Following reports in today's press about an incident that took place at the home of Wigan Athletic footballer Emile Heskey last Wednesday ( 16th July 2008, approximately 10.40am) Emile would like to make the following comments about the incident:

"A robbery took place at my home in Hale last Wednesday morning whilst I was away training. Two men with Mancunian accents kicked down the front door and threatened my fiancée, Chantelle, with a knife. They stole jewellery and a BMW X5 (PJ07 OPW).

"I am very glad and relieved to report that my partner, Chantelle was not hurt and my children were away from the house at the time of the incident.

"Chantelle was obviously very upset and shaken by what happened and is still very, very distressed but we both just want to put the ordeal behind us and get back to normality.

"The incident is being investigated by the Greater Manchester Police and we are confident they will capture the culprits to stop them doing this again to any other families. If anybody does have any information or think they can help in any way please contact the police immediately.

"We are both very conscious that many people are victims of these kinds of crimes everyday and my thoughts are with anybody who has gone through what my family is going through at the moment.

"But as I say, the event is in the past, I would like this statement to be the end of the matter and draw a line under it and get on with our lives."

If anybody does have any details surrounding this crime please contact the Volume Crime Unit on 0161 856 7553 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.