Sterling returns home as police open burglary investigation

Surrey Police have confirmed they are investigating a report of burglary as England and Chelsea striker Raheem Sterling returns home from the World Cup in Qatar.

The 27-year-old was not involved in England's round of 16 win over Senegal on Sunday. Manager Gareth Southgate said Sterling was returning home and told ITV: "Clearly the priority is for him to be with his family and us 'I'm going to support that.'

England officials blamed it on "a family affair" ahead of kick-off, with the BBC reporting that a burglary at Sterling's home in the London area occurred on Saturday night.

A statement released by Surrey Police on Monday confirmed that an investigation was underway into a burglary in Oxshott, Leatherhead.

"Police were contacted just before 9pm on Saturday December 3 after the occupants of the property returned to their home to discover that a number of items, including jewelery and watches, had been stolen ", reads the press release.

"Investigations to establish the circumstances are ongoing and the investigation is ongoing.

"No threat of violence was involved as the items were discovered stolen retrospectively. Investigations into the circumstances are ongoing. No arrests have been made at this time."

Surrey Police did not confirm whether the incident was linked to Sterling when contacted by Stats Perform.

It remains to be seen whether Sterling will return to Qatar in time to take part in the Three Lions quarter-final against France on Saturday.