A football fan reportedly from Beckenham has apologised for abusing England star Raheem Sterling - but denies his words were racist.

Premier League winner Sterling received a volley of abuse from some Chelsea fans at Stamford Bridge on Sunday (December 9) as he collected a ball.

One man, named as Colin Wing, 60, has said he is sorry for shouting at Sterling during Chelsea's match with Manchester City.

He has been stripped of his season ticket and told the Mail Online his abuse was not racial, claiming he called Sterling a "Manc c***".

Mr Wing also claims to have lost his job after footage of the vile abuse was shared on social media.

He is quoted as saying: "I am deeply ashamed by my own behaviour and I feel really bad.

"Nobody around me said they heard anything. I want to apologise unreservedly to Raheem and hope he can be a better man than I am by accepting it.

"Even if it wasn’t racist, it’s not right what I said.

"I was completely out of order, but I’ve lost my job and my season ticket so now everybody’s got what they wanted. So why can’t they leave me alone?"

Wing is one of four fans to be suspended from Chelsea as the club continues to investigate the incident.

A Met Police spokesman added: "We are aware of a video circulating online in which it is claimed racial abuse was allegedly directed at a player.

“We continue to review the footage and CCTV to determine whether any offences have been committed. There have been no arrests and our enquiries continue."