Striker Raheem Sterling is out of the game against Senegal, this Sunday (4), for the Round of 16 of the World Cup, in Qatar.
The player does not even appear on the bench. The English federation only announced that the absence is due to “family issues”, without explaining what the problems were. It was also not clear whether the athlete remains with the group for the continuation of the tournament, if England advances.
This Saturday, the player was normally seen in the training session, at the Al Wakrah stadium
Chelsea striker, Sterling started England’s first two World Cup games and was one of the highlights in the 6-2 victory against Iran in his debut (he scored one of the goals). In the third game, against Wales, with several starters on the bench, Sterling was one of those spared.
His absence in the game against Senegal ended up facilitating a decision by coach Gareth Southgate, charged by the English media to choose Foden. Without Sterling, the coach placed Saka, Kane and Foden as the attacking trio.
This is not England’s first poorly explained embezzlement in this World Cup. On 30 November, defender Ben White also left the team in Qatar and returned to London for “personal reasons”. “It is not foreseen that he will return to the group before the end of the tournament”, informed the FA about the Arsenal player, without giving details and asking for “respect for his personal life”.
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