Raheem Sterling: 'I didn't expect what I said about racism to get so much attention'
Raheem Sterling expressed surprise at the reaction he had caused by speaking out on racism as he was honoured for his actions off the pitch at the BT Sport Industry Awards on Thursday night.
The Manchester City and England forward received a standing ovation as he was presented with "Integrity and Impact Award" by Gareth Southgate for a year "in which the footballer used his platform and voice to speak out on a range of social issues".
Sterling received the recognition just weeks after he called for tougher sanctions from governing bodies after monkey chants aimed at Danny Rose during England's Euro 2020 qualifier in Montenegro. This season he he has himself fallen victim to alleged racist abuse at Stamford Bridge, and also sparked weeks of debate by posting Instagram comments criticising media portrayals of young black footballers.
After receiving the award at a star-studded night, partnered by Telegraph Women's Sport, at Battersea Evolution in London, Sterling said: “I was just speaking about my personal experiences, I didn’t expect it to get so much attention, I just wanted to bring it to the attention of my audience on Instagram. It’s been really pleasing to see people listening and trying and do better.
“Partly what happens when you try to do good things is you set examples for the next generation coming through. Coming from Liverpool I had people around me like Steven Gerrard that I looked up to and I’m looking at him and thinking what can I do within myself to be half the person and player he was. You take little things and each year you try and develop them and become better not just on the field but off it as well.”
Sterling, who says clubs should face the risk of nine point deductions for racist abuse, becomes the second recipient of the international award after Rachel Denhollander, who was the first survivor to speak out against disgraced USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar in 2018.
In addition to presenting the honour, Southgate was part of an “FA and England Men’s 2018 FIFA World Cup Squad” delegation, which received the Leadership in Sport Award from former UN Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Baroness Amos. Southgate picked up the trophy alongside both Martin Glenn and Mark Bullingham, respectively the outgoing and incoming chief executives at the Football Association.
Southgate hailed the maturity shown by Sterling over the past year. “He is a young man who it has been a pleasure to see grow and take responsibility. We’ve talked a lot about the impact you can have beyond the game and he is certainly having that impact in wider society and I can only add that I am proud he is one of ours.”
Earlier Dame Tessa Jowell was hailed for her "enduring impact on British sport" as a social impact award was named in her honour. Jowell, who spearheaded the Government's efforts to land London 2012, deserves the recognition for her part in the "greatest sporting event this nation has aver held", former Prime Minister Tony Blair said.
Blair said he was honoured to announce the renaming of the social impact award in the wake of Jowell's death aged 70 last May. He added she had a unique capacity for sport's "colossal ability" to do good. "We would never have launched the bid without Tessa," he said. The award was presented to organisers of the Ocean Race, the gruelling round-the-world yacht race.
Event host Alex Scott, who played for Team GB at the 2012 Olympics, also credited the former Labour MP with creating a "turning point" for women's football in the UK.
"For us, 2012 was the turning point, the moment," Scott told the Daily Telegraph. "To play against Brazil at Wembley and get 70,000 people, that was definitely a turning point for women's football."
Scott said Jowell deserved her award "for making sure the whole Olympics were played out in London". "We have to remember that," Scott added.
Dame Heather Rabbatts, formerly non-executive director of the Football Association, said: "The work that she did on the Olympics and just keeping that sense of focus was extraordinary. "London was regarded around the world as one of the most successful games. It was one of Tessa's most enduring legacies. She's left a real mark in terms of how she personally conducted herself as well as what she worked for."
