Raheem Sterling's Online Racial Abusers Reported to Police by Kick It Out

The Professional Footballers' Association has backed Kick It Out's action against online abuse received by Manchester City winger Raheem Sterling after the organisation reported the matter to the police.

The players' union confirmed its stance on its official website, posting the anti-discrimination group's statement on the matter:

"

Kick It Out is appalled by the recent abuse Raheem Sterling has received on social media.

The range of social media platforms available gives supporters an opportunity to interact with players directly but this kind of unacceptable abuse is becoming more and more prevalent, not only with footballers but with anyone in the public eye.

Kick It Out has reported the incident to Greater Manchester Police and we have subsequently offered our support to Manchester City and Raheem.

"

Darko Bandic/Associated Press

The England international uploaded a picture of himself with his daughter and niece on social media, and the post was hijacked by a series of vile comments, as reported by Kieran Gill of the MailOnline.

It is not the first time Sterling has been abused online, as previous pictures have been attacked in a similar fashion, according to Gill.

Many comments criticised the player's £49 million switch from Liverpool to City, but others defended the 20-year-old.

Ian Walton/Getty Images

Gill reported that Sterling's girlfriend has also been bombarded with "5,000 hate-filled messages" on her public Instagram account, which has since been locked by her.

Sterling’s agent Aidy Ward said he "didn’t want to comment on the abuse," per Gill, while City also chose not to publicly comment on the matter.