ENGLAND footballers were told of the break-in at Raheem Sterling’s house hours before yesterday’s World Cup kick-off, it has been reported.
The Chelsea forward’s teammates were informed together in a meeting ahead of their 3-0 victory over Senegal.
GettyRaheem Sterling raced home yesterday after a raid on his house[/caption]
APHis England teammates were told hours before yesterday’s kick off[/caption]
And several of his fellow stars are thinking about ramping up their own home and personal security. The team also offered their support to Sterling, 27.
He rushed home from Qatar last night after hearing his mansion in Cobham, Surrey, had been raided.
Police were at Sterling’s luxury estate in Cobham, Surrey, over the weekend and security patrolled it late into the night.
Terrified fiancée Paige Milian, 27 — who was looking after their two kids — raised the alarm after the gang took watches worth £300,000.
It is the latest in a string of burglaries targeting footballers.
Sterling has three children in total, two of whom are with Paige.
He rushed home ahead of England’s 3-0 win over Senegal yesterday to comfort his family, who are understood to have been left shaken by the incident on Saturday.
The gang may have thought property developer Paige and the couple’s sons, aged five and three, were still in Qatar.
Sterling told FA chiefs he had to go home. News that he’d left the squad broke shortly before the last-16 clash with Senegal.
He may return to Qatar for Saturday’s quarter-final against France.
Boss Gareth Southgate said after yesterday’s win: “The priority for him is to be with his family.
“We’re going to support that and leave him to have as much time as he needs.
“He’s going home. I don’t want to put him under pressure. Sometimes football isn’t the most important thing, family should come first.”
Captain Harry Kane added: “Our thoughts are with him and his family.
“It’s a private matter but it’s never easy to see one of your teammates and friends deal with something like that.
“We’ll have to take it day by day. I’m sure Raheem will speak to the manager and take the best decision for him an his family. That’s the most important thing. We send him our best wishes and hope to see him as soon as possible.”
And Jordan Henderson, who wore Sterling’s No10 shorts when the players met their families after full-time, said: “It’s a blow but I hope everything is OK with Raheem’s family at home.
“I hope he goes back and can sort everything out.
“I’m not sure if he can come back, I suppose he will have to assess when he’s there but all our thoughts and support are with him.”
Before England’s first game Paige posted pictures of the two boys on a cruise ship in Doha, and she was tagged in social media images with cocktails.
A family source said: “This was terrifying for her and obviously traumatic for all the family.
“Raheem will have been beside himself with worry when he heard.
“To be away when your partner and children are at home when an armed gang breaks in is beyond words.
“It looks like about £300,000 of watches have been taken. The police were there several hours.”
Sterling bought a £15,000 Rotweiler guard dog called Okan as well as a 24/7 security team after an attempted burglary on his house in Cheshire in 2018, when he played for Man City.
The former boss of a national intelligence unit focused on serious organised crime has previously warned of a rise in raids on stars due to gangs scouring social media feeds.
Supt Carl Williams, who used to be the lead of Operation Opal, said earlier this year: “In today’s world where many wealthy individuals are active on social media their significant public profile can help make them targets.
“Their high-value possessions are often on display as well as information about their plans.”
The FA said last night: “Raheem is not available for selection for the Three Lions tonight as he is dealing with a family matter.”
Surrey Police have confirmed they are investigating a burglary where jewellery and watches were stolen following reports of a break-in at England winger Raheem Sterling’s home.
In a statement, the force 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.
“Inquiries 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. Inquiries into the circumstances are ongoing.”