City
Epaper

'Sterling-Gomez issue should have been handled internally'

By IANS | Updated: November 12, 2019 20:40 IST

Footballer Raheem Sterling's altercation with national teammate Joe Gomez could have been handled better by England manager Gareth Southgate, feels former defender Rio Ferdinand.

Open in App

Sterling will miss Thursday's Euro 2020 Qualifier match against Montenegro following a heated argument with Liverpool's Gomez during the Reds' 3-1 Premier League victory at Anfield on Sunday.

In a statement, Football Association announced on Monday: "We can confirm Raheem Sterling will not be considered for England's EURO 2020 qualifier against Montenegro as a result of a disturbance in a private team area at St. George's Park today. He will remain with the squad."

Ex-England and Manchester United international Ferdinand said Sterling was left to dry out in the heat and that the matter should have been handled internally.

"Now Raheem is left to defend himself from all of the haters that had their keyboards turned off due to him becoming a very worthy ambassador for the English game," Ferdinand wrote in a Facebook post.

"If this was a terrible incident then I would be all for public shaming and discipline. But for this 'throat grab' that we are TOLD it's for, I can't understand it.

"Gareth would no doubt have seen worse many times during his time as a player and manager. I just feel this could and should have been handled better to support the player and not hang him out to dry."

According to The Guardian, emotions were still running high on Monday afternoon following Liverpool's 3-1 win over Manchester City 24 hours earlier and the title rivalry spilled over into the England camp.

City's Sterling and Liverpool's Gomez, who were involved in a heated clash towards the end of the match at Anfield, reportedly came together again in a physical confrontation at the team's training camp on Monday.

England coach Gareth Southgate said: "We have taken the decision to not consider Raheem for the match against Montenegro on Thursday."

"One of the great challenges and strengths for us is that we've been able to separate club rivalries from the national team. Unfortunately, the emotions of yesterday's game were still raw.

"My feeling is that the right thing for the team is the action we have taken. Now that the decision has been made with the agreement of the entire squad, it's important that we support the players and focus on Thursday night," he added.

Sterling has been in exceptional form for England in recent times, scoring eight goals and providing five assists during the Euro 2020 qualification to date.

( With inputs from IANS )

Tags: englandRaheemGareth SouthgateLiverpoolMontenegro
Open in App

Related Stories

CricketENG vs SA 2025: Phil Salt’s Highest Individual T20I Score Powers England to 304/2

CricketENG vs SA 2025: Jos Buttler and Phil Salt Fire England to Their Highest Powerplay Total in T20Is Against South Africa

CricketENG vs SA 2025, 2nd T20I Live Streaming: When and Where to Watch England vs South Africa Match Online?

FootballEnglish Premier League 2025-26 Google Doodle: Search Engine Giant Celebrates Start of Season With Football-Themed

MumbaiUniversity of Bristol Chooses Mumbai for Its First Overseas Campus, Set to Open in September 2026

फुटबॉल Realted Stories

FootballHockey India announces 33-member core group for senior men's national coaching camp ahead of major international assignments

FootballWeekend of surprises in Premier League as Palace stun Liverpool, Brighton sink Chelsea, Brentford beat United; Haaland fires City to glory

FootballIndia survive late Bangladesh surge to win seventh SAFF U17 title on penalties

FootballIndia meet Bangladesh in battle for SAFF U17 crown in Colombo

FootballScoreboard in Kuwait that lit up India's futsal dreams