Soccer player takes to Instagram to defend gun tattoo

"It has a deeper meaning"
 By 
Sam Haysom
 on 
Soccer player takes to Instagram to defend gun tattoo
Raheem Sterling has defended his gun tattoo in a post on his Instagram story. Credit: Gareth Copley/Getty Images

England footballer Raheem Sterling has taken to Instagram to defend his new tattoo, after an article published in The Sun on Monday highlighted criticism made against it by anti-gun campaigners.

The tattoo, which extends down the striker's right leg, appears to be of an M16 assault rifle.

Here's The Sun's Tuesday front page:

The Sun's article featured quotes from a member of Mothers Against Guns, Lucy Cope, who said the group demands the tattoo be removed or covered up.

"This tattoo is disgusting," she said. "Raheem should hang his head in shame."

The story was published after Sterling, who will be playing for the England team in the World Cup this summer, shared the following post on his Instagram page:

Sterling has since responded to the criticism by sharing the following explanation on his Instagram story.

In the hours since, a number of people have come to his defence.

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Sam Haysom

Sam Haysom is the Deputy UK Editor for Mashable. He covers entertainment and online culture, and writes horror fiction in his spare time.

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