Philippa Kaur

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    Bundesliga’s youngest-ever scorer in age scandal as Dortmund star’s father admits he ‘lied about date of birth’

    GERMANY star Youssoufa Moukoko is at the centre of an age scandal after his father claimed to have lied about his date of birth.The Borussia Dortmund wonderkid, who is currently on loan at French side Nice, is seen as one of the best young players in the world.A man claiming to be Youssoufa Moukoko’s father claims he is 24-years-old not 20Credit: GettyMoukoko starred for Germany at the 2022 World CupCredit: GettyMoukoko is 20-years-old – but a man claiming to be his registered dad has shockingly alleged the player is actually 24 years of age.He also says the striker is NOT his biological son and is using a fake name.The incredible claims are due to be aired on German TV channel ProSieben on Sunday night, in a documentary named “Tricks, Cheats, Deception – The Million Dollar Business with Football Talents”.Dortmund have responded to the accusations, insisting they are unaware of any wrongdoing.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe club said in a statement: “In the case of Youssoufa Moukoko, the biological parents and the date of birth are derived from official identification documents and birth certificates issued by a German authority.”These documents are still valid today and are the basis for playing authorisations and permits for clubs, regardless of whether they are domestic or foreign, and of course also for association teams such as the German U21 national team. “Please also note that both the player and the biological parents identified in the above-mentioned documents have declared to us and, in the case of the parents, even to third parties through affidavits in the context of legal proceedings that the information contained in the aforementioned official documents is correct. “This factual status is of course decisive for us, the DFB, and the player’s current club.”Most read in BundesligaIn the show, the man claiming to be the player’s registered father, Joseph Moukoko, confesses to falsifying documents about his age and identity.He says: “Youssoufa Moukoko is not the biological son of me and my wife Marie Moukoko. Nor was he born on November 20, 2004 in Yaounde, Cameroon.Where are they now: The unusual careers of former footballers”He was actually born on July 19, 2000. We made him four years younger.”He later admits: “We did it so he could have better opportunities in European football.”Moukoko has two senior caps for Germany and became the nation’s youngest ever player aged 17 years and 361 days and the youngest to feature at a World Cup, aged 18 years and 3 days.He burst onto the scene as the Bundesliga’s youngest ever player, with his debut coming at the age of 16 years and 1 day.The starlet then broke the record as the league’s youngest ever goalscorer, hitting the back of the net 27 days after his debut.Moukoko, who has previously been linked with a move to Chelsea, shone in youth-team football for Dortmund and Germany.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe lifted the Under-21 Euros two years ago and clinched the Fritz Walter Medal for best young prospect in Germany twice.Back during his days in Dortmund’s Under-17s and Under-19s team, he scored 141 goals in just 88 games.Moukoko scored for Dortmund at the age of 16 years and 1 dayCredit: Getty More

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    in Soccer

    Sir Alex Ferguson’s chauffeur adopts dog of Man Utd receptionist Kath Phipps after she passes away at 85

    SIR ALEX FERGUSON’S chauffeur has adopted the dog of legendary Manchester United receptionist Kath Phipps.Kath, a hugely popular figure at the club, passed away aged 85 last week.Sir Alex Ferguson’s chauffeur has adopted the dog of Kath PhippsCredit: GettySir Alex would regularly visit Kath before she passed away last weekUnited paid a touching tribute to the much-loved receptionist ahead of their Premier League match against Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford.Club icons also shared fond memories of her, with David Beckham particularly emotional.The United legend was one of several people to visit Kath before she passed.Ferguson also saw her on a number of occasions.Read More on Man UtdHis chauffeur, Steve Webb, would visit alongside Sir Alex with her dog, Maisie.And Webb has since adopted Maisie following Kath’s death, the Daily Mail reports.A member of staff said: “Even in her last days she kept the United family together.”Kath’s nearest and dearest also set up a WhatsApp group to monitor the flow of visitors, with staff members and ex-players all desperate to see her.Most read in FootballFerguson would phone on the days he couldn’t visit.While Juan Mata made video calls from Sydney and Mary Earps from Paris.David Beckham’s Heartfelt Farewell to Kath PhippsKath had worked at the club since the 1960s in a variety of roles including a receptionist and telephone switchboard operator.United expressed their “sadness” and “heartbreak” at Kath’s passing, and tributes poured in from fans. More

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    in Golf

    Golf’s Highs and Lows in 2024

    There were a lot of exciting tournaments, but LIV still looms over the sport.Winning streaks — illustrious and quirky — defined professional golf for the best male and female players in 2024. They came amid pressure on the business models of both the men’s and women’s professional tours.The PGA Tour continues to struggle with how it’s going to make its tournaments more attractive to sponsors (who are asked to pay more in prize money) and fans who have been tuning out the weekly tournaments. It’s been over two years since its first star players joined LIV Golf and a year since the PGA Tour and its commissioner, Jay Monahan, announced a tentative agreement with LIV to coexist, and the PGA Tour still hasn’t worked out a way to unify the men’s game.For the L.P.G.A. Tour, prize money has continued to rise, but the tour itself continues to struggle to get attention for its roster of top-flight players.Nelly Korda lining up a putt at the CME Group Tour Championship last month in Naples, Fla. She began the year by winning five straight tournaments, tying the L.P.G.A. record.Michael Reaves/Getty ImagesNelly Korda, the No. 1 ranked women’s golfer, began the year by winning five straight tournaments. She tied the L.P.G.A. record, held by Annika Sorenstam and Nancy Lopez.“If I’m being honest, I have not thought about it at all,” Korda said in a press conference after the fifth consecutive victory.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. More

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    Ruthless Postecoglou tells Werner ‘I’m not worried about bruised egos’ after slamming ‘unacceptable’ Tottenham star

    ANGE POSTECOGLOU doubled down on his “assessment” of Timo Werner’s “unacceptable” display at Rangers and then told his squad: I don’t care about bruising your egos.The Australian manager hooked off the German star at half-time of the 1-1 draw at Ibrox in the Europa League on Thursday night.Ange Postecoglou has doubled down on his criticism of Timo WernerCredit: SNSWerner was hooked off at half-time against Rangers for not reaching the desired level of ‘application’Credit: GettyIn his post-match press conference, Postecoglou slammed Werner, claiming: “He wasn’t playing anywhere near the level he should”.The fact his second-half replacement Dejan Kulusevski scored the equaliser with 15 minutes remaining only proved it was the right call.Asked if any had any regrets the next morning about the public nature of the criticism, the former Celtic boss replied: “No, it wasn’t criticism. It was assessment.“If we played poorly, we played poorly. With Timo it wasn’t about whether he played well or not.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“It was a difficult game last night. I’m asking 18-year-olds to do some massive jobs and you want senior players, he’s a senior player. “He’s an international and he’s won the Champions League, there’s a level of application and performance you need to rise to, to help the team.“He didn’t reach that. I think me taking him off at half-time was a statement enough.“The same way I won’t be hiding behind poor team performances, the same with and no different for the players or anyone else.Most read in Europa LeagueFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS“It wasn’t criticism, it was just an assessment of his performance and on a really challenging night for us, which we knew going into it, it needs to be better.”Former Chelsea forward Werner is on-loan from Bundesliga side RB Leipzig but there does not seem any plans to cancel that arrangement in January because the club have such a long injury list.Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou blasts ‘unacceptable’ Timo Werner Asked how had Werner, 28, responded internally to the comments, Postecoglou said: “I’ve got no time for that sort of stuff anymore.“We’re in a fight here, collectively we’re in a fight. I’m not going to go around worrying about people’s bruised egos.“This football club want to achieve things and be successful.“We’re down to the bare bones in players. If there’s somebody in the dressing room who’s fit, able to contribute but who feels he needs something extra in this moment, he’s probably not the right type.“I need guys who, and we had some last night, understand the situation we’re in.“We’ve 15 fit players and in some positions we’ve only got two players.“I’m not going to go around trying to get extra out of people. “If they’re not able to give extra now, it kind of gives me an indication of where they’re at.”This week, Argentine centre-back Cristian Romero lamented the lack of investment by the club in recent times during an interview with Spanish broadcaster Telemundo Deportes.This followed Spurs’ disappointing 4-3 loss at home to Chelsea, but he later apologised for those remarks.Asked if the Werner episode tied into a wider issue in the past at the club, Postecoglou said: “I’m sick of that. That’s an excuse for me.“And that’s why even with Cristian Romero’s comments, I just think that’s an excuse.We’re in a fight here, collectively we’re in a fight. I’m not going to go around worrying about people’s bruised egos.Ange Postecoglou“At the moment I’m here, I take responsibility. These players, we’re here.“If we think something mythical exists in this club that prevents success then change it.“What’s the point otherwise? Don’t come here. I just don’t buy into that.“At the moment we’re in a difficult situation because of where we are squad-wise and team-wise.READ MORE SUN STORIES“You either embrace this challenge. If you want excuses there are a million of them.“There are a million excuses why we cannot be successful but if that’s what your clutch is, particularly in tough moments, then what’s the point? Move on then and go somewhere else.” More

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    Football legend reveals he turned down big money I’m A Celebrity offer – but hints he could appear in 2025 ‘for a price’

    A FOOTBALL legend has revealed he turned down an offer to appear on I’m a Celebrity – but confessed he could be persuaded. In recent years ex-footballers including Dennis Wise and Wayne Bridge have taken on the I’m a Celebrity jungle. Roy has revealed he previously turned down an I’m a Celeb offer – but he’s got ‘a price’Credit: YouTubeFormer Man Unt ace Roy retired in 2005Credit: Press AssociationRoy’s podcast co-host Ian was a campmate in 2019Credit: ITVNow former Manchester United ace Roy Keane has told how he previously declined an offer from show bosses, but confessed he can be bought. Speaking during an episode of his Stick To Football podcast with Gary Neville, Jamie Carragher, Jill Scott and Ian Wright, the 53-year-old insisted the jungle is “not his scene”. But asked by Jamie, 46, if he’s “got a price”, Roy replied: “Of course.” Jill, 37 – who won the show in 2022 – asked him if he’d been offered a spot in the jungle and he said: “I think everyone’s been asked.” More on I’m a Celebrity He added: “I don’t think it’s for me. I’d like to think I’m open to new adventures, but the jungle…”Turning to Ian, 61 – who was a campmate in 2019 – he said: “You didn’t enjoy it, did you?”Ian bluntly replied: “I didn’t enjoy it, no, but the money was good.” And Roy isn’t the only iconic player who has hinted at an I’m a Celebrity appearance in recent weeks. Most read in FootballWayne Rooney, whose wife Coleen, 38, came runner-up during last week’s final, admitted he’d love to do the show when he spoke to Joel Dommett on the I’m a Celeb spin-off Unpacked. He said: “We always said that if we were ever going to do one, that’s the one we’d do. And obviously Coleen’s gone out there to test herself.”Catching the “we” comment, Joel pushed further, asking if Wayne, 39, would ever head to Australia and try out the show himself.”Maybe, if I’m not working, it’s something I would like to do, but at the minute, obviously, that’s not possible.”I’m a Celeb hosts Ant and Dec are no strangers to having footballers in the campCredit: ITV More

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    in Motorsport

    Formula One could be heading back to Africa for the first time in 31 years as Rwanda launches historic bid

    RWANDAN president Paul Kagame has announced his country’s bid to host a Formula One race.F1 have not been to Africa since the last South African Grand Prix in 1993.Rwanda president Paul Kagame wants to his nation to host an F1 raceCredit: ReutersMax Verstappen was handed his trophy for winning a fourth world title in a row at an awards ceremony in Rwandan capital Kigali today.Kagame spoke at the event, addressing the FIA’s General Assembly: “I am happy to formally announce that Rwanda is bidding to bring the thrill of racing back to Africa by hosting a Formula One Grand Prix.”A big thank you to (F1 chief executive) Stefano Domenicali and the entire team at F1, for the good progress in our discussions so far.”I assure you that we are approaching this opportunity with the seriousness and commitment which it deserves. READ MORE IN F1″Together we will build something we can all be proud of.”Domenicali said in August that Rwanda wanted to host a race at a permanent circuit.Reports claim the track, to be designed by a company run by Austrian former F1 racer Alexander Wurz, would be located near a new international airport under construction 40km from Kigali.Lewis Hamilton said in August that the time was right to head to Africa and he was working behind-the-scenes with both Rwanda and South Africa to make it happen.Most read in MotorsportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSThe seven-time world champ said: “The time’s 100 per cent right. We can’t be adding races in other locations and continue to ignore Africa, which the rest of the world just takes from. No one gives anything to Africa.”I think having a Grand Prix there will really be able to highlight just how great the place is and bring in tourism and all sorts of things. Why are we not on that continent?”Greatest F1 track on Earth’ created featuring iconic parts from Silverstone, Spa and SuzukaThe FIA is holding its general assemblies in Africa this week for the first time and the FIA’s Emirati President Mohammed Ben Sulayem and Rwanda’s Sports Minister Richard Nyirihishema met earlier in Kigali.Ben Sulayem said: “To be here in Rwanda for such an important moment in the FIAs calendar is a testament to the strength of this nation, in particular its growing influence in motorsport.”We are aligned on our values and shared goals across key sectors such as innovation, sustainability, and road safety, and I look forward to our continued partnership. “The future of motorsport in Africa is bright.”Verstappen is also carrying out “work of public interest” in Rwanda as punishment for swearing in a Singapore Grand Prix press conference in October.The activity involves an FIA Affordable Cross Car built locally in Rwanda from blueprints provided by the governing body.F1 2025 gridHere are the confirmed driver line ups for the F1 2025 season so far:Red Bull: Max Verstappen and Sergio PerezFerrari: Charles Leclerc and Lewis HamiltonMercedes: George Russell and Kimi AntonelliMcLaren: Lando Norris and Oscar PiastriAston Martin: Fernando Alonso and Lance StrollWilliams: Alex Albon and Carlos SainzSauber: Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel BortoletoAlpine: Pierre Gasly and Jack DoohanRB: Yuki Tsunoda and TBCHaas: Ollie Bearman and Esteban Ocon More

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    Guardiola admits he ‘doesn’t know what to do’ and reveals he’s considering radical tactical switch for Manchester derby

    MANCHESTER CITY boss Pep Guardiola has made a stark admission ahead of this weekend’s Manchester derby.The Spaniard currently finds himself in uncharted territory – with just one win under his belt in 10 games.Pep Guardiola has revealed he ‘doesn’t know’ what to do ahead of the Manchester derbyCredit: Manchester City FCMan City have endured a terrible run of formCredit: ReutersCity have plummeted down both the Premier League and Champions League table as a result.And they face another big challenge on Sunday at the Etihad.The reigning Prem champions play host to local rivals Manchester United in a huge derby clash.But Guardiola himself has claimed he does not even know where to begin when it comes to his starting line-up. Read More in FootballJohn Stones, Nathan Ake and Manuel Akanji are all injured, while Rico Lewis will be forced to serve a one-match suspension at the weekend.That leaves City with few defensive options.Asked about having limited defenders available during his pre-match press conference, Guardiola said: “I don’t know what I have to do. We have three and we will see what happened.”Maybe some winger has to play as a full-back or Matheus [Nunes] can play as a full-back, can play five at the back.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS”We are thinking what to do with a situation with just three central defenders. The soul and spirit of this team is there.”We are sad for the players because the way they run and fight – Bernardo [Silva] played a lot of minutes, Gundo [Ilkay Gundogan] played alone in that position, arrive in the final third.Pep Guardiola ‘proud’ of his Man City team despite 2-0 loss to Juventus “Rico [Lewis] our most consistent player of the season for our referee cannot play there.”I think I know. This group of players can make an era in eight, nine ten years that nobody has done.”The positive records this group have done, we all encourage them to support them until the end.”It’s unbelievable what they have done to compete in the calendar with more games than ever and maybe reflect that today.”It is more difficult financially but today we are going to play the World Cup in the summer, three weeks, start again the Premier League and maybe we have to have a deeper squad when people say what is the problem.”The problem is the schedule – sooner or later the players will come back… We will see.” More

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    Football ultras ARRANGING Fight Club-style brawls in forests away from cops’ prying eyes…with brutal rules of engagement

    VIOLENT football ultras have been organising sick Fight-Club style brawls in forests across Europe to avoid detection by police.Now there are signs the bloody rise in well-organised footie violence sweeping the continent could be creeping back into this country.England fans run from tear gas thrown by cops after they were ambushed by Russian supporters at the 2016 EurosCredit: Getty Images – GettyA member of the Cracovia Ultras, a football hooligan firm from Kraków, PolandCredit: GettyA picture posted to social media ahead of the brawl between Manchester United fans and Twente fans in September, allegedly showing Manchester United fansCredit: FacebookTen Manchester United fans were arrested in a string of dawn raids on Wednesday following a massive organised bust-up with Dutch team Twente in September.September’s mass brawl, involving around 80 men, happened in an area of wasteland in Salford, around four miles from Old Trafford.Photos went round social media apparently showing masked mobs posing for pics before the fight.One had the caption: “Manchester United vs FC Twente, 40×40 fair fight, win Manchester United, Twente run”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe fight spilled over into a pub after Dutch supporters were allegedly followed, prompting terrified staff to ring the police.In the aftermath, fans congratulated themselves on a “fair fight” – although one Dutch man complained the England “side” was bigger than agreed.The following night, United played out a 1-1 draw with FC Twente at Old Trafford in the Europa League.A major police investigation followed, with specialist officers scouring CCTV from around the stadium and Most read in FootballGreater Manchester Police arrested the “high risk” supporters, aged 20-64, on suspicion of violent disorder for their alleged involvement in the clash.The investigation into the brawl and more arrests could follow.Shock moment Scottish football ultras clash on busy Glasgow street as fans chased by rival hooligans into pub doorwayA police spokesman said Wednesday’s arrests were part of a crackdown ahead of Sunday’s Manchester derby.Chief Superintendent Colette Rose, of GMP, said: “Our proactive and positive action today has been targeted to highlight that organised violence of any kind has no place in Greater Manchester.A bloodied supporter being escorted away by police during the FA Cup clash between West Brom and Wolves, January 2024Credit: GettySupporters of TS Wisla, a football team from Kraków, PolandCredit: AlamyPolish football hooligans, who are notoriously dangerous and organisedCredit: HooliganstvFootball hooliganism, glorified in books, on film and around pub tables, has been steadily declining in the UK since its bloody height in the ‘80s.The law was tightened in 1989 to allow harsher punishments for brawling fans, more CCTV meant and cops had eyes everywhere, and attitudes slowly shifted against the violence.Recently, Europe has seen a rise in ultras who arrange scraps on the web, before meeting up in real life to tear chunks out of each other.Violence has occasionally marred England’s international fixtures on the continent, such as the carnage that unfolded when Russian ultras launched a barbaric assault on Brit fans during the 2016 Euros.The culture spread deep through countries like Poland, the Netherlands, France and Germany – whilst the UK looked on, shaking its head.But do Wednesday’s arrests represent a return to old ways – is England once again becoming infected by the English disease?Geoff Pearson, a professor of law at the University of Manchester and an expert on the subject, told the Mail that pre-arranged fights between rival footie fans are common in eastern and southern Europe – but rare in this country.Another significant example he noted was an arranged fight between Brentford and Millwall in August 2018, when one side went shirtless so they could be told apart.The grisly pre-match brawl, filmed on mobiles and uploaded to YouTube, led to six Brentford fans being charged and sentenced to a mixture of community service and suspended jail terms.The most severe punishment was for a 28-year-old who acted as “referee” for the fight – stopping things when someone was knocked down so the sides could “reset”.The man from Pinner received 12-month suspended prison sentence and 200 hours unpaid work.A group of restless Manchester United fans outside Old TraffordCredit: AFPPolice line up as fans celebrate winning the Scottish Premiership title in Glasgow in 2021 in GlasgowCredit: GettyThis level of organisation is increasingly seen in fan bust-ups, according to Dr Pearson.He said the scuffles are usually planned on WhatsApp, away from the eyes of the police, and footage uploaded to social media afterwards boasting of the violence.Hooliganism has surged in the Netherlands since February 2022 when Covid restrictions were lifted.Dutch criminologist Tom van Ham, who researched organised hooligan fights for his PhD, has learned how the fights over there are planned.He said that the fighters involved might not learn the details until the last minute, while the leaders of the “firms” refer to the plans in code – such as “going to a birthday party”.The location is often rural to minimise the chance of detection.In an article for the European Journal of Criminology in 2020, Dr van Ham wrote that “clear terms are set in advance about the number of people that will participate” and a decision over whether weapons are allowed is made.He added: “Our data suggests that the use of weapons is generally not accepted and that other ‘rules of engagement’ are used (for example, when someone is lying on the ground they are to be left alone).”In December last year, Turkey temporarily pulled the plug on all footie fixtures after a referee was punched to the ground by a raging club president.Also last year, Greece banned fans from top-flight football games for two months after violence erupted between rival volleyball supporters in Athens, severely injuring a police officer.The opening game for both sides has already been labelled as a “very high risk” match by German cops with 1,300 extra officers being deployed on matchday as well as heavily increased surveillance.READ MORE SUN STORIESThis year, England fans were warned that a 500-strong army of “violence-seeking ­Serbian ­hooligans” were planning to swarm their Euros clash om Germany.The opening game for both sides was labelled as a “very high risk” match by German cops with 1,300 extra officers being deployed on matchday as well as heavily increased surveillance.An English supporter injured after a street brawl ahead of England’s 2016 Euros clash with RussiaCredit: AFP – Getty More