World Cup
Two Men Charged After Theft of England World Cup Gear
Two men have been charged in Missouri after stolen items belonging to the England national football team were recovered. The theft occurred while the squad travelled from West Palm Beach, Florida, to Kansas City, Missouri, where they are based for the World Cup.
Prosecutors say the suspects took signed shirts, shoes, balls, goalkeeper gloves, a Lego set, a speaker and two lion‑mascot plush toys from a van that had not yet been unloaded. The estimated value of the items is $18,000.
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Most of the gear has been returned to the England squad. Melesa Johnson said the county will not tolerate criminal activity aimed at World Cup visitors, and the defendants face up to seven years in prison with bail set at $75,000. Defender Dan Burn told the BBC the team was unaware of the theft and that he personally lost nothing. Kansas City mayor Quinton Lucas praised the police response, and noted that the Netherlands national football team, coached by Ronald Koeman, is also in Kansas City ahead of its 22:00 group match against Japan.