Chelsea identify 'racist' fan who screamed abuse at Raheem Sterling and give his name to police

The man's name has been passed on to police as they investigate the incident that unfolded during Chelsea's home game against Manchester City.

There was a public outcry after video footage surfaced online, with a Chelsea fan appearing to call the 24-year-old winger a "f****** black c***" during Maurizio Sarri's side's 2-0 win on Saturday.

The England star had gone to collect the ball from the side of the pitch during the first half when he was allegedly abused.

As part of the investigation, authorities are collecting available footage, including audio that may have been picked up on the pitch.

There have been no arrests at this stage.


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Sterling himself spoke out after the incident, saying: "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”.

He has since spoken to cops about the alleged racist slurs.

A number of high profile football names have come forward after the footage was released, with England legend Lineker called it “despicable”.


Ex-England stars Rio Ferdinand, Ian Wright and Gary Lineker have all condemned the footage.

Arsenal legend Wright tweeted: “The bad old days are back! Chelsea you have been shamed by this disgusting racist fan! Absolutely no doubt about what he says.”

Former Manchester United defender Ferdinand added: “Are we going to continue to allow this type of racist behaviour go on? All for kicking a ball!”

It comes as Nathan Lewis, a Chelsea fan, revealed to Good Morning Britain he was the one standing just a few yards from the men who allegedly hurled the abuse at the footballer.

He said: "Raheem Sterling was getting a lot of abuse from all sections. However, I have to be honest and say I didn't hear actually any racial abuse whatsoever.

"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.

"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 from me, Sterling either. To see that happen on TV just a few feet away from me is quite scary."

Another Chelsea fan, Dean, told talkSPORT he was in the photographs of the incident but added: "I never heard him say anything."

He said: "I didn’t call him anything (racist), I called him an effing… and pointed at him and said 'you’re a waste of space and you’re an embarrassment to England', and then the whole stand started chanting 'Raheem Sterling you run like a girl'.

And addressing Sterling, the fan said: "I apologise for anything for I said that offended you.

"On behalf of the other fans it abhors me and I'm really sorry. That language shouldn’t have come out. Even what I said shouldn’t have come out, it was the passion of the game, other than the alleged racism."


A Met Police spokesperson 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 game at Stamford Bridge on Saturday 8 December.

"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."

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 Professional Footballers' Association statement on Sterling abuse: "The PFA condemn, in the strongest terms, the increase in racial abuse our members have been receiving from the terraces.

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

"Over the past 2 weeks, we have seen 2 alleged high-profile racist incidents happen from the stands at PL games. We stress to all clubs the importance of dealing with these incidents robustly. It is not acceptable for our members to find themselves subject to racist abuse."



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