Opinion: Raheem Sterling Was Right To Celebrate His Goal In Montenegro

It has been an interesting few Manchester City winger Raheem Sterling. A hat-trick against the Czech Republic was followed by two assists and a goal as the Three Lions thrashed Montenegro 5-1. But the win was marred by racist chanting and abuse towards England’s black players form the home fans.

Sterling celebrated his goal by cupping his ears towards the home supporters, but it’s a move that has divided opinion as to whether the winger should have provoked them further. Much of the abuse was aimed at Danny Rose, but Sterling, who has previously spoken out about the media’s reporting of black footballers, decided he’d heard enough.

But I believe Sterling was absolutely correct to celebrate in the manner he did.

It’s 2019 and yet some people still think it’s acceptable and perfectly fine to racially abuse people just because of the colour of their skin. If that isn’t enough, there are some who believe players such as Sterling and Rose to simply accept it and pretend it isn’t happening. To do such a thing, in my opinion, is on a par with condoning it.

Unfortunately, racial abuse continues to be a major problem, but it isn’t just confined to Europe. Sterling stated he was racially abused at Chelsea earlier in the season, and in the recent London Derby, a banana was thrown after Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who had scored the winner from the penalty spot.

It is truly baffling how supporters of clubs with black players in their team act in such a manner, and it’s equally confusing as football is for everyone, which means black supporters are in the stands. How does that make them feel, when they see their fellow supporters acting in such a manner?

It is in no way, shape or form that racial abuse is acceptable, and footballers have a right to speak out against or make fun of anyone who acts in such a manner, and players should continue to act in the manner Sterling did.

If supporters are going to act in such a despicable manner, then they deserve to be ridiculed for it.