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    ‘I didn’t think I’d make it – Stuart Pearce recalls harrowing brush with death as partner thought ‘he’d pegged it’

    STUART PEARCE didn’t think he would “make it” and his partner believed “he’d pegged it” during his horrendous aeroplane health scare. The ex-England defender, 62, needed his heart restarting after his horror scare at 30,000ft. Stuart Pearce appeared on This Morning to discuss his health scareCredit: RexPearce told his wife he ‘didn’t think he would make it’ to HeathrowCredit: ITVVirgin cabin crew hero Zoe Anderson joined them in the ITV studioCredit: ITVSunSport revealed the football legend fell ill during a flight from Las Vegas to Heathrow.Pearce needed emergency medical treatment on the plane from first aiders and the flight was diverted to Newfoundland, Canada so he could be taken to hospital, where he was kept in for eight days.He has made a full recovery from the virus that affected his heart and returned to talkSPORT commentary duties for England’s win over Albania last Friday.And now he has appeared on This Morning to relive his ordeal – and be reunited with the woman who helped save his life. READ MORE ON FOOTBALLPearce said: “At the airport my chest felt a little bit tight, a little heavy. “It felt like someone was sat on my chest and tried to sleep it off.”But after a couple of hours, and I should have picked my wording better, I said to Carol, ‘I don’t think I’m going to make Heathrow.'”I meant without telling the cabin crew. Carol thought, ‘He’s pegged it. He’s done.’Most read in Football”I was in and out of consciousness. I can’t speak highly enough of the crew. I thought an aeroplane was the worst place in the world to fall ill. “We can only as a pair say thank you very much. The professionalism was brilliant.” Football legend Stuart Pearce gives update after health scare on flight Pearce started wincing in pain in the economy section on the Boeing 787-9 Dreamline during the Virgin Atlantic Flight VS156 after attending the rugby league clash between Warrington Wolves and Wigan Warriors in Vegas.His wife Carol was alongside him during the worrying scenes as staff checked on him, gave him oxygen and hooked him up to an ECG machine.The cabin crew was in constant contact with a doctor, who monitored the readings on the ground.His resting heart rate was 155bpm and before flying for hours over sea, it was decided to land the plane in Newfoundland so he could receive specialist treatment.Pearce watched Forest’s 1-0 win over Manchester City from the hospital, including the fans’ tribute for him at the City Ground.The remaining 225 passengers arrived at Heathrow six hours later than scheduled – but Carol was scared her man would never make it back home. Sat alongside Pearce in the ITV studio, she said: “It was very unusual [for him to make a fuss about his health].”Other than man flu which is clearly a huge deal, for him to say he was in pain, that immediately made my blood run cold because you think this is serious.”Stuart doesn’t do being ill, doesn’t do pain. “He once played with a broken leg.”Zoe Anderson was leading the cabin crew on the Virgin flight and kept her composure to ensure Pearce got the help he needed.That even included giving them a care package with blankets as they got off the plane as the temperature in Canada was -11C – compared to 23C in Las Vegas. Stuart and Carol were joined by Anderson live on ITV as the Virgin staff member recalled the decision-making process in the air. Anderson said: “We are trained to deal with these situations – we are prepared. I did an initial assessment.READ MORE SUN STORIES”He said his pain was an eight out of ten so that rang some alarm bells. “We took a few different readings and they were all abnormal so we didn’t want to be over the Atlantic.”Pearce showed his appreciation to the staff memberCredit: ITVThe trio recalled the events on the flight from Las VegasCredit: RexPearce was in good spirits despite the recent ordealCredit: RexPearce said the diagnosis was a virus that affected his heartCredit: ITVPearce and Anderson pose together after being reunitedCredit: RexFans paid tribute to ‘Psycho’ during the Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City matchCredit: Getty More

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    ‘She squeezed my breasts and I took off almost all my clothes’ – Wag Diletta Leotta reveals airport security trauma

    DILETTA LEOTTA has lifted the lid on a traumatic travel experience she described as “incredible torture”.The TV presenter has claimed she was left feeling “embarrassed” after an invasive security check at a German airport.Diletta Leotta has revealed her ‘traumatic’ travel experience in a German airportCredit: Instagram @dilettaleottaThe Dazn Serie A presenter revealed how a policewoman overdid it during a security checkCredit: GettyLeotta was returning from watching husband Loris Karis star for SchalkeCredit: AFPLeotta, the wife of former Liverpool star Loris Karius, explained she was returning to Italy after watching her partner play for Bundesliga 2 side Schalke.As reported by Bild, she told Radio 105: “I had to go back to Italy, and as I was going through the metal detector, a policewoman came and wanted to check me.”At one point, I took off almost all my clothes. I was wearing almost nothing under my arms and told her, ‘Look, I have nothing under my arms’. “But she insisted on tickling me under my arms, which was incredible torture. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”She also told me to take off my shoes and tickled me under my feet. “It was traumatic because my brother held me like that (with his arms raised) and tickled me under the armpits. “He was really strong. He tickled me all over my body and I used to wet my pants.”Leotta, 33, had been juggling her career working as a presenter on Dazn for Serie A games with travelling to see Karius.Most read in FootballKarius, 31, joined Schalke in January and has played in each of their last four games, with Leotta regularly in attendance, including the German’s debut when he was mobbed by team-mates.However, she admitted her job would make it difficult to attend matches all the time.Ex-Premier League star Loris Karius marries sports presenter Wag Diletta Leotta in star-studded Sicily wedding She told RND: “I was in Gelsenkirchen for the match against Preussen Munster two weeks ago and saw a packed stadium with over 60,000 people, just like the following week in Berlin. “It was a surprise to experience this fascinating second division with an incredible fan base. “Of course, I’m attending a Serie A match almost every week, which will make it difficult to come more often – but whenever I have time, I’ll be happy to come back.”The couple met in late 2022 and have enjoyed a whirlwind romance since, welcoming a daughter named Aria in August 2023. More

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    Erling Haaland’s injury is a frustrating setback but it solves a tricky problem for Dream Team bosses

    IT was an eventful Sunday for Erling Haaland (£7.8m) and the many Dream Team managers relying on him for points.Manchester City’s No9 had his first-half penalty saved by Kepa Arrizabalaga (£3.4m) as Pep Guardiola’s side took on Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium in the FA Cup quarter-finals.Haaland banked seven points against the CherriesCredit: RexHaaland turned from zero to hero when he scored a typical poacher’s effort soon after the restart to spark the visitors’ comeback victory on the south coast.However, the majority of Dream Team bosses were then frustrated when the Norwegian striker was forced off just after the hour mark with what appeared to be an ankle injury.He was later pictured leaving the stadium on crutches.At this point in time, it seems highly unlikely Haaland will feature against Leicester on Wednesday night – a favourable fixture that may have yielded plentiful returns.In fact, Haaland was among the most transferred-in players prior to Gameweek 29 and, for the first time in months, the most popular captain.Haaland was replaced by Omar Marmoush in the 61st minuteCredit: PAIf he doesn’t play against the Foxes in midweek then many gaffers will see their best-laid plans scuppered by unpreventable circumstances.Naturally, those who captained the prolific 24-year-old will be irritated but this twist of fate may turn a difficult decision into an easy one in relation to the upcoming Gameweeks.Man City are one of just seven teams with two games to fulfil this Gameweek but the tables will turn after the next deadline.Most read in FootballHaving been eliminated from the Champions League by Real Madrid, City do not have any European fixtures to bolster their schedule for the remainder of the campaign.As a result, they have just two fixtures to fulfil across the next two Gameweeks at a time when Arsenal, Aston Villa, Manchester United, Tottenham and Chelsea will play four times, due to the two-legged European quarter-finals.The FA Cup is Guardiola’s last trophy hope this seasonCredit: GettyNewcastle and Crystal Palace will also play three times in the same time frame.That’s seven teams with more fixtures than City across the next fortnight or so.Had Haaland avoided injury and added to his goal tally against Leicester, gaffers will have faced the difficult choice of sticking by the game’s second-best performer or replacing him with one of the many viable options on the right side of the fixture deficit.That tricky conundrum is seemingly a straightforward decision now Haaland is a major availability doubt for Gameweek 30.The likes of Son Heung-min (£4.6m), Ollie Watkins (£5.2m) and Bruno Fernandes (£7m) are likely to be popular recruits this week.Score PredictorPlay Score Predictor with Dream Team this season!FREE to play£250 weekly prizePredict scores of five selected Premier League fixtures and earn points for accuracyMost points wins weekly cash prizePLAY NOW More

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    Glam footballer Madelene Wright shows off bum in bikini as she’s branded ‘incredibly sensational’ in sizzling beach pics

    GLAMOROUS footballer Madelene Wright was labelled “incredibly sensational” after her latest social media post.The former Charlton Athletic and Leyton Orient player is regularly leaving fans speechless and her latest trip to the beach was no different.Madelene Wright left fans stunned with her latest Instagram postCredit: https://www.instagram.com/madelene_wright/The footballer and model posed in a bikini on the beachCredit: https://www.instagram.com/madelene_wright/Fans were sent into a meltdown by the picturesCredit: https://www.instagram.com/madelene_wright/Madelene took a dip in the waterCredit: https://www.instagram.com/madelene_wright/Madelene, 26, posed for some snaps by the sea in her bikini as she took a break away from the football pitch for some much-needed recovery.And fans of the footballer and model were quick to jump to the comments section to shower her with compliments.One wrote: “You’re just amazing Maddie”.While another added: “You’re incredibly sensational, absolutely beautiful, very cute, very stunning and absolutely gorgeous.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLA third gushed: “Oh Madelene is wonderful”.And a fourth simply posted: “Beautiful”.Madelene’s posts have earned her a huge following online with over 320,000 people following her Instagram account and thousands more keeping a keen eye on her TikTok.Away from her impressive life on social media, Madelene is also a top footballer.Most read in FootballShe broke the hearts of Leyton Orient fans last year when she announced she was leaving the club after less than a year in E10.And she now lines up for FA Women’s National League side Chesham United.Glam footballer Madelene Wright shows off her new glasses with smouldering video before sharing cheeky bum pic Madelene used to be on books at Charlton Athletic before she was sacked in 2021 after footage was uploaded to Snapchat of her swigging champagne while driving and inhaling a balloon at a party.Alongside her globetrotting lifestyle and her time on the football pitch, Madelene works as an OnlyFans model.She has previously boasted that her side hustle earns her a whopping £500,000 per year and helps fund her lifestyle away from the beautiful game.Inside Madelene’s glamorous life as influencer, footballer and OnlyFans star…Madelene Wright signed for Chesham United FC Women last yearCredit: Instagram / madelene_wrightFootball is her first loveCredit: https://www.instagram.com/madelene_wright/Wright used to play for Leyton OrientCredit: InstagramThe footballer lives a glamourous lifestyleShe works as a social media model alongside her footballCredit: InstagramMadelene has over 320k followers on InstagramCredit: Instagram @madelene_wrightThe football star also has an OnlyFans accountCredit: Instagram / @madelene_wrightShe claimed to have made over £500,000 from the platformCredit: Instagram @madelene_wrightShe has continued her OnlyFans alongside her footballCredit: twitter @MaddieMadeleneMadelene used to play for Charlton Athletic tooCredit: Instagram @Madelene_Wright More

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    Ex-Man Utd Player of the Year, 35, goes off in tears with injury five minutes after coming on for South American giants

    ANDER HERRERA left the pitch in floods of tears over the weekend.The 2017 Manchester United Player of the Year joined Argentine giants Boca Juniors in January as a free agent.Ander Herrera left the pitch in floods of tears after picking up a fresh muscle injuryThe former Man Utd midfielder was consoled by his Boca Juniors team-matesHerrera went off in tears with a fresh injury five minutes after coming on for the South American giantsHerrera was brought on at half-time in their latest clash but felt a pull on his leg in the 50th minute.It came with his side already 2-0 down to Newell’s Old Boys.The former Paris Saint-Germain midfielder looked devastated as he cupped his hands to his mouth and covered his face with his shirt.His Boca Juniors team-mates immediately dashed over to console him before he was replaced by 22-year-old Exequiel Zeballos, while the game was still in play.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSFormer Man Utd star Edinson Cavani – who joined Old Trafford after Herrera left – missed a penalty for Boca Juniors shortly afterwards.The visitors could not find a way back in and missed out on the chance to move top of the Primera Division.Meanwhile, Herrera has picked up three injuries since his shock South American move and has played just seven games for the club.But the Spaniard has been plagued by injuries since his second stint with Athletic Bilbao in 2023.Most read in FootballThe 35-year-old made just 61 appearances for Bilbao in just over two years from January 2023 until two months ago.CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSAnd Herrera even considered throwing in the towel in 2023 after telling his Instagram followers about the darkest time of his career.That year, he wrote: “I am going through, without a doubt, the most difficult moment of my career.’Leaving Man Utd works wonders’ – Fans love Antony’s wild Real Betis celebrations as he goes topless and waves huge flag”A little over a year ago I started having repetitive muscle problems from which I can’t recover. “For someone like me, who is passionate about his profession and enjoys it intensely every day, it is very hard. “I feel the same energy and enthusiasm for football as I have during my entire career, but injuries are not allowing me to enjoy and be happy.”Despite that, Herrera went on to win the Copa del Rey with Bilbao, who extended his contract for one year last summer.But due to persistent injuries, the LaLiga club agreed to pay him out of his deal and sold him to Boca Juniors six months later in January 2025.Herrera passed his medical and linked up with his former Man Utd team-mate Marcos Rojo, who captains Boca Juniors. But despite being hindered from a sustained run of games, Herrera is being backed by fans in Argentina. One wrote: “I support Ander Herrera wholeheartedly because he wants and feels like playing for Boca Juniors. He doesn’t care. “He’s crying with anger for not being able to help his team. I love you so much, Ander. I hope you get better soon.”Herrera won the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award after United won the Europa League in 2017Before signing, Herrera hailed the Boca Juniors atmosphere as “unforgettable” while visiting Rojo in 2023.The midfielder spent five years at Man Utd from 2014 and 2019, following his move from Bilbao.He won the club’s Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award after United won the Europa League in 2017.Herrera topped the voting in the poll, ahead of Antonio Valencia in second, with top scorer Zlatan Ibrahimovic in third.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe Spaniard subsequently joined PSG, winning two Ligue 1 titles and a runners up Champions League medal.He returned to Bilbao on loan in 2022 before making the switch permanent in January 2023.Herrera hailed the Boca Juniors atmosphere as “unforgettable” while visiting Rojo in 2023. More

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    Laura Woods gives rare glimpse into new life as mum with TNT Sports host pictured passed out asleep in candid photos

    LAURA WOODS has given fans a rare glimpse into her new life as a mum.Sports presenter Woods gave birth to a baby boy, Leo Ernie Collard, in January.Laura Woods shared a candid set of photos with baby boy LeoSports presenter Woods gave birth to Leo in JanuaryWoods shared a rare set of photos of her baby boy to InstagramOne of the photos showed Woods and Leo enjoying a napThe 37-year-old has taken a step back from regularly posting on social media while she looks after Leo alongside her fiance Adam Collard, with the pair having been dating since October 2023.But in a rare post, Woods took to Instagram to share a load of adorable photos of herself and Leo at home to celebrate Mother’s Day.She captioned her post: “Little Man…I don’t know what I was doing before you. “Happy Mother’s Day to all the mummies, especially mine! READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”What a blessing.”The post included adorable photos of Leo wearing a hat, and then one without, with another showing him sleeping next to a passed-out Woods.Videos were also included in the post, with one showing Leo laughing as he reacted to a hand brushing against his face while another showed Woods holding him as she serenaded him with a song.Another photo showed Woods and Leo wrapped up for a walk along the beach.Most read in FootballWoods, 37, has posted much less on social media while she looks after her babyEagle-eyed fans spotted Leo wearing an Arsenal topBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKReacting to the post, former talkSPORT colleague Gabby Agbonlahor reacted with a hands-raised emoji and red heart.Ally McCoist said: “There’s the wee man there!”Laura Woods gives birth to first child with Adam Collard as couple reveal sweet name in adorable post Meanwhile, fellow sports presenter Becky Ives said: “What a sweet boy!! Mumming looks good on you!”A fan said: “Absolutely adorable. And you look amazing.”A second said: “Beautiful pictures. They are the best. Great words.”A third added: “The cutest pictures for Mother’s Day. You should be very proud.”Eagle-eyed fans might have spotted Leo was wearing an Arsenal top in one of the snaps.Woods has already indicated she will be doing all she can to ensure Leo grows up as a Gooner.However, in a clip shared to Collard’s Instagram as his beloved Newcastle dumped Arsenal out of the Carabao Cup semi-finals, Leo was seen wearing a Newcastle babygrow with “Toon Army” emblazoned across it as he lay on a cushion on top of his mum’s legs.Collard revealed to the world that he’ll raise Leo as a Newcastle fan before the first leg of the semi-final.He did so by sharing an adorable snap of him lying down in a baby grow which had “mini magpie” written on it.READ MORE SUN STORIESWoods, an avid Arsenal fan, was far from happy.She reshared Collard’s story to her own and jokingly wrote “fuming” at the bottom of the photo.Join SUN CLUB for the Arsenal Files every Friday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from The Emirates More

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    World’s biggest stadium that dwarfs Wembley left to rust after hosting huge wrestling show with 350,000 fans

    THE world’s largest stadium has a staggering capacity of 150,000 – but is barely used.Opened in 1989 and situated in Pyongyang, North Korea, the Rungrado 1st of May Stadium was the first of its kind.The Rungrado 1st of May Stadium is the biggest stadium in the worldCredit: RexIt is situated in Pyongyang, North KoreaCredit: AlamyThe stadium is now rarely usedCredit: AlamyIt was built in response to South Korea constructing the Seoul Olympic Stadium in the early 1980s, with the rival nation determined to make a statement by building an incredible venue of their own.The stadium was at one time regularly used for sporting events as well as performances, shows and celebrations.Six years after it was opened, the venue played host to Collision in Korea, the world’s largest professional wrestling pay-per-view event.Around 350,000 took to the stadium across the two-day spectacular.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLIt also held the world’s biggest gymnastics display with over 100,000 participants.However, despite being open for over 35 years, it is now barely touched.Although the stadium is used for some major showcases to the rest of the world, most of the time it sits in silence.The Rungrado 1st of May Stadium was left to decay for years until Kim Jong-un called for a refurbishment 10 years ago.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSIt underwent a refurbishment in 2015Credit: AlamyIt was given a fresh lick of paint and all 1,300 of its rooms were renovated.But it has only been used for some select large-scale events since then.World’s biggest stadium twice the size of Wembley with 200k seats left to rust after hosting mega wrestling showThe stadium has 16 arches in its scalloped roof which covers the huge 242,000 sq ft pitch below.Its total floor space is over 2,230,000 sq ft which spans eight stories, as the roof peaks at more than 200ft above the ground.The venue is currently used for small-time football matches, a few athletic events, and most often the games of the Arirang Festival – a large scale gymnastics event.Its estimated seating capacity is around 150,000, making it significantly bigger than Wembley Stadium in London, which can hold 90,000.It is also bigger than Manchester United’s new proposed £2billion stadium which is expected to seat 100,000 fans. More

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    ‘As if I were the one in the dock’ – Dani Alves’ wife breaks silence after ex-Brazil star has rape conviction overturned

    DANI ALVES’ wife has revealed she felt that she was the one in the dock following the overturning of the footballer’s rape conviction.The Tenerife-born beauty urged the trolls who targeted her to “quit venting their hate” against people they don’t know in a hard-hitting social media post shortly after learning the former Barcelona star was in the clear.Dani Alves was last year found guilty of raping a woman at a plush Barcelona nightclub in December 2022Credit: AFPThe former Brazil star won his appeal to overturn the conviction last weekCredit: AFPAlves’ wife, Joana Sanz, admits she felt like she was also on trial as she broke her silence after the overturning of the convictionCredit: GETTYFour Catalan High Court judges said in a 101-page written ruling released on Friday cancelling out Alves’ conviction and four-and-a-half-year prison sentence for raping a woman in a VIP toilet at Barcelona’s Sutton nightclub in the early hours of December 31 2022: “It cannot be concluded that the standards required by the presumption of innocence have been met.”They also branded his female accuser an “unreliable complainant” based on video evidence and part of her own testimony.Alves’ accuser plans to launch a last-ditch appeal to Spain’s Supreme Court after her lawyer’s previous attempts to get the former defender jailed for 12 years on conviction.The 41-year-old Brazil international spent 14 months on remand in prison ahead of trial before being released on bail.READ MORE SPORTS NEWSDespite the impending appeal, Joana decided to break her silence as she lashed out at those who questioned her decision to support her husband of nearly eight years.She gave him a second chance despite admitting she was seeking a divorce following his arrest in January 2023 – and two months ago posted a photo taken in their car of them interlocking hands next to a bouquet of flowers.In her Instagram post, published alongside a smiling selfie of her with her eyes closed, Joana said: “I was singled out, insulted, threatened and persecuted for two years. As if I were the one in the dock.“Despite so much media/public damage, I am still standing, not lacking work as so many wanted it to happen, faithful to my beliefs and defending what I think without being intoxicated by others.”Most read in FootballJoana Sanz has told trolls to ‘stop venting your hatred on people you know nothing about’Credit: GETTYSending a direct message to the Internet trolls and other critics who attacked her over her decision to stand by her man, she added: “‘I invite you to stop venting your hatred on people you know nothing about.”To get informed and educated, so you don’t have to bite your tongue, which sometimes poisons.”Shamed rapist Dani Alves spotted trying to go incognito in shades and baseball cap as he signs in at court on £1m bail She finished her message with the sarcastic words, “Feliz vida” – which in English translates to “Happy life”.The couple were pictured hand-in-hand in April last year in the first snap of them together in public after Alves’ trial.They also took advantage of their day out in the sunshine to eat at an exclusive restaurant in Barcelona city centre and go shopping.Sanz revealed shortly after Alves’ arrest she had demanded a divorce after he admitted for the first time to having sex with the woman he was found guilty of raping at Barcelona’s Audiencia Provincial Court.She later said the divorce had been put on hold and she gave evidence on Alves’ behalf at his trial from February 5 to 7 last year.Alves had to pay a £850,000 bail bond to secure his release and hand in his Spanish and Brazilian passports after being allowed to leave a Barcelona prison after he appealed his lower court conviction.It’s unclear if Joana Sanz will reinitiate divorce proceedings against Dani AlvesCredit: INSTAGRAM@JOANASANZHe ordered take-away hamburgers on his first night of freedom.Reacting to the appeal judges’ decision to clear him, fans of Joana and Dani Alves offered the couple their support online.One said: “The truth always wins, we love you Dani.”Another added: “Now who will cancel out all the suffering you experienced. READ MORE SUN STORIES”Make sure you enjoy the rest of your lives.”But Spain’s former Equality Minister Irene Montero, who is now an MEP for hard-left party Podemos, has accused the appeal court judges of dispensing “patriarchal justice.” More