Raheem Sterling has told police he was aware of being racially abused at Stamford Bridge.
Sterling was interviewed by members of the Metropolitan Police on Sunday, who travelled north as part of their investigation into an incident during Manchester City’s match with Chelsea.
And the England star confirmed he had heard racist insults and other foul language as he went to collect a ball for a corner near the Matthew Harding Stand.
One Chelsea fan (circled) allegedly shouted racial abuse at Raheem Sterling in a shocking incident at Stamford Bridge; it was one of a number of aggressive insults hurled at the Man City forward from the crowd although only one appeared to be racist
Sterling appeared to laugh off the vile abuse; video footage appeared to show the fan (circled) saying ‘you f****** black c***’
The Met Police confirmed they are investigating an incident of alleged racist abuse towards Sterling. The man alleged to have committed the offence is obscured in this picture, which shows a number of other Chelsea fans jeering the player
Sterling drives into training with Manchester City on Sunday following the incident at Stamford Bridge on Saturday night
In a statement on Instagram on Sunday, Sterling said of the abuse: ‘I just had to laugh because I don’t expect no better’
Sterling, who suffered the abuse on his 24th birthday before celebrating with his family on Sunday, appeared to confirm this in an Instagram post earlier in the day.
‘Good morning. I just want to say I am not normally the person to talk a lot but when I think I need my point to (be) heard I will speak up,’ he said.
‘Regarding what was said at the Chelsea game, as you can see by my reaction I just had to laugh because I expect no better.’
Sterling also said that he believed black players and white players were not treated equally by the media, including the Daily Mail and Mail Online, and that he believes this helps ‘fuel racism and aggressive behaviour.’
Whether Sterling saw the perpetrator, however, could be crucial to any criminal prosecution. As he was bending down to pick up the ball, he may not have got a clear view of the fan responsible.
Footage began circulating on social media soon after the game that appeared to show a man in a blue top – who is believed to be known to Chelsea and the police – calling Sterling a ‘f****** black c***’.
Chelsea have told Manchester City the fan will be permanently banned from Stamford Bridge if firm evidence of racist abuse is provided. There has been speculation the word used may have been ‘Manc’ and not ‘black’.
Sterling suffered the abuse on his 24th birthday but it didn’t stop him celebrating with his family on Sunday afternoon
On Sunday Chelsea were conducting their own investigation and are believed to have asked BT Sport, who were covering the game, for all camera angles of the incident. The broadcaster will also check pitch side microphones in case an audio record of the abuse exists.
Sterling was spoken to by Manchester City’s security personnel before the team departed Stamford Bridge, and his version of events was passed on to Chelsea and the police. It is believed this information sparked the visit to Manchester.
The incident has provoked considerable debate with former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand calling for a protest, similar to Colin Kaepernick’s decision to take the knee during the national anthem at NFL matches.
Ferdinand posted: ‘Are we going to continue to allow this type of racist behaviour go on? All for kicking a ball. In the NFL the players took to the knee…’
Pundit and former Manchester United captain Rio Ferdinand expressed his disgust online on Saturday evening; Match of the Day pundit Ian Wright tweeted: ‘The bad old days are back’ and ‘absolutely no doubt about what he says’
Ferdinand referenced the NFL movement of taking a knee started by Colin Kaepernick (centre) of the San Francisco 49ers
He was referencing a movement spearheaded by former quarterback Kaepernick, who began a trend of kneeling in protest against racism in America. Kaepernick famously explained his position: ‘I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of colour.’
Ferdinand’s younger brother Anton was racially abused in a match against Chelsea in 2011. Blues captain John Terry was banned for four matches and fined £220,000 after admitting using the word ‘black’ and swearing at Anton, although he claimed he had only been repeating words he thought the then-QPR defender had accused him of saying.
Ferdinand’s Instagram post attracted a comment from Wycombe striker Adebayo Akinfenwa, who wrote: ‘We have to put a stop to this someway’.
Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright admitted he feared a return to the days when black players were targeted by racists in the crowd. Wright said: ‘The bad old days are back. Chelsea you have been shamed by this disgusting racist fan. Absolutely no doubt about what he says.’
Match of the Day host Gary Lineker branded the incident ‘despicable’ while BT Sport presenter Jake Humphrey said: ‘If indeed it is proved to be racist abuse then I hope it’s a lifetime ban. No place for it in this world.’
Sterling played the full match as Manchester City suffered their first defeat of the season against Chelsea on Saturday
The England forward tussles with Chelsea midfielder Jorginho during the Premier League encounter at Stamford Bridge
A Chelsea spokesman said: ‘We’re aware of reports and video footage. We will 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.’
The Met Police said: ‘We are aware of a video circulating online in which it is claimed racial abuse was allegedly directed at a player at a Chelsea v Manchester City game at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, December 8.
‘We will review the footage to determine whether any offences have been committed.’
No arrests have been made, the Met added.
Should any offence have been committed, a life ban could be handed to the supporter responsible.
Anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out later issued a statement, which read: ‘We’ve received reports from a variety of sources about an incident of alleged racist abuse at the Chelsea-Manchester City game.
‘We will forward those to Chelsea and offer our support in their investigation.
‘Yet another great day of football damaged by prejudice.’
Lord Ouseley, founder of Kick it Out, said in a statement that those at the top of football should be doing more to tackle racism
Anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out later issued a statement following the incident at Stamford Bridge
Lord Ouseley, founder of Kick it Out, added: ‘What happened at Chelsea shows what is still going on in football.
‘Where is Richard Scudamore? Where is Greg Clarke? Where is Chelsea’s chairman [Bruce Buck]? They should have been talking about [the Sterling incident] last night and it has to be dealt with at the top.
‘We do not have any leadership at the top of the game to speak out, they rely on Kick It Out. We have already made comments about the way Raheem Sterling has been treated differently by the media. The print media often targets, not just black players, but all footballers.
‘Raheem Sterling has received bad press over the last few years because of his lifestyle, and clearly, there are issues from potential stories adding to prejudice and I have every sympathy for him.
‘Players know if they are abused in any way they have to tell the referee. It was awful. All players know the referee is in charge and has a duty of care, and the referee can remove those people. It didn’t appear to me he told the referee in the first place.’