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      Ex-Arsenal star Mesut Ozil ‘banned from return to former club over links to far-right group who tried to kill Pope’

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      MESUT OZIL has been banned from visiting his former side Werder Bremen due to “recent actions” that “do not represent the club’s values”.The Bundesliga side is hosting a “farewell game” for beloved former player Diego Ribas this Saturday.Mesut Ozil has raised eyebrows with a new tattoo on his chestCredit: Instagram / @m10_officialWerder Bremen are set to celebrate their legendary former Brazilian star Diego RibasCredit: ReutersThe Brazilian, 40, dazzled crowds during his three years with Werder between 2006 and 2009.Several of his former team-mates have been invited to take part, but not Ozil.The former Germany international played alongside Diego during the 2008-09 season.So his name is a notable omission from this weekend’s festivities.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLPer Bild, a Werder spokesperson said: “We have agreed with Diego not to invite Mesut due to his recent actions, which do not represent the club’s values.”Since hanging up his boots, Ozil has become involved in politics.Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan was best man at Ozil’s wedding in 2019.Ozil, whose parents are Turkish, was named on the Central Decision and Management Board for Erdogan’s Justice and Development party.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSOzil reveals his tattoo in a picture alongside Achraf HakimiCredit: Instagram @alperaksac7Ozil played for Werder Bremen between 2008 and 2010Credit: GettyThe former midfielder, who now has a hulking bodybuilder’s frame, has also raised eyebrows with a new tattoo on his chest.The tattoo appears to feature a grey wolf with three crescent moons – symbols often associated with right wing extremism.’He’s got a sense of humour’ – Sky Sports panel in stitches after Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta’s stunt in live TV interviewThe Grey Wolves group are a controversial Turkish far-right movement.Banned in France and Austria, the Grey Wolves have been linked with several high-profile crimes including the 1981 attempted assassination of Pope John Paul II.Ozil’s team of representatives did not comment when asked by the Telegraph if their client’s tattoo was a direct reference to the Grey Wolves organisation.Turkey international Merih Demiral was banned for two matches by Uefa last summer for his “Grey Wolf” celebration performed during Euro 2024.The gesture saw Demiral raise the index and little finger of each hand above his head.At the time, Uefa claimed that the ban was handed to Demiral “for violating the basic rules of decent conduct, for using sports events for manifestations of a non-sporting nature and for bringing the sport of football into disrepute”.Merih Demiral was banned for this controversial celebrationCredit: EPA More

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      Glam footballer Madelene Wright puts on busty display in racy lingerie as she celebrates St Patrick’s Day

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      MADELENE WRIGHT took social media by storm once more with another raunchy snap.Madelene, 26, often treats her fans with a series of glam photoshoots on social media.Madelene Wright posed in a tiny green lingerie for St Patrick’s DayCredit: Instagram @madelene_wrightThat is after Madelene posed in a bikini during her recent holidayCredit: INSTAGRAM @madelene_wrightMadelene often shares glam pics on social mediaCredit: X formerly Twitter / @WrightMadelene_Madelene has hundreds of thousands of followersCredit: X formerly Twitter / @WrightMadelene_This time the footballer decided to celebrate St Patrick’s Day with a busty outfit.The athlete posed in a tiny green lingerie for her 315,000 followers on Instagram.Madelene issued the following caption: “Happy St Patrick’s Day.”This comes after the social media model left fans stunned with a series of bikini pics.Read More on FootballMadelene recently went to enjoy a sunnier climate to escape the UK winter chill in January.That is after she returned to football with Chesham United Women this season.That is four years after she was sacked by Charlton over a controversial video.She was axed by the Addicks in 2020 after she was reportedly seen inhaling from a balloon at a party and swigging champagne while at the wheel of her Range Rover.Most read in FootballMadelene has since gone on to become a major star on OnlyFans.And she regularly posts saucy content for loyal subscribers to access.Glam footballer Madelene Wright shows off her new glasses with smouldering video before sharing cheeky bum pic It is believed she earns around $659,000 (£526,000) per year, which she revealed gives her an amazing lifestyle.She told SunSport: “I was able to get my own place, I’ve been able to travel the world and I’ve enjoyed a lot of luxuries.”Inside Madelene’s glamorous life as footballer and OnlyFans star…Madelene lives a glamourous lifestyleShe often wows her fans with raunchy picturesCredit: InstagramMadelene has over 300k followers on InstagramCredit: Instagram @madelene_wrightShe celebrated her birthday in styleCredit: Instagram / @madelene_wrightThe football also has an OnlyFans accountCredit: Instagram / @madelene_wrightShe claimed to have made over £500,000 from the platformCredit: Instagram @madelene_wrightThe footballer used to play for Leyton OrientCredit: Instagram/@madelene_wrightShe has continued her OnlyFansCredit: twitter @MaddieMadeleneShe often dresses in revealing outfitsCredit: InstagramMadelene used to play for CharltonCredit: Instagram @Madelene_Wright More

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      ‘He runs and plays like the devil’ – How Putin’s spies used Ronaldo YouTube videos to send coded messages to Moscow

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      VLADIMIR PUTIN’S spies used Cristiano Ronaldo YouTube videos to send coded messages back to Moscow. The incredible revelation came to light when a seemingly regular couple were jailed after being found guilty of spying for Russia in Germany. Spies for Vladimir Putin lived an apparently normal life in GermanyCredit: APThey commented on YouTube videos of Cristiano Ronaldo to communicate with MoscowCredit: ReutersTo their neighbours in the town of Marburg, an hour north of Frankfurt in western Germany, Andreas and Heidrun Anschlag appeared to be a normal married couple. They had Austrian passports, which turned out to be fake, and claimed to be citizens of the neighbouring nation with South American descent.Andreas worked as a car engineer while Heidrun looked after the house and their daughter, who had no idea of her parents’ true identities. Barring long phone calls in the garden during winter, a German journalist Mika Beuster said: “There was nothing that would distinguish them from any other family in the town.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut for 23 years, they were paid £80,000 per year by Russia to spy on the West – starting before the Berlin Wall came down in 1989.Mr and Mrs Anschlag – whose real names are unknown – passed thousands of secrets to the Soviet Union and Russia, including from the EU, Nato and the UN.They were aided by a mole at Dutch foreign ministry who sent monthly documents to be collected from so-called dead letter boxes while USB sticks were left in burrows for them to fetch.The couple used radios and satellites to communicate with Moscow’s Foreign Intelligence Service, the SVR.Most read in FootballBut the rise of the internet gave ‘Pit’ and ‘Tina’ a new way of messaging their spymasters in broad digital daylight. The Anschlags created a YouTube profile under the username @Aplenkuh1 – which translates as “Alpine cow 1” – in early 2011, with the Kremlin opening an account for themselves soon after called @crsitanofootballer. Cristiano Ronaldo opens up on ‘f—ing clueless’ coaches he’s played for, Messi relationship and calls himself the GOATAccording to the BBC’s former Security Correspondent Gordon Corera in his book Russians Among Us, the comments section of videos of then-Real Madrid hero Ronaldo playing football was a chosen forum for communication. Corera writes: “The YouTube platform created another novel way of communicating. “The couple and the SVR created accounts a couple of months apart in early 2011 which commented on videos, mainly about the footballer Cristiano Ronaldo.“They wrote, ‘It’s a very nice video and the song is also very good.’”This was answered by the SVR account called crsitanofootballer, saying, ‘He runs and plays like the devil.'”This, German investigators believe, was a means of communicating by hiding in plain sight amid all the noise on the world’s largest video platform.”The comments included a sequence of punctuation marks that could be turned into numbers which would then be referred back to a pre-agreed message.”This was the next step on from the famous number stations, public radio broadcasts to spies and illegals in code, that have been used by the Russians as well as other countries for decades and can still be heard.” The Anschlags were tracked by special intelligence forces and made a dramatic raid on their German home in October 2011.It is understood Heidrun was receiving an encrypted message through a transmitter in their study when the authorities stormed in, causing her to fall off her chair in shock and pull the connection cable out. READ MORE SUN STORIESThe couple were sentenced in July 2013 – Andreas to six-and-a-half years in prison, Heidrun to five-and-a-half years – while the Dutch minister official got 12 years. However, by the end of 2015, both spies had been freed from jail and deported to Russia. Ronaldo was playing for Real Madrid when they created the accounts in 2011Credit: APHeidrun and Andreas Anschlag were initially prisoned in Germany before being deported to RussiaCredit: EPA More

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      New £34m Man City star Abdukodir Khusanov looks emotional as he’s gifted £135k Mercedes on return to Uzbekistan

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      MANCHESTER CITY ace Abdukodir Khusanov looked emotional after being gifted a lavish new car by his compatriots.Khusanov, 21, joined City during the January transfer window following a £34million deal with Lens.Manchester City star Abdukodir Khusanov received a lavish gift from his compatriotsCredit: RedditMan City star Khusanov was gifted a Mercedes-Benz G-ClassCredit: RedditKhusanov got emotional after his compatirots’ touching gestureCredit: RedditKhusanov returned to Uzbekistan for the international breakCredit: RedditThe centre-back has already amassed eight appearances and a goal under Man City manager Pep Guardiola.And now the Uzbekistan international is back in his homeland for the international break.Khusanov’s return was filmed by some of his compatriots, who had a very special surprise for the hometwon hero.The defender’s move to the Etihad effectively makes him the most famous Uzbek footballer of all time.Read More on FootballAnd his fellow countrymen wanted to honour his representation at elite football.So Khusanov was gifted a Mercedes-Benz G-Class, which is rated at about £135,000.The player looked emotional on camera with his fans’ touching gesture.The City star expressed his gratitude and took his brand new ride for a spin.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSKhusanov had some very humble beginnings in Uzbekistan as he cut his teeth in Bunyodkor’s academy before moving to Belarusian outfit Energetik-BGU Minsk, which ultimately led to his big break at Lens.Khusanov is now set to lead the national team in their two upcoming World Cup qualifiers.Man City sign Abdukodir Khusanov in £34m deal with ‘tank’ as quick as Usain Bolt roped in to bolster Pep’s defenceUzbekistan will be facing Kyrgyzstan and Iran this month before the player returns to City, who are looking to seal a place in the top five ahead of the last few fixtures of the season.Khusanov joined Man City in January after a £34m deal with LensCredit: Getty More

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      Declan Rice and Son Heung-min star in best Dream Team XI of players who feature in less than 10% of teams

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      THIS international break gives Dream Team managers time to reflect upon the season so far.One aspect to consider is the players who have flown under the radar.Here we’ve assembled the best possible XI, based on total points, made up of available individuals who currently feature in less than 10% of teams.Surprised?Credit: GettyGOALKEEPERAndre Onana (7.4% ownership) – 156 ptsMany Dream Team bosses will be surprised to learn that only David Raya (£4.4m) and Emi Martinez (£3.9m) have more points than Manchester United’s last line of defence.No goalkeeper has conceded more goals than Onana in all competitions after 28 Gameweeks but he ranks third for saves with 107.Factor in nine clean sheets and the Cameroonian keeper has somehow cobbled together a respectable points tally, despite the Red Devils’ problems this season.Overlooked by too manyCredit: GettyDEFENDERSDaniel Munoz (5.5%) – 230 ptsJurrien Timber (5.9%) – 191 ptsMarc Guehi (9.2%) – 172 ptsThe presence of two Crystal Palace regulars suggests too many gaffers have overlooked the Eagles this campaign.That is certainly true of Munoz, who ranks second among all assets in his position having contributed five goals and six assists on top of 12 clean sheets.Most read in FootballThe Colombian wing-back also ranks third among all players for tackles – he does it all!Palace are due to face Fulham and Southampton in Gameweek 29 – Munoz surely deserves a popularity spike before the next deadline.Timber’s relatively low ownership is down to the fact most gaffers will opt for Gabriel (£4.6m) or William Saliba (£4.5m) when they’re keen on an Arsenal defender, understandably so.But the Dutchman is a perfectly viable option too as he’s now just four points shy of his French team-mate and 13 short of the Brazilian.Timber makes more tackles than the Gunners’ first-choice centre-backs and earns more bonus points.Bonus ballCredit: GettyMIDFIELDERSYouri Tielemans (6.4%) – 221 ptsDeclan Rice (7.6%) – 216 ptsBrennan Johnson (8.4%) – 208 ptsEberechi Eze (8.7%) – 205 ptsAlexis Mac Allister (5.2%) – 204 ptsMorgan Rogers (£3.9m) has justifiably been one of Dream Team’s most popular midfielders this season but it’s interesting that Tielemans’ ownership has never reached double figures when he ranks joint-ninth in his position, just a shade below his widely-owned team-mate.The Belgium international leads the way among all players for bonus points with 48 – only one other player, Ryan Gravenberch (£3.2m), has more than 40 at this juncture.Generally speaking, attack-minded midfielders tend to perform better than their more defensive counterparts, which probably explains Rice’s relatively low ownership.However, Arsenal’s No41 has registered 13 goal contributions, thanks in no small part to his set-pieces.In fact, Rice’s well-directed corners have helped him create 23 big chances in 2024/25 – only Mohamed Salah (£8m) is above him in this metric.Set-piece specialistCredit: ReutersJohnson remains Tottenham’s top scorer this term and he was previously among the most selected players in the game.His ownership plummeted when he suffered an injury in January and is yet to recover.Eze is the third Palace representative in this XI, underlining the South Londoners’ success since their upsurge in form a few months ago.The England international averages 6.8 points-per-game.His dribbling skill and ability to draw fouls has helped him gain 37 bonus points, a tally only bettered by five players.Dream Team bosses have called upon Luis Diaz (£3.5m) and Dominik Szoboszlai (£4.3m) when in need of a Liverpool midfielder but those who have taken a punt on Mac Allister have been duly rewarded.The World Cup winner ranks first for tackles among his team-mates and joint-second for bonus points, not to mention his 11 goal involvements.A formidable asset even at half capacityCredit: AFPSTRIKERSSon Heung-min (9.7%) – 260 ptsCody Gakpo (6.2%) – 239 ptsThe Spurs captain is the man with the most points who features in less than 10% of teams across all positions.Son has not always been at his best this season but it’s a measure of his pedigree that he ranks seventh overall having scored 11 goals and provided 14 assists in all competitions.The South Korean superstar might be an excellent option in April, when Ange Postecoglou’s side will face Southampton and Wolves around two Europa League quarter-final legs against Frankfurt.Last but not least, it’s Gakpo, who boasted a much higher ownership before his ill-timed injury at the end of February.Salah has been an essential asset from the get-go but there have been times when doubling up on Liverpool forwards has yielded plentiful returns.Gakpo has scored 16 goals this season, a tally only bettered by four players.The Dutchman came off the bench against PSG and Newcastle and is therefore in contention to start against Everton after the international break.However, Liverpool assets are not as viable as they were following their elimination from the FA Cup and Champions League.Here’s the team in full…Andre OnanaDaniel MunozJurrien TimberMarc GuehiREAD MORE SUN STORIESYouri TielemansDeclan RiceBrennan JohnsonEberechi EzeAlexis Mac AllisterSon Heung-minCody GakpoScore 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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      Newcastle cult hero has ‘best job in world’ as forgotten star who has played just 3 times parties with Shearer and Co

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      A NEWCASTLE cult hero has the “best job in the world” after celebrating their Carabao Cup success with Alan Shearer.Mark Gillespie, 32, came up through the ranks at Newcastle’s academy between 2000 and 2008.Mark Gillespie toasted Newcastle’s Carabao Cup win with Toon icon Alan ShearerCredit: InstagramFans reckon the £600,000-a-year back-up goalie has the ‘best job in the world’Credit: RexHe then enjoyed spells at Carlisle, Walsall and Motherwell before returning to St James’ Park in 2020.The goalkeeper has since played just THREE TIMES and has not made a single appearance in the past three seasons.However, Gillespie still pockets a cool £600,000 a year from his contract.The ace also lives a jetset lifestyle with glamour Wag Sally Rea.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAnd he was front and centre of Toon’s party following Sunday’s Carabao win.Eddie Howe’s men beat Liverpool 2-0 at Wembley to win their first trophy in 70 years.Fans look set to enjoy a bus-top parade later this month.But before then, Newcastle stars partied into the night as they toasted their success on the pitch.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSAnd Gillespie looked to be having a whale of a time as he led the celebrations.The ace enjoyed a smiley snap with Magpies legend Shearer, who proudly wore the goalie’s gold medal.Eagle-eyed fans in hysterics as they spot Newcastle star ‘choking on confetti’ during Carabao Cup presentation Gillespie was front and centre of Newcastle’s trophy celebrationsCredit: XShearer reposted Gillespie’s picture on Instagram Stories, with a caption reading: “That’s how he dreamed about it last night.”Gillespie then posed for a hilarious shot showing him holding a beer in one hand and tray of drinks in the other.And fans quickly declared that Gillespie must have the “best job in the world” as a result.One said: “Mark Gillespie has the best job in the world, he is basically employed to enjoy Newcastle United.”Another declared: “Mark Gillespie luckiest man in the world right now.”One noted: “Gillespie gets paid to have a p**s up from Newcastle, love it.”READ MORE SUN STORIESAnother boomed: “Gillespie man living the dream.”One added: “Gillespire has an even better job, he doesn’t evenhave to help wth the warm-ups any more.” More

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      Eagle-eyed fans in hysterics as they spot Newcastle star ‘choking on confetti’ during Carabao Cup presentation

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      FOOTIE fans were left in hysterics during Newcastle United’s Carabao Cup final celebrations.The Magpies ended their 70-year-long wait for domestic silverware last weekend with a 2-1 win over Liverpool at Wembley.Newcastle United ended their 70-year trophy drought by winning the Carabao CupCredit: REXSean Longstaff celebrated wildly as the trophy was hoisted in the confetti-filled airCredit: SKY SPORTSThe midfielder seemed to gag on the confettiCredit: SKY SPORTSThe Magpies were over the moon after the final whistle, but even more so when they finally got their hands on the trophy.Eddie Howe’s troops leapt for the stars after being presented the cup in the Royal Box.Green and white confetti filled the sky as the Toon stars celebrated, although a piece of it ended up getting caught in Sean Longstaff’s mouth.Footage of the midfielder reacting to the confetti going into his mouth spread like wildfire on social media, with one footie fan saying: “Unbelievable.”READ MORE ON NEWCASTLEAnother said: “Dying!”And another said: “Could only be Longstaff.”One remarked: “I saw this while replaying and laughed my head off. Glad you’re okay Sean, we love you!”Another chimed in: “Missed this and now p***ing myself at Longstaff nearly choking to death on a bit of confetti.”Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSCarabao Cup final ratingsNEWCASTLE ended their 70-year trophy drought in style by beating Premier League champions-elect Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final.The 2-1 scoreline flattered the Reds in truth, with Eddie Howe’s Toon having produced a sensational performance to flatten runaway league leaders.Local lad Dan Burn, fresh off his first England call-up, rose highest to head his boyhood club into the lead on the stroke of half-time.Alexander Isak then deservedly doubled Newcastle’s lead shortly after the break.The Toon could have further increased their advantage, only for forgotten man Federico Chiesa to hand Liverpool a late lifeline on 94 minutes.But that goal was unable to spur a further comeback as Newcastle saw out the remaining added time.Here’s how SunSport’s Lloyd Canfield rated the Liverpool players and Gary Stonehouse rated the Newcastle players.Howe – the first English manager to win a major trophy since 2008 – was overjoyed to have ended Newcastle’s trophy drought.The 47-year-old said: “We were well aware of the history.How Newcastle outsmarted Liverpool with Dan Burn and Alexander Isak’s genius tricks”We knew what was at stake for all our fans — we wanted to do them, and the club proud and win the trophy.”Eddie Howe was over the moon to end Newcastle’s trophy droughtCredit: REX More

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      Nottingham Forest star serenades team-mates after being bizarrely gifted guitar by Ed Sheeran following Ipswich win

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      NOTTINGHAM FOREST star Callum Hudson-Odoi celebrated the victory at Portman Road with a guitar given to him by Ipswich Town super fan Ed Sheeran. Forest are one step closer to realising their dream of Champions League qualification after beating Ipswich 4-2 on Saturday and maintaining third place in the Premier League table.Ed Sheeran gifted Nottingham Forest star Callum Hudson-Odoi a guitarCredit: Instagram @olaainaHudson-Odoi played the guitar after Forest beat Ipswich TownCredit: Instagram @olaainaIpswich super fan Sheeran had a special signed inscription for Hudson-OdoiCredit: Instagram @olaainaHudson-Odoi, 24, handed pop star Sheeran, 34, a rather unpleasant evening as the Tractor Boys’ minority stake holder watched his beloved team plunge into deeper relegation trouble.According to The Athletic, however, the singer remains a big fan of the Nottingham star and gave him a special gift after the final whistle.Sheeran was absent at Ipswich as he is currently in the US for business.However, the artist had pre-arranged to have a guitar gifted to Hudson-Odoi in exchange for a match-worn shirt.Read More on FootballAnd Forest team-mate Ola Aina shared a clip showing the ex-Chelsea star serenading Nuno Espirito Santo’s men with his musical abilities.The winger paid tribute to Sheeran as he attempted to play his popular Shape of You song in the visitors’ dressing room.Aina then focused the camera on the signed inscription the singer left for the England international.It read: “Callum, loads of love mate.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSHudson-Odoi and Co had a very good reason to celebrate after the final whistle.Forest are now seven points ahead of sixth-placed Newcastle, who have a game in hand.Nuno thanks the fans after solid defensive performance against ArsenalNuno’s side have a strong chances of qualifying for Europe’s elite competition for the first time in three decades.Sheeran, who is a fan of Hudson-Odoi, was gracious in defeatCredit: GettyHudson-Odoi helped Forest get one step closer to Champions League qualificationCredit: Rex More