Rose backs Sterling over portrayal of black players

England and Tottenham full-back Danny Rose has backed national teammate Raheem Sterling and his criticism of the media’s portrayal of black players.

The Spurs defender said the players were “over the moon” when Sterling posted on Instagram highlighting the differences in coverage between black and white players.

“Raheem was only saying what we all say in the dressing room,” said Rose, “It’s sad really but he’s 100 per cent spot on with what he said.”

Rose was speaking with the media ahead of England’ Euro 2020 qualifying campaign which they open in games against the Czech Republic on Friday and then a match with Montenegro on Monday.

“The stick he used to get from the media was bang out of order. When he put the [Instagram] post up about the media we were all over the moon with that because we all agree. Fair play to Raheem.”

Sterling drew attention to Manchester City teammates Tosin Adarabioyo and Phil Foden for buying houses and the language used.

The headline for Adarabioyo focused on his £2.25 million house he had bought “despite having never started a Premier League match”. Whereas the headline on Foden said he had “set up a future” when he bought a £2 million house for his mum.

The post opened up what has been a serious debate around covert racism in the media and Rose believes that social media has played a huge part in that.

“One of the few positive things about social media is now you have a voice and you can influence people.

“Now it’s not just the boys in the dressing room talking about the media targeting Raheem, the general public have now seen it. We hope it changes but it doesn’t affect Raheem in any way, which we are all grateful for.”

Sterling also drew heavy criticism from the media for a tattoo of a rifle on his leg, which he later explained via an Instagram post that it refers to his late father who was killed in Jamaica when he was a young child and he promised “I would never touch a gun in my lifetime, I shoot with my right foot.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

Good morning I just want to say , I am not normally the person to talk a lot but when I think I need my point to 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. For example you have two young players starting out there careers both play for the same team, both have done the right thing. Which is buy a new house for there mothers who have put in a lot of time and love into helping them get where they are, but look how the news papers get there message across for the young black player and then for the young white payer. I think this in unacceptable both innocent have not done a thing wrong but just by the way it has been worded. This young black kid is looked at in a bad light. Which helps fuel racism an aggressive behaviour, so for all the news papers that don’t understand why people are racist in this day and age all i have to say is have a second thought about fair publicity an give all players an equal chance.

A post shared by Raheem Sterling x ? (@sterling7) on Dec 9, 2018 at 1:54am PST

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