Burglars drugged Vieira's family before raid

French police were today hunting burglars who used gas to knock out Patrick Vieira and his wife and daughter during a raid on the family home near Cannes.

The gas was pumped into the house to keep the occupants asleep – but today, after a health check, the 29-year old former Arsenal player, now with Juventus, was back in training with the France World Cup squad.

His wife Cheryl and daughter Cheries, were both recovering at home, and police said there should be no long-term medical effects of the drugging.

“There was a break-in at Mr Vieira’s home, during which jewellery was stolen,” said a police spokesman in Cannes. “The burglars then escaped in Mr Vieira’s Mercedes.”

The car was later found abandoned along the French coast in Nice, and police said there was no evidence that the thieves had deliberately targeted the Vieira family.

The gas attack was only confirmed after the Vieira family complained of feeling unwell when they awoke to find the house had been raided.

Police scientists found evidence that gas had been pumped into the air-conditioning system.

The police spokesman said the full value of the stolen jewellery was unknown.

“We are now involved in a hunt for these burglars and we cannot say if they knew this was the home of the footballer or not,” added the spokesman.