Russell Brand pleads for institutional change in football after Raheem Sterling incident against Chelsea – ‘Football ain’t racist, culture is racist’

Russell Brand pleads for institutional change in football after Raheem Sterling incident against Chelsea – ‘Football ain’t racist, culture is racist’
Russell Brand has leapt to the defence of Raheem Sterling, claiming cultural changes must be made in order to eradicate the problem of racism in football.The Manchester City star was allegedly racially abused by a group of Chelsea fans during Saturday nights clash at Stamford Bridge.3

The actor passionately defended Sterling on talkSPORT

Blues fan Colin Wing admitted to hurling abuse at Sterling, but not using racist language.However, the 24-year-old City and England star launched an urgent appeal to the football world for a cultural change to occur to eradicate the problem of racism.And, to prove his point, he posted screen shots on Instagram detailing the different use in rhetoric when describing a young black player and a young white player.Brand, a passionate West Ham fan, spoke to Bob Mills, Micky Gray and Jim White on talkSPORT and echoed Sterlings sentiments.3

The 24-year-old has been the subject of plenty of media scrutiny throughout his career

He said: On one hand, Im tempted to say that we as four white men cant – on any level understand what its like to be the recipient of racial abuse.On the other hand, I think its very important that we stand in solidarity with the victims of any kind of abuse.Raheem Sterling dont [sic] need us to stick up for him, clearly he is able to stand up for himself quite articulately and brilliantly.The point that he made is that the abuse that he receives is underwritten by bad treatment in the media. Citing the two examples of the way the two stories were told in regard to a white player and black player.3

Colin Wing (circled) has claimed he did not launch any racial abuse at Sterling

I think Raheem makes an important point: Football aint racist, culture is racist and football is part of culture.We, as football fans, have an obligation to demonstrate that racism is unacceptable.In 2015, shocking footage emerged of a group of Chelsea fans refusing to let a black passenger onto a train in Paris ahead of their Champions League clash with PSG.The football world was outraged but, as Brand pointed out, the problem of racism in football continues to rear its ugly head.

#Chelsea fans facing football ban & criminal charges after being filmed in this #racist incident on a Paris train.https://t.co/PXyzM96dWc— Sky News Australia (@SkyNewsAust) February 18, 2015

In order to finally rid the beautiful game of such a foul stain, the actor called for changes to be made throughout the industry.I suppose what we have to do is address directly the conditions that lead to it [racism], he added.What Raheem Sterling was saying is that the way he is written about and spoken about is somehow facilitating that kind of abuse making it seem more reasonable.I think he is right, I think hes nailed it. Furthermore, Stan Collymore said once in a while these conversations flare up. It happened after the incident with the train when the Chelsea fans would not let the black geezer get on.But what Stan was saying is that these conversations flare up and then they disappear again.I suppose culture needs to change deeply and that needs to come from the bottom and the top. Fans ourselves need to demonstrate that racist language is unacceptable.And, on an institutional level, changes need to be made.

---

Real Madrid starlet Martin Odegaard is hoping Liverpool will come in with a loan offer for him after turning down a move to the Bundesliga. He had been linked with Hamburg and Bayer Leverkusen. Arsenal are set for further talks with Shkodran Mustafi as they look to push through a deal for the Germany and Valencia defender.
How Manchester United Could Be Ruthless This Summer Transfer

---

FPL TIME Who are your transfer options ahead of another […] Transfer advice for Gameweek 35, including Arsenal, Manchester United, and Tottenham aces - Fussboll Home
Fantasy Premier League tips: Transfer advice for Gameweek 26

---

Find the perfect Queens Park Rangers Unveil New Manager Steve Mcclaren stock photos and editorial news pictures from Getty Images. Download premium images you can't get anywhere else.
Angel Rangel: Queens Park Rangers defender - BBC Sport

---

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang insists Golden Boot race is 'victory for Africa' as Arsenal striker ends level with Liverpool stars Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah; Manchester United will be in bottom half of Premier League if Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is still in charge at Christmas, according to talkSPORT host Adrian Durham

---

Cardiff City striker Emiliano Sala was on board an aircraft which went missing near the Channel Islands on Monday evening. The French civil aviation authority confirmed to Sky Sports News that

---

Chelsea are in a race against time to get Gonzalo Higuain's deal with the Blues completed so that he can face Tottenham Hotspur tomorrow night in the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg. The 31-year-old has arrived in London and is set to have his medical at the club to complete an initial loan deal for the remainder of the campaign, with an

---

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has been warned by the Football Association over his behaviour during Thursday's 2-1 victory against Liverpool. An animated Guardiola threw his scarf to the
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola ignored warnings over

---

Fulham, Bristol City and Preston North End are among the big winners in the Championship this weekend. Fulham have moved to within six points of the Championship's automatic promotion places after
Taking the temperature of the Championship's race for

---

Porto vs Liverpool live on talkSPORT: Full commentary and

---

Manchester United fans are desperate to see Diogo Dalot

---

Southampton sack manager Mark Hughes, club legend takes caretaker charge Celtic boss Rodgers and ex-Monaco coach candidates to replace Hughes at Southampton Football
New Stoke manager: Graham Potter keen on replacing Mark

---