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      in Soccer

      Former England star Andy Carroll reveals he spent £1,000 on exotic cat before giving it away just two weeks later

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      FORMER Liverpool and Newcastle striker Andy Carroll has revealed he spent £1,000 on an exotic cat – only to give it away two weeks later.Carroll caused a stir this summer when he left cash-strapped Reading for Ligue 2 French side Amiens – and it’s fair to say not many people saw the move coming.
      Andy Carroll said too much money at a young age led to some unwise decisionsCredit: PA:Press Association
      That included buying a Bengal cat which he had to give to his parentsCredit: Getty
      Explaining the transfer to the French side located 75 miles north of Paris, Carroll, 34, told The Daily Mail: “I was at Newcastle from seven years old. I made my debut at 17. I just thought, ‘You know what, if I don’t go [abroad] now then I’ll never go’.
      ” I had another season at Reading. I wasn’t playing and I spoke to the manager. He wanted legs up top which is something I don’t have. I was going to say ‘anymore’ but I don’t think I ever had them!
      “I wanted a challenge. A challenge in a completely different country. A fresh start. I spoke to my agent and said, ‘Get me a club abroad’. I came here and it was the one. It’s a one and half hour drive to Calais and I can get the shuttle back to Epping [his family home].”
      Carroll wears the number 99 shirt at Amiens and has one goal from his six games played in the French second division so far.
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      He says one of the greatest parts of playing in France is his ability to keep a low profile.
      He revealed he was able to watch Newcastle’s 4-1 thrashing of PSG in “a little pub” near Amiens’ training ground with some of his team-mates.

      He said the best part about it was that: “No one said a word to me.”
      Carroll recounted how having too much money at a young age led to him making some stupid decisions, such as dropping £1,000 on a Bengal cat.
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      Carroll joined Liverpool for a British record feeCredit: PA:Empics Sport
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      He said about trying to balance his finances: “It’s hard, really hard. It was just coming in my bank and going straight back out, even though me mam and dad were telling me not to.
      “You’re 17 years old and getting all this money. All your friends haven’t got anything so you take them with you.
      “I wasted money on stupid things. I’d go to Harrods in London and spend five-grand on rubbish. I’d have nothing to show for it. Just gone.
      “In the dressing room everyone’s walking round with Lamborghinis or designer clothes. I’ve got money and I’m thinking ‘They’re doing it… I’ll do it as well’. I wanted an exotic cat. Found this Bengal and got it. Like a thousand pound. I had it for two weeks.”
      After being unable to take care of the animal, he said he gave it away to his parents.
      The striker said he was taken by surprise at his £35million move to Liverpool in 2011, a British record at the time.
      He had started the 2010-2011 Premier League season on fire having just led Newcastle up from the Championship as top scorer and both Spurs and Liverpool showed interest.
      He said he only learned of the transfer from watching Sky Sports News, explaining: “It came up on Sky Sports News saying £30million for Andy Carroll from Tottenham rejected. Then it says Liverpool £35million accepted.
      He’s rediscovering his love of the game at AmiensCredit: Instagram @amiensscfootball
      “I went in to see the manager, he rang the owner and the owner says, ‘Yeah, you’re gone’.”
      He said he struggled to adjust to the step up in professionalism at Liverpool following a more relaxed approach at Newcastle and that he regrets not grasping his opportunity a little more.
      The striker said: “I’m disappointed that I didn’t really grasp Liverpool. I kind of took it for granted. I came out of school, went into Newcastle reserves, went into the first team, signed for Liverpool, played for England.
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      “Everything I touched turned to gold. Maybe it went to my head a little bit. I could do no wrong, that sort of thing.
      “I don’t really know what went wrong. Maybe I wasn’t good enough… I don’t know. I just wish I’d grabbed it a little bit more.” More

    • 238 Shares109 Views

      in Boxing

      Watch bizarre moment boxing legend Mike Tyson gets on hands and knees before rubbing heads with a giant dog

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      A BIZARRE clip has gone viral of boxing legend Mike Tyson getting on his hands and knees before rubbing heads with a giant dog.The ex-heavyweight champion is currently training MMA man-mountain Francis Ngannou ahead of his controversial crossover clash with Tyson Fury on October 28.
      A bizarre clip of Mike Tyson and a huge dog has left fans stunnedCredit: X/2Cool2Blog
      Iron Mike started pushing his head against the beast on his hands and kneesCredit: X/2Cool2Blog
      However, it appears that one of their sessions was interrupted by another beast – and the icon known as the Baddest Man on the Planet was in his element.
      It showed a group walking into the gym with a massive, that looks similar to a mastiff, on a lead, but instead of looking fearful, Tyson went straight on to embrace it.
      After stroking it, Iron Mike then got down on his hands and knees before rubbing his head against the dog’s and then underneath it’s chin.
      One fan reacted to the footage on social media by commenting: “Mikes a brave man… thats probably the worst thing u can do putting your face into a strange dog’s face. Good thing they a good boy!”
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      Another said: “Mike started challenging him and wanted to grapple lmaooo.”
      “That dog was lucky Tyson didn’t punch him,” joked another.
      Tyson is a renowned animal lover and previously kept three tigers as pets.
      However, he has revealed that mountain lions are his favourite animals.
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      The American icon also revealed that he used to let his tigers sleep in his bed next to him – but that their farts were unbearable.
      But he also admitted that he had suffered injuries from a big cat – and a dog.
      He said: “I was giving one a tetanus shot and they bit me.
      “It was scared, he was scared. Six, seven stitches and it was over.
      “Then my dog bit me.”
      Meanwhile, he is trying to get Ngannou, 37, in shape to do in ten rounds what 31 of the Gypsy King’s career opponents have failed to do and put him out for the count.
      But Tyson insists: “He has what it takes to knock out anything and anybody.
      “[The biggest upset] in the history of the sport, definitely. There’s no doubt about that.”
      Mike Tyson owned three pet tigers during his boxing heydayCredit: Getty More

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      in Motorsport

      F1 fans distraught as Fernando Alonso RUNS OVER giant lizard dubbed ‘Godzilla’s kid’ during Singapore GP practice

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      THIS is the incredible moment the Singapore GP was invaded by a giant LIZARD – forcing champ Max Verstappen to swerve around “Godzilla’s kid.”But the reptile paid the ultimate price as he was eventually run over by Aston Martin star Fernando Alonso, leaving fans in tears.
      Max Verstappen was forced to swerve to avoid a lizard at the Singapore GPCredit: Sky Sports F1
      The giant reptile, dubbed ‘Godzilla’s kid’, calmly crossed the tarmac during practiceCredit: Sky Sports F1
      The cheeky lizard was eventually run over by Fernando AlonsoCredit: Getty
      Verstappen and Alonso were caught off guard as Formula One stars warmed up for this weekend’s race in Southeast Asia.
      With temperatures in the low 30s, many exotics animals are thriving in Singapore’s humid climate.

      And one cheeky heat-loving creature appeared to want a close-up encounter with Verstappen and Co.
      The huge reptile, believed to be a monitor lizard, left pundits and drivers stunned as it sauntered across the track during Friday’s practice THREE times.
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      The beast took little notice of the zooming cars while crossing the tarmac.
      And one racer who had a close encounter with the lizard was none other than Red Bull superstar Verstappen.
      It wasn’t his first face-off with one of the creatures in Singapore, with Verstappen facing off against a lizard in 2016.
      But this time the double world champ was forced to swerve to avoid making contact while turning a corner, forcing yellow flags to be deployed.
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      Verstappen previously encountered a lizard in Singapore seven years ago
      Verstappen exclaimed on the Red Bull team radio: “There’s a lizard again on the track! A smaller one this time.”
      His team responded: “Ok understood. Maybe Godzilla had a kid.”
      Verstappen laughed: “That makes sense!”
      Williams star George Russell also encountered the lizard as he zoomed past, declaring it was the second one he’d seen that day.
      He said on his team radio: “Another lizard but a different one this time!”
      Fans certainly found the incident hilarious, with one saying: “Them lizards love that race.”
      Another declared: “Best seat in the house.”
      One added: “Who let him onto the track?”
      However, it later emerged the innocent lizard had been squished by Spanish star Alonso as the Aston Martin man zoomed around at 70mph.
      One heartbroken fan said: “Aint no way, did someone actually run over a lizard.”
      Another declared: “The lizard got run over? I am heartbroken.”
      One added: “Finding out there was a lizard on track and someone run him over…”
      As far as practice went, it was a one-two for Ferrari as Charles Leclerc finished 0.078 seconds ahead of Carlos Sainz.
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      Verstappen came third, with Lando Norris fourth and Lewis Hamilton fifth.
      And all eyes will be on tomorrow’s qualifying round to see if any more cheeky lizards make an appearance. More

    • 238 Shares199 Views

      in Soccer

      Costa Rican footballer devoured by crocodile while bathing in river as beast is spotted with body in its jaws

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      A FOOTBALLER has been devoured by a crocodile after taking a dip in a river to cool off.Shocking images show the large reptile swimming through the water with the victim’s body in its jaws.
      Tributes have been paid to Costa Rican footballer Jesus Alberto Lopez OrtizCredit: Jam Press
      Shocking images emerged of the player being mauled and carried by a crocodileCredit: Jam Press Vid
      Locals battled to haul the victim’s body from the riverCredit: Jam Press Vid
      Another clip shows the crocodile being shot dead in the water before locals carry its victim’s body to the riverbank.
      Jesus Alberto Lopez Ortiz, nicknamed “Chucho”, was killed by the reptile on Saturday, it has been revealed.
      The 29-year-old footballer was attacked by the crocodile while cooling off in the river in Rio Cañas in Guanacaste Province, Costa Rica.
      Locals followed the reptile in a canoe – but a statement by local police said it was their officers who killed the crocodile.
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      Lopez was a footballer for amateur side Deportivo Río Cañas, as well as a dad to two children aged eight and three.
      His distraught family have now appealed to the public to help pay for the player’s funeral costs, while his team manager Luis Carlos Montes is also organising a collection.
      The player’s club paid tribute, saying: “With deep sorrow we make public the death of our player Jesús López Ortiz that God enjoys.
      “Rest in peace, Chucho – we join the pain of all his family.
      Most read in Football
      One supporter’s comment in response on Facebook said: “Always with his humility that characterised him, last night he delighted us with his last game.
      “We will miss you, Chucho – the ball always at 10.”
      Costa Rica’s ministry of environment and energy bans hunting or killing protected animals including crocodiles.
      But local police decided they had permission under the central American country’s wildlife laws “to free the body from the jaws of the reptile” and shoot the crocodile dead.
      In a statement, they said: “It should be clarified that all efforts were made to rescue the body of the deceased person without causing damage to the reptile, which was not possible.”
      Last November a 12ft crocodile tore off the head of an eight-year-old boy Julio Otero Fernández in Costa Rica while he was on a fishing trip with his horrified family.
      Later that month a hunter tracked the suspected predator and shot it dead before fleeing the scene.
      In Indonesia last July, a 14-year-old girl was killed by a crocodile while washing her clothes in the river.
      That attack came a year and a half after another eight-year-old boy was mauled to death by a crocodile near his home in Malaysia.
      And just last week, also in Malaysia, a missing farmer was found inside the belly of a huge 14ft crocodile.
      An elderly man died when he was set upon by some 40 crocodiles after falling into their enclosure earlier this year in Cambodia.
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      Also in May, the remains of a missing fisherman were found inside two crocodiles in Australia.
      And last year two tourists from the United States were attacked by a crocodile at a resort in Mexico when one went swimming in the ocean at night and the second came in to try helping him. More

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      in Soccer

      Man City flop risks animal rights outrage as he’s filmed walking his pet TIGER on the street

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      EX-MANCHESTER CITY defender Jason Denayer has risked the wrath of animal lovers by parading around with a chained-up TIGER.The Belgium international spent five years with City, but never broke into their first team.
      Jason Denayer took a tiger for a walkCredit: Instagram
      And has risked criticism from animal rights activistsCredit: Instagram
      He spent five years at Manchester CityCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      Ex-Man Utd star Memphis Depay sparked controversy in 2020 after posing with a baby liger
      He had a season in the top flight on loan to Sunderland, and won the Scottish Premiership during another loan to Celtic.
      Denayer, 27, went on to impress in France with Lyon and featured in Euro 2016 for Belgium – but now plays in the UAE Pro League for Dubai club Shabab Al-Ahli.
      He recently took the opportunity to take a tiger for a walk through the streets of the Middle Eastern emirate.
      The centre-back proudly posted film of himself leading the powerful beast on a rusty chain, and captioned it: “Walking my cat.”
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      However, Denayer took steps to avoid abuse on Instagram by restricting comments to his own followers.
      Their observations included: “The Lion King with his tiger,” “You’re the best” and “The boss.”
      Former Manchester United striker Memphis Depay came in for ferocious abuse in 2020 when posting social media images of himself with a baby liger.
      Animal rights groups criticised the Holland international for interacting with the feline, a cross between a lion and a tiger.
      Most read in Football
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      Denayer has started just eight of Shabab’s 26 games this season.
      He has won 35 Belgium caps, but last played for the Red Devils 14 months ago. More

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      in Soccer

      Nike and Puma to stop making football boots from premium kangaroo leather

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      TOP sports brands are to stop making football boots with premium kangaroo leather.The likes of Nike and Puma are ditching it in favour of synthetic uppers after pressure from animal rights activists and a crackdown in the United States.
      The popular Nike Tiempo will in future use alternative synthetic fabric
      Ex-England captain David Beckham stopped wearing his kangaroo-skin boots in 2006 after he was sent graphic images of animals being slaughtered for them.
      US sportswear giant Nike announced last week that by the end of the year kangaroo leather would not be used in any of its products.
      They said its popular Tiempo range — worn by stars including Liverpool skipper Jordan Henderson — will in future use alternative synthetic fabric.
      It comes after German brand Puma agreed to ditch kangaroo leather a few weeks ago.
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      Nike’s recent announcement has been welcomed by Wayne Pacelle — the president of animal welfare group the Centre for a Humane Economy — who called it a “seismic event for wildlife protection”.
      Nike was a target of the group’s “Kangaroos are not shoes” campaign video. More