Guardiola Praises Sterling in Wake of Racism Scandal

December 12, 2018

Manchester City coach, Pep Guardiola, has come out in support of Raheem Sterling, after the forward endured alleged racial abuse during the club’s clash with Chelsea last Saturday, 8 December.

The 24-year-old was on the receiving end of derogatory remarks allegedly made by a Chelsea fan during the Citizens’ 2-0 defeat to the Blues at Stamford Bridge.

The incident – which was caught on camera – drew widespread condemnation, including from Sterling. Colin Wing, believed to be the perpetrator, has reportedly been suspended from attending matches while the police investigate the matter.

Speaking to reporters at news conference ahead of City’s Champions League match against Hoffenheim on Wednesday, Guardiola hailed Sterling as an “incredible human being”.

He said: “I was concerned with what happened, but [Sterling] made a statement on Instagram and was quite clear about his thoughts.”

Guardiola added: “Racism is everywhere. People focus on football, but it’s not just in football …that’s why we have to fight every day. We have to fight for human rights to make a better society for the future.”

Image: Suarez will not line up against Spurs on Tuesday. [online image] (2018) sourced on 12 December 2018 from: https://img.maximummedia.ie/joe_co_uk/eyJkYXRhIjoie1widXJsXCI6XCJodHRwOlxcXC9cXFwvbWVkaWEtam9lY291ay5tYXhpbXVtbWVkaWEuaWUuczMuYW1hem9uYXdzLmNvbVxcXC93cC1jb250ZW50XFxcL3VwbG9hZHNcXFwvMjAxOFxcXC8wM1xcXC8yNzA5MjI0NlxcXC9HZXR0eUltYWdlcy04NTIzMDg5NzguanBnXCIsXCJ3aWR0aFwiOjY0MCxcImhlaWdodFwiOjM2MCxcImRlZmF1bHRcIjpcImh0dHBzOlxcXC9cXFwvd3d3LmpvZS5jby51a1xcXC9hc3NldHNcXFwvaW1hZ2VzXFxcL2pvZWNvdWtcXFwvbm8taW1hZ2UucG5nP3Y9NVwifSIsImhhc2giOiI1N2IxZDJmNmYxMzhjMTI3M2M4MWVjMzc1NTIwYjI2ZWE1ZmEzNjZhIn0=/gettyimages-852308978.jpg