Raheem Sterling made to feel ‘worthless’, says close source amid player’s arrest | UK news
Raheem Sterling is being made to feel “usable” after a decade at the top of football, after he was arrested on suspicion of driving while “not under the influence of drugs”, a source close to the former England star said.
The source said the former Manchester City and Chelsea winger, who now plays for Feyenoord in the Netherlands, was suffering “immeasurable” psychological strain after “a few extremely difficult years”.
It comes after the 31-year-old man was arrested by Hampshire Constabulary on Thursday morning while driving a Lamborghini on the southbound carriageway of the M3 motorway.
A spokesman for the force said in a statement: “Just before 9am on Thursday 28 May, we received reports that a Lamborghini collided with barriers on the M3 southbound near Minley Junction.
“No other vehicles were involved and no injuries were reported.
“The driver, a 31-year-old from Berkshire, was arrested on suspicion of driving while under the influence of drugs, dangerous driving, possession of class C drugs and failing to provide a sample.
“He has been released on bail while our investigations continue.”
Sterling has faced racist abuse throughout his career, and has accused the media of helping to “fuel racism” through negative, unfairly critical coverage of black football players compared to white players. The winger left Chelsea by mutual consent in January following disappointing performances. Sterling had 18 months left on his £325,000-a-week deal.
PA Media has approached Sterling’s representatives for comment. A source confirmed the arrest and said:[This] It brings to light the modern treatment of players who are no longer ‘fit for purpose’ (disposable).
“It has been forgotten how a productive England national team, which has taken the England squad to important points in the last decade, was made to feel worthless.
“The psychological pressure it puts on him is immeasurable. He is isolated. The moment he touches the ball, he is said to have failed and he is finished. He is ridiculed. He is envied.
“He moved to the Netherlands to escape and rediscover his love of the game, but adversity followed. It’s been an extremely difficult few years for him and that’s what this incident encompasses.”
The source also stated that they wanted to emphasize that Sterling was arrested “under suspicion”, adding that there was “no evidence of anything in his system”.
Sterling, from Berkshire, was released on bail while investigations continued.
