Raheem Sterling criticism partly down to racism, says Ian Wright
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Updated 13/08/2018 at 22:23 GMT
Criticism directed towards Raheem Sterling by sections of the British media is motivated by racism, according to former Arsenal striker Ian Wright.
England's midfielder Raheem Sterling attends a open media day at St George's Park in Burton-on-Trent on June 5, 2018, ahead of their international friendly football matches against Costa Rica.
Image credit: Getty Images
Sterling, 23, has been scrutinised by parts of the media throughout his playing career.
The Manchester City was reproached for his gun tattoo in the build-up to the World Cup, while he has also been berated for buying his mum a new sink and boarding an easyJet flight.
According to Wright, his portrayal by some media outlets is down to "a certain amount of racism".
"How many people do you see get the criticism Sterling gets?" Wright said on BBC 5 live.
"The football criticism is something every player has to deal with, but what he gets I don't see any other footballer getting.
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Raheem Sterling of Manchester City celebrates after scoring his team's first goal with Sergio Aguero and Riyad Mahrez
Image credit: Getty Images
"They don't get that stick because for whatever reason they don't rub up the people in the corridors of power the wrong way. I think there is an agenda against him.
"There is an element of people at high end of the media who want to keep that guy down. Simple.
When you look at the wave of criticism that he takes, there is a certain amount of racism towards it - what else can it be?
"They are picking on him because of the background he has come from and they want to keep him down, drag him back down. They don't want him to continue to be a success.
"People say you are playing the racism card, but you give me a good reason why Raheem Sterling gets the stick he gets for just being a footballer."
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