized Sterling and saw a huge balloon in front of his face, momentarily mistaking it for an airbag. The witness described the behaviour as “completely reckless”. Her statement was one of those that prompted the police intervention.
Legal proceedings of the case
On Tuesday, September 15, Sterling appeared before the Basingstoke magistrates’ court and pleaded guilty to three criminal charges: reckless driving, possession of nitrous oxide and refusing to provide a blood sample. Prosecutor Simon Jones described the driving as “absolutely horrendous”. Judge Kirsty Allman withdrew his driving licence with immediate effect.
During the arrest, the former striker failed the coordination and sobriety tests, showing drooping eyelids and difficulty walking. His lawyer, Jason Bartfield KC, noted that Sterling appeared “quiet, withdrawn and lethargic”, symptoms consistent with fatigue or intoxication. At the time, the recorded temperature was around 33 degrees.
The court granted unconditional bail until November 25, the date on which the sentence will be handed down. The maximum penalty foreseen is two years in prison, although experts estimate a possible sentence of between 12 and 18 months, which could be suspended. If the sentence exceeds one year, the case will be referred to the Crown Court.
Sterling, who amassed 82 caps for the English national team, spent six months at the Dutch Feyenoord last season and is currently without a club. His spells at clubs such as Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal are frequently mentioned in reports. The lack of a club and the pending conviction complicate his professional future.
The circulation of the video and the pending sentence reignite the debate over footballers’ behaviour off the pitch and could influence any possible return to a club. Meanwhile, the football community continues to watch the case’s development.