Daniel Harris joined Tuesday's OTB AM to discuss the sustained campaign by the tabloids in the UK against Raheem Sterling.
English players have been vilified in the past for making mistakes at major tournaments which has seen them eliminated from various competitions but Harris believes the treatment Sterling receives is far more sinister.
"The Raheem Sterling thing is different though because we're talking about racism. We're not talking about exploiting the weakness of an opponent - we're talking about dog-whistle racism and we're talking about outward, obvious, 'in-your-face' racism," Harris told Ger.
"So, at that point there becomes no excuse for anyone to play on that kind of weakness and to believe or absorb what the tabloids are telling them about Raheem Sterling because racism is the greatest evil in our society - there's just no excuse for it.
So, when Raheem Sterling goes to Burnley, for example, he's got no form with Burnley, he's done nothing to Burnley supporters - Burnley fans booing Raheem Sterling is inexcusable for that reason.
"And, that's not quite the same as what happened to David Beckham (after France '98) but I think most sensible people can see what the tabloids are doing and not just Raheem Sterling - when England lost to Iceland, Kyle Walker got hounded for saying 'he'd rather be on holiday than with England' or something like that in the text message he sent.
"Dele Alli went on holiday and that was unacceptable. Roy Hodgson, for example, who was at fault for England getting beaten by Iceland - I would say most of the blame there goes to Roy Hodgson - he mainly got away without that kind of aggravation.
"Harry Kane mainly got away with that kind of aggravation and it was actually the players of colour who bore the brunt of the tabloid fury for that - for their insubordination during the competition and for daring to enjoy themselves after the competition. And, I think most people are able to see that for what it is," he added.
Catch Tuesday's OTB AM Podcast here:
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