England women's star cleared of drugs charge ahead of Euro 2025 - 'I'm relieved'
England and Manchester City goalkeeper Khiara Keating has seen charges of drug possession dropped by Greater Manchester Police.
Charges of drug possession against England goalkeeper Khiara Keating have been dropped by Greater Manchester Police. The Manchester City keeper, 20, was charged last June along with her mother, Nicola Keating, 48, with possession of cannisters of the Class C drug nitrous oxide.
Both pleaded not guilty at Manchester Magistrates' Court and were granted unconditional bail. The Crown Prosecution Service duly discontinued the case, Greater Manchester Police confirmed.
Both women had been charged with possession of a Class C drug on 18 June last year following a police investigation. The pair appeared at Manchester and Salford Magistrates Court in July, where they denied the offence and were granted unconditional bail.
At a second hearing in September, they reaffirmed their pleas, and a trial was scheduled for November 2025 but the case has now been dismissed.
Keating, who is part of England's European Championship squad, said in a statement to the BBC: 'I'm relieved the charges have been dropped — as I've always said, I did nothing wrong.
'It's been a difficult time, but I've always known the truth. Now I'm just looking forward to focusing fully on the Euros and spending time with my family.'
Nitrous oxide was made a Class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act in November 2023. Possession with the intention of wrongfully inhaling it for a psychoactive effect became an offence. The gas can still be used for legitimate reasons, such as in catering or pain relief during labour.
Keating will travel to the Euros as a back-up to England's new first-choice keeper Hannah Hampton. Keating has yet to make her senior England debut but was included in Sarina Wiegman's 23-player squad despite her lack of experience.
She played just 12 times for City in last season's Women's Super League, conceding 18 goals and keeping four clean sheets. The previous year she became the youngest player to win the Women's Super League Golden Glove award, keeping nine clean sheets in 22 league appearances.
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