Two Charged in Theft of England Team Equipment
Kansas City, Missouri—Two individuals have been charged with receiving stolen property following the theft of equipment belonging to the England national soccer team. The incident occurred as the team traveled from their pre-training location in Florida to their World Cup campsite in Kansas City over the weekend.
Mustafa Salik and Erfan Kamal, both residents of San Antonio, Texas, face Class D felony charges. Each charge carries a maximum penalty of seven years in prison. Their bond has been set at $75,000.
Jackson County Attorney Melesa Johnson emphasized that the county is committed to preventing criminal activities that target World Cup participants, including international teams. She acknowledged the rapid response from the Kansas City Police Department and an on-duty attorney, stating that charges would be filed without delay.
None of the stolen items, valued at approximately $18,000, were critical to England’s World Cup preparations. Among the missing belongings were nine pairs of cleats, goalie gloves, a World Cup soccer ball, various clothing items, electronics, stuffed animals, signed national team jerseys, and a Lego set valued at $99.99, as detailed in a probable cause statement.
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas expressed gratitude for the swift actions of law enforcement and the Prosecutor’s Office in resolving what became a multi-state investigation. He assured the public that safety remains a top priority and that violators would be held accountable.
Despite the theft, England players have largely downplayed its impact on their preparations for the World Cup. Reserve goalkeeper Dean Henderson responded with relief when asked about the stolen gear, saying, “I think they were stolen, but they’re back so we’re okay.” Experienced defender Dan Byrne, who learned of the theft through the media, joked about the incident, adding that he was satisfied because he had everything he needed for practice.
The theft transpired before the British charter flight touched down in Kansas City around noon on Saturday. Upon arrival, the team was warmly welcomed by the Kansas City Chiefs’ drum corps, cheerleaders, and mascots at a luxury hotel in Prairie Village, Kansas. They later participated in a community open training session at Swope Soccer Village, an area historically tied to Major League Soccer. Hundreds of fans and reporters were on hand, creating an energetic atmosphere under a humid afternoon sky, as tornado sirens rang shortly after the practice concluded.
Although England will not play any group matches in Kansas City, they have selected the city as their home base. Their season opener against Croatia in Arlington, Texas, is just a 90-minute flight away, while matches against Ghana in Foxborough, Massachusetts, and Panama in New Jersey are approximately three hours away, making travel to the West Coast feasible for potential championship matches. Additionally, defending champions Argentina and the Netherlands are also based in Kansas City, while Algeria is in nearby Lawrence, Kansas.
The Associated Press and PA contributed to this report.
