"Maybe if he was somebody else, it would be different."
Thursday 21 March 2019 06:03, UK
Paul Pogba believes Raheem Sterling is treated differently by the media and his achievements on the pitch are neglected.
Manchester City and England winger Sterling accused newspapers of fuelling racism last year.
His Instagram post showed a headline referring to Tosin Adarabioyo buying a house for £2.25m "despite having never started a Premier League match". It was posted alongside an article describing how Phil Foden had bought "a £2m home for his mum" and "set up a future".
It followed alleged racial abuse of Sterling, 24, by a fan at Stamford Bridge in Manchester City's defeat at Chelsea last December.
"Sometimes it happens," Pogba told Sky, when asked if he feels the media treat him, or Sterling, differently because of the colour of his skin.
Manchester City are still on course for an unprecedented quadruple this season and Sterling has already scored 21 goals in all competitions.
"I think Raheem Sterling, with all the stats from last year and everything he's done - nobody talks about it like we should," he said.
"He has ridiculous stats, he's scored goals and made a hat-trick not long ago. He's been top with City.
"What I've been seeing is he's been criticised for houses and what I've been hearing things about, but nobody talks about what he's been doing on the pitch.
"Maybe if he was somebody else, it would be different."
With all the stats from last year and everything he's done - nobody talks about it like we should.
England's Danny Rose said Sterling "was only saying what we all say in the dressing room".
"I always say racism in football shouldn't happen, because football is a sport, a beautiful sport and makes people happy," Pogba added.
"When somebody is doing a great job, he should deserve the same reward as somebody else who does the same job."
