Raheem Sterling says referees must ‘protect players from being butchered’

• Sterling: ‘Referees and officials need to cut these tackles out’
• ‘I feel Manchester City players haven’t been protected enough’

Raheem Sterling believes Manchester City players are being “butchered” by some of the tackles meted out this season.

The forward’s claim comes in the wake of West Bromwich Albion’s Matt Phillips’s scything challenge on Brahim Diaz towards the end of City’s 3-0 win on Wednesday night at the Etihad Stadium. Earlier in the contest Kevin De Bruyne had to jump over a James McClean lunge. Despite still being caught he was able to help create and score City’s second goal.

Continue reading...