Raheem Sterling is heading home from England’s World Cup camp in Qatar after armed intruders broke into his house overnight while his family were there, the PA news agency understands.
The Chelsea forward who has also played for Liverpool and Man City was not part of Gareth Southgate’s squad as they beat the African champions Senegal 3-0 on Sunday to set-up a quarter-final clash with France. Sterling’s absence is understood to have followed a break-in at his house on Saturday evening, leaving the England international understandably shaken and concerned about the well-being of his children.
When asked if he thought the 27-year-old would figure at the tournament from here, manager Southgate said on ITV1: “We’ve got to wait and see. “At the moment clearly the priority is for him to be with his family, and we’re going to support that and we’re going leave him to have as much time as he needs. He’s going home.”
READ MORE: Raheem Sterling armed raid: Other footballers who have suffered home break-ins
He added: “I really don’t know (the likelihood of him returning) because at the moment it’s a situation that he needs time with his family and I don’t want to put him under any pressure with that. Sometimes football isn’t the most important thing and family should come first.”
“Raheem, as the FA statement says, is having to deal with a family situation, so he’s going back to England,” the England boss said in the press conference at Al Bayt Stadium. “We’ve got to give him time to try to resolve that or be there for his family. That’s the most important thing at this time, so we’re going to give him that space.
“It didn’t impact team selection. I spent a lot of time with Raheem this morning, but you know you have days where events happen and you have to deal with them.
“He’s on his way home and, yeah, we’re obviously mindful of him being allowed space and (having) privacy respected, so we don’t want to talk in too much detail. Of course it’s not ideal for the group ahead of a big game but it pales into insignificance – the individual is more important than the group in those moments.
“So, I needed to look after the situation and then I had to pass it on to others to deal with this afternoon in order to get him home.”
England captain Harry Kane sent his best to Sterling at the man of the match press conference in Al Khor. “Our thoughts are with him and his family,” he said. “It is a private matter with him, but it’s never easy to see one or your teammates and friends have to deal with something like that.
“We will take it day by day and take the best decision for him and his family. From us as a team we send him our best and hope to see him as soon as possible.”
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