Man City's Raheem Sterling criticized the treatment of young, black players in the media "for contributing to the racist abuse he allegedly received from a Chelsea fan" at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, according to Wilson & Munnery of the SUNDAY TIMES. A police investigation was launched after a spectator was caught on TV "apparently abusing Sterling as he went to retrieve the ball from the side of the pitch." Sterling said that "although he was not surprised to hear the alleged abuse screamed at him, the media were partly to blame for such incidents." He cited in an Instagram post "two examples of newspaper reports to highlight what he feels is unfair coverage of black football players, drawing the parallel" between that and Saturday's incident. The stories were about fellow Chelsea players Tosin Adarabioyo and Phil Foden buying houses for £2.25M ($2.9M) and £2M ($2.6M), respectively. Sterling said that both players "were buying the houses for their mothers but that detail was not mentioned in the story about Adarabioyo, who is black." In the Foden story, "it is in the headline." Sterling wrote, "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. 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" (SUNDAY TIMES, 12/9). In London, Dominic Fifield reported footage was posted on social media of Chelsea supporters "leaning forward screaming obscenities and one fan allegedly subjecting him to racist abuse." Five stewards approached the fan in question "just before the final whistle and, having allowed him to watch the last few minutes of stoppage time, appeared to accompany him away from his seat at the end of the game." The police "have since confirmed no arrest was made." The incident came after a "troubling week for football" which saw a Tottenham supporter arrested for "throwing a banana skin at Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang" during Arsenal’s win at the Emirates stadium. Two people were also arrested in Edinburgh on Saturday for "allegedly directing racial abuse" at Scottish Premiership side Motherwell’s Christian Mbulu during his side's loss to Heart of Midlothian (GUARDIAN, 12/9). In London, Luke Brown reported following Sterling’s post, anti-discrimination organization Kick It Out Chair Herman Ouseley "called on the game's leaders to address the incident at Stamford Bridge and the issues raised" by the Man City player. Ouseley: "What happened at Chelsea shows what is still going on in football. Where is (Premier League executive chairman) Richard Scudamore, where is (Football Association chairman) Greg Clarke, where is Chelsea's chairman (Bruce Buck) -- they should have been talking out last night and it has to be dealt with at the top." The FA pledged to deal with the matter "appropriately." It said in a statement, "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" (INDEPENDENT, 12/9).
