Chelsea suspends 4 people amid Sterling racism investigation
london — Chelsea says four people have been suspended from attending the team’s matches amid a police investigation into whether Manchester City winger Raheem Sterling was racially abused at Stamford Bridge.
Amid an outcry over the treatment of Sterling by England’s media and fans, Chelsea suspended four people from attending its matches as police investigated whether the Manchester City winger was racially abused during a Premier League match.
Police are reviewing footage that circulated widely online during Chelsea’s 2-0 win over City on Saturday, showing a man aggressively hurling abuse at Sterling as the player retrieved the ball off the field. Others near the man also appeared to be goading the England international.
Chelsea said the club was fully supporting the police investigation and will pass on any information it gathers. “Chelsea finds all forms of discriminatory behavior abhorrent,” the London club said in a statement on Monday, “and if there is evidence of ticket-holders taking part in any racist behavior, the club will issue severe sanctions, including bans. We will also fully support any criminal prosecutions.”
Sterling, one of English football’s best and most high-profile players, posted a message on his Instagram account on Sunday, touching only briefly on the incident and instead focusing on the portrayal of black
Raheem Sterling
footballers in British newspapers which he believes helps to “fuel racism.”
“Regarding what was said at the Chelsea game,” Sterling wrote, “as you can see by my reaction I just had to laugh because I don’t expect no better.”
The 24-year-old Sterling has had an uneasy relationship with the media, with critical coverage before the World Cup in Russia of his decision to get a tattoo of an assault rifle on his right leg. He said it was a tribute to his late father, who was shot dead when Sterling was two.
Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville was one of Sterling’s coaches at Euro 2016, and was approached by the winger during the tournament. Sterling, felt, according to Neville, that the abuse toward him was “vicious” and that he was being “targeted.”
“There was a tonal difference to the actual attacks that he was getting compared to others,” Neville said. “The abuse that he received, particularly in the media, and the language that was used against him, I have not seen it before.”