Manchester City striker Raheem Sterling has been dropped from England’s European Championship qualifier against Montenegro after a physical confrontation with Liverpool’s defender Joe Gomez.
According to several reports, Sterling attempted to grab Gomez by the neck following his arrival in the players’ canteen at St George’s Park on Monday, just a day after the pair clashed during Liverpool’s 3-1 win over Manchester City.
Witnesses said they heard him ask the Liverpool defender whether he was “still the big man.”
For Sterling’s part in the bust-up, FA confirmed in a statement that Sterling is not going to play any part against Montenegro on Thursday. Although, the 24-year-old will remain with the squad.
‘The FA can confirm Raheem Sterling will not be considered for Thursday’s EURO 2020 qualifier against Montenegro as a result of a disturbance in a private team area at St. George’s Park today,’ a statement read. ‘He will remain with the squad.’
Sterling is understood to have apologised to Gomez and the entire England squad after the altercation.
He also took address the bust-up with Joe Gomez: ‘We are in a sport where emotions run high and I am man enough to admit when emotions got the better of me,’ he posted. ‘Both Joe and I have had words and figured things out and moved on.’
