Liverpool youngsters Raheem Sterling and Jordon Ibe have been issued a warning by manager Brendan Rodgers over their conduct following images being released appeared to show the duo smoking a shisha pipe.
A separate video of Sterling also emerged, as the Liverpool star is allegedly inhaling nitrous oxide from a balloon.
The videoo of Sterling taking the sometimes fatal legal high, commonly known as laughing gas or “hippy crack”, has caused uproar in England as the 20-year-old winger has come under intense scrutiny following his decision to reject a new $150,000 a week contract with Liverpool last week.
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Following Liverpool’s game against Newcastle on Monday the press asked Rodgers about the photos of Sterling. Rodgers confirmed he would speak to Sterling about the incident and it was something that no professional athlete should be partaking in.
Rodgers confirmed he pulled both Sterling and Ibe into his office this week and reminded of their status as role models and what is expected of Liverpool’s players. The duo will not be disciplined by the club and the matter is now believed to be closed, as they are the latest PL players to be photographed publicly with shisha pipers following Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere.
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Sterling will likely lineup against Aston Villa at Wembley Stadium on Sunday in the FA Cup semifinal, while Ibe is cup-tied after playing in the competition while on loan at Derby County earlier this season.