Police said “no threat of violence was involved as the items were discovered stolen retrospectively. Enquiries into the circumstances are ongoing”
By Kehinde Okeowo
Surrey Police have confirmed they are investigating a report of a burglary at the home of England and Chelsea striker, Raheem Sterling.
Sterling left England’s World Cup squad in Qatar on Sunday and returned to London following the terrifying ordeal. As a result, the 27-year-old missed England’s 3-0 World Cup round of 16 win against Senegal.
England boss, Gareth Southgate, and the English FA later confirmed the development saying the Chelsea star had to return to the UK from the team’s World Cup camp in Qatar to be with his family.
“Raheem, as the FA statement said, is having to deal with a family situation, so he’s going back to England,” the England boss said in the press conference at Al Bayt Stadium.
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It is not yet clear whether he will return for Saturday’s match against France, with Southgate admitting he and everyone else would have to “wait and see” regarding Sterling’s availability.
However, a statement from Surrey Police read: “We are currently investigating a report of a burglary at an address in Oxshott, Leatherhead.
“Police were contacted just before 9pm on Saturday, December 3 after the occupants of the property came home and discovered a number of items including jewellery and watches had been stolen. Enquiries 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. Enquiries into the circumstances are ongoing.”
After the incident, teammates at club and country levels have been offering support to their colleague. Senegal and Chelsea center-back, Kalidou Koulibaly, was among those who sent a message of support after their round of 16 match.
“I really didn’t know. I’m really surprised,” Koulibaly said at his post-match press conference when asked about the England star’s departure from Qatar after Senegal’s World Cup elimination.
“I hope his family is good. Now I will call him and see what happened to him. But I hope he’ll be good and his family is good.”
England captain, Harry Kane also sent his best wishes to Sterling at the man of the match press conference in Al Khor.
He said, “Our thoughts are with him and his family,” he said. “It is a private matter with him, but it’s never easy to see one of your teammates and friends have to deal with something like that.
“We will take it day by day and take the best decision for him and his family.
“From us as a team, we send him our best and hope to see him as soon as possible.”
