It is shameful the treatment he is getting. Wouldn't be the first time the likes of The Sun have gone after somebody.
Raheem Sterling
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Would say a lot of it is sheer jealousy.
Its constant,horrible and yet bizarre. I've seen Beckham,Rooney and Ashley Cole receive alot of rubbish from the UK media but this is on a another level.
Well said.
I attended United's away game against Southampton back in 15/16 (incidentally one of Martial's first games, where he scored a brace), and was stunned when I heard Sadio Mane being racially abused on several occasions during the match.
Not sure if it was the same fan each time, but do recall Sane being referred to as a "f***ing black bast**d and a "f***ing black cnut." No doubt this same fan (or fans) were absolutely delighted by Martial's goals, and probably joined in with all the "Tony Martial" chants. Hypocrites.
Sterling gets the most abuse but there's a wider problem in this country, summed up well by Dean Saunders:
He actually got him mixed up with Aubameyang:
The fact that he received no push back from Jim White and whoever else was on shows that stereotyping black players as ostentatious and boastful is considered normal.
To be fair, there’s times when Dean Saunders struggles to complete a sentence. Getting two players mixed up seems about right.Sterling gets the most abuse but there's a wider problem in this country, summed up well by Dean Saunders:
He actually got him mixed up with Aubameyang:
The fact that he received no push back from Jim White and whoever else was on shows that stereotyping black players as ostentatious and boastful is considered normal.
No human being should receive that kind of abuse.
I’m glad this is getting the exposure it has, it’s just such a shame that it’s taken Sterling publically addressing it.
In terms of the nonsensical “flashy” label attached to Sterling, wasn’t that something that arose from his original move from the media darlings to City? It was assumed he had moved for the money, and not for the chance of genuine success. Could be wrong.
In terms of the nonsensical “flashy” label attached to Sterling, wasn’t that something that arose from his original move from the media darlings to City? It was assumed he had moved for the money, and not for the chance of genuine success. Could be wrong.
Surprised the media didn't try spin it as Sterling's own fault for being abused. Followed by criticism on what he bought for dinner after the match.
I never understood racism in football, especially in this case given all the diverse skin colours Chelsea currently have and have had.
I never understood racism in football, especially in this case given all the diverse skin colours Chelsea currently have and have had.
You cannot win an argument wirh a fool.
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You're saying that none of the hundreds of thousands of Liverpool fans that have directed seething hatred and venom toward Raheem (at games and online) since he left Liverpool are racists...?
And that if they were racists, then that wouldn't affect the hatred and venom he gets directed toward him anyway?
Phew, that's that sorted out then.
Thank you for clarifying the entire situation - it seemed more complex and multi-faceted before you stepped in and took the issue by the scruff of it's neck.
Always thought those articles publicly shaming the players for being flashy( mostly black players) was crossing a line so, I'm chuffed to bits that Sterling has decided to take on the issue.
How the feck is piers arguing at the end that it isnt negative when the two stories that are similar are being spun different ways
...hundreds of thousands of Liverpool fans...? Excuse me? You've clearly made that figure up.
Anyway, I made no comment on whether some Liverpool fans are racist (they will be), merely that the opprobrium poured towards Sterling from Liverpool fans is not based on race. It's largely based on the perception that he jilted us. That particular issue is not complex and multi-faceted at all and is a very common phenomenon in football (as you'll be aware). Ask Michael Owen about his reception from Liverpool fans, who view him in much the same way as Sterling.
The fact that he can't (actually, "chooses not to" would be more apt I think) see the difference between the two headlines would be staggering if it weren't entirely predictable.
Morgan with the classic “I don’t see any white hoods or hear anybody shouting the N word so where’s the racism?” stance of every apologist for racism.
I would laugh if what you said didn't concern such a serious concern. I'm baffled by what you said.
Finally Sterling has had a pop at the media for what is blatant racism in their criticism of his character - a character which is essentially the same as every other modern day footballer. Of course they're going to be flashy, they've grown up in a culture where bling is king with the biggest promoters of that being the feckin media.
I've never seen a pundit question Kante's football intelligence. I feel like you've just made that up, feel free to prove me wrong on that. His technique has been questioned but pretty legitimately because he's not a very good footballer technically, if that's a racist statement then so be it. He's average at best on the ball.
The media prefers the not flashy, modest type of player regardless of skin colour. Scott Parker was a media darling for a reason. I think the difference between the US & the UK for instance is that in the UK it's more frowned upon be showy and brash, whereas in the US this kind of confidence is adored. That 'stiff upper lip, good honest lad' culture is still very much a big thing, particularly with the older generations who do most of the punditry. Reserved family men with the girlfriend they met in school are the most loved, Kane being a good example of that and others like Lampard too.
That's just a cultural thing IMO.
But why would you be laughing? You seem distressed.
Is that the cnut who played for Reading?
Anyway he's just totally thick going by that argument he's made.
Typical of TalkShite to have a white guy talking about it too.
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I think 'hundreds of thousands' is probably a pretty accurate number - be that 200,000 or 900,000 I don't know.
But there are millions of Liverpool fans across the globe, disliking Sterling seems to be the accepted herd mentality.
On every dipper forum he's spoken of with spite and malice.
But overall, we'll agree to disagree - I don't view your argument as holding any substance, and I don't think you're open to intelligent conversation about the disgusting treatment of Raheem so we'll leave it there.
You're entitled to your views!
Because only black footballers get criticised for being ostentatious...Sterling gets the most abuse but there's a wider problem in this country, summed up well by Dean Saunders:
He actually got him mixed up with Aubameyang:
The fact that he received no push back from Jim White and whoever else was on shows that stereotyping black players as ostentatious and boastful is considered normal.
Not that I disagree with Sterling's point about the two Mail articles (or with the premise that the newspaper is a racist rag) but I don't think it's unreasonable to criticise ostentatious footballers, when they behave in an ostentatious manner. Irrespective of the colour of their skin.
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It's a disgrace really. I wouldn't wish this sort of character assassination on any football player, even if they were as arrogant or flashy as they were made out to be because frankly, it's none of our business (or the media's) how Sterling chooses to spend his money. From all interviews/videos online of Sterling, he seems like a really nice lad too so it's odd that some have such a personal vendetta against him. I do wish there was more to protect players from the media, publicising players' personal lives has always been a bit tacky. Shame that so many people seem to like reading the tabloids which allows them to get away with this sort of thing.
Good - they need locking up too!
I really do despair at the brainless behaviour of certain disgusting scum. There is nothing that Sterling has done to deserve such racism apart from his colour.
What was perfect was that to his great credit he did not respond.
Incidentally. Is it just me or had anyone else noticed that he now runs with a shorter stride than before. It is now more like that of Salah.
Also. I think bling culture in general is a bad thing and should be challenged. I don’t think anyone should get a pass for buying into that shit, no matter their heritage. Of course, a footballer spending a couple of million pounds on a house for his mum does not count as someone being bling.
I wonder a little how Dele Ali has avoided this phenomenon(perhaps he hasn't and I am just oblivious) Ali is a bit of prick to start with, dirty, diver, always mouthing off at other players and causing aggro. If the media wanted to set up a "trouble maker" narrative he seems an easier target than the rather mild mannered Sterling, plus he has been shit for England. Half of fleet street being Spurs fans perhaps the answer there. Not that I am encouraging this to happen, but the Sterling agenda almost seems personal. Did he piss someone off with connections in the sports media? Probably not, just an easy target.
Anyway pleased to see Chelsea take prompt action, not exactly going to change the long held perception of their fanbase.
Just jumping off on a segue, the worst incident of racist abuse I can recall as a Utd fan was Utd away to Fiorentina back in 2000. Audible, as in not a small minority, monkey chants every-time Cole or Yorke touched the ball. For too long the commentators would just ignore it when they should have been calling it out, and I have to blame Utd as well, they should have pushed the matter with UEFA.
Anyway pleased to see Chelsea take prompt action, not exactly going to change the long held perception of their fanbase.
Just jumping off on a segue, the worst incident of racist abuse I can recall as a Utd fan was Utd away to Fiorentina back in 2000. Audible, as in not a small minority, monkey chants every-time Cole or Yorke touched the ball. For too long the commentators would just ignore it when they should have been calling it out, and I have to blame Utd as well, they should have pushed the matter with UEFA.
Agreed - I find it uncomfortable that people brand situations like this conclusively racist without any real proof. It's often anecdotal "evidence" based on correlation rather than causation.
The correlation for example between black players being referred to as "big and strong". Calling Pogba "big and strong" is factually accurate, the same is often applied to Andy Carroll. If the proportion of black players referred to as "big and strong" is greater than that of white players then that is only one facet of a two part test being fulfilled. The next facet is to determine whether or not a greater proportion of players who fall into that category are in fact black. If I look at United's squad then possibly Pogba, Bailly and Lukaku would absolutely fit into this category, as would Matic and Fellaini. If I were to think about the regularity with which commentators tag these players as "big and strong" I'd say Fellaini and Lukaku get it the most... This is down to strength and power being the stand-out facet of their games.
This is true also in my opinion when talking about footballing intelligence. The likes of Sancho for example get plaudits throughout the world due to his intelligence. On the flip side as you suggest Kante is never going to get the same level of praise, simply because that isn't the standout facet of his game. Kante is likely to be called tenacious or praised for his stamina.
In terms of these two articles... One of them says Adarabioyo bought a £2.25m mansion for himself, the other said Foden bought a £2m home for his mum. Any player of any descent is always going to get favourable coverage when buying a house for their mother, as this is something UK culture would applaud. Compare that with a 20 year old buying something ostentatious for themselves before society would see them as earning it and the coverage is obvious.
Look at the coverage for the Anthony Joshua as a comparison and it's far closer to Foden: "Anthony Joshua is the humble heavyweight...still lives at home with his mum in a council house" , "Anthony Joshua surprises mum with a brand new £80,000 Range Rover". Again it's nothing to do with race or colour and everything to do with optics. Tattooing a machine gun on your leg is horrendous optics, forcing a move to a rival club after protracted contract negotiations, at a very young age... Bad optics. Buying you mum a house... Great optics. Living with your mum despite being worth millions... Great optics. Sterling is targeted because his actions in the past have been objectively stupid or crass, as is the case with Adarabioyo. Joshua is a media darling, as is Foden because his actions have great optics. If Sterling wants to be treated better by the media then he should start taking far better advice
We should absolutely call out any racist overtones or undertones wherever we see them, but in my view simplistic and anecdotal non-proof such as Sterling's only serves to fuel racial tensions... It's absolutely not the way in which to address these problems. It's also unfortunate as instead of talking about a horrendous incident involving clear and disgraceful racism we're talking about the non-issue of two Daily Mail articles.
Yeah, agree with pretty much all of this.
Joshua is another great example, totally adored by the British media. He actually dealt drugs when he was younger, yet you'll barely see this mentioned and most of the articles related to it celebrate him turning around his life. This is because he comes across as a humble, hard working, likeable guy .. the media in this country loves these types. Tyson Fury was portrayed as the villain and his achievements were half as lauded as Joshua's, he's a white guy but is in your face, arrogant and can be totally crass, though he seems to have toned it down a little recently and has a feel good story related to mental health, thus the media are coming to his side. remember nice Tim Henman? Won nothing but a likeable bloke, we're a sucker for it. Someone like Kante is basically seen as the nicest man in the country, Mo Farah as well is a national hero. It's just a preferred personality type and I honestly do not view it as a racial thing at all.
Why the f*ck should Sterling behave how 'we' want him to? He owes society f-all beyond law-abidance, and has made his money from talent & hard work. His life is his own, not ours to shape until he meets our grudging approval.
He shouldn't, but we live in a world in which people in the public eye have their private lives heavily scrutinised, and the same can be said of people from all racial backgrounds. And in this world, people who behave and act a certain way are always going to be treated better by the media. Obviously it's none of our business what Sterling gets a tattoo of, it's also none of our business if a footballer is sleeping around or buying 10 sports cars, but people out there love to read about that shit and the media knows it.
It's dumb and like you say, people should be able to do whatever the feck they want without being judged because it's none of anybody's business. I think most people would love to live in the world where whatever you did or said was ignored by anybody it had nothing to do with, but sadly we don't. The question is though, has he been the target of negative press because of his race, or because of the way he behaves/his personality?
He's a traveller. Hardly known for getting their fair shake.
True enough, but if he had a personality similar to Joshua's do you not think the media would put him on a pedestal in a similar way?He's a traveller. Hardly known for getting their fair shake.
He's getting plenty of praise at the moment and is being celebrated for his comeback and stance on mental health issues.
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Excellent from Barnes.
Very impressive from Barnes, articulated his points brilliantly.
Stupidity makes me laugh in general
think of the top 10 players considered to have high level of football intelligence....how many are black?
think of the top 10 players considered to be big and strong...or described as an animal or a beast....how many are white?
the ingrained racial undertones has been going on for years....was the same in NFL with quarterbacks....they were predominantly white as they were perceived more intelligent.
the media use this "language" and it sticks.
im glad Sterling has called them out on it
and john Barnes interview above is bang on the money
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I don't think it does.