England footballer Raheem Sterling has taken to Instagram to defend his new tattoo9 Moons after an article published in The Sunon Monday highlighted criticism made against it by anti-gun campaigners.
SEE ALSO: Everyone (except Microsoft) is using the water pistol emoji nowThe 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:
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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:
View this post on Instagram
Sterling has since responded to the criticism by sharing the following explanation on his Instagram story.
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In the hours since, a number of people have come to his defence.
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