England and Tottenham full-back Danny Rose has said that fellow players were pleased to see Raheem Sterling criticise the media's portrayal of black players, adding that Manchester City’s winger was "spot on" with his public assessment.
In December 2018, following video footage that appeared to show Chelsea fans shouting racist abuse at Raheem Sterling in the Premier League fixture at Stamford Bridge – the Manchester City winger took to Instagram to highlight the imbalanced coverage aimed at young, black players.
Manchester City and England winger Raheem Sterling.
Speaking to BBC Sport ahead of England’s Euro 2020 qualifying campaign against the Czech Republic, Rose explained: "Raheem was only saying what we all say in the dressing room.
"It's sad really but he's 100% spot on with what he said."
"The stick he used to get from the media was bang out of order. When he put the post up about the media we were all over the moon with that because we all agree. Fair play to Raheem."
"One of the few positive things about social media now is you have a voice and you can influence people," Rose explained.
"Now it's not just boys in the dressing room talking about the media targeting Raheem, the general public have now seen it. We hope it changes but it doesn't affect Raheem in any way, which we are all grateful for."
Photo: Raheem Sterling, Instagram: @sterling7
There is evidence to suggest that Sterling is singled out and treated more harshly than his colleagues by the press.
There is also a strong argument that while it may be true that no racial slurs have been used in the press coverage received by Raheem and others, the negative narrative influences public opinion and emboldens racist rhetoric.
Rose warned that racism in football cannot be “solved overnight” and has urged UEFA to get tough on the issue as they investigate a complaint of alleged racist abuse made by his new England team-mate Callum Hudson-Odoi.
Rose also discussed the abuse recently faced by young Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi who has been called into the England squad for the first time this week.
England's Callum Hudson-Odoi during the training session at St George's Park, Burton.
The 18-year-old who has been called into the England squad for the first time this week experienced alleged racist abuse while playing for Chelsea at Dynamo Kiev in the Europa League on Thursday.
“I was only reading this morning about, what Callum had gone through,” Rose told the BBC. “It will not be solved overnight. There will be one or two further cases in the future before we get to a solution.”
Kiev fans have been accused of making monkey chants at Hudson-Odoi, something Rose was victim of while playing for England Under-21s against Serbia in 2012.
Contact the PFA
If any player has been subject to discriminatory abuse, please contact our Equality & Diversity department on: 0207 236 5148
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