Why Chelsea star Raheem Sterling was not present for England's 3-0 victory over Senegal at the 2022 FIFA World Cup has been revealed.
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Shortly before the Three Lions took on the champions of Africa in their round of 16 encounter, news broke that Sterling would be unavailable for selection and that the Kingston native had to urgently depart the team's camp.
According to The Sun, on the eve of England's knockout encounter with the Lions of Teranga, Sterling's wife and kids were the victims of a house break-in and, as a result, the attacker would need to leave the squad.
The report suggests that watches to the value of £300 000 (R6.4 million) were taken from the former Manchester City man's home.
It remains unclear as to whether or not the footballer's wife and children were confronted by the robbers or if they fled the scene before the burglary.
Sterling's family accompanied the four-time Premier League winner to Qatar for the opening matches of England's World Cup campaign, which is perhaps why the robbers in question saw the 27-year-old's Surrey home as the perfect target to invade.
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When asked about his player's departure, Gareth Southgate said: "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.
"He will go and deal with that matter and we will have to take it from there."
England will face reigning world champions France in their World Cup quarter-final on Saturday, and whether or not Sterling returns for the match remains to be seen, although this appears unlikely.
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