Soccer-England's Foden temporarily returns to UK for family matter, FA says
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Euro 2024 - Group C - England v Slovenia - Cologne Stadium, Cologne, Germany - June 25, 2024 England's Phil Foden with manager Gareth Southgate after being substituted REUTERS/Wolfgang Rattay/File Photo
WEIMAR, Germany (Reuters) -England midfielder Phil Foden has left the team's camp at Euro 2024 in Germany and returned to the UK to deal with a pressing family matter, the Football Association said in a brief statement on Wednesday.
Foden's departure is temporary, said the FA, who did not reveal when he is expected to return.
England, who finished atop Group C, play their last-16 match on Sunday against an opponent still to be determined.
Foden has been one of England's strongest players in Germany, starting all three group games and narrowly missing on a couple of scoring chances including a shot off the post in the 1-1 draw with Denmark.
The 24-year-old is coming off a breakout season with Manchester City, winning Premier League player of the year after scoring 19 league goals and 27 across all competitions.
(Reporting by Lori Ewing; Editing by Toby Chopra)