Following a break-in at his home, England striker Raheem Sterling has left his team’s Fifa World Cup training camp in Qatar and has returned to the United Kingdom.
The 27-year-old Manchester City player missed Sunday’s 3-0 victory against Senegal by England in the round of 16, and it was uncertain whether he would be available for Saturday’s quarterfinal match against France.
“We’ve got to give him time to try to resolve that or be there for his family,” coach Gareth Southgate said. “That’s the most important thing at this time, so we’re going to give him that space.”
Sterling’s absence from England’s match against Senegal at Al Bayt Stadium was revealed an hour and a half before kickoff due to a “family matter.”
His wife and three children were inside when armed invaders broke into his home, according to a later story by the English Press Association.
“Our thoughts are with him and his family,” captain Harry Kane said. “It is a private matter with him, but it’s never easy to see one or your teammates and friends have to deal with something like that.”
Kane added: “From us, as a team, we send him our best and hope to see him as soon as possible.”
England took on African champions Senegal on Sunday
Senegal, African champions, took on England on Sunday in the last-16, knowing that a win would advance them to Saturday’s glamorous quarterfinal against France, who had earlier defeated Poland 3-1.
Rashford, who scored two goals in the demolition of Wales, was the only player Southgate changed. Saka took his place. Jordan Henderson, Harry Kane, and Saka all scored for England to secure the victory after they initially appeared wobbly.