While Raheem Sterling was unavailable for England’s last-16 tie against Senegal, a break-in at his home from Surrey was the reason behind his squad omission.
Sources indicate Sterling’s family – partner and children were met by armed intruders in the break-in. Sterling has been left shaken by it and will now fly home to support his family after being left ‘shaken’ by the raid on his gated property in leafy Cobham, Surrey on Saturday night.
Police were at the scene over the weekend and security were patrolling the luxurious estate late into the night on Sunday.
Most of the players’ WAGs were in the Al Bayt Stadium for England’s comfortable 3-0 win over Senegal on Sunday.
However, many have been flying back and forth from Qatar during the tournament to juggle their own careers as well as looking after young children.
Sterling’s partner Paige Milian, 27, posted pictures on a cruise ship in Doha before the Iran game last month, but was back in the UK at the time of the raid on Saturday.
A statement released 90 minutes before kick off last night revealed that Sterling – one of Gareth Southgate’s most trusted lieutenants in major tournaments – would miss the last 16 clash to deal with a ‘family matter’.
News of Sterling omission, and the shocking circumstances that caused it, was not relayed to the players until the team meeting just prior to leaving for the Al Bayt Stadium.
Southgate confirmed the winger would be leaving the camp to fly back to the UK, but didn’t set a timescale on when he was expected back.
“Around £300,000 of watches are thought to have been stolen in the raid”, a family source told the Sun.
Speaking after the Three Lions’ victory over Senegal, Southgate said of Sterling:
“The priority for him is to be with his family. We’re going to support that and leave him to have as much time as he needs.
“He’s going home. I don’t want to put him under pressure. Sometimes football isn’t the most important thing, family should come first,” Southgate concluded.
