Since the Sun broke the news that England footballer Raheem Sterling is sporting a tattoo of an M16 assault rifle on his right calf, numerous anti-gun campaigners have criticised Mr Sterling, a role model to millions of British youth, for glamorising gang violence. Ignoring this, Guardian commentators have instead accused the Sun of racism and prejudice (As Raheem Sterling knows, successful black men have targets on their back, theguardian.com, 30 May; Raheem Sterling is a victim of vicious tabloid snobbery, Shortcuts, G2, 30 May).
That is a very serious charge that stands up to no scrutiny whatsoever.
Race was not a factor in the slightest in our decision to cover the story. We would have run the same story had the tattoo been on Jordan Henderson’s arm or Harry Kane’s back, and we expect the reaction of campaigners would have been exactly the same. As a role model for young people in the context of a gang violence epidemic, it is hardly a surprise that those on the ground in violence-afflicted communities reacted so angrily.
To focus on the perceived racism of the tabloid press is to wilfully miss the point of the entire story.
Andy Silvester
Head of PR and leader writer, the Sun
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