Sterling is sorry for late show
RAHEEM STERLING has apologised to England boss Gareth Southgate and his team-mates after reporting late for World Cup duty. Just days after the controversy over his gun tattoo, Sterling was under further scrutiny yesterday after it emerged the Manchester City star arrived at England’s training base at St George’s Park later than planned. Southgate made his feelings plain to Sterling and revealed the forward had apologised to the rest of the squad. Like the
From Back Page rest of the players, Sterling was given a week off to unwind after the final games of the season on May 13. He went to Ibiza before returning to England for a custody hearing on May 17 concerning his former girlfriend. He then went to Jamaica for a family holiday but a misunderstanding over his return flight via Miami made him late. He was due to report back on the evening of May 22 but did not arrive at St George’s Park until the following morning. Sterling completed a light session on the day of his arrival before rejoining the rest of the squad on the Thursday. On initially realising he would be late, he immediately called Southgate to explain. He had already been given permission to report one day later than planned due to the court case. Southgate said: ‘He was given off until the Tuesday night and arrived on the Wednesday morning. So, he was late. ‘That was dealt with. We discussed it as a group and moved on. ‘There was a mix-up on flights and a connection. I had a discussion with the player and we came to an agreement. ‘And then he, in fairness to him, wanted to apologise to the group, explained his commitment to the team and it’s done. ‘There was nothing intentional in his lateness. I gave him a bit of extra time, so he understood why it was more important to get back (earlier) than he was able to.’ Sterling was heavily criticised for the tattoo of a rifle on his right leg, with some claiming it glorified gun crime. Southgate said: ‘He understands how some people have perceived the tattoo but, in my view, a tattoo is like any work of art — it has individual meaning. ‘He is not someone who supports or wants to promote guns in the way that was perceived.’