England goalkeeper Khiara Keating has been charged over drugs. She has appeared in court accused of possession of canisters of nitrous oxide. The Manchester City footballer’s mother Nicola Keating is also accused of the same charges. The 20-year-old was charged with possession of a Class C substance on June 18 following an investigation by Greater Manchester Police.
Previously the 20-year-old‘s locker at City’s Etihad campus training ground was searched as part of an investigation. Last month she was denied to join England’s 28-strong squad for three days’ training at St George’s Park, Burton, Staffs. Due to the very same reason. She might face up to two years in prison and dealers up to 14 years in imprisonment.
They were granted bail before a further hearing at the same court on 10 September. The pair only spoke further to confirm their names and addresses. Nitrous oxide was made as a Class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act in November 2023. Possession to wrongfully inhale it for a psychoactive effect became illegal. However, the gas can still be used for legitimate purposes, such as catering or pain treatment during labour.
England will not support Keating in any drugs offences
Will Keating’s career call into the national integrity if found guilty? The FA does not allow any kind of such thing which calls national integrity into question. In previous such abusive cases or domestic acts of violence, neither the clubs nor the nation has gone on to protect the footballer. They have been punished for the offences they have committed. Because no nation would want their player to be guilty of any charges. The country always comes first before anything else.
Keating received her first England call-up last October and was part of the squad for the recent Euro 2025 qualifiers. She was called after keeping nine clean sheets in 22 league games for City, who finished second to rivals Chelsea in the title race. The young goalkeeper at so early in her age will not try to affect her career by getting involved in such crime.
