Shocked England World Cup footballers are reportedly racing to improve security at their homes after armed intruders broke into teammate Raheem Sterling's home while his family were inside.
The Chelsea winger missed the Three Lions’ 3-0 victory over Senegal on Sunday after he left Qatar to be with his family. And his teammates are understood to be increasing their own levels of personal protection, reports the Mail Online.
The raid is the latest in a string of burglaries on footballers' homes in recent years. Manchester United defender Victor Lindelof and former midfielder Paul Pogba are among the dozen or so footballers who have suffered break-ins, reports Wales Online.
It comes as support for the England international flooded in on social media. Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker took to Twitter send a message to the 27-year-old. He said: “Thoughts are with (Raheem Sterling) and his family after their awful and harrowing ordeal.”
Many of the players' wives and girlfriends were in the Al Bayt Stadium for England's 3-0 win over Senegal on Sunday. However, some have been have been flying back and forth during the tournament as they juggle their own careers and look after young children, reported the Mail.
Sterling's partner Paige Milian, 27, shared pictures on social media from a cruise ship in Doha before England's game with Iran. However, she had returned to UK and was reportedly at home with their two children at the time of the raid on Saturday.
The gang reportedly stole watches worth £300,000 during the robbery at the couple's home, which is less than 15 minutes from Chelsea’s training ground in Cobham, Surrey. It is not known if Paige confronted the raiders or if they fled when they realised someone was home, reported the Sun.
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