A MAN has been charged with an alleged racist attack on Manchester City and England footballer Raheem Sterling.
Sterling, 23, was reportedly kicked and racially abused as he arrived at City’s Etihad complex before Saturday’s match against Tottenham.
Greater Manchester Police said Karl Anderson, 29, of Woodward Street, Manchester, had been charged with racially aggravated common assault.
He has been remanded in custody to appear at Manchester and Salford Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.
Kick It Out, football’s equality body, said it had been in touch with Sterling to offer him support.
Detective Chief Inspector Paul Walker from GMP’s City of Manchester team said: “Earlier this morning we arrested a 29-year-old man after investigating a racially aggravated assault in Manchester.
“Racism will not be tolerated in Greater Manchester and has no place in civilised society.
“We take every report incredibly seriously and any reports can be reported via the True Vision website www.report-it.org.uk ”
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City have not commented publicly about the incident, which took place just on the approach to the entrance to their academy.
But they have provided extensive CCTV footage from their security cameras that cover their training ground.
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Sterling was understood to have been shaken by the incident, given that it happened in broad daylight with no warning.
But the 23-year-old did not allow the events to stop him preparing for Saturday’s clash with Spurs which saw City maintain their dominance in the Premier League.
The England star scored twice as Pep Guardiola’s side cruised to a 4-1 win over one of their biggest rivals as the club’s amazing form continues.
And Sterling’s form this season has been equally impressive, playing the best football of his career and finally establishing himself as a regular for Guardiola.
The forward has now scored 15 goals in all competitions, with only Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah and Spurs star Harry Kane scoring more in the Premier League.
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