Former Manchester United and Argentine defender Gary Neville claims Manchester City star Raheem Sterling endured years of "vicious" abuse before the alleged racist slurs directed at him by Chelsea fans on Saturday.
Sterling was subjected to reported racist abuse from Chelsea fans during City's 2-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea have suspended four supporters while they continue their investigation into the incident. Gary Neville, who worked with Sterling during his time as assistant to former England boss Roy Hodgson, says the abuse at Chelsea is far from the first time the City winger has taken the brunt of vitriolic public criticism.
Neville revealed Sterling approached him for advice during Euro 2016 when abuse from fans and media for his poor performances became too much for him to take.
"He came to see me one-on-one in 2016, I think it was three or four days before the Iceland game," Neville said on Sky Sport's Monday Night Football.
"Before the tournament, he was getting so much stick. We were aware of that as a coaching staff that fans were on to him, media were on to him.
"It then continued into the stadium, to the point where there were boos and groans.
"He accepted that he would get criticism playing for England, he accepted he would get scrutinised as an England player, he didn't want any special treatment.
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