Amid an outcry over the treatment of Raheem Sterling by England's media and soccer fans, Chelsea suspended four people from attending its matches as police investigated whether the Manchester City winger was racially abused during a Premier League match.
Police are reviewing footage that circulated widely online during Chelsea's 2-0 win over City on Saturday, showing a man aggressively hurling abuse at Sterling as the player retrieved the ball off the field. Others near the man also appeared to be goading the England international.
Chelsea said the club was fully supporting the police investigation and will pass on any information it gathers.
"Chelsea finds all forms of discriminatory behavior abhorrent," the London club said in a statement on Monday, "and if there is evidence of ticket-holders taking part in any racist behavior, the club will issue severe sanctions, including bans. We will also fully support any criminal prosecutions."
Sterling, one of English soccer's best and most high-profile players, posted a message on his Instagram account on Sunday, touching only briefly on the incident and instead focusing on the portrayal of black footballers in British newspapers which he believes helps to "fuel racism."
"Regarding what was said at the Chelsea game," Sterling wrote, "as you can see by my reaction I just had to laugh because I don't expect no better."
The 24-year-old Sterling has had an uneasy relationship with the media, with critical coverage before the World Cup in Russia of his decision to get a tattoo of an assault rifle on his right leg. He said it was a tribute to his late father, who was shot dead when Sterling was two.
He was also heavily criticized by fans and in the media before, during, and after the European Championship in 2016, so much so that he decided to stop going on social media.
Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville was one of Sterling's coaches at Euro 2016, and was approached by the winger during the tournament. Sterling, felt, according to Neville, that the abuse toward him was "vicious" and that he was being "targeted."
"There was a tonal difference to the actual attacks that he was getting compared to others," Neville said. "He was asking me why this was happening. The abuse that he received, particularly in the media, and the language that was used against him, I have not seen it before. And I have lived closely with David Beckham and Wayne Rooney."
Neville said it was a "miracle" Sterling has been able to become such an integral player for City and England.
"He has been carrying this for years," Neville said. "This was not just a Chelsea fan at the weekend."
English soccer's players' union said Sterling was "often singled out and treated more harshly than his colleagues."
"Raheem has made a stand by speaking out and we stand shoulder to shoulder with him against the discrimination of which he speaks," said Simone Pound, head of equality and diversity at the Professional Footballers' Association.
"We all have a part to play in tackling racism and discrimination and certain sectors of the media must be held to account."
Pound said the PFA was "in no doubt that the negative narrative influences public opinion and emboldens racist rhetoric."
A week before the incident involving Sterling at Chelsea, a banana skin was thrown by fans at Arsenal striker Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang as he celebrated scoring against Tottenham in a Premier League match.
"I am obviously not surprised that things like this still happen," Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp said on Monday, when asked about the abuse of Sterling, "but I like the fact that we put the finger on it and say, 'You cannot say what you want, it is not possible.'
"As long as people are silly enough to do this, they need to be punished for it. That is how it is. I am sure 95 percent of people or more are not like this so we should try to find the right amount of attention for these people. Yes, punish them but do not talk too much about them because they do not deserve that we talk about them."
The Football Association has said it will work with the clubs and other authorities regarding the incident at Stamford Bridge involving Sterling.
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