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Raheem Sterling 'abuse': PFA stands 'shoulder to shoulder' with Man City star after alleged racism at Chelsea

Chelsea are investigating the incident involving Sterling that took place on Saturday: Getty Images
Chelsea are investigating the incident involving Sterling that took place on Saturday: Getty Images

The Professional Footballers' Association says it stands "shoulder to shoulder" with Raheem Sterling following the incident of alleged racist abuse at Chelsea on Saturday.

A group of Chelsea supporters were shown screaming abuse at Sterling - alleged to be racist in nature - as he retrieved the ball from behind the goal at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea and the Metropolitan Police are investigating the claims, while the Football Association has said it will also work with the clubs and other authorities to ensure the matter is dealt with appropriately.

A statement released PFA on Monday also said it believes the Manchester City player is "singled out" for negative coverage in the media and said it had contacted Sterling to offer its support.

"The PFA condemn, in the strongest terms, the increase in racial abuse our members have been receiving from the terraces," the statement read.

"We encourage all clubs to take the strongest possible action for fans found guilty of racially abusing players.

"We commend Raheem for his professionalism during the incident and the statement he made via Instagram on Sunday.

"We stand with him in calling for the press to consider the coverage of all footballers carefully, and to end their imbalanced coverage aimed at young, black players."

PFA said that fighting racism and discrimination has been a "top priority" for the association for the past 40 years.

The statement continued: "We have been aware for a few months of the targeting Raheem faces in the press, it is evident that he is often singled out and treated more harshly than his colleagues.

"As such, these stories are fuelling racism within the game, as reports of racist abuse continue to rise."

Chelsea fan Nathan Lewis, who is black, was standing a few seats away from the men abusing the Man City player on Saturday.

Although Mr Lewis did not hear any racism during the match, he was shocked by the television footage, describing it as "quite scary".

"A lot of people have been questioning me and my integrity as to why I didn't get involved, why I didn't react. But I didn't actually hear anything racial from any section of the crowd, but that doesn't mean it didn't happen," he told ITV's Good Morning Britain programme.

"We all knew it was on TV because the camera was in front of us.

"I think it's disgusting. I'm right there, three feet away from him. He's got no regard for me, Sterling either. To see that happen on TV just a few feet away from me is quite scary."

England international Sterling has received widespread support following the incident and for his response, including from former players such as Gary Lineker, Ian Wright and Rio Ferdinand.

Football journalist Henry Winter believes Sterling has a valid point about the media's portrayal of young, black players. He also feels press boxes at football matches should be more diverse.

"I think Raheem Sterling has made a huge point," he told Good Morning Britain.

"You have to look at it from a young, black player's perspective. The portrayal of them is wrong."

Mr Winter added: "Coming back to your point about whether media organisations are going to have to look at themselves, absolutely.

"If I look around the press box, it's not as representative of the diverse country we live in as it should be."

A spokeswoman for Metropolitan Police said they are "aware of a video circulating online in which it is claimed racial abuse was allegedly directed at a player at a Chelsea v Manchester game".

She added: "We continue to review the footage and CCTV to determine whether any offences have been committed.

"There have been no arrests and our enquiries continue."