LONDON • Despite a "money grabber" reputation that was borne out of the way he engineered his acrimonious transfer from Liverpool to Manchester City in 2015, Raheem Sterling has since emerged as one of football's good guys.
Off the pitch, the England forward is increasingly being known for his charity work with organisations like Football Beyond Borders and supporting movements to help victims of the Grenfell Tower fire, while using his considerable social media presence to help the underprivileged.
On Thursday, the 24-year-old further burnished his altruistic credentials after buying 550 tickets for students of his former school, Copland Community, to catch City's FA Cup semi-final against Brighton at Wembley today.
Having spent his formative years in the vicinity of Wembley after moving from Jamaica at the age of five, Sterling, who also met the students the same day, said it represented "a great opportunity to give back to the community that helped me get to where I am".
He added: "I grew up right next door to the stadium and would dream of one day playing in a Cup final or even representing my country there. To now be able to play there myself is an honour.
ARCH IN SIGHT
When I was young, it was usual to see the final of the FA Cup over the Premier League games, the tradition at old Wembley. It will be nice for me, personally, and the players as well.
PEP GUARDIOLA, Manchester City manager, on the semi-final clash against Brighton at Wembley today.
"It is great to be able to give these students the chance to watch a game at Wembley."
Rebecca Curtis, the principal of his former school, now known as Ark Elvin Academy, was blown away by his gesture.
She said: "To know he still thinks about the community he came from despite how his life has changed is really powerful for us.
"The vast majority of our pupils have never been inside Wembley, let alone seen such a big game with one of our old boys playing."
So it puzzles City manager Pep Guardiola when Sterling, who was allegedly the subject of racist abuse earlier in the season at Chelsea and when England played Montenegro away in their Euro 2020 qualifier during the recent international break, continues to draw flak.
Calling it an "incredible gesture", he said at his pre-match press conference yesterday: "This makes a better society for everyone. Football players are human beings, we live all together and these kind of gestures dignify who he is."
Turning his attention towards the Seagulls, the Spaniard admitted that while City "are still young in terms of a lot of titles", he had set his team, who are still on course for the quadruple, "the target to win and be better".
He told reporters: "When I was young, it was usual to see the final of the FA Cup over the Premier League games, the tradition at old Wembley. It will be nice for me, personally, and the players as well. A challenge to get another (trophy) and we will try."
The 48-year-old also revealed mixed news over his likely first XI selection against Chris Hughton's men after confirming defender Oleksandr Zinchenko would be out for "10 to 12 days".
However, there was a better outcome for Guardiola in the striking department after Sergio Aguero, the league's top scorer on 19 goals, was passed "almost fit and will travel".
He also hinted that Benjamin Mendy could make only his second City appearance since undergoing meniscus surgery last November, as "he has been training for a week".
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
MAN CITY V BRIGHTON
Singtel TV Ch111, tomorrow, 12.25am
Soccer: Infantino says he has wide support for 48-team World
Juventus 2-1 AC Milan: Moise Kean puts Juve on brink of Serie
MANCHESTER, England (REUTERS) - Manchester City's England forward Raheem Sterling has been awarded The Integrity and Impact Award at this year's BT Sport Industry Awards for speaking out on a
England's Sterling honoured with award for fighting racism
Pep Guardiola is not concerned about the way his Manchester City players use social media, despite a post from Kyle Walker that appeared to mock Premier League title rivals Liverpool.
Guardiola not worried about Man City players' social media use
Manager Maurizio Sarri says Chelsea's slow starts to the second half are becoming a "big problem", after they beat Slavia Prague to reach the Europa League semi-finals.
Spurs boss Pochettino charged by FA with improper conduct Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino was Monday charged with improper conduct by the Football Association following his side's defeat
Spurs boss Pochettino charged by FA with improper conduct
Josh Brownhill netted the only goal of the game to dump the Terriers out of the world's oldest football competition and extend Town's losing streak to nine matches across the Premier League and FA Cup. The national media gathered at Ashton Gate to watch the clash, with many leaving unimpressed with the Terriers' "toothless" display.
My Fantasy Football Failings: Glenn Murray is on fire and I
Football Athletics Rugby Golf Others Pogba deletes cryptic post after Mourinho axed Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba quickly deleted a controversial social media post of him smiling
Pogba deletes cryptic post after Mourinho axed - SuperSport
adtest.supersport.com/football/premier-league/news/181219/Pogba_deletes_cryptic_post_after_Mourinho_axed
Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba quickly deleted a controversial social media post of him smiling after manager Jose Mourinho was sacked by the club on Tuesday. Mourinho was dismissed on Tuesday after United's worst start in 28 years left them trailing Premier League leaders Liverpool by 19 points.
'Caption this': Pogba deletes cryptic post after Mourinho axed
Manchester United has announced that Jose Mourinho has left the Club. We would like to thank him for his work during his time at Manchester United and wish him success in the future. #MUFC A
Manchester United sack Mourinho - espn.com
Rio de Janeiro: Chelsea's Willian will replace Neymar in Brazil's Copa America squad, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) said on Friday, after the world's most expensive player was sidelined by injury.
Willian to replace Neymar in Brazil's Copa America squad
Soccer Football - Euro 2020 Qualifier - Group D - Republic of Ireland v Gibraltar - Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Republic of Ireland - June 10, 2019 Republic of Ireland's Robbie Brady celebrates scoring th
Euro 2020 qualifier - Ireland need own goal to scrape past
Football: Furious Sarri slams Chelsea players as 'difficult to motivate' Alexandre Lacazette (right, partly hidden) scoring Arsenal's first goal against Chelsea on Saturday.
Furious Sarri Slams Chelsea Players As "Difficult To Motivate
Mauricio Pochettino believes Tottenham can progress to the Champions League final if they play with bravery and a winning mentality against Ajax. Spurs travel to Amsterdam on Wednesday looking to
Mauricio Pochettino - Wikipedia
Huddersfield manager Jan Siewert has backed Philip Billing after the club's Danish midfielder was subjected to "brainless" racist abuse on social media. West Yorkshire Police arrested a 16
Huddersfield ace Philip Billing exposes sick racist abuse
Cardiff manager Neil Warnock revealed his pride despite losing 2-1 at Arsenal on Tuesday as the Welsh side returned to action for the first time since a plane carrying the club's record signing
Warnock hails Cardiff's heart as Bluebirds win again for Sala
0 comments:
Post a Comment