Raheem Sterling: Chelsea fan accused of racially abusing Manchester City star ‘deeply ashamed’ of his behaviour

Colin Wing vehemently denies calling the England international ‘a black ****’ at Stamford Bridge on Saturday

The Chelsea supporter at the centre of the Raheem Sterling racism controversy has admitted he is “deeply ashamed” by his behaviour at Stamford Bridge on Saturday but denies racially abusing the Manchester City star.

Colin Wing, 60, has been identified as the fan allegedly hurling the racial slur at Sterling as the England international retrieved the ball from the byline after the footage circulated on social media, attracting widespread condemnation and calls for action.

Chelsea have suspended Mr Wing from attending games along with three other supporters “pending further investigations” into the incident, while Sterling is reported to have confirmed to police that he was racially abused at Stamford Bridge.

“I’m deeply ashamed by my own behaviour and I feel really bad,” Mr Wing told the Daily Mail, adding that he has lost his job as well as his season ticket at Chelsea as a result of the incident. “But I didn’t call him a black ****, I called him a Manc c***.

“I’ve been going to Chelsea for 50 years now and, because of where I sit, I’m picked up on the camera most weeks. If I had a history of saying this sort of thing I would’ve been caught by now.

“Nobody around me said they heard anything. I want to apologise unreservedly to Raheem and hope he can be a better man than I am by accepting it.

“I offer him an unreserved apology. Even if it wasn’t racist, it’s not right what I said. Even the swearing is bad – but I got carried away.

“I was completely out of order, but I’ve lost my job and my season ticket now so everybody’s got what they wanted. So why can’t they leave me alone?”

Sterling was subjected to abuse during Saturday's game (Rex Features)

Mr Wing also revealed that police officers spoke to him twice on Saturday without levelling any charges. In a statement, the Metropolitan Police subsequently confirmed they are reviewing footage to determine whether a criminal offence took place.

Sterling on Sunday published a statement on his official Instagram account in which he said he laughed at the abuse he suffered at Stamford Bridge because he expects “no better”, and accused English newspapers of fuelling racial tensions with unfair coverage of black footballers.

Another Chelsea supporter in close proximity to Mr Wing at Stamford Bridge on Saturday called talkSPORT using the name ‘Dean’ on Monday to reveal that he is another of the four men suspended from attending games by the club.

“I didn’t say anything racist, but I do admit swearing at him and calling him an embarrassment to England,” he said. “I don’t defend it.

“It was a passionate game and we needed to win, but that really is no defence. I apologise for anything I said that was offensive.

“On behalf of the other fans it just abhors me and I’m just really sorry. That language shouldn’t have come out, even what I said shouldn’t have come out.”

In a statement, Chelsea said: “Our investigations into this matter are ongoing. We are fully supporting the police investigation and any information we gather will be passed on to them.

“If there is evidence of ticket holders taking part in any racist behaviour, the club will issue severe sanctions, including bans. We will also fully support any criminal prosecutions.”