Philippa Kaur

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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

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    Incredible moment referee KOs losing coach with karate kick to the face after he tried to attack him with a bottle

    THIS is the incredible moment a referee KO’s a furious member of a losing team’s coaching staff with a karate kick to the face during a Peruvian league match.Luis Alegre let rip with his right boot as the man invaded the pitch and ran towards him with the apparent intention of assaulting him with a plastic bottle in his hand.A member of the coaching staff ran on the pitch armed with plastic bottleCredit: XHe looked ready to attack the referee with the bottleCredit: XReferee Luis Alegre let out a karate kick to defend himself from the bottleCredit: XThe coach immediately fell to the floorCredit: XHe connected with his rival’s head, putting him on the ground and sparking the intervention of the police.Things then took a turn for the worse as the ref and his linesmen were surrounded by angry players looking for revenge.The drama occurred in the 82nd minute of Sport Huaquilla’s Copa Peru match against Magdalena CEDEC in Ancash north of the of the Peruvian capital Lima.TV footage showed it happened after Mr Alegre brought out a red card after one of his linesman appeared to point towards someone from the Magdalena bench.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe video showed the ballsy ref was no martial arts beginner – with his right boot connecting full-on with the jaw of the unnamed individual who rushed at him and went to hit him with his plastic water bottle.Remarkably Luis managed to keep hold of the red card he was brandishing in his left hand despite his rapid reaction to the assault he was about to become a victim of.The linesman nearest the action ran towards the pair before the karate kick in an apparent attempt to protect his colleague.Although he ended up trying to calm tempers elsewhere on the pitch as the situation threatened to derail.Most read in FootballPlayers tried to pull away the furious coachCredit: XOther players swarmed the officials angry with the referee’s actionsCredit: XThe situation threatened to boil overCredit: XCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThe man on the receiving end of the referee’s martial arts technique got up moments after being felled looking dazed.And perhaps thankfully for his own safety was persuaded not to react by one of his own team’s players who put his arms around him and moved him away.Ex-Man Utd star Memphis Depay sparks mass brawl with cheeky trick as four red cards are handed out in derby clash Match commentators responded by saying, when it was already too late: “Calm down lads, calm down” before adding as police intervened: “This sort of thing can’t happen.”The game was suspended after the incident.It was not immediately clear if the man kicked in the face had needed to be taken to hospital or whether he and the ref would face any disciplinary action. More

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    Chelsea set to learn Club World Cup opponents with emergency playoff after Fifa break their own rule

    CHELSEA’S opening Club World Cup replacement opponents are set to be decided by an emergency playoff – as Fifa break their own rules.And they could be handed a reunion with former Blues striker Olivier Giroud – and ex-Spurs skipper Hugo Lloris.Chelsea will discover who they will face at the Club World Cup through an emergency playoffCredit: GettyFifa are breaking their own rules to for the clashCredit: EPAFifa have confirmed it is now “considering” a one-off tie involving Mexico’s Club America and Los Angeles FC of the USA to fill the void after Leon were booted out of the tournament.Chelsea were due to play the Mexican side in their opening game in Atlanta on June 16.But Leon fell foul of Fifa’s multi-club ownership regulations as they are part of the group that also owns fellow Mexicans Pachuca, who also qualified as Concacaf Champions Cup winners.In a statement, a Zurich spokesperson said: “Fifa can confirm that it is considering a playoff match between LAFC and Club América for the right to participate in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, replacing Club León. “LAFC would participate in the match because they were the runners-up in the 2023 Concacaf Champions’ Cup, which León won.“America would participate because they are the highest-ranked team in Concacaf in the Fifa Club World Cup rankings. Further details will be provided in due course.”Suggestions that Fifa would open the door for Club America, the most widely supported club in Mexico, have grown in recent weeks.Mexican fans ensured sell-outs for the Concacaf Nations Cup finals in Los Angeles last week, even though Mauricio Pochettino’s USA side played the afternoon games in half-empty stadiums before the supporters arrived en masse.Most read in FootballJoin SUN CLUB for the Chelsea Files every Tuesday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Stamford BridgeBut under the regulations Fifa announced when they confirmed the tournament, NEITHER side should be considered.Fifa rules state that no country is allowed more than two representatives UNLESS those clubs were all winners of their confederation’s major club prize in the four-year qualification period.Todd Boehly gives major Chelsea stadium update and vows to leave Stamford BridgeThose regulations meant Liverpool, who would have qualified through Uefa’s coefficient system, were among the major European sides to miss out at the expense of Austrians Salzburg.But Fifa then designated Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami as a “host” team representing Concacaf rather than the USA, whose only official club involved is Seattle Sounders.Mexico already have Monterrey as well as Pachuca, filling their quota, with the measures against Leon instigated by a complaint from Costa Rica’s Liga Deportiva Alajuelense, who argued they should be handed their place as the next eligible side in the coefficient standings.Lloris joined LAFC, part-owned by US actor and comedian Will Ferrell, in December 2023 after more than 11 seasons at Spurs while Giroud, also 38, went to the MLS when he left AC Milan last summer.Leon have already appealed Fifa’s ban decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport and any playoff cannot be scheduled until after the result of the legal proceedings are known.Chelsea’s other two opponents in Group D are Brazilians Flamengo, who they meet in Philadelphia on June 20 and Tunisian outfit Esperance, with the final group game in the same venue four days later.The Blues have already been assured of around £30m in appearance money for the inaugural version of the expanded 32-team competition, with a further £67m up for grabs in potential prize money.England’s other representatives, Manchester City, start against Morocco’s Wydad in Philadelphia on June 18.READ MORE SUN STORIESThey then meet Abu Dhabi outfit Al Ain in Atlanta before finishing against Juventus in Orlando on June 26.If they win their respective groups, the two Prem sides cannot meet until the final in New York on July 13. More