SOUTHEND United manager Chris Powell has praised Raheem Sterling for his bravery in speaking out about racism in football.

Sterling was allegedly the victim of racial abuse during Manchester City’s 2-0 defeat at Chelsea on Saturday and took to Instagram after the event to explain how he believes the problems he faces are made worse by the media’s treatment of black players.

And Powell – one of very few black managers in the English game – hopes Sterling’s words can make a difference.

“It was very brave of him and very timely too,” said Powell.

“I think with him being a high profile player, an England international and someone who plays for one of the best clubs in Europe it’s resonating brilliantly.

“If it was someone at a lower club I don’t think it would have come across in the same way.

“But he must have thought long and hard before pressing send, if that’s what you do on Instagram, because he must have thought it was either going to go very badly or make people sit up and take notice which they certainly have done.

“Fair play to him and hopefully now there will be a change.”

But Powell has been left concerned by recent incidents he thought had been condemned to the past.

“It’s been creeping back in again with Aubameyang in the north London derby and Sterling at Chelsea,” said the Blues boss.

“They were things I thought I would never see again.

“I’m not sure it will ever stop completely because of people’s ignorance and how the world is.

“It’s a lack of understanding and education but I never thought I would see this again in football.

“People say it’s different these days but obviously not.”

However, Powell feels the problems go way beyond football.

“It’s not strictly a football problem it’s a society problem,” said Powell.

“It’s fuelled by lots of different things going on in the world including politics, Brexit etc, I could go on.

“But Raheem has been very brave and I commend him for making people aware of what he’s gone through, is still going through and what others have gone through too.”