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    Roy Keane admits he was ‘absolutely disgraceful’ with his drinking habits during Man Utd career

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    ROY KEANE has confessed to an “absolutely disgraceful” drinking habit during his golden years at Manchester United.The legendary hardman says he’d regularly neck pints four days in a row if there was no midweek match.Roy Keane believes people will be surprised to hear of his habitCredit: News Group Newspapers LtdGary Neville explained how habits improved in the mid-1990sCredit: YouTube / The OverlapKeane won seven Premier League titles, four FA Cups and the Champions League in United’s famous 1998-99 Treble season.But he believes the football world might be shocked to hear of some of his behaviour while at Old Trafford from 1993-2005.The ex-Republic of Ireland midfielder, 52, told Sky Bet’s Stick to Football podcast: “People used to say I was a good pro..  Some of my stuff was absolutely disgraceful.”Keane went on to detail his drinking routine if Alex Ferguson’s men knew they were out of action during the week.READ MORE TOP STORIESHe said: “Definitely on Saturday. Definitely on Sunday.”Many times I’d go Saturday after the game, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday. Pints or whatever it was I was drinking at the time.”But he stressed: “I’d draw the line on Wednesday, to be fair.”Then-United team-mate Gary Neville reckons many top-flight players were habitual drinkers in that era.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSHe told Keane during the podcast chat with Ian Wright and Jill Scott: “The reason you got away with it was because a lot of the players in the other teams were doing the same.”As long as they could all drink 10 pints they were all at the same fitness level.”Roy Keane’s Biggest TV Rants Keane suggested his relative youth, plus playing in such a good team, helped him thrive despite drinking.But when Neville outlined his own all-the-same theory, Keano nodded and said: “Probably.”Ex-England defender Nev also explained how football’s off-the-pitch standards were promptly transformed. He said: “I always look at that period pre 1995-96 as all players were doing the same thing.”1996-2000 professionalised a lot in that period – nutritionists came in etc.”Keane agreed but joked: “I carried on for a while – they’re not changing me!”Meanwhile, Neville revealed he once had a fit and fainted while covering an England game at Euro 2020.Keane’s career faded dramatically after he left Old Trafford following a fall-out with Fergie.READ MORE SUN STORIESAnd after seven months at Celtic – the club he supported as a kid – the former Nottingham Forest hero quit playing on medical advice in June 2006.Two-year spells as manager at Sunderland and Ipswich followed before he became a Sky Sports pundit known for his frank opinions. More

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      I’m homeless, back at AA & staying in my agent’s spare room, says England legend Paul Gascoigne as he opens up on battle

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      TROUBLED footie legend Paul Gascoigne is homeless and back at Alcoholics Anonymous, he has revealed.The 56-year-old, who for decades has battled alcohol addiction and mental health problems, says he’s bunking in a spare rom at his agent’s house.Paul Gascoigne told the High Performance Podcast he is homeless and back at Alcoholics AnonymousCredit: MEN MediaGazza was considered one of the greatest footballers of his generation and was capped 57 times for EnglandCredit: GettyDesperate to get sober, Gazza admits he’s now a “sad drunk” who boozes “indoors” instead of going out.He told Jake Humprey’s High Performance Podcast: “People know Paul Gascoigne but Gazza, no one knows. Even me sometimes.”When I’m really down, that’s when I pick up a drink to cheer myself up.”Considered one of the greatest footballers of his generation, the Gateshead-born midfielder was capped 57 times for England.Read More on Paul GascoigneHis most iconic moment came at Italia ’90 when he cried after being given a yellow minutes before England’s epic World Cup semi-final defeat on penalties to West Germany.But it was following the ex-Newcastle, Spurs, Lazio and Rangers legend’s retirement in 2004 that his life spiralled out of control.He explained: “The drinking side of it was more when I finished playing. I don’t think I let any managers down, or the players or the fans you know.”Gazza’s battle with alcohol has left him jailed or sectioned on numerous occasions over the years.Most read in FootballThese have included drink-driving offences and being drunk and disorderly.He went to rehab for a seventh time for alcohol addiction in 2014, attending a £6,000-a-month clinic in Southampton.Roy Keane told Paul Gascoigne ‘Gazza, stop it’ after England legend taunted Man Utd icon over his ‘wife’At his worst he splashed out £20,000 to have anti-boozing pellets put in his stomach to try and stop drinking.In a 2021 interview he admitted he will “always be an alcoholic”.Gazza’s demons have seen him seek on and off help from Alcoholics Anonymous, which he says he has recently started revisiting.The dad-of-three, who admitted violence towards first wife Sheryl, now lives at agent Katie Davies’s house in Poole, Dorset.He explained: “I called Katie up in November a few years ago crying my eyes out.”What I put myself through and other people, jail and rehab – taking cocaine off toilet seats.”Gascoigne says he now sinks six coffees by 10am and barely watches football as he misses it too much.But it hasn’t all been plain sailing – as cruel neighbours allegedly put gin bottles on Katie’s doorstep to try and tempt Gazza.He added: “I think the time I’ll give in is when I’m in a wooden box.”Apart from that, I’ll keep on fighting on.”It was following the ex-Newcastle, Spurs, Lazio and Rangers legend’s retirement in 2004 that his life spiralled out of control. More

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      Wayne Rooney reveals he boozed in abandoned house and got caught with cider and cigarettes by manager at 14

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      WAYNE ROONEY has revealed the lengths he would go to drink alcohol and smoke cigarettes as a teenager.And despite getting caught by academy boss Colin Harvey the former striker went on to become an icon at his boyhood club Everton.
      Wayne Rooney opened up about his drinking and smoking tactics when he was a teenager
      Rooney revealed at 14 he was caught with cider and cigarettes by his Everton academy bossCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      When he was just 16 Rooney made his senior debut at Everton in the 2002-03 season.
      But by then he was chugging cider and lighting up cigarettes and was busted two years prior by his youth coach while crossing the road.
      After he was caught the 38-year-old said he would look for low key spots to drink including breaking into abandoned houses to do so.
      Speaking to fellow Liverpudlian Jamie Carragher on the Stick to Football podcast brought to you by Sky Bet, he said: “You Jamie Carragher know where I grew up.
      READ MORE ON ROONEY
      “It wasn’t an easy place to live but, I absolutely loved growing up there, it taught me so many different things.
      “I remember when I was 14, I was crossing the road, I think it was a Thursday or something like that, and I was playing for the U19’s on the Saturday for Everton, Colin Harvey was the manager.
      “So, I’m crossing the road, I’ve got a bag of cider, a packet of cigarettes, and a car stopped to let me cross, and it was Colin Harvey.
      “We used to go to an abandoned, empty house and we’d knock the windows through, and we’d sit in there and drink.”
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      Despite Rooney’s mischief during his teenage years he went on to have a glittering career at Manchester United.
      Raking in 12 major titles and becoming the club’s all-time record goalscorer.
      Wayne Rooney reveals his major role in wife’s Wagatha Christie trial and ‘applied to study law’ at university after case
      He then repeated the same record for England before it was broken 11 years later by Harry Kane.
      Rooney did admit the alcohol hindered his playing career and if he had stopped he may have been able to take his career to the next level.
      He continued: “When you look back, I think – and I spoke about it when I did the documentary – I had different issues, ended up drinking way too much and obviously that took its toll.
      “You can always look back and think – ‘If you didn’t do that, would you have played at an even higher level, achieved more, played for longer’ – all these questions, again, it’s hindsight.” More

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      ‘Pointless advice’ is slammed as football fans going to Euro 2024 told to take it easy because German beer is STRONGER

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      NANNYING civil servants have warned footie fans heading to Euro24 to go easy on the beer – because the German stuff is stronger.The “killjoy” officials were last night slammed for the “pointless advice” telling Brits to watch how much they drink.
      England skipper Harry Kane attends the 188th edition of the traditional OktoberfestCredit: Getty
      The average strength of beers and lagers in the UK is 4.4%, while in Germany the figure is 4.7%Credit: Getty
      Up to 800,000 British fans are expected to head to games in Germany for the Euros, but the Foreign Office has warned them about strong beer they may encounter thereCredit: NNP
      Foreign Office diplomats even said supporters risked being banned from matches for turning up at the stadium too sloshed.
      England, Scotland and maybe Wales if they qualify will play in the European tournament that kicks off this summer.
      Up to half a million British fans are expected to head to games in Germany, which could even rise to 800,000. 
      But they have been warned by the Foreign Office: “Beer can be stronger than in the UK, so drink responsibly, know your limits and respect local laws. You may not be let into the stadium if you drink too much.”
      READ MORE IN SPORT
      The average percentage of alcohol in UK beer is around 4.4 per cent according to Drinkaware.
      Whereas in Germany that figure rises to between 4.7 and 5.4 per cent.
      Critics went studs tonight on the official government guidance for the throngs of travelling supporters. 
      Tory MP Kevin Foster told The Sun: “At a time when there are so many serious issues for the FCDO to be tackling in terms of global peace, passing comment on German Beer should be the least of their worries.
      Most read in Football
      “Fans travelling to Germany should respect our hosts and their laws, as we expect those visiting the UK to do, but they don’t need nanny state advice to do so.”
      Benjamin Elks of the TaxPayers’ Alliance piled in: “Brits enjoying a beer in Berlin need no lectures from kill-joy civil servants.
      “Taxpayers have had enough of pointless advice from pen pushers who think they know best.
      “Ministers should show a red card to these nannying diplomats”
      England captain Harry Kane was recently pictured holding a beer and wearing lederhosen following his move to Bayern Munich last year – albeit though he is teetotal.
      Munich is widely considered the beer capital of the world for the amount of breweries.
      England fans do not make a secret of enjoying the odd beer, with 17million pints thought to have been sunk across the UK during the 2022 World Cup. 
      Gareth Soutgahte’s England kick off their campaign on June 16 in a clash against Serbia, before then facing Denmark and Slovenia in Group C.
      Wales host Finland in the semi-finals of the qualification playoffs on March 21 in Cardiff. 
      An England football fan with a pint of beerCredit: EPA More

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      Marcus Rashford developed his taste for tequila after watching Netflix drama Narcos in lockdown

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      FOOTIE ace Marcus Rashford developed his taste for tequila after bingeing on hit series NarcosThe Manchester United star phoned in sick for training after a bender last week.
      Marcus Rashford developed his taste for tequila after bingeing on hit series NarcosCredit: Getty
      The Man United star phoned in sick for training after a bender last weekCredit: The Sun
      Rashford went for drinks at Lavery’s after arriving in Belfast
      A waitress said he asked for tequila with his lunch
      And he brought out his own bottle for dinner.
      We can reveal he started buying the Mexican hard stuff during lockdown, as he watched the Netflix drama based on Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar
      A source said: “Marcus loved Narcos and would binge-watch it, like lots of people.
      Read More on Football
      “He saw episodes where they were drinking tequila and thought he’d give it a try so he began ordering on the internet.
      “He got a taste for it and started buying really expensive bottles, spending thousands having them imported from the US and Mexico.”
      Rashford’s favourite brands of tequila, made from the blue agave plant growing in the Mexican desert, include £50 to £80 bottles of Artenom Seleccion de 1146 and Patron.
      He was dropped for Sunday’s FA Cup win at Newport and fined two weeks’ wages of £650,000.
      Most read in Football
      But he was back for last night’s Prem match at Wolves and was soon on target, scoring after just four minutes.
      Warning by Gazza
      By Joe Morgan
      PAUL Gascoigne has warned Rashford to avoid the road he went down.Gazza, 56, battled with booze during his career.
      He said he was a fan of Marcus but “you can tell things are just not right for him right now”.
      He said: “I’d say to him, ‘Don’t make the same mistakes as me’. He may need the help of the players around him, the staff to bring him round.
      “Marcus is earning a fortune at one of the biggest clubs in the world, and everyone thinks you do not have a care in the world. But the ­pressure is not always easy.”

      Rashford started buying the Mexican hard stuff as he watched Narcos based on Colombian drug lord Pablo EscobarCredit: Netflix
      Rashford,’s favourite brands include £50-£80 bottles of Artenom Seleccion de 1146 and Patron More

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      in Boxing

      Saudi Arabia to open first alcohol store in 72 YEARS in Riyadh as boxing fans say ‘open casinos and Vegas is finished’

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      FIGHT-LOVERS are dreaming of Saudi Arabia rivalling Las Vegas for boxing as the country prepares to open its first alcohol store since 1952.Only diplomatic staff can use the new Riyadh shop – but fans wonder if the change will eventually filter through to ring nights and transform the atmosphere.
      Anthony Joshua beat Otto Wallin in Riyadh last monthCredit: Getty
      Only a select band of diplomats will be allowed to buy alcohol from the Riyadh store, which is set to open within weeksCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Saudi officials are launching the store for a small group of non-Muslim expats to combat “the illicit trade of alcohol” – as drink is currently often imported in diplomatic pouches.
      But one boxing fan joked: “Open some gambling establishments and Vegas is finished BIG time BOXING.”
      Another added: “Anybody know any diplomats out there for Fury v Usyk?”
      And a third posted: “The silent crowds at the new home of boxing, might only be a short term issue…”
      READ MORE TOP STORIES
      But many fans were surprised by the development, with one saying: “Wow controversial”
      And others pointed out that, as the shop was for diplomats, any effects on boxing might take ages to filter through.
      Saudi Arabia’s keenness to become a superpower for mega bouts reached new heights in Riyadh on December 23 last year.
      On a heavyweight card hailed as one of the greatest ever, Anthony Joshua beat Otto Wallin and Joseph Parker stunned Deontay Wilder.
      Most read in Boxing
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      It comes as Saudi chiefs block YouTube boxing – which is a blow to social media stars like KSI, Jake Paul and Tommy Fury.
      His Excellency Turki Alalshikh, the chairman of the General Entertainment Authority in Saudi, controls boxing in the region.
      And he told DAZN: “Please, we don’t want any YouTuber fight again. I don’t talk about names.
      “I want fighters, I want fighters, this is what I support.” More

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      Former England manager Sam Allardyce labelled a ‘pioneer’ with pints of wine to hit ‘UK shelves for first time’

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      SAM ALLARDYCE was hailed a “pioneer” after pints of wine got the green light to go on sale in the UK for the first time in 50 years.As exclusively revealed by The Sun, the new legislation is set to come in next year.
      Sam Allardyce received plenty of praise after pints of wine were legalised in the UKCredit: PA

      It will see still and sparkling wine available to buy at supermarkets, pubs, clubs and restaurants in 568ml bottles.
      And that immediately prompted plenty of football fans to heap praise on Allardyce and credit him for the change.
      Big Sam was famously spotted drinking a pint of wine in undercover footage as part of the sting operation that saw the then-England boss get sacked in 2016.
      One supporter said: “Sam Allardyce is a pioneer.”
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      Another wrote: “Sam Allardyce walked so we could run / fall over.”
      A third added: “Sam Allardyce finally getting his way.”
      A fourth commented: “If his name was Sam Allardici we’d have started selling pints of wine 15 years ago.”
      A fifth quipped: “I’m not quite sure who wanted this in 2016 (apart from Big Sam obviously!) but there you go.”
      Most read in Football
      A sixth joked: “Big Sam just knee-slid through his kitchen.”
      And a final user replied: “Big day for Big Sam.”
      Allardyce, 69, had a record-breaking 30-day stint as Leeds boss last season but could not keep them in the Premier League and now remains without a club.
      Champagne in the imperial 568ml bottles was a favourite of Winston Churchill, who claimed it was “enough for two at lunch and one at dinner”.
      However, the champagne volume was outlawed in 1973 when Britain joined the European Common Market – while still wine has never before been sold in pint size in the UK.
      Now the Department for Business and Trade have confirmed the U-turn following Brexit – with the change providing extra choice for customers.
      Still wine will also become available in 200ml containers while sparkling wine can go in 500ml bottles – both new additions.
      And it means there will be just a 68ml difference between two of the sizes while regular full 750ml and half 375ml bottles continue.
      That is despite a consultation with 100,000 responses from 2022 showing 98.7 per cent favoured using metric units when buying or selling products, either as the primary unit of sale (as currently) or as the sole unit of sale (purely metric).
      The Government said: “The move to introduce the 568ml size would sit alongside the 200ml and 500ml measures already available, offering more flexibility and choice for customers.

      “The UK’s wine sector is set for the boost as part of the Government’s smarter regulation programme to ensure regulations are up to date and agile.”
      UK wine businesses produce around 12.2 million bottles of still and sparkling wine per year.
      The new measurements will see still and sparkling wine sold in 568ml bottlesCredit: Alamy More

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      in Motorsport

      Lewis Hamilton reveals he’s quit booze and ‘may never drink again’ as struggling F1 legend slams peer pressure

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      LEWIS HAMILTON has revealed he’s given up alcohol as he looks to transform his fortunes in Formula One.The seven-time world champion has criticised the peer pressure involved with booze despite his vast world experience.
      Lewis Hamilton has revealed he’s quit alcohol for goodCredit: Getty
      The seven-time world champion declared there’s too much pressure involvedCredit: Getty
      Hamilton recently launched a new non-alcoholic tequila drink, with the Brit expanding his empire off the track.
      The 38-year-old has now revealed he’s gone sober as he looks to get back to his best following Red Bull’s dominance over the past two seasons.
      Hamilton admitted he’s seeking “that extra one per cent”, as he continues to perform at the top level of the sport.
      The British legend told Vogue: “I don’t know if I’m going to drink again.
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      “Since I’ve stopped drinking, I’ve just been feeling so much better, so much more clarity.
      “There is pressure to drink within a social setting. You have one shot and feel like ‘Damn, why did I do that?’ when you get home.
      “I was like, wow, that’s kind of crazy how I’m feeling pressured.
      “And I realised, how can I be feeling pressure at 38? Imagine young 18 year olds.”
      Most read in Motorsport
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      Hamilton has endured another frustrating season with Mercedes, with the British star lying third in the World Championship standings.
      The Silver Arrows’ torrid time was epitomised at the Brazil GP last week, after Hamilton finished eighth and George Russell retired on lap 58 of 71.
      Meanwhile, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen has cruised to the world title with the Dutchman leading on 524 points following 17 race wins.
      The penultimate race of the season will see Las Vegas’ debut in the sport on November 18, with the Abu Dhabi hosting the 2023 finale on November 26.
      Mercedes and Hamilton suffered another devastating weekend in Sao Paulo More

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      Former Soccer AM star Tubes bravely opens up on his ‘life-ruining’ alcohol addiction after death of his dad

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      FORMER Soccer AM star Tubes has opened up about how golf saved his life after battling an alcohol addiction.Tubes was speaking on Beef’s Golf Club which is hosted by golf star Andrew ‘Beef’ Johnston.
      Tubes was a fan favourite on the beloved Soccer AM showCredit: Instagram
      The beloved presenter spent 21 years working on the showCredit: Sky Sports
      He joined Andrew ‘Beef’ Johnston for Beef’s Golf ClubCredit: youtube tubes and ange golf life
      Tubes, whose real name is Peter Dale, left Sky Sports this year after the much loved Soccer AM was cancelled.
      He was a cornerstone of the show from its early days and had spent a total of 21 years working for Sky.
      He now hosts Tubes and Ange Golf Life on his YouTube channel with celebrity guests including the likes of Andrew ‘Beef’ Johnston, comedian Tom Davis and Arsenal star Declan Rice.
      And in his podcast alongside Beef, Tubes bravely opened up about how golf “saved his life” after suffering from a crippling alcohol dependency.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      Beef asked Tubes about how golfing had helped his mental health generally and Tubes replied: “It’s been amazing. [It’s helped] since I finally admitted that I was addicted to alcohol. Which I should have done years ago. I knew from about 16 that I didn’t have a normal relationship with alcohol.”
      He described how the “buzz” of alcohol “was the most uplifting thing,” before comparing the feeling to a kid waking up on Christmas morning, saying: “You know when you’re a young boy and you’re so excited about the buzz of Christmas. That Kronenbourg would go down and I’d be like ‘yeah’, and I just wanted that feeling the whole time.”
      Tubes said that initially, his need to drink was to cover up his shyness in social settings, but it took a darker turn as the years went on.
      He explained that as he got into his twenties his “whole life revolved around alcohol” and he would plan his drinking around work commitments.
      Most read in Football
      This summer, he played alongside Celtic manager Brendan Rogers on the channelCredit: youtube tubes and ange golf life
      He said: “I would look at the Chelsea fixture list and it wasn’t like ‘ah amazing, Chelsea Vs United’ it was like, brilliant, Sunday game, that means I can go out after Soccer AM all day Saturday, get p***ed, get up in the morning, first thing, go and do it all again on Sunday.”
      Tubes said that the turning point in his drinking came after he struggled to process the death of his father.
      He said: “When my Dad passed away, for a year after that I was quite good. I was still drinking but I was quite good. But then six months to a year later I had a real dip.”
      He said he suffered from PTSD in relation to his father’s passing which caused his drinking to “step up”.
      He said: “The drinking wasn’t fun anymore. My whole life became planned around drink. I’d be buying little vodkas just to have them with me at all times.
      “I was constantly chasing that buzz. It was a mess. I was so addicted to alcohol it was unbelievable. First thing I’d do in the morning was pick up a little bottle of vodka and bang. I’d call it a little leveller.
      “So when I finally admitted I was ruining other people’s lives I said one day ‘enough is enough.’ I’m not upsetting my mum anymore, she’s just lost her husband six months ago, it’s not fair.
      “I thought right I need to do stuff which allows me to see my friends and doesn’t involve going to the pub. So I was like golf! Golf!”
      He presents Golf Life alongside his brother AngeCredit: youtube tubes and ange golf life
      He said that his co-host and brother Ange was the biggest golfer he knew so he asked them if they could play together.
      Tubes said that while he initially found golf boring, playing after giving up alcohol allowed “something to click in his head.”
      He said the social aspect of golf was particularly important to allow him to break his dependency on the substance, saying: “Golf was just so good. I thought, I’ve got my friends, I don’t need to be drinking alcohol. I’m having such a laugh.”
      “There was an addiction there [with golf]. When I hit a good shot I got such a buzz and I was celebrating my shots like goals.
      “It really helped me stay off the alcohol ’cause once you get past six months and you transform your life it becomes a lot easier.”
      Read More on The Sun
      As well as helping him to break his drinking habit, golf ultimately gave Tubes the platform to go full time with YouTube after leaving Soccer AM.
      Tubes and Ange’s Golf Life has gone from strength to strength since its launch, and its weekly episodes feature interview with celebrities ranging from golf pros, to musicians, to professional footballers.
      Alcohol must knows

      NHS guidelines on drinking alcoholAccording to the NHS, regularly drinking more than 14 units of alcohol a week risks damaging your health.
      To keep health risks from alcohol to a low level if you drink most weeks:

      men and women are advised not to drink more than 14 units a week on a regular basis 
      spread your drinking over 3 or more days if you regularly drink as much as 14 units a week
      if you want to cut down, try to have several drink-free days each week

      If you’re pregnant or think you could become pregnant, the safest approach is not to drink alcohol at all to keep risks to your baby to a minimum.
      You read more on the NHS website. More