Racism: I was labelled 'bling king' because I was black - Micah Richards

Micah Richards. An English former professional footballer. Micah played as a right-back. He played for Manchester City, Aston Villa and in the Italian Serie A for Fiorentina. Micah won one Premier League title (2011-12) and one FA Cup (2010-11) with Manchester City. Photo: Visionhaus via Getty

Former England defender Micah Richards says he was unfairly labelled as someone who flaunted his wealth during his career because of his race.

Richards, who played for Manchester City
and Aston Villa, said he was dubbed the "bling king" by the media in reference to him buying expensive cars.

He said this led to him altering his behaviour.

"I found myself having to act in a certain way just to fit in so people wouldn't judge me," said Richards.

"I had just played for England, I was black, I had an Audi and a Range Rover. There were a couple of stories circulating about me and I got labelled the 'bling king'.

"But every week there was a story about me saying I wasn't concentrating on football and it took me six or seven years to shake that tag off.

"I remember my agent saying a team were interested in me but they weren't sure about your private life and I'm thinking 'hold on, you are judging me, you don't know me'.

"I knew that I had to change to fit in. I have a personality and I like to joke but for two years in training I was silent because I didn't want anyone to judge me on my character."

Richards was speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live following days of Black Lives Matter marches across the UK, in response to the death of American George Floyd.

"It is good that people are using their platform now. We can't just leave it any more. Not just in England and the United States, but around the world, now is the time.

"I think the tide is slowly turning."
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