A man alleged to have hurled racist abuse at footballer Raheem Sterling during a televised Premier League game has been questioned under criminal caution, the Metropolitan police has said.
The incident took place at Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge ground when they played Manchester City on 8 December. Footage showed home fans leaning forward and shouting abuse at the Manchester City and England player. A man named by media outlets says he did not direct racial abuse at Sterling, though accepted he had shouted an insult at the player.
The Met said the person they had questioned had not been arrested. Questioning a suspect under criminal caution allows anything said in interview to be admitted in court proceedings, if they were to take place. It is also a legal device meant to give the suspect rights, such as a limited right to silence and to legal representation if wanted.
Almost a fortnight after the incident, the Met said they were reviewing television pictures and footage from the CCTV system at the Stamford Bridge ground to see “whether any offence had been committed”.
The incident was one of several recent ones to taint football. Sterling said afterwards that some sections of the media were helping to fuel racism because they portrayed young black footballers in a negative way compared with young white footballers.
The Met said: “Police continue to investigate an incident where is it is claimed racial abuse was directed at a player during the Chelsea v Manchester City game at Stamford Bridge on Saturday 8 December. Officers are reviewing footage and CCTV to determine whether any offences have been committed.
“Officers are in possession of the details of those reportedly involved. There have been no arrests at this time. One person has been interviewed under caution. The Met continues to work with both clubs and a number of enquiries are ongoing.”
