By Ben Church, CNNUpdated 1232 GMT (2032 HKT) August 12, 2022 Raheem Sterling says he moved to Chelsea in order to get more playing time. (CNN)Raheem Sterling says he didn't think twice about joining Chelsea this season despite receiving racist abuse at Stamford Bridge previously in his career.
Chelsea banned a fan for life from its stadium following an incident during an English Premier League match in December 2018.
The individual was found to have used «racially abusive language and threatening and aggressive behavior» toward Sterling while he was playing for Manchester City, the club said.Jude Bellingham questions whether authorities 'care' about racist abuse directed at Black footballersFive other fans were also banned for between one and two years for «abusive language and threatening and aggressive behavior.» However, Sterling says the experience «wasn't something that played on my mind at all» when deciding on his new club.
Read More«I can't let an incident from individuals change my perception of the club,» Sterling told reporters ahead of Chelsea's match against Tottenham on Sunday, per Reuters. «I have no hatred or malice towards the individual,» Sterling added when asked if he would be willing to meet the man banned for life. «That's something that I could do right here, right now, or tomorrow.