England’s Raheem Sterling heads home from World Cup in Qatar after break-in at family home

Raheem Sterling missed England’s World Cup win against Senegal after armed intruders broke into his house overnight while his family were there, according to reports.

The Chelsea forward was absent from Gareth Southgate’s squad as they beat the Africa Cup of Nations champions 3-0 to set-up a quarter-final clash with France.

Adam Davy

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.

The 27-year-old is set to leave Qatar to be with his family – a decision he did not take lightly given this pivotal stage of the tournament.

Sterling could return to the World Cup squad if the circumstances are right to.

When asked if he thought Sterling would figure at the tournament from here, 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.”

Martin Rickett

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.”