Strange off-the-field stuff happens at this World Cup with England striker Raheem Sterling now in an unusual heartbreak.
He is leaving the England World Cup squad in Qatar to return to London after armed intruders broke into his home while his family were in.
Manager Gareth Southgate confirmed the news after Sunday’s 3-0 last-16 win against Senegal.
HOME WITH FAMILY
Southgate said: “Sometimes football isn’t the most important thing and family should come first. Raheem is truly heartbroken and prefers to return home to be with his family.”
It is understood the incident happened on Saturday night. Sterling has three young children.
“We want to give him that space and we will see over the next few days how that develops,” Southgate added.
Suresh Nair is an award-winning sports journalist who is also a qualified international coach and international referee instructor