Met police officers travelled from London to Manchester to investigate allegations of racism after video footage emerged appearing to show a Chelsea fan scream “f****** black c***” at him.
Sterling told Manchester City security staff immediately after the 2-0 defeat to Chelsea on Sunday that he had heard a racist remark.
Chelsea have identified the fan alleged to have used racist language but last night no arrests had been made or charges brought.
The shocking scenes also prompted Sterling to release a statement on social media.
Chelsea are working closely with police to provide CCTV footage from the ground to go with TV footage from BTSport, who were covering the match.
And investigators are attempting to find audio that would confirm exactly what was shouted at Sterling.
The England star had gone to collect the ball from the side of the pitch during the first half when he was met with a barrage of abuse from fans on the front rows of the Matthew Harding Stand.
Sterling posted on instagram: “I just want to say I am not normally the person to talk a lot but when I think I need my point to [be] heard I will speak up.
“Regarding what was said at the Chelsea game as you can see by my reaction I just had to laugh because I don’t expect no better.”
Sterling, 24, also said that he believed black players and white players were not treated equally by the media and that he believes newspapers have helped “fuel racism and aggressive behaviour”.
Lord Ouseley, chair of the campaign group Kick it Out, has called on figures at the top of the game to take stronger action in dealing with racism. Ouseley believes there is a lack of leadership on the issue.
“What happened at Chelsea shows what is still going on in football,” said Ouseley in a statement.
“Where is (Premier League executive chairman) Richard Scudamore? Where is (Football Association chairman) Greg Clarke? Where is Chelsea’s chairman (Bruce Buck)?
“They should have been talking out last night and it has to (be) dealt with at the top.
“We do not have any leadership at the top of the game to speak out, they rely on Kick it Out.”
Numerous high-profile current and former sport stars tweeted their support for Sterling and slammed the abuse he received, including Gary Lineker, Ian Wright and Rio Ferdinand.
Patrice Evra, the former Manchester United defender who was racially abused by Liverpool’s Luis Suarez in 2011, tweeted: “I saw what happened with @sterling7 yesterday….How does this happen still in 2018?!.
“It doesn’t matter what colour your skin is or your religion or what country you are from we need to be kind to each other. Love is so much more powerful than hate.”
A Chelsea spokesman said: ‘We’re aware of reports and video footage. We will investigate the matter and take the strongest possible action where necessary.’
A Football Association statement read: ‘We take all allegations of discrimination extremely seriously and will work with the clubs and the relevant authorities to ensure this matter is dealt with appropriately.
“We strongly condemn all forms of discrimination and encourage all fans and participants who believe that they have been the subject of, or witness to, discriminatory abuse to report it through the appropriate channels: The FA, our County FAs or our partners Kick It Out.”
The Met Police said: ‘We 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 City game at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, December 8.
‘We will review the footage to determine whether any offences have been committed.’
Liverpool striker Rhian Brewster, who has tried to highlight on-field racial abuse in the past, tweeted: “Another day another racist incident. Embarrassing for it be happening twice in two weeks in England. Just when you thought things had changed for the better.”
The incident came a week after a banana skin was thrown at Arsenal’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang by a Tottenham supporter. The fan has been banned but claimed he was not racist.
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