'I've moved away': Raheem Sterling admits 2018 racial abuse incident didn't come in way of Chelsea move

Raheem Sterling had suffered an untoward incident in 2018 when he was racially abused by a Chelsea fan at Stamford Bridge while taking a throw. However, he said that this incident didn't matter to him when he signed for Chelsea this summer. He also mentioned how he wants to inspire more and more Black youngsters like him
Raheem Sterling

Raheem Sterling signed for Chelsea in summer 2022

Photo : AP
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
  • Raheem Sterling joined Chelsea this summer from Manchester City.
  • In 2018, when Chelsea faced Manchester City, Sterling suffered racial abuse from a Chelsea fan.
  • A Chelsea fan Colin Wing was arrested for being involved in the incident.
One of the most high profile signings of the summer has no doubt been that of England winger Raheem Sterling to Chelsea from Manchester City for a reported fee of £47.5 million. However, it was in 2018 that an untoward incident occurred at Stamford Bridge when Manchester City took on Chelsea in the Premier League.
While Sterling was about to take a throw, a group of Chelsea fans hurled racial abuses at him and even filmed the incident. This caused quite a stir in the media, and even saw the arrest of Chelsea fan Colin Wing, who was involved in the incident.
However, Raheem Sterling has said that this incident didn't matter to him when he signed for Chelsea this summer. "It wasn't something that played on my mind at all," Sterling said in the press conference ahead of Chelsea's home game against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
Raheem Sterling also mentioned that he doesn't have any malice towards anyone and wants to move on. "I can't let an incident from individuals change my perception of the club. I have no hatred or malice towards the individual," said the 27-year-old.
He also mentioned how he wants to help nurture and inspire more and more Black youngsters like him. "Of course, football is my main goal and my main talent, but it's the other thing that gives me the most joy. That's helping people ... I've moved away from the racial side of it and am focused more on helping and nurturing young Black people," Sterling added.
Raheem Sterling also mentioned how a player like Steven Gerrard had nurtured and put his arm around him when the two played together at Liverpool. "When I was young I had someone like Steven Gerrard around me to look up to as an example. He went for the national team, he had his arm around me," he said. "So, it makes you a lot more relaxed in the camps, so you can do your best, so that's all I ever try to do, have jokes and laughs but at the same time making sure people are getting the work done and feeling comfortable," he added.
Chelsea won their opening Premier League game 1-0 against Everton and will now face a much tougher challenge when they take on Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
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