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Raheem Sterling: Eden Hazard addresses Chelsea fans’ alleged racial abuse of Man City ace
EDEN HAZARD has given his support to Raheem Sterling following Saturday’s 2-0 loss to Manchester City, a match in which the forward was allegedly racially abused by a Chelsea fan.
Sterling was hounded by four Blues fans during the match at Stamford Bridge, which saw City fall a point behind league leaders Liverpool.
Chelsea have provisionally suspended the supporters and are currently conducting an investigation into the incident, which the Metropolitan Police are also looking into.
Hazard, like many others, was disgusted by the incident and has insisted the actions of the four supporters don’t represent the entire Chelsea fanbase.
"The only thing I can say is I support the player. Sterling is a fantastic player," Hazard told Sky Sports.
"There is an investigation, so we don't know what will happen. Proper Chelsea fans just sing for Chelsea and enjoy the game.
"I am fully supportive of Raheem and this sort of racism cannot be in the stadium anymore."
City boss Pep Guardiola broke his silence on the alleged racist incident at his pre-match press conference earlier today and claimed racism isn’t only a problem in the football world.
"Racism is everywhere, it's not just in football," the Spaniard said. "We have to fight to make a better future for everyone, not just in England but everywhere."
I am fully supportive of Raheem and this sort of racism cannot be in the stadium anymore
On Chelsea’s vow to impose ‘severe sanctions’ should any of the quartet be found guilty of using racist language, Guardiola said: “I appreciate what Chelsea did and if it happened in my club we would do the same."
Sterling opened up on the incident on Sunday, claiming racists are being emboldened by news outlets’ negative coverage of black players.
"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,” Sterling wrote on Instagram.
"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 newspapers get their 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 newspapers 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.”
Sterling and his Manchester City team-mates will be back in action tomorrow night when they welcome Hoffenheim to the Etihad for their final Champions League group game.