Sterling has endured 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.

Sterl ing was subjected to reported racist abuse from Chelsea fans during City’s 2- 0 defeat at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea have suspended four supporters while they continue their investigation into the incident.

Nevi l le, who worked with Sterling during his time as assistant to former England boss Roy Hodgson, says the abuse at Chelsea is far from the first time the City winger has taken the brunt of vitriolic public criticism.

Nevi l le revealed Sterl ing approached him for advice during Euro 2016 when abuse from fans and media for his poor performances became too much for him to take.

“He came to see me one- onone in 2016, I think it was three or four days before the Iceland game,” 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, to the point where there were boos and groans.

“He accepted that he would get criticism playing for England, he accepted he would get scrutinised as an England player, he didn’t want any special treatment.

“But it was so vicious, he felt so targeted, he didn’t know what to do about it. I saw someone who has a great mentality and is tough, but a level of vulnerability.”

Neville admitted he and his fellow England coaches failed to properly acknowledge some of the criticism of former Liverpool star Sterling was racially motivated.

“Really as a coach, I’m being honest, I didn’t really know how to deal with it,” he said.