Raheem Sterling has said that newspapers have helped fuel racism in Britain through how they portray young black footballers.
Police are investigating allegations that Sterling was racially abused during Manchester City's defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday evening.
"Regarding what was said at the Chelsea game as you can see by my reaction I just had to laugh because I don’t expect no better," Sterling said in an Instagram post on Sunday morning.
The 24-year-old went on to highlight the contrast in how the Daily Mail covered two of his Man City teammates, Tosin Adarabioyo and Phil Foden, buying houses.
Adarabioyo, who is black, was said to have 'splashed out on a £2.25 million mansion despite having never started a Premier League match' while Foden, who is white, bought a 'new £2 million home for his mum'.
"For example you have two young players starting out their careers both play for the same team, both have done the right thing. Which is buy a new house for their mothers who have put in a lot of time and love into helping them get where they are, but look how the newspapers get their message across for the young black player and then for the young white player," wrote Sterling.
"I think this is unacceptable both innocent have not done a thing wrong but just by the way it has been worded. This young black kid is looked at in a bad light. Which helps fuel racism and aggressive behaviour, so for all the newspapers that don’t understand why people are racist in this day and age all I have to say is have a second thought about fair publicity an give all players an equal chance."
Sterling himself has been the subject of negative coverage from the British tabloid media in past for such offences as looking tired, taking a budget airline flight and forgetting to wash his car.
