Following the racial comments by a Russian footballer that was criticized by the government, the football air ha been rented people blasting the comments and seeking to have the player pay for his deeds across board.
England full-back Danny Rose says players were “over the moon” to see Raheem Sterling criticise the media’s portrayal of black players and says the winger was “spot on” in his analysis.
Manchester City’s Sterling, 24, was allegedly racially abused by a fan while playing at Chelsea in December.
The forward later said newspapers helped “fuel racism” by the way they portray young black footballers.
“Raheem was only saying what we all say in the dressing room,” said Rose, 28.
“It’s sad really but he’s 100% spot on with what he said,” Tottenham defender Rose told BBC Sport before England begin their Euro 2020 qualifying campaign against the Czech Republic on Friday and 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’s much-publicised social media post pointed to headlines about team-mates Tosin Adarabioyo and Phil Foden buying houses.
The headline referring to Adarabioyo focused on how he spent £2.25m on a property “despite having never started a Premier League match”, while one on Foden said the midfielder had bought “a £2m home for his mum”, later adding he had “set up a future”.
Sterling has also drawn media scrutiny for a tattoo of a rifle on his leg, which he says refers to his late father, who was killed in Kingston, Jamaica.
“One of the few positive things about social media now is you have a voice and you can influence people,” Rose added.
“Now it’s not just 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.”