Exclusive: Raheem Sterling 'attacked and racially abused' ahead of Manchester City's win over Spurs
Raheem Sterling was allegedly attacked and racially abused as he arrived at Manchester City’s training ground on Saturday morning in preparation for their game against Tottenham Hotspur.
The England forward was believed to have been kicked and branded a “n-----” by a man who appeared to be waiting for the 23-year-old at the players’ entrance at City’s football academy training base, according to sources.
Sterling had pulled into the entrance in his car as he arrived for City’s pre-match preparations, at which point he is believed to have been confronted by the man hurling a barrage of abuse at him.
Telegraph Sport understands that Sterling got out of his car to ask what the problem was only for the man to react by reputedly kicking the City player in the leg.
It is unclear at this stage whether City have opted to report the incident to Greater Manchester Police but it is thought the sickening scenes were caught on CCTV. It is not believed the man was known to Sterling. City have yet to comment on the matter.
Sterling did not suffer any injuries in the alleged attack and he went on to start and score twice – his 14th and 15th goals of an extraordinary season – in City’s 4-1 victory over Tottenham as Pep Guardiola’s side moved 14 points clear at the top of the Premier League.
A popular figure at City, Sterling has deliberately sought to keep a lower profile after some of his behaviour earlier in his career attracted the wrong headlines and is showing clear signs of maturing on and off the pitch.
In January, Sterling’s partner, Paige Milian, gave birth to their son, Thiago, and only weeks later he moved to a rural mansion outside Crewe and deliberately away from the spotlight.
Guardiola made no mention of the apparent incident in his post-match press conference in which he lauded City’s sixteenth successive league victory.
Harry Kane and Dele Alli had both been fortunate to escape red cards for poor challenges on Sterling and Kevin De Bruyne but Guardiola preferred to focus on his side’s strengths rather than criticise Tottenham’s heavy-handed approach.
De Bruyne scored City’s second moments after Alli’s studs-up challenge on his ankle and Guardiola said the Belgium midfielder’s reaction was an example to all young footballers.
“The two actions were dangerous with Harry Kane on Raz [Sterling] and the other one but you have to adapt to the physicality in the Premier League,” Guardiola said. “You saw what happened but fortunately it was just a kick. I am really surprised.
“I have to thank all my players, especially Kevin, for the fact that he is one of the most important players and you see how he runs without the ball. He is a good example for the young players, for the Academy, for Phil Foden, for Brahim Diaz.
“They know how good Kevin is and when they see how he runs and fights without the ball, that is the best example. He helps us to be a better club, a better institution for the future. That is what he does.
“His performance in this game? I have no words to describe what he has done with the ball, how many assists and shifting the play. All the time he watches the game in his head and without the ball is able to make pressure from 40 minutes to the goalkeeper. Behind him, people see it and know they have to run like that as well.”
