Manchester City star Raheem Sterling has vetoed the call for players to walk off the field when racially abused in a football match. The 24-year-old Englishman has stated that the action will not fix the problem but, rather, would make the racists win.
The ex-Liverpool attacker has been very outspoken on the subject of racism and spoke in wake of such instance which marred football games in some parts of Europe over the weekend. Prior to that, one which dominated headlines involved Juventus starlet and Italy international Moise Kean and fans of Cagliari.
With the issue of racism on the rise in recent times, Raheem Sterling has admonished players not to leave the pitch if they receive racist abuse from spectators but, rather, fight to score or win the match as a befitting retaliation.
The Manchester City winger was one among several other England players who were subjected to racial abuse during last month's Euro 2020 against Montenegro but responded by cupping his ears when he scored in the Three Lions' 5-1 win.
Speaking to the media ahead of Manchester City's Champions League with Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday, he said: "I wouldn't personally agree with walking off."
"To win the game would hurt them even more. They're only trying to get you down.
"If you walk off they win. To score or win would be better."
Raheem Sterling was adjudged the sportsman of the year at the 2019 British Ethnic Diversity Sports Awards on Saturday for his advocacy against racism in football.
