Police have interviewed a person after England footballer Raheem Sterling was allegedly racially abused in a football match, officers revealed today.
It comes after Colin Wing, 60, was caught on camera hurling insults at the Manchester City player in a Premier League match at Chelsea on December 8.
Footage appeared to show him calling Sterling, 24, a ‘f***ing black c***’ while other Chelsea fans shouted non-racial abuse, but he insisted he called him a ‘Manc c***’.
Chelsea fan Colin Wing (circled), allegedly shouted racial abuse at Raheem Sterling – but claimed he had actually called him ‘Manc c***’, rather than ‘black c***’
A Metropolitan Police spokesman said today: ‘Police continue to investigate an incident where is it is claimed racial abuse was directed at a player during the Chelsea v Manchester City game at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, December 8.
‘Officers are reviewing footage and CCTV to determine whether any offences have been committed. Officers are in possession of the details of those reportedly involved – there have been no arrests at this time.
Colin Wing, 60, from Beckenham, South East London, has denied using racist language
‘One person has been interviewed under caution. The Met continues to work with both clubs and a number of enquiries are ongoing.’
Chelsea suspended four supporters following the incident pending further investigations.
A club spokesman said: ‘Chelsea finds all forms of discriminatory behaviour abhorrent and, if there is evidence of ticket-holders taking part in any racist behaviour, the club will issue severe sanctions, including bans. We will also fully support any criminal prosecutions.’
One of the men involved was Mr Wing, who told the Daily Mail that he was ashamed of his behaviour but denied using racist language towards Sterling, saying he had called him ‘Manc’.
Footage seemed to show Mr Wing, of Beckenham, South East London, calling Sterling a ‘f****** black c***’ while other Chelsea fans shouted other abuse.
Wing (circled) told the Mail he was ashamed of his behaviour but denied using racist language
Mr Wing, 60, said on December 10: ‘I’m deeply ashamed by my own behaviour and I feel really bad. But I didn’t call him a black ****, I called him a Manc ****.
‘I’ve been going to Chelsea for 50 years now and, because of where I sit, I’m picked up on the camera most weeks. If I had a history of saying this sort of thing I would’ve been caught by now.
‘Nobody around me said they heard anything. I want to apologise unreservedly to Raheem and hope he can be a better man than I am by accepting it.
‘I offer him an unreserved apology. Even if it wasn’t racist, it’s not right what I said. Even the swearing is bad – but I got carried away.
‘I was completely out of order, but I’ve lost my job and my season ticket now so everybody’s got what they wanted. So why can’t they leave me alone?’
Mr Wing, who supports Chelsea, said police spoke to him twice on the day of the match without levelling any charges. He and three other men were suspended from attending Chelsea’s home matches at Stamford Bridge.
Several of Mr Wing’s neighbours instantly identified him from CCTV footage and matchday photographs. One said: ‘It’s mortifying to think somebody capable of that could be living along your street.’
Another said: ‘We need to stay out of this and think about our young son, but it’s unbelievable to think the man we just heard about on television might be a neighbour of ours.’
Sterling, who was interviewed by officers the next day, said he heard racial abuse from the stands. No arrests have yet been made and inquiries are continuing.
Chelsea’s own investigation into the incident used TV footage from many angles to identify alleged offenders.
The club have also been using lipreaders to try to establish which words were used. Racial abuse, if proven, would lead to a life ban.
Labour MPs Bill Esterton and Alex Norris also tweeted their support for the striker after he spoke out. ‘Raheem’s right. We need to kick racism out of football,’ wrote Mr Norris.