This archive report was first published on 8 June 2020.
On Sunday, Manchester City and England footballer Raheem Sterling sparked a conversation about racism, calling it the 'only disease right now' as the world grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Speaking in a BBC TV interview, set to air on Monday, Sterling, 25, acknowledged that his remarks might seem ill-timed, but emphasized the urgency of addressing racism.
"I know this might sound a little bit cheesy but the only disease right now is the racism that we are fighting," Sterling said.
His comments come as protests against racism continue across the world, following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis last month.
"This is the most important thing at this moment in time because this is something that is happening for years and years. Just like the pandemic, we want to find a solution to stop it," Sterling added.
He also expressed support for peaceful protests, saying, "As long as they are doing it peacefully and safely and not hurting anybody and not breaking into any stores, they continue to protest in this peaceful way."
With a history of speaking out against racism in football, Sterling believes it's time for action, not just words. "There's only so much communities and other backgrounds can take - especially black people. It's been going on for hundreds of years and people are tired and people are ready for change," he said.
Published on June 8, 2020, at 12:37 PM.
