Thursday 10 January 2019 18:35, UK
Raheem Sterling wrote a letter to a young fan offering support and solidarity after he was racially abused.
Manchester City supporter Ethan Ross received a letter from the England international after his grandmother got in touch with him, revealing his grandson had been having a "tough time".
In the letter, Sterling said to "stand tall and be proud of you are" and attached a signed picture of himself.
"Dear Ethan, I have recently been told from your loving Nanna Sue about the tough time you are having with racial abuse," wrote Sterling.
"Remember to stand tall and be proud of who you are and don't let them take away your courage. You are strong and very brave, and your Nanna is also very proud of you. Keep being you kid.
"Remember speaking up doesn't always make life easy, but easy never changed anything."
This strapline was used by American sportswear company Nike, who made Sterling the face of a new advert in reaction to an incident in December where Sterling was the victim of alleged racist abuse during Manchester City's match against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
The incident prompted him to issue a statement on his Instagram account about racism and the cultural atmosphere that facilitates it.
The England star accused some newspapers of "fuelling racism" and double standards over its treatment of young black players compared to their white colleagues.
"I just want to say, I am not normally the person to talk a lot but when I think I need my point heard I will speak up," Sterling said.
"For all the newspapers that don't understand why people are racist in this day and age all I have to say is have a second thought about fair publicity and give all players an equal chance."
