Black Chelsea fan says he didn’t hear racist abuse aimed at Raheem Sterling but labels video footage ‘disgusting’

Nathan Lewis, who was sat no more than four seats away from a man accused of racially abusing the Manchester City forward, has spoken publicly for the first time to give his account of what happened during Chelsea’s 2-0 victory on Saturday

A Chelsea fan who was sat near the man accused of racially abusing Manchester City footballer Raheem Sterling has spoken publicly to claim that he did not hear any racist language at the time, but said that the television widely circulated from Saturday evening’s match is “disgusting”.

Nathan Lewis, who is black, was seen in the video no more than four seats away from a man who has been accused of calling Sterling a “f*****g black c***” during Chelsea’s 2-0 victory at Stamford Bridge.

Sat in the Mathew Harding Stand, the incident occurred during the first half when Sterling went to retrieve the ball for a corner, only to be targeted with verbal abuse from the home support.

When the video was widely shared on social media, a number of Twitter users unknowingly pointed out Mr Lewis, given the race-related allegations, and he appeared on ITV’s Good Morning Britain on Monday to give his account of what happened at the weekend.

“Raheem Sterling was getting a lot of abuse from all sections”, Mr Lewis said. “However, I have to be honest and say I didn’t hear actually any racial abuse whatsoever.

“A lot of people have been questioning me and my integrity as to why I didn’t get involved, why I didn’t react. But I didn’t actually hear anything racial from any section of the crowd, but that doesn’t mean it didn’t happen.

“We all knew it was on TV because the camera was in front of us.

“I think it’s disgusting. I’m right there, three feet away from him. He’s got no regard from me, Sterling either. To see that happen on TV just a few feet away from me is quite scary.”

Player appeared to be racially abused by a Chelsea fan during the match (EPA)

The Metropolitan Police are investigating whether Sterling was racially abused by a man during Saturday’s Premier League encounter, and issued a statement on Saturday night that said it is “aware of a video circulating online in which it is claimed racial abuse was allegedly directed at a player.”

Sterling has also given a statement to officers of The Met Police who travelled to Manchester on Sunday to speak to the England international after seeing the allegations online.

And in a lengthy Instagram post, Sterling has drawn attention to negative press coverage he and other black footballers have been subject to, arguing that newspapers help to “fuel racism” with their “aggressive behaviour”, while explaining his reaction to Saturday’s incident.

“I just want to say, I am not normally the person to talk a lot but when I think I need my point to be heard I will speak up,” he wrote.

“Regarding what was said at the Chelsea game as you can see by my reaction I just had to laugh because I don’t expect no better.”

Sterling appeared to be targeted with (Getty) (Getty Images)

Sterling posted two pictures to his Instagram page, showing Daily Mail stories about Manchester City players Tosin Adarabioyo and Phil Foden buying new houses.

The story about Foden, who is white, has the headline: “Manchester City starlet Phil Foden buys new £2m home for his mum.” The story about Adarabioyo, who is black, has the headline: “Young Manchester City footballer, 20, on £25,000 a week splashes out on mansion on market for £2.25million despite having never started a Premier League match”.

“For example, you have two young players starting out their careers, both play for the same team, both have done the right thing. Which is buy a new house for their mothers, who have put in a lot of time and love into helping them get where they are,” Sterling wrote.

“But look how the newspapers get their message across for the young black player and young white player.

“I think this is unacceptable. Both [are] innocent, have not done a thing wrong, but just by the way it has been worded this young black kid is looked at in a bad light.

“[What] helps fuel racism is aggressive behaviour, so for all of the newspapers that don’t understand why people are racist in this day and age, all I have to say is have a second thought about fair publicity and give all players an equal chance.”