LONDON • Despite a "money grabber" reputation that was borne out of the way he engineered his acrimonious transfer from Liverpool to Manchester City in 2015, Raheem Sterling has since emerged as one of football's good guys.
Off the pitch, the England forward is increasingly being known for his charity work with organisations like Football Beyond Borders and supporting movements to help victims of the Grenfell Tower fire, while using his considerable social media presence to help the underprivileged.
On Thursday, the 24-year-old further burnished his altruistic credentials after buying 550 tickets for students of his former school, Copland Community, to catch City's FA Cup semi-final against Brighton at Wembley today.
Having spent his formative years in the vicinity of Wembley after moving from Jamaica at the age of five, Sterling, who also met the students the same day, said it represented "a great opportunity to give back to the community that helped me get to where I am".
He added: "I grew up right next door to the stadium and would dream of one day playing in a Cup final or even representing my country there. To now be able to play there myself is an honour.
ARCH IN SIGHT
When I was young, it was usual to see the final of the FA Cup over the Premier League games, the tradition at old Wembley. It will be nice for me, personally, and the players as well.
PEP GUARDIOLA, Manchester City manager, on the semi-final clash against Brighton at Wembley today.
"It is great to be able to give these students the chance to watch a game at Wembley."
Rebecca Curtis, the principal of his former school, now known as Ark Elvin Academy, was blown away by his gesture.
She said: "To know he still thinks about the community he came from despite how his life has changed is really powerful for us.
"The vast majority of our pupils have never been inside Wembley, let alone seen such a big game with one of our old boys playing."
So it puzzles City manager Pep Guardiola when Sterling, who was allegedly the subject of racist abuse earlier in the season at Chelsea and when England played Montenegro away in their Euro 2020 qualifier during the recent international break, continues to draw flak.
Calling it an "incredible gesture", he said at his pre-match press conference yesterday: "This makes a better society for everyone. Football players are human beings, we live all together and these kind of gestures dignify who he is."
Turning his attention towards the Seagulls, the Spaniard admitted that while City "are still young in terms of a lot of titles", he had set his team, who are still on course for the quadruple, "the target to win and be better".
He told reporters: "When I was young, it was usual to see the final of the FA Cup over the Premier League games, the tradition at old Wembley. It will be nice for me, personally, and the players as well. A challenge to get another (trophy) and we will try."
The 48-year-old also revealed mixed news over his likely first XI selection against Chris Hughton's men after confirming defender Oleksandr Zinchenko would be out for "10 to 12 days".
However, there was a better outcome for Guardiola in the striking department after Sergio Aguero, the league's top scorer on 19 goals, was passed "almost fit and will travel".
He also hinted that Benjamin Mendy could make only his second City appearance since undergoing meniscus surgery last November, as "he has been training for a week".
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
MAN CITY V BRIGHTON
Singtel TV Ch111, tomorrow, 12.25am
Kevin de Bruyne is set for another injury lay-off after suffering a suspected hamstring strain against Tottenham. The Manchester City playmaker will be assessed over the weekend, but Pep Guardiola
Manchester City Midfielder Kevin de Bruyne to miss derby with
Mourinho demanded the full payout, with more than £40m due on the new four-year contract that had been announced, deliberately, one day before the start of their Premier League defence against
Manchester United sack Mourinho - espn.com
Feb 08, 2019 · Ole Gunnar Solskjær wants Manchester United to be a Champions League force again within two years.. The Norwegian's side can return to the top four for the first time since the opening weekend
Tim Visser aiming for European glory at his future home as
Barca put one hand on title after edging past Sociedad. Barca put one hand on title after edging past Sociedad. Soccer Football - La Liga Santander - FC Barcelona v Real Sociedad - Camp
Barca put one hand on title after edging past Sociedad
Gonzalo Higuain has joined Chelsea on loan from Juventus for the remainder of the season, the Premier League club have confirmed. Chelsea then have the option to extend the loan deal for a season
Gonzalo Higuaín joins Chelsea from Juventus on loan with
Arsenal beaten by BATE as Lacazette sent off Arsenal face an uphill battle to progress in the Europa League after a 1-0 defeat by BATE Borisov in the last-32 first leg which saw Alexandre Lacazette sent off on Thursday.
Arsenal beaten by BATE as Lacazette sent off - guardian.ng
The Portland Trail Blazers are back in the series after grinding out a 97-90 win in Game 2 at Pepsi Center, their first in Denver since 2016. CJ McCollum bounced back with a strong performance
Blazers even series on bow tie Wednesday, pay tribute to
Your lender wants to ensure that there's always enough money in your account to pay the bills when they're due. Lenders usually require you to keep a little extra money in your escrow account at all times in case your taxes or premiums go up or you're late with a payment in the month a bill comes due.
Bank Error in Your Favor? But Can You Keep the Cash?
CARDIFF CITY 0 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 3 . Jan 1 (Reuters)- Tottenham moved back into second place in the Premier League, six points behind leaders Liverpool, after cruising to a 3-0 win at lowly Cardiff City on Tuesday.
Spurs back up to second after easy win in Cardiff
pembrokeexpress.com/2019/01/03/spurs-back-up-to-second-after-easy-win-in-cardiff/
Cardiff manager Neil Warnock said that early goal was a heavy blow: "When we start off like that we shoot ourselves in the foot". City and Liverpool meet in a huge showdown, live on Sky Sports Premier League, with second-placed Spurs able to sit back and relax after their 3-0 win at Cardiff on New Year's Day.
Spurs back up to second after 3-0 win at Cardiff | Euronews
Jurgen Klopp wants Liverpool to build on their 'wonderful base' in the final weeks of the season Klopp rallies Liverpool in Premier League title fight with Man City Liverpool become first
City Will 'Fight Like Animals' for the Premier League Title
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino will be the one who has the final say on whether Harry Kane will play at Burnley. The England captain is back in training following an ankle injury which has
0 comments:
Post a Comment