Walking off pitch lets the abusers win, says Sterling

Raheem Sterling declared “I’m black and I’m proud” as he rejected calls for players who receive racial abuse to walk off the pitch.

The Manchester City forward was speaking after a weekend of football that was marred by shameful events in England and Scotland, just days after Tottenham’s Danny Rose said he was looking forward to retiring from a game which has done too little to tackle the problem.

There have been calls for players to walk off the pitch if they are abused, but Sterling said he felt that would be the wrong move.

“I wouldn’t personally agree with it,” said the 24-year-old, who celebrated scoring in England’s Euro 2020 qualifying win in Montenegro, a match which was overshadowed by the racial abuse of visiting players, by putting his hands to his ears.

“To win the game would hurt them even more, they’re only trying to get you down. If you walk off they win, to score or win would be better.” Sterling, who has consistently raised the issue after receiving personal abuse, does not understand what drives people to be racially abusive.

“It’s offensive but my mum always told me I’m a wonderful black child and I know this,” he said.

“I’m black and I’m proud, and I’m confident in my body. Some people can’t take it but my mum always told me to love myself and who I am.” Sterling was speaking ahead of City’s Champions League clash with Tottenham, whose left-back Rose said he “can’t wait to see the back of the game” because of inaction on the problem.

Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino said the issue of racism must be tackled at every level of society.

“I think it’s a very delicate situation. It’s not easy,” he said. “We are here trying to help everyone. It’s a thing we are, of course, fighting all together to try to stop.

“We need to stop it not only in football but in all different areas and situations.”