Raheem Sterling honoured at British Ethnic Diversity Sports Awards

The England international was praised for repeatedly speaking out against racism in football at an awards ceremony in London on Saturday evening

Manchester City footballer Raheem Sterling has been named Sportsman of the Year at the Sporting Equals British Ethnic Diversity Sports Awards (BEDSAs).

The England international was praised for repeatedly speaking out against racism in football at an awards ceremony in London on Saturday evening.

And although Sterling was unable to attend due to Manchester City’s FA Cup semi-final victory over Brighton, he pre-recorded an acceptance speech in which he said the award was “a massive honour”.

Sterling said: “It is an honour to receive such an award and to be associated with the BEDSA, who continue to offer under-represented communities a platform to celebrate success, and who are having an incredible impact on young people around the country.”

The BEDSAs are organised by race equality charity Sporting Equals and celebrate ethnic diversity in sport.

“He is undoubtedly one of the UK's most thrilling talents,” said awards founder Arun King, from the charity Sporting Equals.

“He is a trailblazer in his fight against racism. We are proud that he has become an iconic British sports star who represents so much for BAME communities and the entire sporting community, and will do for generations to come.”

Sterling, 24, has become a figurehead in the fight against racism for his determination to speak out against abuse, as well as critiquing the portrayal of black footballers by certain sections of the media.

He commented that he “expects no better” after suffering alleged racist abuse from Chelsea fans during a match at Stamford Bridge in December, while claiming after the incident that newspapers were helping to “fuel racism” with their coverage of black footballers.

Sterling once again spoke out against racism after numerous England players were racially abused during the recent 5-1 Euro 2020 qualifying win over Montenegro.

“A couple of idiots ruined a great night and it is a real sad thing to hear,” Sterling told BBC Radio 5 Live. “It's a real sad situation we are talking about after a great win.

“I don't think it was just one or two people that heard it, it was the whole bench. There should be a real punishment for this, not just the two or three people who were doing it - it needs to be a collective thing.”

Raheem Sterling receives his award (Sporting Equals)

And earlier this week, Sterling criticised Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci for failing to defend his team-mate, Moise Kean, in light of racist abuse from Cagliari supporters.

Bonucci said Kean “could have done it differently” and “the blame is 50-50”, after the 19-year-old celebrate his goal in the Serie A fixture by spreading his arms while facing the crowd.

Sterling responded: “All you can do now is laugh.”