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      Stunning beer prices at Miami GP revealed as F1 fans face staggering cost for drinks, steak sandwiches and pizza

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      FORMULA ONE fans at the Miami Grand Prix are facing a huge dent in their wallets after the prices of food and drink at the circuit were revealed.Miami is welcoming F1 fans from around the world for the fourth season in a row after its initial introduction on to the race calendar in 2021.The prices of food and drink at the Miami Grand Prix have been revealedCredit: ReutersFood prices at the event are extortionate including more than £22 for some pizzasCredit: Instagram / @kymillmanAlcoholic drinks can also cost anywhere from £9 for a beer to £98 for a bottle of bubblyCredit: Instagram / @kymillmanWhile the track which surrounds the Hard Rock Stadium – home of the Miami Dolphins – is not a favourite among drivers, fans are treated to the Coachella of F1.And like the UK festival, the price of refreshments and scran are quite the tough pill to swallow.F1 photographer, Kym Illman, revealed the remarkable price for goods at the circuit, which is the first of three visits to the United States for the motorsport in 2025.Taking to his social media page, Illman showed off the crazy price of a number of items including beer, bottled water, pizza and nachos BEFORE tax.READ MORE IN F1The video starts off with Illman outside of a food stand selling Italian cuisine.He reveals a pizza will cost fans between $16-$18 (£12-£14) and pasta will cost $25 (£19), reports from other outlets report other pizza stands hiking prices as high as $29 (£22) for a chicken pizza and $22 (£16.50) for a cheese pizza.If you fancy some fried calamari it would set you back a $23 (£17), while sushi costs between $6-$18 (£4.50-£13.50), tacos cost $18 and nachos cost $19 (£14.30).Meanwhile, a “budget option” turkey sandwich comes in at $18 while fans are charged $30 (£22) for a steak sandwich, $24 (£18) for a Chicken Royale with cheese or $14 (£10.50) for an Ultimate Game Day hot dog. Most read in MotorsportBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKFries are an extra $6 (£4.50)Vendors are also squeezing fan budgets with drink prices. 10 Years of Max Verstappen documentary trailerBeer prices work out at around $13 (£10) for a Heineken, while a local brand is marginally cheaper at $12 (£9).A more lavish Strawberry Daiquiri or Frozen Margarita will cost a cool $20 (£15).Meanwhile, a glass of Bubbly will cost $27 (£20) with a bottle coming out to $130 (£98).Bottled water is also far from wallet friendly at $6 a pop.These extraordinary prices are here to stay in F1 after it was announced on Friday that the track’s contract had been extended to 2041, making it the longest contracted circuit on the calendar.This season has seen Miami host a Sprint Race once again, with Lando Norris profiting from a Safety Car in a thrilling wet to dry race which saw three drivers crash out and four others hit with time penalties.Read More on The SunLewis Hamilton enjoyed a strong race after a brilliant strategy call to change to slick tyres which got him up to P3 before he suffered a disaster in qualifying later on.Max Verstappen scored pole position for Sunday’s race in the session a day after he announced the birth of his baby daughter, Lily, with Kelly Piquet.THE new Formula One season is well underway – and one team appear to be running away with it.A massive summer of change saw Lewis Hamilton move on from Mercedes and join Ferrari, while the McLaren pair of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri have a big chance to end Max Verstappen’s recent dominance.The Red Bull ace is aiming for a record-equalling FIFTH consecutive world title.INFORMATIONLATEST NEWSSEASON SO FAR More

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      ‘For a Spanish person it is strange’ – Marc Cucurella reveals thing he doesn’t like in Chelsea song about him

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      MARC CUCURELLA does have massive hair but he doesn’t like lager . . . That simple message is unlikely to prompt a rethink of the chant being sung in praise of the Spanish defender having frizzy locks and a thirst for Estrella, who has become an acquired taste like the famous beer from his homeland.Marc Cucurella has transformed his Chelsea fortunesCredit: GettyBoss Enzo Maresca has pushed Cucurella up into a more adventurous roleCredit: RexAfter a difficult start  at Stamford Bridge, Cucurella is regarded as a versatile left-back and goalscoring midfielder.Blues fans have been loving his displays as they sing: ‘He eats paella, he drinks Estrella, his hair’s f***ing massive.’That chant in his honour — to the tune of La Bamba —  has come from the stands more frequently in recent weeks.Grinning widely, Cucurella, 26, joked: “I don’t like Estrella, I don’t like the beer, I don’t like wine. I tried it but don’t like it.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“For a Spanish person it is strange  — but it’s the truth. I only like vodka.”There is no doubt that despite the jokes and even though he does not like wine, the dedicated pro has matured like a good vintage from any vineyard back home.A burglary at his home soon after  joining Chelsea in August 2022 hampered  attempts to settle in — but that is in the distant past now.Cucurella is quite short — a half pint if you like — but  is full  of character and spikiness when it comes to the Chelsea cause.Most read in FootballCucurella says he knows his quality and ‘my family believe in me’Credit: RexBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKIt is a huge turnaround from his  first season when personal problems and the transition of leaving Brighton to become a key signing in an experimental, but expensive squad  affected his  confidence.The £55million transfer fee was  questioned. His quality and durability doubted. ‘I played five minutes and it was my fault’ – Chelsea star opens up on horror season after big money transfer But Cucurella is now a major weapon in the Chelsea armoury.He has scored six goals this season — impressive for a full-back. And all coming since mid-December when head coach Enzo Maresca began tinkering with his team and pushed Cucurella upfield.He now slots in midfield when Chelsea are on the offensive and has scored twice as many goals as star forward Cole Palmer since that point in time when the manager switched tactics.Ahead of hosting Liverpool on Sunday, Cucurella said: “I feel very proud because when I joined  it was tough.“It was my first season and I tried to work hard, not say anything, work in silence. “I know my qualities, my family believe in me. So I try to work hard every day, show my qualities in training.“And then when I have the opportunity, I try to do it in the games. Now  my team-mates and  staff give me  confidence.”Cucurella is urging team-mates to use the awkward moment of forming a guard of honour for Liverpool as inspiration  for future glory.Tradition demands the newly-crowned Premier League champions are afforded an official tribute from their next  opponents after winning the title.It is a painful experience applauding  a rival team but defender Cucurella hopes it can put fire in the bellies of  the Chelsea players dreaming of one  day being on the receiving end.The Spaniard said: “They deserve it because they have been there all season.  If we need to do it, we do it.“This is before the game. It is a process and is not important.“Once the game starts we go for our objectives. We try to fight with everything and fight for the three points.“I don’t remember doing one before, this is the first time. Hopefully, we can have this as well in the next few years.“It’s what we are fighting for and  what we are trying to do.”We train every day for winning every game, for playing these important games… and we start to build something important.Marc CucurellaChelsea players had to endure the embarrassment of forming a guard  of honour at Stamford Bridge when Leicester won the title in 2016.Blues stars such as Gary Cahill, Eden Hazard and Cesar Azpilicueta were forced to bow down before the Foxes on their home turf.Not easy for a bunch of players who were ruthless and serial winners — a mentality that current Blues boss Maresca is trying to reintroduce.First step is bidding to win the Conference League — and Chelsea have one foot in the final after trouncing hopeless Swedes Djurgardens 4-1 on Thursday in their semi-final first leg.And Cucurella added: “We train every day for winning every game, for playing these important games, reach finals, play for titles.“This is our main objective and we start to build something important.”Liverpool have lost only two Premier League games on their march to a record-equalling 20th league title.Read More on The SunChelsea are 22 points adrift of them, have suffered eight losses in the league and  dropped points against lowly teams like relegated Ipswich.Maresca is sweating on the fitness of keeper Robert Sanchez while he has been monitoring forward  Christopher Nkunku ahead of this afternoon’s game. 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      ‘I couldn’t believe it’ – Ronaldo still stunned by how Brazil team-mate drank his £8,000 bottle of wine

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      RONALDO has a vintage reason for remembering a jaw-dropping incident with a team-mate.The former Barcelona and Real Madrid striker played alongside Vampeta for both Brazil and Inter Milan.Ronaldo has told of his shock when his pal opened some special wineCredit: GettyVampeta had an unusual reaction to spotting the bottleCredit: AP:Associated PressAnd even though the midfielder played only eight games for the Italians, he still made a special mark on Ronaldo – or at least his wine collection.The 98-cap legend had spent 10,000 euros – about £8,000 – on a bottle of Petrus wine.Arguably the most famous ‘plonk’ in the world, the brand from Bordeaux originated in the 18th century.Petrus wine takes three or four decades to reach its best – but Vampeta needed just a few seconds to do his worst!READ MORE IN FOOTBALLRonaldo, 48, told Brazilian podcast Charla what unfolded when the 51-year old saw the bottle.He said: “I bought a bottle of Petrus wine. I brought it home more for its symbolic value, being the most famous wine in the world. “I had no intention of opening it because the bottle dated back to the year of his birth – 1500.BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK”They had told me it hadn’t even been a good year! Most read in Football”Well, Vampeta opened it, took some plastic glasses, poured it, drank it and made a disgusted face saying, ‘It’s damn hot, is there ice in it?'”Erling Haaland’s salary is only ninth biggest in football with Chelsea flop Koulibaly earning more than Man City starIf that wasn’t enough for poor Ronaldo to deal with, he explained that Vampeta wasn’t quite finished.The ex-PSV Eindhoven hero added: “Then he started putting an ice cube in each glass.”And I couldn’t believe it because, as I said, it was just a wine for display.”There was no suggestion Vampeta was aware of the wine being so special.And it’s also unclear what Ronaldo meant by the date “1500”.That’s because the earliest trace of the Petrus vineyards in Pomerol, Bordeaux, appears to be the 1750s.Interestingly, however, the 19 years of especially fine vintages for the elite brand include 2000… the year Vampeta was making his own unique contribution to its history! Wine connoisseur Ronaldo twice won the World Cup with BrazilCredit: AFP More

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      I starred at World Cup and ended up in Premier League… I was lying to myself so quit at 29 to start booze and tea empire

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      HIDETOSHI NAKATA didn’t dream of becoming a legendary footballer.The Japanese star, now 48, wasn’t one of those kids that felt a deep-rooted passion for the game.Hidetoshi Nakata has enjoyed an eclectic career post-football retirementCredit: GettyNakata, now, 48, starred for Japan at three World CupsCredit: AP:Associated PressBut due to incredible talent and eye-catching flair, the skilful midfielder went on to become one of his nation’s best ever players.Despite not loving every aspect of the beautiful game, Nakata wasn’t one to shy away from the limelight.While still playing in the J.League, the silky dribbler was so desperate to be spotted at the 1998 World Cup by scouts from Europe that he dyed his hair before every game.Nakata got his wish with a £3.1million move to Perugia in Serie A, then considered the best league in the world.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLWhy then, did he find himself quitting football aged 29 just eight years later? And how did he go on to create his own booze empire?”I’m not a fan of football, I like to play football,” Nakata told The Athletic. “That’s the reason I left, I had lost the passion. If I didn’t have the passion, it was like I was lying to myself.”Having moved to Roma after two years with Perugia, Nakata fell in love with Italian culture.BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSNakata became a superstar after moving to ItalyCredit: AP:Associated PressThe midfielder celebrates with Roma team-mate CafuCredit: AP:Associated Press”Italy is all about the fashion, music, design, architecture, food, so you can imagine how it influenced me,” he said.Most read in FootballOn the pitch, Nakata managed to help Roma to the Serie A title, but there was one challenge that proved too much.Where are they now: The unusual careers of former footballersDisplacing future club legend Francesco Totti.Nonetheless, Nakata had more than quadrupled his value since his initial move to Perugia, with Parma willing to spend £18m on his services.Nakata’s passion for fashion off the pitch drew comparisons with David Beckham at the time, while thousands of passionate Japanese fans would flock to his matches – creating a fever pitch as he became the poster boy of the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea.Following an underwhelming move to Fiorentina, the football trailblazer signed for Sam Allardyce’s Bolton Wanderers on a season-long loan deal in 2005.Mid-way through that season, despite still being in his 20s, he decided that enough was enough.Like Zinedine Zidane, a player whose effortless skills Nakata couldn’t help but admire, the Japanese icon hung up his boots after playing at the 2006 World Cup in Germany.Following three years of travelling the world, Nakata returned to to his homeland and started a sake business.A big-money move to Parma came in 2001Credit: EPANakata was the poster boy of the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South KoreaCredit: EPAThe Japanese icon signed for Bolton on loan in 2005Credit: AP:Associated PressMASTER OF SAKE”When I was living in Italy, in my spare time, I used to visit wineries in the country,” he revealed. “So I started liking not only wine itself, but the people making the wines and the environment.”Then when I came back to Japan, thinking about Japanese culture, obviously it’s not about the wine. It’s sake, right?”So then I said, ‘OK, it’s unique, because sake is only made in Japan’. And, at that time, the Japanese food scene was becoming known around the world, but no one knew about the sake, including myself, so I thought that was a great opportunity to know about Japanese sake because it’s also part of Japanese culture as well.”Sake, an alcoholic drink likened to wine and made of fermented rice, went on to become Nakata’s new field of expertise, to a point where he even earned a “Master of Sake” qualification.While he sometimes struggled with his lack of love for football, he found that passion in his businesses.Nakata owns the Japan Craft Sake Company, as well as his Hanaahu luxury tea brand.He also remains involved in fashion, having modelled the sort of Stone Island range worn by football fans across the globe.Speaking to the brand’s website, Nakata revealed his next goal.READ MORE SUN STORIESEver the unorthodox former footballer, he said: “I want to change the farming industry.”And you wouldn’t bet against him.Nakata now owns a successful sake businessCredit: AFP – GettyThe ‘Master of Sake’ attended Paris Fashion Week earlier this monthCredit: Getty More

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      Inside England ace Ivan Toney’s wild £100k birthday party with £2k vodka bottles & free booze for women guests all night

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      IVAN Toney splashed out more than £100,000 on his 29th birthday party – with women guests getting free booze all night until 6am.The England ace hired a London nightclub and bought bottles of £2,000 Belvedere Vodka, and tequila, for every table.Footy star Ivan Toney (R) splashed out more than £100,000 on his 29th birthday partyThe former Brentford striker hired a London nightclub hosting guests including rapper Chip (pictured)Ivan Toney has been dropped from new boss Thomas Tuchel’s England squadCredit: GettyOne guest at the star-studded bash for the former Brentford striker, now playing for Al-Ahli in the Middle East, quipped: “No wonder he had to head home to enjoy himself – that would get him 10 years in jail in Saudi.”Among footballer guests at the VIP gathering were Bayern Munich ace Michael Olise, Chelsea’s Trevor Chalobah, and Joe Gomes of Liverpool, who had lost the Carabao Cup final 2-1 at Wembley Stadium to Newcastle United hours earlier.Celebrity rapper Chip, real name Jahmaal Fyffe, was on the decks.Footage shared with The Sun showed the grime heavyweight, who is at loggerheads with Stormzy, whipping up the crowd as Toney danced in front of him.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSChip referred to the Three Lions forward as “star boy” and played the goal machine’s favourite tracks.The England ace, dropped from new boss Thomas Tuchel’s first squad, danced the night away and was seen in emotional clinches with invited guests.But he put that disappointment behind him by hiring the Little Tate nightclub in central London for his pals.The VIP venue beamed “Ivan” in neon lights around the dance floor as the party got into full swing.Most read in FootballDisgruntled women guests voiced their displeasure at having to fork out for their own drinks before the birthday boy arrived. He had been splashing out on a slap-up meal with close pals.To make it up to the female revellers, Toney announced he’d get the bill for all their drinks – all evening.There was no sign of his long-term partner Katie Bio, mother to his two kids, at the noisy bash, which he was seen looking unsteady on his feet as he left at around 2am.Afterwards, special guests were invited to continue the party until 6am at the five-star Rosewood Hotel in London’s Holburn.And Toney is set to continue the celebrations on Monday night with another lavish restaurant meal and night out at the Cirque Le Soir nightclub.A pal said: “Ivan’s bill comfortably hit six figures, with the nightclub, celeb DJ, dinner and phenomenal drinks bill.“And the party will continue into the week.“Ivan was sad not to make the England squad so cheered himself up with a monster celebration. He’s a hit on and off the pitch.”Toney left Brentford for Saudi Arabia in a £40million deal after scoring 72 goals in 141 games for the Bees across four seasons, having returned to action following a ban for gambling offences.The star bought bottles of £2,000 Belvedere Vodka, and tequila, for every tableThe England ace now plays for Saudi club Al AhliCredit: Getty More

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      I’m a barmaid at a Premier League club where staff romp in store room at half-time – here’s why I’d never date a player

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      OUR barmaid has worked for a top Premier League football club for seven years – and in that time she’s seen it all. She’s met countless footballers, broken up fights, seen colleagues have sex in a storeroom mid-game and been snubbed by stuck-up Wags.Our barmaid has been pulling pints at a Premiership ground for seven years (stock photo)Some football fans can be great fun at the bar… but not all of them (stock photo)But the 31-year-old loves the job and says the club workers are like a family.Here, she reveals the best place to work and the easiest way to bag yourself a football star lover… if you really want one.’Terrible’ sex with starI wouldn’t touch a footballer with a barge pole. They’re so arrogant and rude and seem to think they’re better than anyone else – I’m yet to meet a nice one.Mind you, I should have known that from the start.Before I worked here I met a footballer in a bar and ended up having sex with him down an alleyway.It was not an impressive experience…..it was terrible sex, as if he was doing me a favour.The Wags are even ruder than their boyfriends.They sit there with their handbags and perfectly manicured nails and treat everyone who works at the club as if they’re something disgusting that they’ve trodden in.But it’s weird because as soon as footballers have retired they turn back into decent people.Football player gets ‘smacked by wife’ during warm up ‘after cheating on her’The ex-footballers often come to the bar where I work – the posh one – and they’re really friendly to all the fans.They never mind doing selfies and having a chat – I think they come for a bit of an ego boost as they’re still hero-worshipped by the supporters.And though I rarely saw a current player drinking, the retired ones often drink like fish!One of them gave me a Christmas card with £100 worth of vouchers.He wasn’t after sex – he was just being generous.But some of the bar staff working here are still desperate to bag a footballer and spend hours getting ready before work.I’ve known a couple of girls get with players but it never lasts… and honestly if that’s what you really want to do, you’re better off in a city centre night club.Bagging a Premier League star is the dream for someOur barmaid says some stuck-up Wags can treat staff appallingly (stock photo)Looking to score When I saw the job advertised for match day staff I leapt at the chance – firstly because I’m a huge football fan and also because I thought it would be the perfect place to find a man.It’s easy to give favoured customers a free pint – you’re serving so many customers, it’s really hard for anyone to keep track.I ended up having a year-long relationship with one man and several flings both with customers and other bar staff.There’s a storage room with tables and chairs in it, deep under one of the stands, it’s a well-known venue to have a quickie in. We put a team scarf on the door to show it’s occupied!A lot of bar staff end up having relationships with each other, after all it’s mostly young people working here – at 31, I’m one of the oldest.There’s a storage room with tables and chairs in it, deep under one of the stands, it’s a well-known venue to have a quickie in. We put a team scarf on the door to show it’s occupied!I’m married now so there’s none of that any more. I actually met my husband on Plenty of Fish, but he’s a huge football fan and enjoys coming along to matches and propping up the bar while I sneak him a few free pints.Staff often sneak off to the store room for a romp during games (stock photo)Home or away?I’d advise anyone looking for a job at a football stadium to firmly state you’d rather work in the “home stands”.You get to know people as they’re often season ticket holders and come to every match.But in the “away” team side people are mostly there for a “day out” in a different city, so they will start drinking on the journey to the stadium and are rowdier.In general, facilities for away team fans are poor and the stewards and police are more heavy-handed.I think it’s a mistake, it sets up an aggressive atmosphere – if they feel they aren’t being treated well then they’re more likely to behave badly.I think being nice and appreciating all the fans would lead to better behaviour.I have noticed recently that clubs are doing more, like giving away fans free cakes and coffee – it’s a good idea.Red card for rude customersI don’t get riled by much. When I was at university in Glasgow I worked in a pub and I’d get men refusing to be served by an English woman. It didn’t annoy me, I’d just think they were the ones losing out as it would take longer to get served.I’m local to the football club, so my accent here isn’t an issue – but I have had men refusing to be served by a woman.I find it crazy that men are so chauvinistic, but if they want to wait it’s no skin off my nose.It does get incredibly busy at half time and people get really impatient, particularly if you need to change the barrel.The one thing that bothers me above all else is when someone starts clicking their fingers at you.If someone does then I completely ignore them – it’s the worst way to try to get served quickly.At the end of the day I’ve got what they want, so they should be polite. If someone is I remember them and “notice” them waiting in line and serve them quickly.If I’m honest, if the bloke is good looking I’m quick to serve them too, even though I’m a happily-married woman with a three-year-old daughter!Stewards are quick to step in if there’s any tension (stock image)Full time at the barI’ve refused to serve people on a regular basis – you can always tell when you need to call time on someone.I’ve grown up around football so I don’t get very intimidated by the men I see and I’m more than happy to tell them they’ve had enough.As soon as someone’s slurring heavily, aggressive or struggling to stay standing I stop serving.I’ve also been known to quietly give someone alcohol-free beer – they never notice!We’re lucky that our stewards are very co-operative and will always defend the bar staff, they’re very protective of us female staff. And I always smile – it’s much harder to be rude to someone who’s being polite to you.Football fans love throwing beer at each other – with no booze allowed in stands now (file image)Cocaine is rife at the club where our barmaid works (stock image)Drug cheatsHaving said I’m not intimidated, there has been a noticeable increase in young men – under 25 – taking cocaine at the football.It’s rife at our club, and worrying. It makes them far more aggressive and out of control. You can tell by their eyes if they’ve been indulging.It worries me as it makes them more unpredictable than just being drunk – they get worked up very quickly.I do love seeing the famous faces too – we get loads of reality TV stars, but also the odd pop star and actor, which still causes a ripple of excitement in the standsThey seem to be looking for fights and people to pick on – it’s a shame, it makes it a different atmosphere. I’ve seen fights break out between them, on occasion I’ve just spoken sharply and told them to pack it in, but other times the stewards have had to step in.We do have the odd drink when we’re serving – it’s thirsty work – but I’ve never seen any of the bar staff get actually drunk or take drugs.Here for the beerThere’s a ban on drinking at your seats which has been in place for years and I agree with, because people used to chuck beer at each other and no one wants to leave a match soaking wet.Generally speaking you have a steady trickle of customers at the beginning of the match, then at half time it goes absolutely bonkers.What I find weird is when people come to the football and then spend the whole time by the bar, watching it on the screens.It’s not as though the beer is cheap or it’s particularly comfortable. I guess they’re soaking up the atmosphere, but it seems like such a waste of money.Some men seem to prefer spending the whole match at the bar (stock image)Football and beer can be a great combo…. up to a point (stock image)Family gamesGenerally speaking, the bar staff get on really well with each other and we go out partying after some of the matches.There’s three generations of one family all working at our club – the granny works in catering – pies are the fan’s favourite – the mum is a bar supervisor and her son works in the bar.You get to know each other and some of the fans really well and it’s friendly – like being in your local pub and enjoying seeing the regulars.But I do love seeing the famous faces too – we get loads of reality TV stars, but also the odd pop star and actor, which still causes a ripple of excitement in the stands!Staff at the huge northern club our barmaid works at love to go out and party together (stock image) More

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      Premier League stars among 530 footballers being treated for addiction to drugs, alcohol and gambling

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      PREMIER League stars are among 530 footballers being treated for addiction to drugs, alcohol and gambling and other mental health issues, figures reveal.Last season, 80 professional players sought therapy for problems with illicit substances such as cocaine and nitrous oxide, as well as sleeping pills and booze.Brentford Premier League star Christian Norgaard, pictured above, recently revealed he previously feared he was becoming addicted to sleeping tablets. He said: “It’s a topic that has been going under the radar.”Some have become addicted to using black market zopiclone tablets to help them sleep as part of their recovery from training.The stars received treatment from the Sporting Chance clinic, which works with the Professional Footballers’ Association.READ MORE ON ADDICTIONOf the 530 supported last season, 42 players got help for gambling addictions.But these latest PFA figures for 2023-24 are said to be just the tip of the iceberg as scores of top stars seek help privately.Officials are also increasingly worried about the prevalence of nicotine pouches, called snus — with one in five professional footballers admitting to using them.And on Friday, it emerged two unnamed players tested positive for a banned ­substance immediately after games in the Premier League and Football League last season, according to UK Anti-Doping.Most read in FootballA dealer, who has supplied sleeping tablets to stars in the Premier League, said: “The main reason some players rely on them is because of their sleeping patterns.“Some expect players to train twice a day and want them to sleep in the afternoon to recover. It’s hard when your body is wired.A Premier League star has become the first footballer to go into rehab for an addiction to nitrous oxide canisters”Other times they rely on them is when they have a big midweek game which kicks off at 8pm. They might not get home until the early hours.“I know a few players who have tried to wean themselves off them but it’s hard.“They go cold turkey and spend days suffering from acute tiredness — but also being unable to sleep.”Brentford Premier League star Christian Norgaard recently revealed he previously feared he was becoming addicted to sleeping tablets More

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      Plied with drugs dissolved in booze and hosed down like an animal – inside tragic Maradona’s House of Horror court case

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      ON the football pitch, Diego Maradona was revered as a god, but in his final days the legendary footballer is alleged to have been treated more like an animal.This week Argentina has been gripped by the start of a five-month trial in which seven of the people tasked with caring for the man who led the country to the 1986 World Cup are accused of his homicide with possible intent.Seven people tasked with caring for Diego Maradona are accused of his homicide with possible intent, the legend in coaching role in 2019Credit: GettyMaradona’s cheat goal against England in the quarter-final of 1986 World Cup in MexicoCredit: GettyFans crowd the hearse as Maradona’s body is taken to the cemetery in 2020Credit: AFPDoctor Leopoldo Luque, centre, wrote ‘the fat man’s going to end up kicking the bucket’ in vile WhatsApp messagesCredit: AFPMaradona died aged 60 from heart disease at his rented home in Tigre, near Buenos Aires, on November 25, 2020, two weeks after undergoing brain surgery.The prosecution claims that the team paid to look after him were criminally negligent.In heated scenes, Maradona’s former lover, Veronica Ojeda, was heard shouting “daughter of a bitch” at one of the accused as the hearing got under way on Tuesday.Outside the court in San Isidro, north of Argentina’s capital, a fan held up a placard with the message “Justice for D10S” — a nickname mixing Maradona’s shirt number and the Spanish word for God.READ MORE ON MARADONA‘Kicking the bucket’Others had tears in their eyes as they chanted his name.There have been claims that Maradona drank beer in the morning and was given sleeping pills dissolved in his booze at night while he was under the accused’s medical care.WhatsApp messages were uncovered in which his neurologist, Leopoldo Luque, wrote “the fat man’s going to end up kicking the bucket”.And it is alleged Maradona was washed down with a hosepipe rather than being helped to the shower.Most read in FootballThe former Barcelona and Napoli player has been adored in the South American nation since his moments of individual brilliance — and his infamous handball “hand of God goal” against England — saw them lift the World Cup in Mexico in 1986.Considerable amounts of his fortune, once estimated at £75million, were blown on addictions to alcohol and cocaine, which contributed to his terrible state of health.Diego Maradona’s daughter fights back tears as she says family live in fear of mafia ahead of trial into his death At the time of his death his heart weighed 503 grams, which was almost double what it should have been.But the prosecution case is that with the right medical care, Maradona would have survived.Chief prosecutor Patricio Ferrari told the court: “You will see during this trial what reckless home care is — reckless, deficient, without precedent, without any type of control during the period that ended with Diego’s death. “In that house of horror where Diego Maradona died, no one did what they had to do.”The problems began for Maradona when he was feted in the southern Italian city of Naples for twice taking their once-lowly side to historic league titles in 1987 and 1990.The Mafia, dominant in the region, kept him supplied with drugs and prostitutes, yet he still somehow managed to play at the top level.Two years before his death, the star told British documentary maker Asif Kapadia of his time there: “Sunday to Wednesday I was partying on cocaine. I would come home high on drugs.”In that house of horror where Diego Maradona died no one did what they had to doChief prosecutor Patricio Ferrari In 1991, traces of cocaine were found in Maradona’s urine sample and a couple of weeks later 1.5g of the same drug was found by police at his flat in Buenos Aires.Maradona’s ex, Veronica Ojeda, demands justice outside trialCredit: GettyA fan holds up a placard with the message ‘Justice for D10S’ — a nickname mixing Maradona’s shirt number and the Spanish word for GodCredit: AFPMaradona’s daughters Dalma and Gianinna arrive for trialCredit: GettyLater, he was sent home from the 1994 World Cup in the United States after testing positive for a stimulant called ephedrine.His attempts to get clean were always short-lived, with hangers-on often willing to get him whatever substances he desired.He also had a voracious appetite for alcohol, food and young women.In 2005, the 5ft 5in Maradona weighed nearly 20st and underwent a gastric band operation.Emergency surgeryThe star had eight children by various mothers that are known of, but since his death at least three other people have come forward claiming to be his offspring.It was not until 2007 that he recognised Diego Jnr as his son. He had been born in 1986 to a mistress.There were a number of health scares over the years, including being treated by doctors at half-time when he was watching Argentina play at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.The most serious was on November 3, 2020, when he underwent emergency surgery at La Plata hospital in Buenos Aires for a blood clot on his brain.His personal doctor, neurosurgeon Luque, performed what appeared to be a successful operation.But there was a question over whether the patient would be better off staying in hospital, where there would be swift access to emergency care, or if he should instead recover in a home setting.Luque, who is one of the seven accused, agreed to take Maradona to the legend’s rented residence in Tigre on November 11.If he got up at 9am and asked for beer he was given itGriselda Morel, an educational psychologist Prosecutor Ferrari told the court: “Clearly, the victim was not in full use of his mental faculties and even less could decide on his own about his health.”He entered that place for a clinical rehabilitation and home medical care that we can say without any doubt was calamitous.”The prosecution alleges that there was no defibrillator on hand to help restart Maradona’s heart if he went into a cardiac arrest and that the medical team did not carry out the necessary checks.Prior to the start of the trial, Griselda Morel, an educational psychologist who worked with Maradona’s eight-year-old son and visited his home, claimed that the sick star was given alcohol.She alleged: “If he got up at 9am and asked for beer he was given it.“One of his custodians crushed tablets he was taking and put them in his beer so he didn’t cause a fuss at night.” Griselda said that Maradona was so confused he would speak on an imaginary phone.The other six accused are psychiatrist Agustina Cosachov, addiction specialist Carlos Diaz, doctor Nancy Forlini, nursing co-ordinator Mariano Perroni, nurse Ricardo Almiron and clinical physician Pedro Pablo Di Spagna.Heart in formaldehydeAnother nurse, Gisela Dahiana Madrid, has asked to be tried separately.Gisela’s lawyer, Rodolfo Baque, has claimed that when the nurse warned that Maradona’s heartbeat reached a high 115 beats per minute in the days before his death, “nothing” was done about it.When the former footballer was found unconscious at around 12.30 in the afternoon on November 25, 2020, the medical team spent 45 minutes trying to revive him. But experts believe he died between 4am and 6am, which suggests no one checked on the patient for at least six and a half hours.Post-mortem blood and urine tests revealed Maradona had been given a cocktail of prescription drugs including Quetiapine, Venlafaxine and Levetiracetam which are used to treat depression, panic attacks and epilepsy among other conditions.Fernando Burlando, the lawyer representing Maradona’s daughters Dalma and Gianinna, said outside court that the player had been treated like an animal and went as far as to call it “murder.”The accused are on trial for homicide with possible intent, which could result in 25-year prison sentences. They all deny the charges.Luque said: “The death occurred unexpectedly, suddenly, during sleeping hours, without offering us any time.”The complex medical trial will last until July and see around 100 witnesses give evidence.The final verdict will be delivered by three judges.One of the key pieces of evidence will be Maradona’s heart, which has been kept in formaldehyde at a police laboratory ever since his death.One of the key pieces of evidence will be Maradona’s heart, which has been kept in formaldehyde at a police laboratory.READ MORE SUN STORIESThere have been claims that fans had plotted to steal the organ. And during the 2022 World Cup, Argentinian fans campaigned to have the heart flown to host nation Qatar along with the country’s football team.Why the heart finally failed Maradona — a lion on the football pitch — is sure to inspire a passionate response from devoted fans whatever the court decides.Model of Maradona in a model house shown to courtCredit: Getty More