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    Bundesliga star shellshocked as stepfather shot dead in street after ‘shooting 10-year-old son and going on rampage’

    GERMAN league star Kenneth Schmidt has been left in shock… after armed police shot his stepfather dead in the street.The 22-year-old defender belongs to his hometown club, Bundesliga outfit SC Freiburg.Kenneth Schmidt plays for hometown club SC FreiburgCredit: GettySchmidt, 22, has been on loan at Hannover 96Credit: AlamyCapped 18 times at youth level, he joined second-tier Hannover 96 on loan last month.But Schmidt’s world was turned upside down on Sunday when his stepdad reportedly attacked his mum Samira and half-brother.Reports say the man, named as Christoph S., threatened the pair at their home in the quiet village Eichstetten near Freiburg.The 48-year-old is said to have fired a shotgun through his son’s bedroom door, wounding the ten-year-old.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLInvestigators told German media that the man then rampaged though nearby streets, armed with the shotgun and a pistol, before being gunned down by armed cops.He was rushed to hospital, but could not be saved.A police spokesman said: “The man’s motives seem completely unclear.”Samira, 47, and her younger son have received treatment for their injuries as well as psychological help.Most read in BundesligaSchmidt bravely turned up to Hannover training on Tuesday despite learning of the tragic drama the day before.However club chiefs have urged the centre-back to take time off to process events.North Korea’s Bizarre Ban on Tottenham HotspurA Hannover spokesman said: “We ask for people’s understanding that we are unable to comment more precisely about this matter at this time.”Hannover’s coach is Andre Breitenreiter, who had a three-month spell as Huddersfield boss last year.He was sacked after the Terriers’ relegation from the Championship, having won just two of his 13 games in charge.Christoph S. reportedly had previous convictions for drug offences and illegal gun possession.Schmidt is contracted to hometown team SC FreiburgCredit: Alamy More

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    I helped guide my team from fourth tier to the top division.. but highlight was falling in love with and marrying MASCOT

    MARKUS KRoSCHE was named in SC Paderborn’s Team of the Century – and he even married the club MASCOT.The Eintracht Frankfurt CEO, 44, is one of European football’s rising stars in the boardroom.Markus Krosche, sporting director of Eintracht Frankfurt, met his wife Viktoria when she was a mascotCredit: GettyViktoria donned the costume for Holli the Mouse at Paderborn games in the early 2000sCredit: GettyKrosche started his football journey in more modest surroundings, signing his first pro papers with Werder Bremen aged 15.He would go on to spend the majority of his career with Paderborn, where he became a club legend. As a tough-tackling midfielder, Krosche helped lift the club from the fourth tier all the way to the Bundesliga.Krösche played almost 400 games for Paderborn and skippered the side in the top-flight. READ MORE ON FOOTBALLBut it was the club’s mascot – mouse Holli – that had a lasting effect on the former German under-21 international. Speaking to BILD, Krosche revealed: “My [now] wife worked for an agency that marketed the mascot. “She worked there alongside her studies and accompanied Holli to appointments as a photographer, among other things. “That’s how we met.”Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSKrosche confirmed that his wife Viktoria would also help out as Holli on some match days.He added with a laugh: “It’s true, yes. That’s our story.”Club mascot provokes opposition players, starts a fight, gets sent off and then does Ronaldo’s siu celebrationThe pair now have two teenage daughters – Maya and Clara – with the family still living in Paderborn. Krosche worked as a sporting director at RB Leipzig before landing his current role with Frankfurt.The club have enjoyed success in recent seasons, winning the Europa League in 2022 and finishing 6th in the Bundesliga last term.Krosche admits he was fortunate to enjoy such a stunning career – as he lacked “outstanding skills.”He added: “I wouldn’t sign me at all because I didn’t have any outstanding skills. “No good technique, no outstanding header, I wasn’t particularly fast. “I would definitely fail our scouting team. READ MORE SUN STORIES”[Frankfurt Director] Charly Korbel once told me that he wanted to sign me to Eintracht in the mid-2000s. “The manager at the time turned me down – I would have done the same!” More

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    Europa League manager ‘dressed up as a chef and waved a sex toy at his players’ in bizarre motivational ploy

    A EUROPA LEAGUE manager took his motivational ploy for his players to a new level.Christian Ilzer was hired as the boss of Hoffenheim in November 2024 as he replaced Pellegrino Matarazzo.Christian Ilzer took charge of Hoffenheim in NovemberCredit: GettyIlzer, 47, was tasked with dragging the Bundesliga side away from the threat of relegation while competing in the Europa League.The Austrian took on the role with the club in 15th place and just one point above the relegation zone.But to inspire his squad he made the decision to perform a bizarre motivational speech.Sport Bild claimed that in December, ahead of a game against Freiburg, he left the team stunned with his speech.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLDuring the moment, he wore a chef’s hat with an apron as he stirred an “imaginary magic potion”.Throughout the speech he added “ingredients for a successful game” in order to inspire.It is then believed that he spoke of “more spice” and revealed real chilli peppers to the watching players.Ilzer then moved on to the team needing “manly strength”, and to demonstrate this, he presented them with a dildo.Most read in FootballIt is thought he said: “You have to be just as hard as this dildo.”CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSFollowing the bizarre speech, Hoffenheim managed to earn a respectable draw against Freiburg, which put an end to a run of three straight defeats.However, since then, the team has only managed four wins from 17 matches under Ilzer.EXCL Wayne Rooney spotted training his England teammate Kyle Walker’s six-year-old son at £5k a night Dubai hotelDespite the questionable form, the team has secured seven points above the relegation play-off spot.The club remained tight-lipped over the speech when approached by the outlet.It said: “The basic rule at TSG is: what happens in the dressing room stays in the dressing room.”Last time out, they beat Werder Bremen 3-1 to add some much-needed breathing room. More

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    Bayern Munich vs Celtic: Get £40 in free bets to spend on football with BetMGM

    BAYERN MUNICH have a 2-1 lead to build on when Celtic visit the Allianz Arena for the Champions League second leg on Tuesday.And bookmakers BetMGM are offering brand new customers a cool £40 in free bets when you register an account and stake a tenner on the play-off showdown.Find The Sun’s betting publishing principles hereHow to claim..BetMGM £40 welcome bonusVisit the BetMGM website HERE*Select SPORTS OFFER on the websiteRegister a new account – No Promo Code necessaryOpt in for this promotion by depositing and placing at least £10 on football at odds of Evens or greaterOnce that’s settled – win or lose – your account will be credited with £40 in free betsBayern Munich vs Celtic: Get £40 in free bets — claim yours here*Not got a BetMGM account? No problem!This offer is just for you, and it’s incredibly easy to claim!Simply register a new account, deposit and stake a minimum of £10 on football at odds of Evens (1/1) or greater. This must be done within seven days of opening your account with the bookmaker.Once that’s settled – win or lose – your account will be credited with £40 in free bets!*BetMGM. New customers only. 7 days to place a qualifying bet of £10 at 1/1 (2.0) to receive 4 x £10 Free Bets: 1x £10 Free Bet on Football, 1x £10 Free Bet on Horse Racing, 2 x £10 Free Bet Builders. 7 day expiry. Exclusions apply. Stake not returned. 18+. Full T&Cs apply.Remember to gamble responsiblyA responsible gambler is someone who:Establishes time and monetary limits before playingOnly gambles with money they can afford to loseNever chase their lossesDoesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressedGamcare – www.gamcare.org.ukGambleAware – www.gambleaware.orgFor help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites. More

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    Bayern Munich vs Celtic prediction: Free betting tips, odds and Champions League preview for second leg

    BAYERN MUNICH have a 2-1 lead over Celtic heading into their Champions League play-off second leg on Tuesday.So SunSport have enlisted the help of their betting experts to preview the European showdown and select the best bets, tips and exclusive sign-up bonuses from our leading betting partners.Find The Sun’s betting publishing principles hereNew sign-up offersSunSport exclusivesBayern Munich vs Celtic previewDefeat at Parkhead makes the task of progression to the round of 16 almost impossible for Celtic.Even victory might not have been enough last week, given Bayern’s ability to blow sides away at home.The Hoops defended well for the majority of the night before conceding to a stunning Michael Olise strike on the stroke of half time. A lapse in concentration allowed Harry Kane to add a second just minutes into the second half.The tie has been just about kept alive by Daizen Maeda’s goal with 10 minutes to go.Brendan Rodgers might want to take notice of Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen, who held Bayern to a goalless draw on Saturday and restricted them to NO shots of any description in the first half for the first time in decades and not a single shot on target in 90 minutes for only the second league match in 20 years.Might it be the perfect time to play them? Time will tell. Celts registered 21 efforts at goal beating Dundee United 3-0 at Celtic Park on Saturday, while being able to rest a couple of their key players in the process.William Hill make them 28/1 to progress and Bayern 1/100. So fair to say them progressing is quite a stretch.First scorer and correct score predictionsCorrect score: 4-1 at 11/1 with Betfred – HEREFirst scorer: Michael Olise 13/2 with talkSPORT BET – HEREBayern Munich vs Celtic latest oddsBayern Munich at 2/13 with William Hill – CLAIM HEREOdds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.How to claim..William Hill £60 welcome bonusVisit the William Hill website HERE*Register an account using the Promo Code: T60Once your account is registered, click ‘opt in’ on the ‘Vegas Promotion’ pageDeposit a minimum of £10 in your main account to receive a £20 Vegas Bonus for use on Selected GamesThen place a bet with a minimum stake of £10 at odds of 1/2 or greater on any football marketOnce that’s settled, your account will be credited with £40 in free betsWilliam Hill: Claim £60 welcome bonus – click here*Bayern Munich vs Celtic predictions and tipsBlow away earlyThis tie could be put to bed early doors, with Bayern having the ability to blow Celtic away in the first half.They HAVE to respond to the poor attacking showing from Saturday and actually had five shots – with two on target – in the opening 45 minutes last Wednesday.Celtic will be trying to keep the tie alive in the early exchanges but that might prove tough.Ol or nothingMichael Olise scored the opening goal in the first leg and is one of the standouts to perform here.That was his first goal since mid-January but can be the attacking force down their right.Michael Olise shot on target in each half at 23/10 – CLAIM HERE*William Hill. 18+. Play Safe. New players only, using promo code T60. Valid from 13/04/2022. Online play. Get £60 Bonus split between Vegas & Sports in the following manner – (i) Deposit £10 to unlock £20 Vegas Free Bet on Selected Games (72hr expiry, wagering reqs apply); then (ii) bet £10+ (odds 1/2+) with cash (excl. £10 deposit) or Vegas winnings (after wager reqs met). Once settled, receive £40 Sports Free Bets excluding Virtual Markets (4x £10, 7 days expiry). Payment methods & country restrictions apply. Full T&Cs apply.*Betfred. New customers only. Register with BETFRED50. Deposit £10+ via Debit Card and place first bet £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days to get 3 x £10 in Sports Free Bets & 2 x £10 in Acca Free Bets within 10 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility & payment exclusions apply. T&Cs apply.*BetMGM. New customers only. 7 days to place a qualifying bet of £10 at 1/1 (2.0) to receive 4 x £10 Free Bets: 1x £10 Free Bet on Football, 1x £10 Free Bet on Horse Racing, 2 x £10 Free Bet Builders. 7 day expiry. Exclusions apply. Stake not returned. 18+. Full T&Cs apply.*talkSPORT BET. 18+ New customers only. Opt in, bet up to £40 (min. £20) on any football market at odds of 2.00+, in 7 days. Get up to £40 in free bets on selected markets. Bonuses expire in 7 days. T&Cs apply, see below. GambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly*Tote. New customers online only. Eligibility restrictions apply. Only valid with code B10G40 on registration. £10 min qualifying bet at 1/1 (2.0) odds or greater across sports or racing (if EW then min £10 Win + £10 Place). Receive £20 Tote Credit, £10 Free Sports Bet and 50 Free Spins on Big Bass Bonanza within 48 hours of qualifying bet settlement. 7-day expiry on free bets & Tote Credit. Your first bet will be your qualifying bet. One per customer. UK & ROI customers only. 18+. Full T&Cs apply. Gambleaware.org. Full T&Cs apply.Remember to gamble responsiblyA responsible gambler is someone who:Establishes time and monetary limits before playingOnly gambles with money they can afford to loseNever chase their lossesDoesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressedGamcare – www.gamcare.org.ukGambleAware – www.gambleaware.orgFor help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites. More

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    Two supporters rushed to hospital after falling from stands in Bundesliga clash

    TWO Eintracht Frankfurt fans were rushed to hospital after falling from the stadium’s upper tier. The horror incident occurred during their 3-1 win over Holstein Kiel on Sunday.Two supporters were rushed to hospital after falling from the standsCredit: RexA pair of supporters fell from the middle to lower tier at the Deutsche Bank Park.Medics rushed to the scene and the fans were initially treated in the ground.They were then taken to hospital with “serious” injuries.Two other fans were hurt and sustained minor problems.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLEintracht confirmed what happened and said in a club statement: “We wish everyone a speedy recovery.”Manager Dino Toppmoller began his post-match interview, saying: “First of all, get well soon to the injured fans. It’s depressing to see.”Concerned supporters online added: “When football takes a back seat for a moment. Get well soon and make a speedy recovery.”Another wrote: “How terrible.”Most read in BundesligaThe shocking incident reportedly took place in the stadium’s Nordwestkurve stand where the ultras sit.Eintracht’s 3-1 victory took them up to third in the Bundesliga table, while Holstein Kiel are bottom and eight points from safety. More

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    Bayern medics rush to treat Harry Kane after sickening head injury as fans slam Piero Hincapie for giving him ‘whiplash’

    BAYERN MUNICH medics rushed to Harry Kane’s aid after a head clash with Piero Hincapie.The England captain started up front against Bayer Leverkusen but he collided with defender Hincapie after a free kick. Harry Kane collided with Piero HincapieCredit: GettyKane was seen to by medicsCredit: APKane appeared to suffer a neck injury after coming down as medics rushed on the pitch to his aid. And fans were left unimpressed after Hincapie appeared to have words with a downed Kane. One said: “Did Hincapie just give Kane lip while he was on the ground after giving him whiplash for what was flagged to be offside even though he clearly looked to be on? Jeeze.” Another fumed: “Really bad challenge.” READ MORE IN football A third raged: “That player was reckless.”Hincapie escaped any punishment as the game ended 0-0 with Kane staying on the field. It means Leverkusen still trail league leaders Bayern by seven points after failing to close the gap. Kane recently refused to deny he has a release clause in his Bayern deal that could signal a sensational Premier League return.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThe Tottenham legend  joined the Bundesliga giants in August 2023 for £104million.Reports in Germany claim there is a buy-out option of £54million in the striker’s contract that he can activate in January 2026.Harry Kane scores from a distance in Bayern Munich training The clause could have allegedly been met during the recent winter transfer window for the higher fee of £67million.Asked about the situation, Kane, 31, said: “What I can say is that I’m very happy at FC Bayern. No comment on the clause.” More

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    Footballer, 18, who was part of special Bayern Munich squad tragically left brain dead after knee to head in match

    A FORMER Bayern Munich youth star has been left brain dead at the age of 18, according to his brother.Defender Guo Jiaxuan was reportedly struck in the face by a knee during a training match in Spain last Thursday.Guo Jiaxuan has been left brain dead after being struck in the face by kneeCredit: Jam PressGuo had been playing in a game against Spanish side RC Alcobendas at a camp organised by the Beijing Football Association.Guo, an academy recruit of Chinese Super League (CSL) club Beijing Guoan, represented Bayern’s World Squad in 2023.His brother tragically revealed on social media that Guo had suffered a subarachnoid haemorrhage following an accidental collision. The haemorrhage took the form of a stroke caused by bleeding on the brain.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSHis sibling wrote on Chinese platform RedNote : “During training, he was rushed to hospital after being hit in the head by another player’s knee.”From the interpreter, I learned that the doctor at the hospital said my brother had too much bleeding in his head and that there was little hope of survival.”The hospital was going to remove his life support tubes.”The post said that a Spanish doctor told the family that Guo was at one stage clinically dead as a result of a lack of oxygen in his brain.Most read in FootballGuo’s father arrived in Spain on Saturday and reportedly refused the doctor’s suggestion to turn off his son’s life support.His family are seeking to bring him back to China for further treatment.A staff member from the Beijing FA noted that “they are fully committed to ensuring his treatment.”Following the match last week, RC Alcobendas offered a message of support for Guo and his family.A club statement read: “We want to express our deep concern for the player from the Beijing FA delegation who suffered an accident during the friendly match played this morning against our first team.”We send all our support to him, his family and his team at this difficult time. We sincerely wish your speedy recovery.”Guo was the only Chinese player selected for Bayern’s World Squad two years ago.The squad was part of an international project by the German giants aimed at developing promising players from around the world.The talented footballer was born in Beijing in 2006 and has represented China’s under-17s. More