“We have to give him time”
Gunmen break into villa while family at home: England star Sterling leaves World Cup
Raheem Sterling missed England’s round of 16 at the 2022 World Cup
© Robert Michael / DPA
England were without key striker Raheem Sterling for the game against Senegal. Whether he will be back in the quarter-finals is an open question.
When England’s footballers won the quarter-finals ticket at the World Cup in Qatar with a 3-0 win over Senegal, attacker Raheem Sterling was already gone – physically and mentally. “We have to give him time to work things out or be there for his family. That’s the most important thing at this point so we’re going to give him that space. Family comes first,” said head coach Gareth Southgate on Sunday night at Al- Chaur after the sovereign success over the African champions.
According to consistent media reports, armed people broke into Sterling’s home home when his family was at home. Sterling was therefore not in the squad for the 3-0 Englanders of the Three Lions. Southgate reported on conversations with Sterling and the hours leading up to the game when the topic was also present in the team. “It’s not ideal for a group before a game like this, but the individual is more important than the group in a situation like this,” Southgate said.
Raheem Sterling: Coach wants to look from day to day
Until the quarterfinals against world champions France on Saturday (8 p.m.) there would be enough time for a return. But Southgate left open whether and when Sterling will return to the training camp in Al-Wakra in the south of Doha. “We have to look from day to day and make the best decision for him and his family. We as a team send him our best wishes and hope to see him again as soon as possible,” said captain Harry Kane.