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      Kipyegon Bett dead at 26: Former world junior 800m champion dies after short illness

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      FORMER junior world 800m champion Kipyegon Bett has passed away aged 26.The Kenyan died following a short illness.Kipyegon Bett has passed away aged just 26Credit: AFP or licensorsThe Kenyan won 800m gold in the 2016 Junior World ChampionshipCredit: GettyBett won bronze in the 800m World Championships in London in 2017Credit: GettyThe runner had been in and out of hospital with a liver problem, his sister shared.Purity Kirui told BBC Sport Africa: “He had been sick, complaining of stomach pains for about a month. The doctors said he had a liver problem and had been in and out of hospital.”Last week we took him to hospital after he started vomiting blood and he was admitted. I went to see him (on Sunday) morning and he told me he was in pain.”He told our dad, who is a pastor, to pray for him because he didn’t feel he would survive and after 12 noon he died. We tried everything to save him, but he left us. It’s very painful.”Bett was a promising runner in his youth and followed up his junior world championship success by winning world bronze in London in 2017.But a year later Bett was hit with a four-year doping ban and he struggled on his return, with his sister revealing he “started drinking a lot”.His coach Japheth Kemei described Bett as a gifted athlete and he expected him to make a comeback after his ban, but suggested Bett was unable to due to his battles with depression.Kirui confirmed her brother’s plight, saying: “When Kipyegon was banned he started drinking a lot, wouldn’t eat well and suffered depression.Most read in Athletics”We tried to help him stop drinking, but whenever we wanted to take him to rehab he would disappear from home for days.”I tried to get him back into athletics when his ban ended by getting him running kit and shoes.”Before his death we had a plan to try one more time to take him to a rehabilitation centre in Kisumu.”Bett was suspended in August 2018 for refusing to submit a sample and subsequently tested positive for erythropoietin (EPO).He followed in Kirui’s footsteps by becoming an athlete, with his sister winning Commonwealth gold in the 3000m steeplechase in 2014. More

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      in Soccer

      Kick It Out founder Herman Ouseley dies aged 79 after life spent campaigning against racism & discrimination in football

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      LORD Herman Ouseley, the founder of Kick It Out and anti-racism campaigner, has died at the age of 79.It is thought Lord Ouseley died on Wednesday, following a short illness.The anti-racism campaigner Lord Herman Ouseley, seen here in 2016, has diedCredit: Getty Images – GettyLord Ouseley outside the Palace of Westminster in 2018Credit: Tom Pilston – The Sunday TimesHe founded Kick It Out to tackle racism and discrimination in football and was its chairman for 25 years.Kick It Out paid tribute to Lord Ouseley this afternoon, calling him “a fearless advocate for underrepresented and disadvantaged communities and will be sorely missed”.The anti-discrimination charity announced Lord Ouseley’s death on its official X, formerly Twitter, account.”We are deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Lord Herman Ouseley after a short illness,” Kick It Out’s statement read.Read More on Football”Lord Ouseley was a titan in tackling discrimination in football over the 25 years he was chair of Kick It Out, having founded Let’s Kick Racism Out of Football in 1993.”He was also a fearless advocate for under-represented and disadvantaged communities and will be sorely missed.”Lord Ouseley’s vision to set up Kick It Out was the first true structural change in football to take on a problem that had blighted the game for decades.”Fans and participants are now more aware of discrimination and how to challenge it, which is a legacy of the tenacity and vigour he showed in ensuring football continued to change.Most read in Football”We owe him a huge debt of gratitude and vow to continue that legacy for the benefit of future generations.”Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time.”Birmingham star points out fan who racially abused him as police launch probe a week after crowd trouble hit FA Cup tieHe sat in the House of Lords as a crossbencher from 2001 until his retirement in 2019.Lord Ouseley was also the chief executive for the Race Equality Commission after a long career in local government.Tributes have been pouring in with Troy Townsend MBE, a former footballer and fellow anti-racism activist, calling him “the greatest”.He wrote on X: “Back in 2020 I was so grateful to pay tribute to this legend of a man whilst he accepted a Special Recognition Award from Pride of Britain.”Lord Herman Ouseley, I owe you a debt of gratitude for everything you did for me, for football & society. May your pain be no more.”Mr Townsend added: “[He] stood up when others stayed silent. Took on an industry that allowed racism to flourish. “Looked people in the eye and demanded they change. Whether it was football or politics Herman took on all comers. I’m very proud to be part of his legacy.”The FA also wrote on the social media site: “We are extremely saddened to hear about the passing of Lord Herman Ouseley.”Lord Ouseley was a trailblazer in English football, having the original vision for @kickitout, and he played a hugely inspirational role in tackling discrimination across our game while advocating for underrepresented and disadvantaged communities.”Labour MP Diane Abbott also paid tribute to Lord Ouseley, calling him “a pioneer at the top levels of local government”.Herman George Ouseley was born in Guyana in 1946 and came to Britain when he was 12, attending William Penn Primary School and then Catford College. He started a successful career in local politics, going on to serve as chief executive of the London Borough of Lambeth.It was also the first black head of the former Inner London Education Authority, a body which oversaw more than 1,000 schools and colleges in in the capital.Lord Ouseley set up Let’s Kick Racism Out of Football in 1993 and served as the head of the Commission for Racial Equality from 1993 to 2000.He was then made a Life Peer in 2001, going on to pick up 13 honorary degrees.READ MORE SUN STORIESLet’s Kick Racism Out of Football altered its name to Kick It Out, with Lord Ousley heading the organisation until December 2018.The campaigner shared two children with his teacher wife, Margaret.Lord Ouseley with then England manager Roy Hodgson, right, in the stands during a match at Stamford Bridge in May 2015Credit: PA:Press Association More

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      in Soccer

      Diego Maradona’s body to be ‘removed from graveyard’ as judge grants special permission for memorial

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      DIEGO MARADONA’S body is set to be moved – almost four years after his death.The Argentina legend will reportedly be exhumed and moved to a new public memorial in Buenos Aires.Diego Maradona’s family are looking to move his body four years after his deathCredit: APThe Argentina legend died in 2020 following a heart attackCredit: AFPMaradona was voted as one of the greatest player of the 20th centuryCredit: RexMaradona died in 2020 after suffering a heart attack at his home. He had left hospital just two weeks earlier following a bleed on the brain. The 60-year-old was revered as one of the greatest football players of the 20th century. Maradona was buried in the Jardin Bella Vista cemetery in Argentina’s capital.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLHis children have been attempting to create a dedicated mausoleum since 2021.According to Spanish outlet Relevo, a judge finally ruled the move lawful on Tuesday.It will see Maradona’s body transferred to a permanent memorial site in the city’s Puerto Madero neighbourhood.His children claim it will be “a place of eternal rest where he can be visited and receive the recognition and love of the millions of people who express it daily through different means”.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThe shrine will be known as the Memorial del Diez or M10 Memorial, in honour of Maradona’s famous No10 shirt.Thousands of fans lined the streets in Argentina and Italy following the icon’s death almost four years ago.Napoli post moving tribute to the late Diego Maradona Maradona was a club legend at Napoli, where he won Serie A and the UEFA Cup in 1989. A maverick forward, the unpredictable superstar was named alongside Pele as a joint winner in the FIFA Player of the 20th Century award. Famed for his ‘Hand of God’ goal against England at the 1986 World Cup, he was known as El Pibe de Oro – the Golden Boy. Maradona was survived by five children and ex-wife Claudia Villafane, who he divorced in 2003.The Argentian legend passed away in November 2020Credit: AFP or licensorsMaradona is currently buried at the Jardin Bella Vista cemetery in Buenos AiresCredit: AFPA delayed trial brought by his daughters Giannina and Dalma will begin next March.The pair claim Maradona’s medical team is culpable for his death. The criminal case against eight doctors and nurses will focus on how they treated Maradona in his final hours.READ MORE SUN STORIESThey are accused of leaving the 60-year-old in agony as his condition worsened.The eight medical staff, who include his psychiatrist Agustina Cosachov, face 25 years in jail if convicted. More

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      in Soccer

      Gary Lineker’s tree surgeon nephew, 18, ‘crushed to death by falling trunk’ as Match of the Day star’s sons pay tribute

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      GARY Lineker’s tree surgeon nephew died after he was crushed by a falling trunk, an inquest heard. Jonty Parkinson, 18, was described as “one of the nicest boys you’ll meet” by his cousin George Lineker, 31, in a touching tribute on social media.Jonty Parkinson, cousin of Gary Lineker’s kids, died while at workJonty worked as a tree surgeonGary Lineker with his first wife and the auntie of Jonty, Michelle, in 2000Credit: PA:Press AssociationOpening the inquest last week, senior coroner Darren Salter revealed the tree surgeon died following a crush injury to his abdomen whilst working on September 6.Oxford Coroner’s Court heard Jonty, of Coln St. Aldwyns, Gloucs., was killed by a falling tree in Eaton Hastings, Oxon.A GoFundMe page set up in memory of the teenager has raised over £32,000 to go towards a “beautiful memorial or event” for the family.A post under the appeal called Jonty a “very special, beautiful young man”.read more on footballIt added: “I realise money can’t fill the great chasm of loss they are feeling, but I hope it can be used to ease the burden of funeral expenses or go towards a fitting memorial for Jonty.”Gary Lineker’s son George, 31, last month described his tragic cousin as “one of the nicest boys you’ll meet”.An Instagram story showed him with Jonty as a youngster, with George writing: “Taken far too soon. Fly high cousin, you’ll be missed by all.”Tobias Lineker, 28, George’s brother, also wrote a heartbreaking tribute on Instagram alongside an old photo of a smiling Jonty.Most read in FootballHe said: “Taken from us far too soon, rest in peace little cousin.”Jonty was the nephew of Gary, 63, from his marriage to his first wife, Michelle Cockayne, with whom he shares four children – George, Harry, Tobias and Angus.Jonty’s mum, Ali Cockayne, is the sister of Michelle and was previously married to Former England rugby captain Will Carling.A date for the full inquest has not yet been confirmed.Gary Lineker with sons Harry, Angus, George and TobiasCredit: RexFormer England rugby captain Will Carling with Jonty’s mum Ali and their son Henry in 1998Credit: PA:Press Association More

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      Man City legend left family £1.6MILLION in his will following his death after glittering career

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      MAN City great Francis Lee left £1.6million in his will — including a treasure trove of medals.The football star, who died last October aged 79, passed most of his possessions to wife Gillian.Man City great Francis Lee left £1.6million in his willCredit: PAThe football star died last October aged 79Credit: AlamyLee passed most of his possessions to wife GillianCredit: GettyPots of £100,000 were handed to brother Trevor, sister-in-law Pamela and daughter-in-law Sonia.Eldest son Gary, from his first marriage, was to get £250,000, but died last year. The rest of his £1,648,000 estate is in a trust fund for his wife and three surviving kids.“Franny” joined City from Bolton in 1967, scoring 148 goals in 330 games, and winning the First Division, FA Cup, League Cup and European Cup Winners’ Cup.READ MORE IN SPORTSHe then won the First Division for a second time with Derby in 1975.Franny, who played 27 times for England, including at the 1970 World Cup and scored ten goals, later launched a successful toilet roll manufacturing firm and a horse racing stable.His final years were spent battling cancer at his £500,000 home in sleepy Wilmslow, Cheshire.England legend Alan Shearer led tributes after his death, posting: “RIP legend”.Most read in Football’Franny’ joined City in 1967, scoring 148 goals in 330 gamesCredit: Getty More

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      in Boxing

      Boxer Mylik Birdsong, 31, shot dead in Los Angeles just weeks before he was set to appear on UFC card

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      PROFESSIONAL boxer Mylik Birdsong has died aged 31 after being gunned down.The 15-1-1 fighter was tragically killed in a shooting on Sunday in Los Angeles.Mylik Birdsong has passed away at 31Credit: Instagram @kingmylik_theboxerBirdsong was due to return to the ring on a UFC Fight Pass card next monthCredit: Instagram @kingmylik_theboxerBirdsong, nicknamed “King Mylik”, was the reigning World Boxing Foundation International Welterweight champion.While he was also due to return to the ring for the first time since March next month on a UFC Fight Pass card.Reports tell of the horrendous moment Birdsong lost his life near Watts, Los Angeles, after a shooting at around 4:50pm on Sunday.Several men inside a dark-coloured SUV are said to have driven up to the fighter and opened fire.READ MORE IN BOXINGThe police say that Birdsong tried to flee the situation but was chased down and shot again.The boxer died in hospital later that day after first responders had tended to him.News outlet KTLA were told by police that Birdsong sustained seven gunshots to his torso.Investigations are understood to be ongoing with police looking for the gunmen who had fled the scene before authorities arrived.Most read in BoxingBirdsong, an LA native, was set to fight Gor Yerisyan at the Commerce Casino on October 26.Tributes from fans of the exciting fighter have poured in online.One wrote: “Tragic news. RIP Mylik Birdsong”.While another added: “Such a tragic loss. Another life cut short too soon. RIP Mylik.” More

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      in Soccer

      Alton Meiring dead at 48: Ex-South Africa footballer who played against England ‘stabbed to death’ as club pay tribute

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      FORMER footballer Alton Meiring has passed away aged 48.Reports in South Africa state the ex-striker was stabbed to death.Alton Meiring has passed away aged 48Credit: PAAfter hanging up his boots in 2012, Meiring worked as a coach at amateur side Luso Africa FC.The club confirmed the sad news in a statement that read: “It is with a heavy heart that we confirm the passing of coach Alton Meiring. “He has been a great supporter of the club and has helped out multiple teams over the last few seasons, from juniors to seniors and even our ladies’ team.”Tributes from fans also flooded in, with one saying: “Rest in peace Alton.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAnother added: “A deadly striker in his prime. May his soul rest in peace.”A third commented: “Rest well king, what a gent.”Meiring won two international caps for South Africa in 2006.He played for the likes of Cape Town Spurs, Mamelodi Sundowns, Manning Rangers and Golden Arrows during his career.Most read in FootballAnd he scored for seven different clubs in the South African top-flight.While on the books of Platinum Stars, Meiring featured against England in a pre-World Cup friendly.The Three Lions won 3-0 with the goals coming from Wayne Rooney, Jermain Defoe and Joe Cole. More

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      in Soccer

      Andrea Capone dead at 43: Former Serie A star who played in Zola’s retired shirt number dies as body found in hotel

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      FORMER Serie A star Andrea Capone has passed away aged 43.His body was found in the 5-star Palazzo Tirso Hotel in Cagliari this morning.Andrea Capone has passed awayCredit: Kenny Ramsay – The Sun GlasgowCapone had a trial at Celtic in 2007Credit: Kenny Ramsay – The Sun GlasgowReports in Italy state that he died from head injuries after an apparent accidental fall. A statement from Cagliari called him: “A boy who has always been known for his professionalism, dedication and passion.”Tributes also flooded in from fans, with one saying: “Rest in peace Andrea and thank you for all you have given to us Cagliaritans.”Another added: “Thanks for everything Andrea.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLA third commented: “Rest in peace, Andrea Capone. Your dedication and passion on the field were truly inspiring. You will always be remembered.”Capone wore legend Gianfranco Zola’s iconic No10 shirt at Italian side Cagliari.Before the Chelsea icon hung up his boots, he had a spell at the Sardinians from 2003 to 2005, with his kit number subsequently retired.But two years later, Capone had the honour of wearing the No10 shirt for the club.Most read in FootballThe midfielder was given the iconic kit, having been tipped for big things after coming through the club’s academy.He went on to play 113 times for them, scoring 12 goals.The Italian departed in 2007 and went on to play for Vicenza, Grosseto and Salernitana.Capone was loaned to Treviso, where he won promotion from Serie B, before making his Cagliari debut.He also once had a trial at Celtic in 2007 and scored in a friendly against QPR. More