England aces’25 double trouble
World Cup security bill for WAGs in Qatar.. and mansions back home
ENGLAND stars are facing a double security bill while they are at the World Cup, for their mansions back home and their partners in Qatar.
Captain Harry Kane and his side, who face Italy tonight in the Nations League, will be advised to beef up security during their absence after a spate of high-profile raids on footballers’ houses last season.
Operation Opal is a national UK intelligence unit that deals with serious organised acquisitive crime.
In February, its lead officer, Supt Carl Williams, said that there had “definitely been an increase” in Premier League stars being burgled in the past 10 years.
The raids included two unnamed England players whose homes were targeted during last year’s Euros.
Man Utd star Victor Lindelof ’s wife Maja and their two children had to lock themselves in a panic room as burglars ransacked their Manchester home earlier this year.
Manchester City ace Joao Cancelo was also targeted in December. The Portuguese international was attacked by a gang of robbers in front of his wife and baby at their home, also in the city’s suburbs.
Last September, a crew of burglars were caught on video breaking into the London home of England and Chelsea star Reece James.
They dragged out a safe containing his Champions League winners medal and Euro 2020 runners-up medal.
The player’s wives and girlfriends are likely to require extra private security when they go out and about in Qatar during the tournament in November.
Many of them are set to stay on a cruise ship so they can have a drink without worrying about the country’s strict alcohol bans. Only select hotels, restaurants and bars are licensed to sell it, and drinking in public is a crime.
They had been offered a series of villa and hotel options but many opted for the ship, which will be docked in Doha.
Kane’s wife Katie Goodland, 29, Jordan Henderson’s partner Rebecca Burnett, 32, and Raheem Sterling’s fiancee Paige Milian, 26, are believed to have taken the floating accommodation.
The country’s restrictive drinking rules are expected to be slightly relaxed during the 28-day tournament, with organisers working on making it easier for fans to purchase booze.
Gareth Southgate’s squad are due to stay south of Doha, at the five-star Souq Al Wakra beach resort, which was built in 2015. It is a dry hotel that only serves non-alcoholic drinks.
He has a relaxed attitude towards players seeing loved ones and encouraged it at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
The FA does not comment on security issues.
ENGLAND VS ITALY: P70-72