The Colombian coach treated Raheem Sterling exactly the same way the British media does
Before the World Cup had even started, the English press had already selected their home team target.
Two weeks prior to the tournament, the main story on the front page of The Sun detailed Raheem Sterling’s “sick new tattoo”: an image of an M16 rife on his lower leg (late revealed to be a tribute to his father who was gunned down in Jamaica when Sterling was just two years old). The next day they were ready with another headline about the backlash the newspaper itself had caused. Sky News had to apologise for misquoting Sterling, making it seem as if he had previously used a firearm. It was the latest controversy to unfold around the Manchester City player, who has been under a tremendous level of media scrutiny since joining his previous club Liverpool.
Two weeks prior to the tournament, the main story on the front page of The Sun detailed Raheem Sterling’s “sick new tattoo”: an image of an M16 rife on his lower leg (late revealed to be a tribute to his father who was gunned down in Jamaica when Sterling was just two years old). The next day they were ready with another headline about the backlash the newspaper itself had caused. Sky News had to apologise for misquoting Sterling, making it seem as if he had previously used a firearm. It was the latest controversy to unfold around the Manchester City player, who has been under a tremendous level of media scrutiny since joining his previous club Liverpool.
Considering the lack of belief in him, it can’t be a shock that Sterling is going through a goal drought for England. Further articles criticising him aren’t the best motivator, especially when he’s always the one being singled out. On the pitch last night in England’s second round victory over Colombia, an opposition coach appeared to shoulder barge Sterling as the teams went in for half-time, before wagging his finger and shouting at the striker as if he were a child. The way Sterling just turned around and walked away was the reaction of a young black man who has been in similar provoking situations in school, in a match or at the shops.
