Rose backs Sterling over portrayal of black players

Sterling hit out at the media in an Instagram post in December |Photo: Manchester City

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.”