Raheem Sterling says sections of the media “fuel racism” in football after being the subject of alleged racist abuse during a Premier League match on Saturday. The England and Manchester City forward wrote on his Instagram account that young black footballers are treated differently to their white counterparts and, because of reporting like this, he expects no better from fans.
This comes just one week after a man was arrested for throwing a banana skin at Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang during Arsenal’s 4-2 win over Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates Stadium. In a column for the Guardian, Stan Collymore suggested that the latest storm will pass and that nothing will change: “It never does when it comes to racism in this country.”
If you are involved in football – as a fan, player or coach – we would like your help in exploring these issues and how racism manifests at ground and how it is dealt with by the authorities. We would also like to hear your perspectives on media coverage of racism in football.
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You can share your perspective as a fan, player, parent or coach in whatever level of UK football from youth to amateur to professional. If you have experienced racism, on the terraces or on the pitch, share your stories with us – anonymously if you wish – using the form below. What were your experiences? How were they dealt with? Has the situation changed over time for better or worse? We will feature some of your responses in our reporting.
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