RAHEEM STERLING may have missed out on the PFA Player of the Year award but he was honoured last night for his “social activism”.
The Man City star was handed the accolade at the BT Sport Industry Awards in London by England boss Gareth Southgate.
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The 24-year-old forward was awarded with the Integrity and Impact Award founded by Dow Jones Sports Intelligence in recognition this season for using social media to speak out on a range of issues, notably highlighting the racist abuse he has received.
Sterling was among the England stars racially abused during last month’s Euro 2020 qualifying victory over Montenegro.
He has also called for clubs to suffer points deductions when their fans are guilty of racist chanting.
Sterling is the second recipient of the international award, following in the footsteps of Rachael Denhollander, who was the first survivor to speak out against disgraced USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar.
Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk is set to be crowned the PFA Players’ Player of the Year for 2018-19 – even though Sterling has scored 17 Premier League goals as City are on the verge of winning the Prem title.
Man City only need to win their remaining three matches to become the first team to retain the Prem title in a decade.
Sterling said; “When the next generation come through, you have to set the example.
“Coming through at Liverpool I had people around me like Steven Gerrard I looked up to. Looking at him I thought what can I do within myself to be half the person and player he was.
“You take little things and each year, try and develop not just on the field but off it.”
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