Fans can be so cruel, I’ve heard them chanting about my illness SAYS DARREN FLETCHER

FORMER Scotland captain Darren Fletcher admits he has received verbal abuse from supporters about his health. The 34-year-old ex-Manchester United player, who is now with English Championship side Stoke City, went public with his diagnosis of ulcerative colitis in December 2011 after the career-threatening condition restricted his game time at Old Trafford. Fletcher later underwent surgery on the chronic bowel condition and returned to football following nearly a year on the sidelines in December 2013. The Edinburgh-born midfielder discussed the abuse he has taken in the wake of Manchester City and England forward Raheem Sterling being subjected to alleged racist remarks during last weekend’s match at Chelsea. Scottish football has also been blighted by similar incidents, with Celtic winger Scott Sinclair, Motherwell’s Christian Mbulu and Falkirk striker Dennon Lewis all having been allegedly racially abused recently. Fletcher (right), who has 80 national team caps, said: ‘I’ve had fans, away fans, singing about my illness — derogatory and chanting stuff, whole sections of away fans to do with an illness I had. ‘My family have had to sit there and experience that. I’ve had to restrain myself. Players do restrain themselves fantastically. ‘I think Raheem Sterling has been a credit to himself in this whole thing. ‘I see it every week with James McClean (who opts not to wear the traditional Remembrance Day poppy on his shirt each year) at Stoke and at West Brom and nothing gets done about it. The abuse he takes his disgraceful.’ Fletcher also believes social media is partly to blame for the animosity inside football stadia. Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, he added: ‘I think social media is fuelling it (abuse) a lot more. I think people now, there is no debate it’s just people making opinions and if you don’t agree you’re in the wrong. ‘It’s fuelling a lot of hatred.’