Raheem Sterling has been removed from England’s European Qualifier against Montenegro after a disturbance at the team’s St George’s Park training complex.
England manager Gareth Southgate said that “emotions were still raw” after Sterling was involved in a clash with Joe Gomez towards the end of Liverpool’s 3-1 win over Premier League title rivals Manchester City on Sunday.
It is understood the pair were again involved after meeting up for England duty on Monday.
Sterling was subsequently withdrawn from selection for the game at Wembley.
) No details of the incident were revealed, although the FA confirmed Sterling remains with the squad following the “disturbance in a private team area”.
Southgate said: “We have taken the decision to not consider Raheem for the match against Montenegro on Thursday.
“One of the great challenges and strengths for us is that we’ve been able to separate club rivalries from the national team. Unfortunately the emotions of yesterday’s game were still raw.
“My feeling is that the right thing for the team is the action we have taken. Now that the decision has been made with the agreement of the entire squad, it’s important that we support the players and focus on Thursday night. “
England play Montenegro at Wembley on Thursday before facing Kosovo away on Sunday, needing just a point from the two games to qualify for Euro 2020.
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