England's Raheem Sterling misses World Cup clash after break-in at family home

Chelsea forward leaves Qatar and absent from Round of 16 win against Senegal

Raheem Sterling during an England training session in Al Wakrah, Qatar, on December 3, 2022. PA

Raheem Sterling is heading home from England’s World Cup camp in Qatar after intruders broke into his house and stole jewellery and watches.

The Chelsea forward was left out 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 shaken and concerned about the well-being of his children.

It had initially been thought his family were present when armed intruders broke in.

But on Monday, Surrey Police said the family were out at the time.

In a statement, the force said: “We are currently investigating a report of a burglary at an address in Oxshott, Leatherhead.

“Police were contacted just before 9pm on Saturday December 3rd after the occupants of the property came home and discovered a number of items including jewellery and watches had been stolen.

“Inquiries to establish the circumstances are under way and the investigation is ongoing.

“No threat of violence was involved as the items were discovered stolen retrospectively. Inquiries into the circumstances are ongoing.”

When asked if he thought the 27-year-old would figure at the tournament from here, manager Southgate said on ITV: “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.”

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.

England beat Senegal

England's Bukayo Saka scores the third goal in the 3-0 World Cup Round of 16 win against Senegal at Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar. on December 4, 2022. PA

Bukayo Saka scores England's third goal. Getty

England's Bukayo Saka celebrates scoring the third goal. PA

England's Harry Kane scores the second goal. PA

Harry Kane scores England's second goal. Getty

England's Harry Kane scores the second. AFP

Harry Kane of England celebrates after scoring the second goal. Getty

England's Jordan Henderson celebrates scoring the opening goal with Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka. PA

England's Jordan Henderson, left, scores their first goal. PA

Jordan Henderson of England celebrates with teammate Jude Bellingham after scoring the opener. EPA

England's Jude Bellingham celebrates Jordan Henderson's opening goal. PA

England's Jordan Henderson celebrates scoring their first goal with Jude Bellingham. AFP

Jordan Henderson of England scores the first goal. Getty

England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford saves from Senegal's Boulaye Dia. PA

Senegal's Kalidou Koulibaly battles with England's Jude Bellingham. AFP

Ismaila Sarr of Senegal shoots past Jordan Pickford of England. Getty

Ismaila Sarr of Senegal shoots just over the bar as Jordan Pickford of England dives. Getty

England's Phil Foden breaks with Senegal's Youssouf Sabaly in pursuit. AFP

England's Jude Bellingham is challenged by Senegal's Youssouf Sabaly. PA

Kyle Walker of England jumps for the ball with Boulaye Dia of Senegal. Getty

England's goalkeeper Jordan Pickford makes a save. AP

Referee Ivan Arcides Barton Cisneros changes the ball after it went flat. PA

Senegal fans at Al Bayt Stadium. AP

England's Phil Foden evades being tackled by Senegal's Youssouf Sabaly. PA

Harry Kane of England after being caught by Kalidou Koulibaly. Getty

England's Jack Grealish and Senegal's Bamba Dieng battle. AP

England's Harry Kane. Reuters

England's Jude Bellingham shakes hands with manager Gareth Southgate after being substituted. Reuters

Senegal's Famara Diedhiou in action with England's Kyle Walker. Reuters

“Sometimes football isn’t the most important thing and family should come first.”

Sterling has three children: his daughter, and eldest, Melody Rose, as well as two sons, Thiago and Thai.

Sterling has been a regular starter for England under Southgate, featuring in the last World Cup in Russia in 2018 and the run to the final of the Euro 2020 tournament.

Southgate said that he had spoken at length with Sterling earlier in the day.

"He is dealing with a family matter. I had quite a bit of time with him this morning but I have had to pass that on to other people to help him with that."