What punishment Raheem Sterling could face after being found guilty of dangerous driving

Raheem Sterling has pleaded guilty to dangerous driving after crashing his Lamborghini into motorway barriers in May.

Sterling was charged with dangerous driving, possession of nitrous oxide, and failing to provide a specimen last month, and appeared at Basingstoke Magistrates' Court on Tuesday (September 15).

The former Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea winger admitted to driving his Lamborghini Urus dangerously on the M25, the M3, the A327 and Minley Road before he crashed on May 28.

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Raheem Sterling could be sent to prison for pleading guilty to dangerous driving

At the end of August, when the 31-year-old was charged, a statement from Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary spokesman issued to SPORTbible said: “A driver will appear in court next month to face charges following a collision on the M3.

“Raheem Sterling, 31, from Berkshire, has been charged with the following offences: dangerous driving, possession of nitrous oxide for wrongful inhalation, failing to provide a specimen.

“The charges come following a single-vehicle collision, involving a Lamborghini on the M3 southbound, close to the Minley Interchange, on 28 May 2026.

“No other vehicles were involved, and no injuries were reported."

Sterling could now face up to two years in prison after being convicted of dangerous driving, and this would be the final blow to his hopes of salvaging a career at the top of professional football.

The once jet-heeled winger was released from his contract at Feyenoord at the end of last campaign after making just eight appearances in all competitions.

A four-time Premier League winner with Man City after joining from Liverpool in 2015, Sterling became one of Pep Guardiola's most important players before sealing a big-money transfer to Chelsea in 2022.

Since then, the Englishman has experienced a downward spiral, finding himself in limbo in West London after making 81 appearances and then spending part of the 2024/25 season on loan at Arsenal.

Surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge and banned from using the club's facilities while in exile, Sterling's contract was terminated by mutual consent in January of this year.

Sterling penned a short-term move to Feyenoord under Robin van Persie, but his stay in Rotterdam was not extended into the 2026/27 season after failing to impress across his 481 minutes of action.

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What next for Raheem Sterling

As UK law carries a maximum sentence of two years in prison, there is a chance he avoids serving time, and then he will be thinking about what is next in football.

At the age of 31, the former 82-cap England international still has a good few years to showcase his talents that have undeniably gone to the wayside in recent years.

Only last week, former Liverpool, Swansea City and Newcastle midfielder Jonjo Shelvey offered him a potential lifeline in Dubai.

Shelvey is the current manager of Dubai-based Arabian Falcons, who currently play in the UAE Second Division League, which is the second tier of UAE football.

When asked if any high-profile free agents had expressed interest, including former Manchester United winger Jadon Sancho and Sterling, the 34-year-old told talkSPORT: "There are a couple that have got in touch.

"I don't really deal with that side of it. I am trying to manage the team because I want to get promoted this year.

"But it is a fantastic opportunity for people if that is what they are looking for at this stage of their career, or if they are struggling to get a club.

"Once the UK window shuts, you are scrambling for clubs, so we put out a call to see if there was anyone who was interested."

Sterling could explore a move to Dubai or hope a club in England takes a chance on him, although given his recent track record, it would be a huge gamble.