Raheem Sterling speaks out over ‘racist attack’ at Chelsea and says ‘I just had to laugh’ when I was called ‘f****** black c***’
Man City star appeared to be abused by Chelsea fans in shocking video from Saturday night's game at Stamford Bridge
Man City star appeared to be abused by Chelsea fans in shocking video from Saturday night's game at Stamford Bridge
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RAHEEM STERLING has spoken out after allegedly being racially abused by Chelsea fans Saturday night, saying: "I expect no better."
The Manchester City and England star appeared to be the victim of vile taunts during the game at Stamford Bridge.
In an Instagram post, Sterling said: "Regarding what was said at the Chelsea game as you can see by my reaction I just had to laugh because I don't expect no better."
Police and Chelsea are probing claims the 24-year-old winger suffered racist taunts during Maurizio Sarri's side's 2-0 win.
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BT Sport have promised to pass on video footage of the confrontation.
A number of Chelsea fans could be seen shouting aggressively at Sterling as he picked up the ball when close to the advertising boards of the Matthew Harding stand in the first half.
The video, in which a fan appears to call Sterling a “f****** black c***”, was widely shared on social media, causing a huge outcry.
Ex-England stars Rio Ferdinand, Ian Wright and Gary Lineker all condemned the footage.
Arsenal legend Wright tweeted: “The bad old days are back! Chelsea you have been shamed by this disgusting racist fan! Absolutely no doubt about what he says.”
Former Manchester United defender Ferdinand added: “Are we going to continue to allow this type of racist behaviour go on? All for kicking a ball!”
England legend Lineker called it “despicable”.
It comes as Nathan Lewis, a Chelsea fan, revealed to Good Morning Britain he was the one standing just a few yards from the men who allegedly hurled the abuse at the footballer.
He said: "Raheem Sterling was getting a lot of abuse from all sections. However, I have to be honest and say I didn't hear actually any racial abuse whatsoever.
"A lot of people have been questioning me and my integrity as to why I didn't get involved, why I didn't react. But I didn't actually hear anything racial from any section of the crowd, but that doesn't mean it didn't happen.
"We all knew it was on TV because the camera was in front of us.
"I think it's disgusting. I'm right there, three feet away from him. He's got no regard from me, Sterling either. To see that happen on TV just a few feet away from me is quite scary."
The Met Police on Saturday night said there had been no arrests over the incident.
But a spokesman added: “We are aware of a video in which it is claimed racial abuse was allegedly directed at a player.
“We will review the footage to determine whether any offences have been committed.”
A Chelsea spokesman added: “We’ll investigate the matter and take the strongest possible action where necessary.”
A Football Association statement read: "We take all allegations of discrimination extremely seriously and will work with the clubs and the relevant authorities to ensure this matter is dealt with appropriately.
"We strongly condemn all forms of discrimination and encourage all fans and participants who believe that they have been the subject of, or witness to, discriminatory abuse to report it through the appropriate channels: The FA, our County FAs or our partners Kick It Out."
Chelsea also confirmed they will investigate claims a fan was ejected soon after the incident, but later seen back in the stands.
This comes a week after a Tottenham supporter was charged by police for throwing a banana skin at Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Any fan found guilty of racist abuse would face a ban from Chelsea — but a criminal conviction might lead to a ban from all football.
It overshadowed Chelsea’s 2-0 win and is particularly embarrassing for the Blues after previous incidents.
SunSport revealed earlier this season Chelsea were offering fans who had been guilty of anti-Semitism the opportunity to visit the former Nazi death camp at Auschwitz.
This was part of an education programme, as an alternative to a ban.
The incident also brings back unhappy memories of the scandal involving ex-Blues captain John Terry.
He was fined £220,000 and banned for four matches after being found guilty by an FA disciplinary panel of racially abusing QPR’s Anton Ferdinand in 2011.
Terry was given the punishment by the football authorities, despite earlier being cleared by Westminster magistrates. Lip-reading evidence was at the centre of the case.