Raheem Sterling, Abu Kamara, Max Aarons, Jamal Lewis and Jonny Rowe and their families are very angry over Stuart Webber’s statement.
Raheem Sterling, a prominent figure at Chelsea, is among a group of five players disheartened by remarks made by former Liverpool director Stuart Webber.
Webber suggested that Sterling and four other black players might have faced incarceration if not for their football careers.
Concurrently, Webber plans to undertake a fundraising challenge, scaling Mount Everest and the fourth-highest Himalayan peak over four weeks.
The initiative aims to support the Summit Foundation charity, co-founded by Webber and his wife, Zoe, to enhance the lives of Norfolk residents.
However, Webber’s statements in a local newspaper interview about the charity’s objectives, particularly his remarks implying privilege among young footballers like Sterling and Max Aarons, have stirred controversy.
Stuart Webber’s statement that received heavy backlash.
“We want to help the guys who really need it, not the ones who are maybe privileged. I saw that with our young footballers.
“Jonny Rowe wouldn’t mind me saying it but him, Abu Kamara, Max (Aarons), Jamal (Lewis), Raheem (Sterling) back in the day at Liverpool, where they come from it had to work out for them in football, because the alternative is potentially jail or something else.”
Reportedly, all five players, including Sterling, were deeply offended by the remarks.
One player contacted Webber to seek clarification, prompting him to communicate with players and families.
Sterling, Aarons (Bournemouth), and Lewis (Norwich) excelled in the Premier League. Rowe, a promising talent from Norwich, may attract attention if his team misses promotion. Kamara, on loan at Portsmouth from Norwich, made significant contributions in League One.
Webber has tendered apologies to the players and their families.
Webber has now contacted the players and their families to apologize.
