Manchester United star Raheem Sterling explained the emotional reason behind his gun tattoo.
This comes after his tattoo was branded “disgusting” and “totally unacceptable” by anti-gun campaigners, suggesting it gives off the wrong impression to his fans.
According to Lucy Cope of Mothers Against Guns told “He’s supposed to be a role model but chooses to glamourise guns.”
But the 23-year-old has moved to explain the tattoo, insisting it relates to his late father, who was murdered.
In his statement, “When I was 2 my father died from being gunned down to death I made a promise to myself I would never touch a gun in my life time,” he posted on Instagram.
He further added,”I shoot with my right foot so it has a deeper meaning and still unfinished.”
Sterling had initially shared a picture of his new tattoo on Monday as England prepare for this weekend’s clash with Nigeria.
England begin their World Cup campaign against Tunisia in Russia on June 18.
They will expect to reach the knockout stages of the competition with Belgium and Panama joining them in Group G