Jewellery and watches stolen in break-in at Raheem Sterling's home

ITV News Correspondent Ellie Pitt reports on how England's performance was overshadowed by what happened to Raheem Sterling


Raheem Sterling missed out on England's last-16 World Cup win against Senegal after armed intruders broke into his house overnight.

Surrey Police have confirmed Sterling's family was not in the house at the time of the break-in and it is not currently known when the burglary happened.

The Chelsea forward was unavailable for Sunday's quarter-final bid, which saw England beat the champion African side 3-0.

Sterling’s absence is understood to have followed a break-in at his house on Saturday evening, leaving the England international understandably shaken and concerned about the well-being of his children.


What do we know so far? Ellie Pitt reports from Surrey


A spokesperson for Surrey Police 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. Enquiries to establish the circumstances are underway and the investigation is ongoing.

"No threat of violence was involved as the items were discovered stolen retrospectively. Enquiries into the circumstances are ongoing."

Security expert Scott Jones told ITV News he'd seen a rise in the number of criminals targetting footballers.

He said: "I think they're quite an easy target because they have a lot of high-worth personal possessions."

He said things like watches and jewellery are perfect because they're easy to carry and sell.

The 27-year-old scored in England’s opening 6-2 win over Iran and retained his place for the goalless draw against the United States before dropping to the bench for the Group B finale over Wales.

Speaking about Sterling’s absence, Gareth Southgate told ITV1 ahead of the match: "He’s dealing with a family matter so I had quite a bit of time with him this morning but I’ve now had to pass that on to other people to help him with that."

When asked if he thought Sterling would feature at the tournament from here, Southgate said on ITV1: "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. Sometimes football isn’t the most important thing and family should come first."

England captain Harry Kane sent his best to Sterling at the man of the match press conference in Al Khor.

"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 or 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."

England have now progressed to the final eight - the quarter-finals - to take on France on December 10.

If they win that, just one semi-final game stands between England and its first World Cup men's final since 1966.