Kenneth Glad
The incident came during a busy arrival week for a visiting squad. Authorities say the case was handled quickly, while the team kept its focus on the tournament.
England’s arrival in Kansas City brought fans, reporters, team flags and a public training session in thick summer heat.
But as the squad settled into its World Cup base, police were also dealing with missing team property.
According to ESPN, Mustafa Salik and Erfan Kamal, both from San Antonio, Texas, were charged in Jackson County with one felony count each of receiving stolen property. The charges are allegations, and the men have not been convicted.
A probable cause affidavit obtained by People said a team employee noticed items missing from a tractor trailer and asked to search the cab. The filing said the driver refused before the property was recovered.
Court records describe the haul
The same court document said the accused men told the police that they had permission to take the items.
Prosecutors valued the property at about $18,000. The recovered goods included signed England jerseys, football boots, goalkeeper gloves, team apparel, electronics, a World Cup ball, stuffed lions and a Lego Nike Air shoe set.
Addressing the case, Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson stressed that local authorities would take a hard line against offenses involving tournament participants and guests.
She said: “Jackson County will not tolerate any criminal activity that targets World Cup visitors, including the international teams that have traveled here to compete.”
She also praised the swift response, saying: “We thank the Kansas City Police Department and our on-call attorneys for their quick work investigating this incident and filing charges immediately. Our office is committed to holding these individuals accountable.”
Team focus remains intact
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas praised the investigation, saying: “I am grateful for the quick work of the Kansas City Police Department and the Prosecutor’s Office in resolving an investigation across several states, helping crime victims recover goods stolen in transit, and ensuring the accused will face prosecution.”
For England, the matter appeared to become a brief off-field distraction rather than a sporting setback. ESPN reported that none of the missing items were essential to the team’s preparations.
Backup goalkeeper Dean Henderson told ESPN: “Yeah, thankfully. I think they got stolen but we got them back so it’s all good.”
Defender Dan Burn said, according to the BBC: “I’ve not lost anything personally, we found out from you guys [the media].”
England later trained at Swope Soccer Village, where the England flag flew above the complex and hundreds gathered in humid conditions. According to ESPN/AP, the team’s opening match is against Croatia in Arlington, Texas, tomorrow at 3:00 p.m. local time.
Sources: ESPN, People, BBC
