Raheem Sterling suggests using 'harder punishments' to avoid racism

World
Europe

Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling said that “harder punishments” are the only way to avoid racism. The 24-year-old suggested clubs should automatically receive nine-point deductions and three-game competition bans once serious racist behaviors happen.

Sterling has been recognized as one of the prominent voices against racism in the sport. He has spoken on many occasions and also used his platform to call for more action to be taken.

He has condemned the racist abuse directed at his England teammates Danny Rose and Callum Hudson-Odoi during their Euro 2020 qualifier in Montenegro in March.

Montenegro were fined 20,000 euros and were forced to play their next home match behind closed doors. However, Sterling said the punishments need to be harder and more serious.

"After the situation that I had at Chelsea, they came to me with an idea, but I did not agree with the idea," Sterling said. "It was a social media blackout."

"And I just said to them, 'I simply don't agree with what you want to put out. It's a social media post; it's going to happen for one day. And by two days' time, it's all forgotten about.'"

"A few times, they get us to wear a T-shirt, yeah, but again it's not enough. You know, there needs to be harder punishment, and I think the harder punishments need to be, teams getting deducted, teams getting kicked out because this is when people start taking it seriously,” added Sterling.