Man Charged in Connection with Burglary at Raheem Sterling’s Home During World Cup
A 23-year-old man has been charged in connection with the burglary at Raheem Sterling’s residence that occurred during the World Cup in Qatar last year. The break-in resulted in the theft of approximately £300,000 worth of watches and jewelry. At the time, Sterling was in Qatar with the England national team, led by Gareth Southgate.
The burglary took place in December 2022 while Sterling was away, leading him to return home abruptly to be with his family and miss England’s 3-0 victory over Senegal in the Round of 16. Emiliano Krosi, a resident of Ditton Court Road, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, has been charged with 33 counts of conspiracy to commit burglary, including the raid on Sterling’s home.
Sterling rejoined the England squad for their quarter-final match against France, where he came off the bench in a 2-1 defeat. Reflecting on the incident, Sterling admitted in an interview earlier this year that he struggled with guilt and mental distress over the security breach at his home. He expressed deep regret for not ensuring his family’s safety before leaving for the World Cup.
The case has continued to evolve, with Krosi scheduled to appear in Guildford Crown Court on September 21. Surrey Police have confirmed that they have kept Sterling updated on the case’s progress but have not disclosed any additional information since early August. The burglary also impacted Sterling’s teammates, with Kalvin Phillips revealing that the incident heightened concerns among the squad about the safety of their own families.
The emotional toll on Sterling and the broader implications for the England team underscore the significant impact such incidents can have on players’ personal lives and professional focus.