Sterling has endured ‘vicious’ abuse for years, claims Neville
LONDON: Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville claims Manchester City star Raheem Sterling endured years of “vicious” abuse before the alleged racist slurs directed at him by Chelsea fans on Saturday. Neville, who worked with Sterling during his time as assistant England coach, says the abuse at Chelsea is far from the first time the City winger has taken the brunt of vitriolic public criticism.
Citing the build-up to the 2016 Euros, Neville said on Sky Sport’s Monday Night Football, “Before the tournament, he was getting so much stick. We were aware of that as a coaching staff that fans were on to him, media were on to him. It then continued into the stadium.
“But it was so vicious, he felt so targeted, he didn’t know what to do about it.”
DIGNE SALVAGES DRAW
LONDON: Everton’s France defender Lucas Digne scored with a superb free kick deep into added time to salvage a 2-2 draw with Watford in a frenetic Premier League clash at Goodison Park on Monday. Richarlison had given the home side an early lead before Watford made it 2-1 with two goals in three minutes just past the hour mark, Seamus Coleman scoring an own goal and Abdoulaye Doucoure powering home a header.
ZURICH CONDEMN FANS
ZURICH: Swiss club FC Zurich have condemned fans who threw a banana at rival player Aldo Kalulu when he went to take a corner during their league match at FC Basel on Sunday. Zurich admitted the banana came from the part of the St Jakob Park stadium occupied by their fans. “The club strongly condemns this racist behaviour and does not tolerate it in any way. There is no room for xenophobia and discrimination in football,” the club stated.