Troy Deeney receives racist abuse after FA Cup win, Raheem Sterling against walking off

Manchester City's English midfielder Raheem Sterling - who has spoken out against ongoing racist abuse in football - at a press conference ahead of the Tottenham Hotspur UEFA Champions League quarterfinal first leg. (AFP)
Updated 09 April 2019
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Troy Deeney receives racist abuse after FA Cup win, Raheem Sterling against walking off

  • Watford captain Troy Deeney was targeted with racial abuse on social media
  • Raheem Sterling, who is also black, said Monday that he was against players walking off pitches

LONDON: Watford captain Troy Deeney was targeted with racial abuse on social media after scoring in the FA Cup semifinal win over Wolverhampton.

Deeney’s stoppage-time penalty at Wembley Stadium sent the game into extra time, where Watford sealed a 3-2 victory on Sunday.

Deeney posted photos on his Instagram account of his celebrations on the field and later with his family and friends.

Alongside the Premier League’s “No room for racism” logo, Deeney wrote on Instagram on Monday that he had been forced to block comments from his posts after receiving abuse from “small minded people” on the platform.

“To me this isn’t a game, when you racially abuse my family or myself I have to take measures to prevent young people seeing these comments and thinking that it’s acceptable,” Deeney wrote.

It follows a weekend when Wigan player Nathan Byrne received racist abuse on Twitter and Derby midfielder Duane Holmes was the victim of abuse at Brentford during a second-tier Championship game.

Last week, Tottenham defender Danny Rose said he was looking forward to retiring from the game because of the ongoing racism problems and inaction by authorities.

Rose was among England players targeted with monkey chants in Montenegro last month while playing in a European Championship qualifier.

England teammate Raheem Sterling, who is also black, said Monday that he was against players walking off pitches if there is racist abuse by opposition fans.

“To win the game would hurt them even more,” Sterling said.

“They’re only trying to get you down. If you walk off they win, to score or win would be better.”


Tickets on sale for Fanatics Flag Football Classic in Riyadh, featuring NFL legend Tom Brady

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Tickets on sale for Fanatics Flag Football Classic in Riyadh, featuring NFL legend Tom Brady

  • Event on March 21 is described as a first-of-its-kind sport-and-entertainment global showcase, with a lineup of current NFL players, former stars and international entertainers
  • Three star-studded teams will compete at Kingdom Arena, alongside a full program of entertainment with American comedian Kevin Hart serving as host

RIYADH: Tickets are now on sale for the inaugural Fanatics Flag Football Classic at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh on March 21.

The event, part of Riyadh Season, brings together the worlds of sport and entertainment in what is described as a first-of-its-kind global showcase, featuring NFL legend Tom Brady and a lineup of current players, former stars and international entertainers.

Three star-studded teams will compete in fast-paced flag football matches, alongside interactive experiences for fans and a full program of entertainment, with American comedian Kevin Hart set to host.

Organizers said it underlines the global reach and diverse nature of Riyadh Season, and reinforces the Kingdom’s growing profile as a destination for major international events.

Flag football is a noncontact version of American football in which the players wear flags attached to belts, and instead of physically tackling each other they attempt to grab opponents’ flags.

Tickets for the event are available now through the Webook platform, the Saudi General Entertainment Authority said on Tuesday.