England star Raheem Sterling defends 'disgusting' gun tattoo

[UN talkz]

England star Raheem Sterling defends 'disgusting' gun tattoo

Raheem Sterling says his new ink has a "deeper meaning" after he was criticised by an anti-gun campaigner.

England forward Raheem Sterling has defended his new M16 assault rifle tattoo after it was branded "disgusting" by an anti-gun campaigner.

The 23-year-old, who plays for Premier League champions Manchester City, posted a picture of himself training with his England teammates at St George's Park.

The tattoo of an assault rifle on his right calf clearly visible.

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Lucy Cope, who founded Mothers Against Guns after her son Damian was shot dead outside a club in central London in July 2002, said the ink was "totally unacceptable".

Image:Sterling plays for Premier League side Manchester City

She told The Sun: "We demand he has the tattoo lasered off or covered up with a different tattoo.

"If he refuses he should be dropped from the England team.

"He's supposed to be a role model but chooses to glamorise guns."

Image:Responding to the criticism, Sterling said his tattoo has a 'deeper meaning'

But the former Liverpool player, who is among five England strikers heading to Russia for the World Cup, uploaded an Instagram post saying his new ink has a "deeper meaning".

He wrote: "When I was 2 my father died from being gunned down to death I made a promise to myself I would never touch a gun in my life time, I shoot with my right foot so it has a deeper meaning N still unfinished."


https://news.sky.com/story/amp/engl...gun-tattoo-11388711?__twitter_impression=true

 

[UN talkz]

 

[MenInG]

The Football Association has offered its support to Raheem Sterling after the England forward got a tattoo of a gun on his right leg.

The Manchester City player, 23, said the tattoo had a "deeper meaning" after criticism from anti-gun campaigners.

Sterling said on Instagram it reflected a vow to "never touch a gun" after his father was shot dead when he was a boy.

An FA spokesperson said: "We all support Sterling and acknowledge the honest and heartfelt account he gave."

The statement added: "He and the rest of the squad are focused solely on preparing for the forthcoming World Cup."

According to previous reports, Sterling's father was killed in Kingston, Jamaica.

Sterling, who will travel to Russia this summer as part of England's World Cup squad, first revealed his tattoo in a photo posted to Instagram of himself training with team-mates at St George's Park.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/44289119

 

[Syed1]

All he needs to do now is move to Arsenal. Would fit right in


(For those who don't get the reference Arsenal side is also called the Gunners iirc)

 

[cricketjoshila]

Why is he being criticised? His body. He can ink whatever he wants.

 

[KingKhanWC]

I suppose not every kid will know his story and some may glorify guns but those types of kids will do regardless.

He could have made it smaller so it's not in view but it's his life and he's breaking no criminal law or anything against his contracts as a player.

 

[Bewal Express]

Why not have a pic of a dove rather a gun as a tribute to his father. Most footballers are thick and he is thicker than most.

 

[Hamad_H]

Why is he being criticised? His body. He can ink whatever he wants.

He is being criticised because he is Raheem Sterling. They don't really have a problem with the gun tattoo. The press have a problem with Raheem Sterling

 

[DeadBall]

Well, we do say "what a shot" or "shooting a penalty" etc. Seems topical.

 

[PakLFC]

One would hope that he would want to stay away from the weapon that killed his father. Perhaps he wears it like a crucifix in the sense that Christians revere the thing their supposed Lord was killed on.

 

[shaz619]

It's a metaphor and tattoos have their own meaning for each individual, the criticism has been OTT. The mentally disabled media should channel their outrage in the direction of the England cricket team, they deserve it a lot more

 

[KingKhanWC]

It's a metaphor and tattoos have their own meaning for each individual, the criticism has been OTT. The mentally disabled media should channel their outrage in the direction of the England cricket team, they deserve it a lot more

Piers Morgan. owned )

 

[shaz619]

Piers Morgan. owned )

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I like Piers at times gives me really good laughs, don't agree with everything he says but is being big time idiot here and smashed out the park by Gazza

 

[Nostalgic]

Looks like he shot himself in the foot with that tattoo...

 

[Nostalgic]

Also did you hear about the guy who got a tattoo of a barcode on his forehead?

His parents disowned him. He is now trying to redeem himself.