Raheem Sterling visited England coach about abuse in 2016

Manchester City winger Raheem Sterling held a private conversation with former England coach Gary Neville about the abuse he received in 2016.

The 24-year-old posted on Instagram saying the British media are helping to “fuel racism” by their portrayal of young black footballers.

The post came after Sterling was allegedly racially abused during City’s 2-0 defeat at Chelsea. The London side have since suspended four supporters while they investigate.

Neville worked as part of the England coaching staff during the 2016 European Champions, a particular time at which Sterling was villainized in the media, and said that Sterling visited him a few days before the last-16 defeat to Iceland two years ago.

“He was getting absolutely battered going into that tournament, so much stick,” said Neville on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football.

We were aware that the fans, the media were on to him. It continued into the tournament and to the stadiums – there were groans and little boos.

It takes a lot for a player to see a coach, he walked in and started to download on me. ‘Why is this happening? Why was this so personal?’

He accepted he’d be scrutinised as an England player but felt it was so vicious and that he felt so targeted that he didn’t know what to do about it.”

Gary Neville, speaking to BBC Sport

The embarrassing defeat to Iceland came at a time when England were heavily criticised for their performances in France, with Sterling receiving a large brunt of the criticism.

As a coach – on reflection – I didn’t know how to deal with it,” he said. “I went into protection mode, coach mode – ‘Raheem you’re a great player and we love you to bits’.

I tried to almost patch him up, to a point where you were never dealing with the underlying issue and maybe you couldn’t. Reflecting now, maybe even brushing it aside a little bit.

He was willing to stand up and play but he’s been carrying this for years. He’s a tough lad to come through everything he’s come through and the scrutiny, to perform like he has done is a miracle almost.”

Gary Neville, speaking to BBC Sport