Sterling says ‘lots of positives’ from tattoo row

REUTERS: England winger Raheem Sterling says he has been touched by the support of many fans after facing criticism over a gun tattoo on his leg.

The Manchester City forward posted a photograph on Instagram while training with the England team at St George’s Park ahead of next month’s World Cup in Russia with the tattoo of an assault rifle clearly visible on his right leg.

Anti-gun campaigners labelled the tattoo “disgusting”. Sterling, however, defended himself last week, saying the tattoo had a “deeper meaning” and referred to his late father, who was shot dead when he was a boy.

Far from coming under sustained attack following the publication of pictures, many fans on social media expressed the view that the 23-year-old was being unfairly picked on.

“I heard that there were a lot of positives. I am grateful to see stuff like that,” Sterling said during England’s media day at their St George’s Park training centre on Tuesday.

“It just shows how far I am coming and how much the people are really taking to me as a person, because they can probably see my true colours and my true personality, so it’s really good to see.”