Raheem Sterling is at risk of missing England’s World Cup quarter-final clash with France due to a robbery. Many of the team’s players have stepped up security at their homes due to the incident.
Raheem Sterling
(Photo: Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
Striker Raheem Sterling left the England national football team due to a house robbery in London. It is reported The Telegraph and The Times with reference to the player’s representative.
The football player went to the UK before the match of the 1/8 finals of the World Cup against Senegal (3:0). The press service of the national team did not specify the reason, noting only that the player missed the game for family reasons.
At the same time, the head coach of the national team Gareth Southgate confirmed that the striker returned to England. “He went home. It’s clear at this point that the priority for him is to be with his family,” Southgate said. “We support his decision and will give him as much time as he needs.”
“Of course, such departures do not have the best effect before an important game, but at such moments football fades into the background. He needs to be with his family. And I don’t want to put any pressure on him,” the coach added. “Sometimes football is not the most important thing, and the family should come first.”
The robbery took place on a Saturday night while Sterling’s children and girlfriend were at home. The Sun, citing those close to the footballer’s family reportedthat unknown people stole a watch worth about 300 thousand pounds sterling. By data Daily Mail, because of what happened, many players of the national team have increased the security of their homes.
Sterling played two matches at the World Championships, in which he entered the field in the starting lineup, scored a goal and assisted.
In the quarter-finals, England will play France on December 10 (beginning at 22:00 Moscow time). Southgate did not say if Sterling would be available for the match.