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The court case against England goalkeeper Khiara Keating has been dropped nearly a year after she pleaded not guilty to possessing nitrous oxide canisters. The 20-year-old Manchester City player was charged with possession of a Class C drug on 18 June last year following an investigation by Greater Manchester Police. In July, she appeared at Manchester and Salford Magistrates' Court with her mother, Nicola Keating, who also denied the same charge. Both were released on unconditional bail.
Greater Manchester Police have now confirmed the case has been discontinued. In an exclusive statement to BBC Sport, Keating expressed her relief, stating that she always maintained her innocence. She said it had been a difficult time but she knew the truth, and now she is looking forward to focusing fully on the upcoming Euros and spending time with her family.
Nitrous oxide was classified as a Class C drug in November 2023 under the Misuse of Drugs Act. Possession with the intent to inhale it for psychoactive effects became illegal, although the substance remains legal for approved uses such as in medical settings or catering.
Although Keating has yet to make a senior appearance for England, she has been named in the 23-player squad for Euro 2025. She made headlines last season by becoming the youngest player to win the Women's Super League Golden Glove award, keeping nine clean sheets in 22 matches.
In other news, England striker Alessia Russo has shared her approach to avoiding social media during major tournaments, citing the damaging impact of online abuse. The 26-year-old, speaking alongside teammates preparing for the European Championship in Switzerland, said she previously allowed social media to affect her and now chooses to stay off it entirely during competitions. She emphasized that only the opinions of her coaches, teammates, and family truly matter to her.
Other players, including Grace Clinton, Lauren James, and Keira Walsh, have also spoken about limiting or avoiding social media to protect their mental health. James mentioned receiving abuse unrelated to her performance, while Lucy Bronze highlighted the toll it can take on families. Meanwhile, Ella Toone shared that although she still uses Instagram, she respects her teammates' decisions to disconnect during the tournament and supports younger players in managing the pressure of online scrutiny.
