People are human - PFA on Sterling

[Raptor]

Raheem Sterling signed for Liverpool from QPR in 2010 and made his Reds' debut aged 17 in March 2012


Liverpool forward Raheem Sterling's apparent inhaling of laughing gas will be "a minor blip" in a "fantastic career", says a players' union chief.

The 20-year-old appears to
inhale nitrous oxide
in a video published on The Sun website.

Sterling will be spoken to about his lifestyle by manager Brendan Rodgers.

But Bobby Barnes, deputy chief executive of the Professional Footballers' Association, said: "He's made a mistake and people are human."

Barnes added: "Nobody would condone the use of these types of substances, whether legal or otherwise, as footballers are seen as role models.

"But many of us look back at things we did in our teens and early 20s and wish we hadn't done them."

"I am sure this will be a minor blip on his path to a fantastic career."

Sterling, who scored in Liverpool's
2-0 win over Newcastle
at Anfield on Monday, also hit the headlines for the wrong reasons at the weekend when the Sunday Mirror published pictures of the player allegedly
smoking a shisha-pipe.*

What is nitrous oxide?
Used in surgery and dentistry for its anaesthetic effects, nitrous oxide is also a popular legal high as it can make people feel relaxed, euphoric and giggly
A Home Office campaign last year on the risks of legal highs showed it was the second most popular drug among young adults after cannabis

John Bramhall, fellow deputy chief executive at the PFA, says players are educated from a young age about how to lead their lives.

"Every club has its own lifestyle programmes, offered from the age of 16 onwards - and sometimes earlier depending on a club's academy system - where they tell young lads exactly what is expected of them," said Bramhall.

"The scrutiny from the media has really increased, but I think players are becoming more aware of it and how they must conduct themselves.

"Raheem's is a one-off case, I am sure Liverpool will look into it and if Raheem wants guidance, the club will be able to provide it because they have a good programme in place."

[B.I.G.]

If I had the money he had at that age they'd have pictures of me smoking crack and snorting coca1ne off pr0stitutes arses.

[flumperino]

Seems to be a campaign against the guy at the moment.

He's good at his job, and is holding out for the most salary he can get for it - just like we all do. Plus he's having a good time with it all.

Really don't see the problem.