RAHEEM Sterling was forced to race back from the World Cup today after burglars smashed into his home, The Sun can reveal.
The Chelsea ace pulled out of England’s last-16 tie with Senegal after learning of the invasion at his Surrey pile on Saturday night.
A spokesperson for the FA said Sterling would not play in the game.
The statement read: “Raheem Sterling is not available for selection for the #ThreeLions tonight as he is dealing with a family matter.”
The shock announcement came just hours before the Three Lions were due to kick off against the African Cup of Nations champs.
Speaking after the match, England manager Gareth Southgate said he didn’t know if Sterling would return to Qatar in time for the Three Lions’ clash with France on Saturday.
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The England boss said: “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 leave him to have as much time as he needs. He’s going home.”
Asked if the winger would feature in England’s quarter-final match, Southgate said: “I really don’t know because at the moment.
“It’s a situation that he needs time with his family to deal with 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.”
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Asked at a pre-match press conference why Sterling was left off the team sheet, Southgate said: “He’s dealing with a family matter.
“I had quite a bit of time with him this morning but I have now had to pass that on to other people to help him with that.
“He’s going to go and deal with that matter. And then we will have to take it from there really.”
The winger netted once against Iran in England’s opening group game.
He featured in the goalless draw against the US but was an unused substitute in England’s final group game against Wales.
England beat Senegal 3-0 on Sunday night to secure their quarter final date with France.
Jordan Henderson, Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka all netted at the Al Bayt stadium to send the African champs home.
England topped Group B with seven points while Senegal were runners up of Group A on six points with the Netherlands coming top.
Sterling is the second England player to leave the World Cup early – after Ben White departed Qatar on Wednesday for “personal reasons”.
It came as it was revealed White missed training this week due to illness.
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The Arsenal defender, 25, is not expected to return to the squad for the remainder of the tournament, The FA said.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
