Manchester City star Raheem Sterling backs anti-racism protests: 'The only disease right now is the racism we are fighting'

Forward says in interview: 'Just like the pandemic, we want to find a solution to stop it'

Raheem Sterling had a fine goalscoring season before the lockdown, starting with netting City's goal in the Community Shield at Wembley. City drew 1-1 with Liverpool and then won on penalties. Reuters

Sterling opened the Premier League campaign with a hat-trick in the 5-0 win at West Ham. AFP

Raheem Sterling was on target again when City beat Dinamo Zagreb 2-0 in the Champions League. PA

Sterling celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the 2-2 Premier League draw between Manchester City and Tottenham at the Etihad. AFP

Sterling scored the goal against Atalanta in the 1-1 draw at the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium. AFP

Sterling scores City's third in 3-1 win at Everton. Reuters

Manchester City beat Aston Villa 3-0 at the Etihad Stadium, with Sterling scoring the first goal. Reuters

Sterling celebrates scoring City's second goal during the 3-1 Premier League win at Bournemouth. AFP

Manchester City beat Atalanta 5-1 at home, and another hat-trick for Sterling. Reuters

Sterling scores City's fifth, and completes his hat-trick, in the 5-1 win over Atalanta in the Champions League. Reuters

Manchester City's Raheem Sterling celebrates scoring in the 2-2 draw at Newcastle. Reuters

Manchester City star Raheem Sterling has backed protests taking place in Britain, saying "the only disease right now is the racism that we are fighting".

There have been Black Lives Matter marches across the UK, despite warnings to avoid big gatherings because of the coronavirus.

"This is the most important thing at this moment in time because this is something that is happening for years and years," Sterling said.

"The only disease right now is the racism that we are fighting," he told the BBC in an interview to be broadcast on Monday. "Just like the pandemic, we want to find a solution to stop it.

"At the same time, this is what all these protesters are doing. They are trying to find a solution and a way to stop the injustice they are seeing and they are fighting for their cause," he added.

"As long as they are doing it peacefully and safely and not hurting anybody and not breaking into any stores, they continue to protest in this peaceful way."

Thousands of people have taken part in the protests held in London and other British cities following the death of American George Floyd on May 25.

It has sparked demonstrations around the world over police treatment of ethnic minorities. A white police officer detaining Floyd knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes.

Asked whether speaking out makes his job as a footballer more difficult, Sterling, 25, said: "First and foremost, I don't really think about my job when things like this happen. I think about what is right.

"And at this moment in time, there's only so much people can take. There's only so much communities and other backgrounds can take - especially black people.

"It's been going on for hundreds of years and people are tired and people are ready for change.

"We need to actually implement change and highlight the places that do need changes," said the former Liverpool striker.

"But this is something that I myself will continue to do, and spark these debates and get people in my industry looking at themselves and thinking what they can do to give people an equal chance in this country.

"Hopefully other industries can do that, and everyday society and the system as well."