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July 1, 2016 1:21 PM Subscribe
So why is it we still call him an idiot? Why is it when a semi-professional footballer is done for drug dealing, Sterling’s face is used to sell the story on social media?Carl Anka: We need to talk about Raheem Sterling.
Also, fuck The Sun.
posted by robocop is bleeding at 1:44 PM on July 1, 2016 [7 favorites]
posted by robocop is bleeding at 1:44 PM on July 1, 2016 [7 favorites]
Yeah, if you are in any way someone who keeps up with professional football in the various UEFA leagues the amount of racism that players are typically subject too is insane and that racism impacts pretty much every league including the Premier League.
I wouldn't even say that the stuff that Sterling is subject to currently is even that unusual after all it was not that long ago that Ballotelli was routinely subject to racist harassment on a pretty regular basis. Dani Alves has been another player that has been subject to a lot of harassment despite playing at a top level for ages.
I don't watch a ton of Bundesliga matches so I don't know if that league is better than most but you look at the Russia and Ukranian leagues and racism is pretty ridiculous especially during CL matches against western european teams.
Sterling is probably most noticeable because he came from a squad that has a long and storied history but has largely been displaced from the top level of the Premier League in recent years by the rise of Manchester City and Chelsea. Both of those teams are largely seen as having bought their way to glory by buying up every elite player they could get.
Liverpool had an unexpectedly strong season in 13-14 and had a reasonable shot at the title until pretty late. However failure to deliver a title plus a loss of Saurez (who left for the elite Barca squad) and Gerrard (to retirement) left a huge gaping hole that man of the fans expected Sterling to fill. However it was not to be as City offered a massive deal to Sterling. Liverpool of course basically imploded at the first of last season under Rodgers before he was sacked in favor of Klopp but they are still a long way from being serious contenders.
So a part of the racism directed at Sterling is based upon a belief that he abandoned Liverpool in their hour of need. Part of it is that he's incredibly young and talented and has an extremely large contract even by Premier League standards. Part of it is that he left for a team that is considered by some to have bought their way to glory so there is apparently guilt by association. But behind all of it is that he is black and he's wildly successful and to some people that's a violation of the natural order.
posted by vuron at 1:45 PM on July 1, 2016 [5 favorites]
I wouldn't even say that the stuff that Sterling is subject to currently is even that unusual after all it was not that long ago that Ballotelli was routinely subject to racist harassment on a pretty regular basis. Dani Alves has been another player that has been subject to a lot of harassment despite playing at a top level for ages.
I don't watch a ton of Bundesliga matches so I don't know if that league is better than most but you look at the Russia and Ukranian leagues and racism is pretty ridiculous especially during CL matches against western european teams.
Sterling is probably most noticeable because he came from a squad that has a long and storied history but has largely been displaced from the top level of the Premier League in recent years by the rise of Manchester City and Chelsea. Both of those teams are largely seen as having bought their way to glory by buying up every elite player they could get.
Liverpool had an unexpectedly strong season in 13-14 and had a reasonable shot at the title until pretty late. However failure to deliver a title plus a loss of Saurez (who left for the elite Barca squad) and Gerrard (to retirement) left a huge gaping hole that man of the fans expected Sterling to fill. However it was not to be as City offered a massive deal to Sterling. Liverpool of course basically imploded at the first of last season under Rodgers before he was sacked in favor of Klopp but they are still a long way from being serious contenders.
So a part of the racism directed at Sterling is based upon a belief that he abandoned Liverpool in their hour of need. Part of it is that he's incredibly young and talented and has an extremely large contract even by Premier League standards. Part of it is that he left for a team that is considered by some to have bought their way to glory so there is apparently guilt by association. But behind all of it is that he is black and he's wildly successful and to some people that's a violation of the natural order.
posted by vuron at 1:45 PM on July 1, 2016 [5 favorites]
As one of those jilted Liverpool fans, I bear Sterling some ill will for what vuron says - he left when the team needed him the most. He could have had an entire team built around him as he was one of the last of the remaining stars from the What If Season (you don't build a team around Sturridge for the same reason you don't build a house of sticks). I totally agree with his asking for time off from England duty - he saw what would happen to Gerrard when he would get called away and come back a shambles.
Still.. the lizard brain part of me gloats to see Sterling caught out - he did great as a Suarez delivery system (just as Sturridge did well as a Suarez rebound poacher) but without him...? He's not that great. I would have thought he would build the same sort of relationship with Aguero, but that did not seem to be the case. I think it's just youth that made him seem so ineffective and I dread the day he comes in to his own in powder blue.
posted by robocop is bleeding at 1:57 PM on July 1, 2016 [1 favorite]
Still.. the lizard brain part of me gloats to see Sterling caught out - he did great as a Suarez delivery system (just as Sturridge did well as a Suarez rebound poacher) but without him...? He's not that great. I would have thought he would build the same sort of relationship with Aguero, but that did not seem to be the case. I think it's just youth that made him seem so ineffective and I dread the day he comes in to his own in powder blue.
posted by robocop is bleeding at 1:57 PM on July 1, 2016 [1 favorite]
As one of those jilted Liverpool fans, I bear Sterling some ill will for what vuron says - he left when the team needed him the most.
I'm sorry, but this is an attitude I will never find acceptable. Why shouldn't he get the best deal he can for himself?
posted by NoxAeternum at 2:10 PM on July 1, 2016 [4 favorites]
I'm sorry, but this is an attitude I will never find acceptable. Why shouldn't he get the best deal he can for himself?
posted by NoxAeternum at 2:10 PM on July 1, 2016 [4 favorites]
NoxAeternum: "Why shouldn't he get the best deal he can for himself?"He is of course entitled to that. That doesn't mean I'm obliged to like it.
posted by brokkr at 2:35 PM on July 1, 2016
"Why shouldn't he get the best deal he can for himself?"
He is of course entitled to that. That doesn't mean I'm obliged to like it.
The disease of Being a Fan of a Specific Team. I tried growing up in Los Angeles cheering for the Angels instead of the Dodgers to be contrarian, but realized the toxicity of it all when I could not forgive Nolan Ryan (whose pitching was for years the Angels' only bright spot) for fleeing to the Houston Astros. I'm sure the city of Cleveland is suffering from even more confuse feelings of LeBron James than over the upcoming GOP convention.
posted by oneswellfoop at 3:10 PM on July 1, 2016
He is of course entitled to that. That doesn't mean I'm obliged to like it.
The disease of Being a Fan of a Specific Team. I tried growing up in Los Angeles cheering for the Angels instead of the Dodgers to be contrarian, but realized the toxicity of it all when I could not forgive Nolan Ryan (whose pitching was for years the Angels' only bright spot) for fleeing to the Houston Astros. I'm sure the city of Cleveland is suffering from even more confuse feelings of LeBron James than over the upcoming GOP convention.
posted by oneswellfoop at 3:10 PM on July 1, 2016
I was in Tesco the day this front page appeared and i picked up all the issues of The Sun and hid them beneath the pile of Mirrors.
Fight the power.
What Sterling needs in order to reach his potential is a proper coach. One has arrived. Look out.
posted by devious truculent and unreliable at 3:12 PM on July 1, 2016 [2 favorites]
Fight the power.
What Sterling needs in order to reach his potential is a proper coach. One has arrived. Look out.
posted by devious truculent and unreliable at 3:12 PM on July 1, 2016 [2 favorites]
The UK has a massive, massive issue with racism that they've been quietly papering over until it blew up in their faces last Thursday.
I'm not 100% sure you're in a better position to explain this than Carl Anka. He does it very well in this piece. And joe.co.uk is solidly aimed at men many of whom might be moderately well educated white men who really haven't had any reason to face structural inequalities.
It's a great article. I had a colleague, much better paid than me, but a chain restaurant loving person with a caravan in Devon and a winter holiday to Walt Disney World every year, who was a Liverpool fan who couldn't get enough of Sterling in the 13-14 season. I'd put an article like this on the upper edge of his ability to engage with society, but definitely within reach, and maybe able to open up his opinion to worlds which weren't his own. It's good that the article exists.
I'm sorry that you feel the UK's been hiding its race issues from you, but this seems like a very strange place to air your resentment. If you feel that as societies England and Wales have been making retrograde steps from the multiculturalism that existed in the 2000s without it getting into the national dialogue, I'd agree with you very strongly. It's a shame because in many ways it was a model for the rest of Europe. I'd say that's a role Ireland plays nowadays if you asked. But then I'd tell you to ask someone who might know.
posted by ambrosen at 3:56 PM on July 1, 2016 [2 favorites]
I'm not 100% sure you're in a better position to explain this than Carl Anka. He does it very well in this piece. And joe.co.uk is solidly aimed at men many of whom might be moderately well educated white men who really haven't had any reason to face structural inequalities.
It's a great article. I had a colleague, much better paid than me, but a chain restaurant loving person with a caravan in Devon and a winter holiday to Walt Disney World every year, who was a Liverpool fan who couldn't get enough of Sterling in the 13-14 season. I'd put an article like this on the upper edge of his ability to engage with society, but definitely within reach, and maybe able to open up his opinion to worlds which weren't his own. It's good that the article exists.
I'm sorry that you feel the UK's been hiding its race issues from you, but this seems like a very strange place to air your resentment. If you feel that as societies England and Wales have been making retrograde steps from the multiculturalism that existed in the 2000s without it getting into the national dialogue, I'd agree with you very strongly. It's a shame because in many ways it was a model for the rest of Europe. I'd say that's a role Ireland plays nowadays if you asked. But then I'd tell you to ask someone who might know.
posted by ambrosen at 3:56 PM on July 1, 2016 [2 favorites]
The author, Carl Anka, has been responding to dismissive takes (at best) on the article on Twitter all day, FWIW.
posted by ambrosen at 4:15 PM on July 1, 2016
posted by ambrosen at 4:15 PM on July 1, 2016
As one of those jilted Liverpool fans, I bear Sterling some ill will for what vuron says - he left when the team needed him the most.
I really, really, really hope he walked up to Brendan Rogers on his way out and said one word:
"Steady."
posted by asterix at 4:15 PM on July 1, 2016
I really, really, really hope he walked up to Brendan Rogers on his way out and said one word:
"Steady."
posted by asterix at 4:15 PM on July 1, 2016
I do think part of the issue with Sterling for some of the Liverpool fanbase is that he basically turned down what was to normal humans a fortune to keep playing with Liverpool for an even bigger fortune at City which Liverpool simply couldn't or wouldn't match.
The same thing is happening to all sorts of clubs and the exodus of their best talent to the elite London clubs (or to the 2 Manchester clubs).
I think to a certain degree the successes and failures of the premier league clubs parallels the definite divisions of winners and losers in English society.
North vs South
Rich vs Poor
White vs Minority
There is kind of a feel in the PL that even though all the clubs are making more money there is a division between the elite 4 teams that typically challenge for CL spots (Arsenal, Chelsea, United, City) the next group of about 3-4 teams (Liverpool, Spurs, Southhampton, West Ham) that sometimes get into the CL just to fall out the next year based upon fixture congestion and the rest of the teams. Yes there is still the opportunity for a Leicester to win the League but the divisions between the haves and the have nots is getting pretty wide. City being able to consistently outbid traditional powerhouses like Liverpool for talent just reinforces the divisions. For sports like football that inspire such tribal loyalty the idea that being loyal to money rather than allegiance to the tribe is kind of scary.
posted by vuron at 4:18 PM on July 1, 2016 [3 favorites]
The same thing is happening to all sorts of clubs and the exodus of their best talent to the elite London clubs (or to the 2 Manchester clubs).
I think to a certain degree the successes and failures of the premier league clubs parallels the definite divisions of winners and losers in English society.
North vs South
Rich vs Poor
White vs Minority
There is kind of a feel in the PL that even though all the clubs are making more money there is a division between the elite 4 teams that typically challenge for CL spots (Arsenal, Chelsea, United, City) the next group of about 3-4 teams (Liverpool, Spurs, Southhampton, West Ham) that sometimes get into the CL just to fall out the next year based upon fixture congestion and the rest of the teams. Yes there is still the opportunity for a Leicester to win the League but the divisions between the haves and the have nots is getting pretty wide. City being able to consistently outbid traditional powerhouses like Liverpool for talent just reinforces the divisions. For sports like football that inspire such tribal loyalty the idea that being loyal to money rather than allegiance to the tribe is kind of scary.
posted by vuron at 4:18 PM on July 1, 2016 [3 favorites]
Also, it's good to see both Barney Ronay in the Guardian and Elliot Ross at Slate call out the British press for their treatment of Sterling (even if Ronay goes a little wishy-washy). (Ross was also good on the way the media treated Mario Balotelli when he was at Liverpool.)
posted by asterix at 4:22 PM on July 1, 2016
posted by asterix at 4:22 PM on July 1, 2016
There's also a Big Fish/Small Pond thing going on. I have no illusions of Liverpool's buying power (Mane? I guess if 34 mil is the new 18) but to leave a team where you were assured of playing time for Man City where you will join a host of Had A Good Season Players on the bench at best (Sinclair, Rodwell, etc) seems weird - assuming, of course, that the love of the game/need to play instinct narrative is real. Because if it isn't, well... why not join Hulk out in China? They're paying huge amounts for star players and if someone wants to go cash in before they reach their MLS Pension Age, then go for it.
And you have to expect backlash for players who Leave During Time Of Need - half of the money behind football now is branding and branding's value comes from results and loyalty. If you don't have one (again, Liverpool fan here) then the other gets blown up huge. This attitude will likely be a Big Deal in the upcoming Vardy movie that will leave out the Euros - he turned down the perennial Also Rans/Almost Theres in favor of trying to recapture lightning in a bottle at LCFC. This (and his whiteness, let's be real) will excuse Vardy of a multitude of faults over the rest of his career.
posted by robocop is bleeding at 4:45 PM on July 1, 2016
And you have to expect backlash for players who Leave During Time Of Need - half of the money behind football now is branding and branding's value comes from results and loyalty. If you don't have one (again, Liverpool fan here) then the other gets blown up huge. This attitude will likely be a Big Deal in the upcoming Vardy movie that will leave out the Euros - he turned down the perennial Also Rans/Almost Theres in favor of trying to recapture lightning in a bottle at LCFC. This (and his whiteness, let's be real) will excuse Vardy of a multitude of faults over the rest of his career.
posted by robocop is bleeding at 4:45 PM on July 1, 2016
but to leave a team where you were assured of playing time for Man City where you will join a host of Had A Good Season Players on the bench at best (Sinclair, Rodwell, etc) seems weird
Sterling played almost 2000 minutes last season over 23 appearances. He wasn't exactly a bench warmer.
posted by asterix at 5:03 PM on July 1, 2016
Sterling played almost 2000 minutes last season over 23 appearances. He wasn't exactly a bench warmer.
posted by asterix at 5:03 PM on July 1, 2016
Good point. I looked into his stats and his appearances/goals were about the same as Liverpool's Almost Year.
posted by robocop is bleeding at 5:25 PM on July 1, 2016
posted by robocop is bleeding at 5:25 PM on July 1, 2016
I agree about ththe coaching which he wasn't going to get from Rodgers. Shame he didn't stick around for Klopp.
posted by idb at 5:38 PM on July 1, 2016
posted by idb at 5:38 PM on July 1, 2016
And you have to expect backlash for players who Leave During Time Of Need - half of the money behind football now is branding and branding's value comes from results and loyalty. If you don't have one (again, Liverpool fan here) then the other gets blown up huge.
As a liverpool fan, I will say that it's not just that he left for a bigger payday somewhere else. It's partly that he went to another team in the same league. If he'd gone to Real Madrid or PSG or wherever, I feel like the degree of ill will would be significantly mitigated (or, at a minimum less vocal), because barring Europa/Champion's league (which, heck, at this point is at least a year away) we'd never have to play a game against him.
posted by juv3nal at 5:53 PM on July 1, 2016 [2 favorites]
As a liverpool fan, I will say that it's not just that he left for a bigger payday somewhere else. It's partly that he went to another team in the same league. If he'd gone to Real Madrid or PSG or wherever, I feel like the degree of ill will would be significantly mitigated (or, at a minimum less vocal), because barring Europa/Champion's league (which, heck, at this point is at least a year away) we'd never have to play a game against him.
posted by juv3nal at 5:53 PM on July 1, 2016 [2 favorites]
I don't see Sterling be a great fit for Klopp style football.
Obviously he has pace but Klopp loves doing that high press which puts a lot of pressure on the forwards to interrupt the flow in the midfield when his teams are defending.
While Real can afford to have someone with insane pace but mediocre defense operating as a winger that's not really the type of football that Klopp likes to play, although on the other hand Reus wasn't the strongest defender for Dortmund either.
posted by vuron at 6:09 PM on July 1, 2016
Obviously he has pace but Klopp loves doing that high press which puts a lot of pressure on the forwards to interrupt the flow in the midfield when his teams are defending.
While Real can afford to have someone with insane pace but mediocre defense operating as a winger that's not really the type of football that Klopp likes to play, although on the other hand Reus wasn't the strongest defender for Dortmund either.
posted by vuron at 6:09 PM on July 1, 2016
I'm relatively new to European football, and a lifelong USian football and baseball fan, and I do have to say that the amount of racism in Premier League football is jarring. Which is to say, Sterling, please come to the MLS. We are really trying this time. Obafemi Martins was beloved without being an "animal" or "a hammer" before he was stolen by China. We even have some black coaches and although you will face a double standard here, it will be less than you are used to. And yes, our health care system sucks but you will be ushered into the special athlete's "good health care system" and the US is ready for a dashing soccer player to sweep us off our feet.
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 5:19 AM on July 2, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 5:19 AM on July 2, 2016 [1 favorite]
Everything I've read and heard gives Kante credit for knowing exactly where to be, often specifically calling out other energetic players without that ability to read the game for contrast (please buy him Wenger).
Sterling is almost custom made to set off every idiotic strain of English prejudice...black, young and talented, not willing to rot at Liverpool out of misplaced loyalty, articulate. Any one of those would light up the back of the Sun or 606, but the combination is irresistible for them. I can count on one hand the number of intelligent opinions I've heard about him.
The idea that he'd stay at Liverpool under Rogers was laughable...a lot of people don't realise just how poor/non-existent player development is at most English clubs. It's partly down to how shambolically run the clubs are in general, and partly down to the romanticisation of amateurism/"natural talent" left over from when these were games for public schoolboys.
posted by Kreiger at 11:35 AM on July 4, 2016
Sterling is almost custom made to set off every idiotic strain of English prejudice...black, young and talented, not willing to rot at Liverpool out of misplaced loyalty, articulate. Any one of those would light up the back of the Sun or 606, but the combination is irresistible for them. I can count on one hand the number of intelligent opinions I've heard about him.
The idea that he'd stay at Liverpool under Rogers was laughable...a lot of people don't realise just how poor/non-existent player development is at most English clubs. It's partly down to how shambolically run the clubs are in general, and partly down to the romanticisation of amateurism/"natural talent" left over from when these were games for public schoolboys.
posted by Kreiger at 11:35 AM on July 4, 2016
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The issue, as we have gotten to see so succinctly over this past week, is that the UK has a massive, massive issue with racism that they've been quietly papering over until it blew up in their faces last Thursday.
I have to agree with a point that Oliver Willis made today - after everything that's happened there, there needs to be a moratorium on Brits criticizing Americans as racist.
posted by NoxAeternum at 1:42 PM on July 1, 2016 [4 favorites]