Raheem Sterling: PFA says it stands shoulder to shoulder with Manchester City star against racial abuse and negative press

Raheem Sterling: PFA says it stands shoulder to shoulder with Manchester City star against racial abuse and negative press
The Professional Footballers’ Association has offered its full support to Raheem Sterling and says the Manchester City star is singled out for negative media coverage.The PFA has said it stands shoulder to shoulder with Sterling after he was subject to alleged racist abuse during Man Citys Premier League defeat at Chelsea on Saturday.4

The PFA have offered its support to Raheem Sterling

The 24-year-old responded to the incident on social media by accusing the British press of helping to ‘fuel racism‘ by their portrayal of young, black footballers.The players union has been in contact with the England international to offer support and praised the restraint he showed at Stamford Bridge.“Raheem has made a stand by speaking out and we stand shoulder to shoulder with him against the discrimination of which he speaks,” said Simone Pound, the PFA’s head of equality and diversity.“We all have a part to play in tackling racism and discrimination and certain sectors of the media must be held to account.” The statement adds: “We have been aware for a few months of the targeting Raheem faces in the press, it is evident that he is often singled out and treated more harshly than his colleagues.“As such, these stories are fuelling racism within the game, as reports of racist abuse continue to rise.“We commend Raheem for his professionalism during the incident and the statement he made via Instagram on Sunday.“We stand with him in calling for the press to consider the coverage of all footballers carefully, and to end their imbalanced coverage aimed at young, black players.

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“While it may be true that no racial slurs have been used in the press coverage received by Raheem and others, we are in no doubt that the negative narrative influences public opinion and emboldens racist rhetoric.”Television footage showed a group of home supporters screaming abuse – alleged to be racist in nature – at Sterling as he retrieved the ball from behind the goal during Saturday’s match.4

Raheem Sterling was reportedly subjected to racist abuse by the man on the far right

Chelsea and the Metropolitan Police are investigating the incident, while the Football Association has said it will also work with the clubs and other authorities to ensure the matter is dealt with appropriately.It was widely shared on social media and quickly condemned by former footballers, including Gary Lineker, Rio Ferdinand and Ian Wright, as well as campaign group Kick it Out.

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The alleged racist abuse came a week after Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had a banana skin thrown at him during the north London derby with Tottenham.4

Aubameyang looks into the crowd in disbelief after seeing the banana land close to him

“Over the past two weeks, we have seen two alleged high-profile racist incidents happen from the stands at Premier League games,” adds the PFA statement.“We stress to all clubs the importance of dealing with these incidents robustly. It is not acceptable for our members to find themselves subject to racist abuse, simply for showing up to work and performing for their team.“The PFA condemn, in the strongest terms, the increase in racial abuse our members have been receiving from the terraces. We encourage all clubs to take the strongest possible action for fans found guilty of racially abusing players.”4

Raheem Sterling was reportedly subjected to racist abuse in the first half at Stamford Bridge

In his social media response to the abuse, Sterling referred to separate headlines about City team-mates Tosin Adarabioyo and Phil Foden buying houses.While the headline about Adarabioyo, who is black, focused on how he spent 2.25million on a property without making a Premier League start, midfielder Foden was described as having “set up a future”.

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