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      Andrija Delibasic dead at 43: Former LaLiga star dies after two-year battle with brain cancer as tributes pour in

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      FORMER LaLiga star Andrija Delibasic has died aged just 43 after a two-year battle with brain cancer.The Montenegro striker scored in a 2-2 draw with England in a Euro 2012 qualifier in Podgorica.Andrija Delibasic earned 21 caps for his countryCredit: AFPDelibasic played for several clubs in LaLigaCredit: AFPDelibasic played for Spanish clubs Real Mallorca, Real Sociedad, Hercules and Rayo Vallecano.He won two Serbian titles with Partizan Belgrade, and played a small part in Benfica’s 2005 Portuguese league triumph.Capped 21 times, Delibasic went on to coach Montenegrin club Mornar from 2021 to 2023.He underwent surgery after being diagnosed with a brain tumour.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut home-country media revealed that he tragically passed away on Wednesday.Delibasic’s former clubs were quick to pay tribute to the Niksic-born ace.Hercules wrote: “We lament the passing of Andrija Delibasic. He was the key to our promotion to the Primera Liga in 2009-10.”He scored 20 goals in two seasons for us.  We send our deepest condolences to his family and friends.”Most read in FootballMeanwhile Mallorca said: “We deeply regret the loss of our former player, Andrija Delibasic.”We send our thoughts to his family and loved ones.”Globe-trotting Delibasic also played for Portuguese clubs Braga and Beira-Mar as well as Greek big-hitters AEK Athens.He had a spell with Thai club Ratchaburi before ending his playing career with Sutjeska, based in his home town Niksic.Delibasic played in many countries during his careerCredit: Rex More

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      Former Serie A star who became armed robber before turning life around with acting career dies in his sleep at 39

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      FORMER Serie A star turned armed robber and actor Bruce Dombolo has died in his sleep – aged just 39.The Marseille-born midfielder played for Ancona in Italy’s top flight.Former Serie A star turned armed robber and actor Bruce Dombolo died in his sleepCredit: GettyAuxerre academy product Dombolo went on to appear for Italian side Pro Vasto and French club Marignane before falling into crime.He landed a two-year prison term aged just 20, then was jailed for a further eight years for his part in a 2010 jewellery heist.But Dombolo turned his life around, appearing in a series of French TV shows and becoming a Connect 4 champion.He said in 2023: “Some people fall into robbery of their own accord, and sadly I was one such person.Read More on Football”I didn’t think, but instead went to see some friends who were doing stupid things and asked them to include me.”That was how I joined a gang of armed robbers.”Dombolo was released in 2020.  He told French TV: “I was a lad from Vitrolles in Marseille, promised a career as a professional footballer, but I took a wrong turn.”I fell from the academy into the prison, from the stadiums of Serie A into robberies.Most read in Football”But in jail I turned my weaknesses into strengths.  I have since become an actor and producer, and got involved in violence prevention.”My journey proves that anyone can turn their life around, no matter where they are from.”Moment Aberdeen & Dunfermline fans join together to pay tribute to legendary former manager Jimmy CalderwoodTragically Dombolo’s agent told Le Parisien at the weekend that he had passed away in his sleep.Online tributes have since flowed in for the Congolese-origin former footballer, speaking of his “heart of gold,” “talent” and “amazing kindness.” More

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      Tragedy as female triathlon champion dies aged 39 after drowning as tributes pour in

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      TRIBUTES have poured in for a female triathlon champion who drowned in a freak accident aged 39.Aninha Zuleica Xavier tragically passed away during a race in her native Brazil on Saturday.Triathlete champion Aninha Zuleica Xavier tragically drowned in a freak accidentCredit: NewsflashThe Brazilian teacher was found unresponsive in the sea on SaturdayCredit: NewsflashTributes have poured in for the mother-of-oneCredit: NewsflashThe ace, a champion in another triathlon last month, had gone into the Atlantic Ocean off Fortaleza with other competitors during the first part of the event.But Xavier was not seen coming back out with the other athletes, leading her team to quickly raise the alarm with organisers.A search quickly began for the mum-of-one, who was married for 15 years and worked as a teacher in her day job.However, rescuers unfortunately found her floating and unresponsive in the sea.READ MORE IN SPORTEfforts were made to revive Xavier but she was declared dead on the way to hospital.Race officials said: “We alerted the Fire Department rescue team, who were out in a boat.“We saw Aninha already responsive at sea. Before the race she passed routine tests with our technical team and the course was well known to her.”Brazilian outlet G1 Globo claims the race began before official lifeguards started their duties on the beach.Most read in AthleticsThey add that rescue officials were not asked to provide support during the event either.Police are understood to be investigating her death.Reports claim there were no lifeguards on duty during the raceCredit: NewsflashPolice are now investigating Xavier’s deathCredit: NewsflashTributes poured in for Xavier after the tragic news emerged.The sports consultancy she was part of, Runners Ceara, said: “Her dedication, sportsmanship and joy left a mark on everyone who had the privilege of knowing her.“In this moment of grief we express our most sincere condolences to her family, friends and colleagues.“May you find comfort in the memories and legacy that Aninha leaves in our community. May her memory remain alive in our hearts.”Event organisers Fetriece added: “In this moment of deep sadness, we would like to express our most sincere condolences.“Her passion for the sport will always be remembered by all of us.”Xavier previously opened up over her love for triathlons.She said: “It seemed impossible, after all, with a crazy routine like mine, with very few resources, and living in the metropolitan region would already be difficult.READ MORE SUN STORIES“There was another significant detail: I didn’t know how to ride a bike. “Thank goodness the impossible is just one of many points of view when faced with any situation.” More

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      ‘True legend’ – Boris Becker leads tributes as German football icon and winner of four Euros Doris Fitschen dies aged 56

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      BORIS BECKER has led the tributes to German football legend Doris Fitschen, who has tragically passed away aged 56.Fitschen, who is one of German sport’s most iconic figures, has sadly lost her battle with cancer. German football legend Doris Fitschen has tragically passed away aged 56Credit: GETTYFitschen passed away following a battle with cancerCredit: RETROCON SPORTS FOOTBALLTennis icon Boris Becker has led the tributes to the late FitschenCredit: GETTYThe midfielder’s passing has rocked the German sports world, with several prominent figures paying their respects on social media.Tennis icon Becker wrote on X: “A true legend in German sports has sadly passed away. “Rest in peace, Doris Fitschen.”Fitschen was one of the most successful players in the history of German football.READ MORE SPORTS NEWSShe won seven Bundesliga titles and six German Cups during her stints with TSV Siegen and Eintracht Frankfurt. And she won a whopping FOUR STRAIGHT Uefa Women’s Championships with Germany, lifting the trophy in 1989, 1991, 1995 and 2001.Fitschen made 114 appearances for her country from 1986 to 2001, scoring 16 goals in the process.Injury forced her to hang up her boots at the end of 2001, aged 32.Most read in FootballEintracht Frankfurt paid a touching tribute to the late Doris Fitschen on XBernd Neuendorf – the President of the German FA – also paid tribute to the late Fitschen, who was regarded by many to be one of Germany’s greatest-ever players.He said: “I am shocked and very sad about Doris’ death.”Our thoughts are with her family, all relatives, and her close friends.”Doris was one of the defining figures in football.”As a player, she was a leader, a strategist, and had a presence, dominance, and aura that others could look up to.”Fitschen’s former club, Eintracht Frankfurt, also put out a heartfelt statement upon learning of her death.It read: “We mourn the loss of a former FFC player and a key figure in German women’s football: Doris Fitschen died yesterday after a long and serious illness at the age of 56″Our thoughts are with her family and loved ones.”READ MORE SUN STORIESBianca Rech – the director of Women’s Football at Bayern Munich – wrote: “It is with great sorrow that I bid farewell to a valued team-mate and an outstanding role model.”Her dedication, professionalism, and tireless commitment on and off the field were always a source of inspiration to all of us.” More

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      Radisa Ilic dead at 47: Former Serbia and Partizan goalkeeper pronounced dead after ‘falling from apartment window’

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      SERBIAN football has been plunged into mourning after ex-international goalkeeper Radisa Ilic was found dead outside his apartment.Ilic, 47, won five league titles and two cups during two spells with Partizan Belgrade.Former Serbia international Radisa Ilic has been found deadCredit: GettyCapped once, he also played for Partizan’s city rivals OFK Beograd plus clubs in Romania and Greece.Ilic had worked as goalkeeping coach at Partizan and other Serbian’s sides since hanging up his boots in 2013.But he was pronounced dead on Thursday after falling from his apartment window, according to Belgrade media.Partizan paid tribute to Ilic in a heartfelt message on their website.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSThe club wrote: “FK Partizan is deeply saddened by the passing of former goalkeeper Radisa Ilic who died today at the age of 47.”During his career, Ilic spent two playing spells at Partizan – first one in a period between 1998 and 2003 followed by a 2010-2013 spell.”When he returned to the club in 2010, he made a great contribution to help Partizan reach Champions League group stage. “He was pivotal in CL qualifiers and took part in unforgettable penalty shoot-out series against Anderlecht, when Belgian team players missed three penalties, allowing Partizan to progress to the competition`s group stage.Most read in Football”This heroic performance made him a fans’ favourite and earned him a chant ‘You’re our No.1 keeper, Radisa!’.”Ilic was born in Bajina Basta, making his early football step locally before moving to nearby Uzice to play for Sloboda where he spent four years. Partizan took the note of his great performances and signed him in 1998.He spent five seasons with the club before moving to National Bucuresti. Ilic was soon back in Serbian football, signing for Borac Cacak followed by a spell at OFK Beograd.He briefly played for Greek side Panserraikos, only to return to Borac followed by his second Partizan spell after which he retired.Partizan added: “Radisa Ilic will remain part of our history forever. “His dedication and legendary moments in the black-and-white shirt will never be forgotten.”Ilic left an indelible mark at our club and his name will forever be proudly mentioned among Partizan aficionados. More

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      Man City ‘hero’ and former coach who ‘gave so much to help footballers’ dies aged 87 as emotional tributes pour in

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      TRIBUTES have been paid to ex-Manchester City player and coach Steve Fleet who’s died aged 87.The goalkeeper was recently diagnosed with pancreatic and liver cancer.Former club Stockport County confirmed on social media he recently passed away.Fleet, from Salford, Greater Manchester, played for Bolton Wanderers as a schoolboy, before joining City as an amateur in 1953.After retirement he began coaching at County in 1970, which included a brief stint as caretaker manager, before returning to City and coaching its young stars for 25 years.County said in a tribute: “Everyone at Stockport County was saddened to learn about the death of our former goalkeeper, Football League champion and coach Steve Fleet, who passed away at the age of 87. “Everyone at Edgeley Park sends their condolences to Steve’s loved ones at this difficult time.”Fleet had also played for Wrexham for three years from 1963 before joining County as a player and winning the Fourth Division championship in 1966-67.He returned to City and then finished his career on the pitch at Altrincham.In a post shared on X earlier this month, the Once a Blue Man City Former Players Club wrote: “It is with great sadness that we have to tell you about the passing of yet another former City player, Steve Fleet.Most read in Football”Our thoughts are with Steve’s family and friends. He was truly committed to our football club. God bless Steve x.”Steve Fleet played for Manchester City before becoming a coach More

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      Maradona ‘house of horrors’ REVEALED in first day of homicide trial as pic of late star’s bloated body shocks court

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      FOOTBALL legend Diego Maradona spent his last days in a “house of horror”, a prosecutor claimed during a trial over the sporting icon’s death in Argentina.The World Cup winner’s home care was “reckless and deficient”, according to chief prosecutor Patricio Ferrari as he described the seven defendants on trial.A trial over the icon’s death involved the chief prosecutor showing the court a very graphic image of the footballerCredit: Canal CBAArgentina’s legendary attacking midfielder Diego Maradona died in November, 2020Credit: AFPDoctor Leopoldo Luque (C) during the trial for the death of Diego MaradonaCredit: APPsychologist Carlos Angel Diaz (C-R) during the trial at the San Isidro courtCredit: AFPThe defendants – who were called a bunch of “people who improvised” – are charged with homicide and face up to 25 years in jail if convicted.Mr Ferrari told a Buenos Aires court that the carers were “absolutely indifferent” to the consequences of poor care provided to Maradona, delivering a hard hitting speech at the start of the trial. The prosecutor said: “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.“They co-operated in putting into place a series of factors or circumstances that increased the permitted risk to generate the death of Diego Armando Maradona which is something we say they were absolutely different to.”READ MORE SPORTS NEWSThe prosecutor shocked the room by holding up a grim picture of the player’s last day, which showed the Argentinian icon lying on his back with his bloated stomach exposed under a lifted-up black T-shirt.“This is the way he died,” Ferrari told the court.Over 100 witnesses are set to give evidence in this trial, which will focus on the care he received at a house in Tigre when he died from heart failure in November 2020.Just before he died in 2020, he had returned to the house from a blood clot operation at a hospital.Most read in FootballAlthough the icon struggled with obesity, alcoholism and drug abuse, 20 medical experts stated in 2021 that his death could have been avoided with better treatment.Maradona’s doctor Leopoldo Luque, and his physiatrist Aguestina Cosachov, who were responsible for the footballer’s last days, are due to get in the dock.Former lover Veronica Ojeda, who is also the mother of his 12-year-old son, Dieguito, and his two grown-up daughters Dalma and Gianinna with his ex-wife Claudia Villafane, all attended the court session.When the haunting last image of Maradona was shown to the court, Dalma broke down in tears.Mardona’s former partner Veronica Ojeda arrives at the courthouseCredit: GettyThe star’s daughter Jana Maradona, arrives at courtCredit: ReutersHis medical team face up to 25 years in prison if convictedCredit: AFPMr Ferrari said: “The right to truth is a human right and today Diego Armando Maradona, his children, his relatives, those closest to him and the Argentinian people deserve justice.He added that the public prosecution’s “solid” case was supported by messages from phones seized during property raids as well as witness evidence including the testimony of a number of medical experts.He continued: “We will show that between November 11 and 25 2020, Diego Armando Maradona was introduced into house 45 in the San Barrio neighbourhood in San Benavides in Tigre when, clearly the victim, he 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.He said the defendants “improvised” and that they “neglected all the duties they had”.”In that House of Horror where Diego Maradona died  no-one did what they had to do,” Mr Ferrari added.Before the hearing, his former partner Veronica Ojeda launched into an furious tirade at Agustina Cosachov.She was caught on camera from a distance shouting “Daughter of a b**ch”, before police stepped in to separate them.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe other defendants aside from Luque and Cosachov are nurses Ricardo Almiron; Nancy Forlini and Mariano Perroni: psychologist Carlos Diaz and doctor Pedro Di Spagno.An eighth person, nurse Gisella Dahiana Madrid, will be tried separately later this year.The World Cup winner was a club manager as well as a playerCredit: Reuters More

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      Diego Maradona homicide trial BEGINS as late football icon’s medical team accused of fatal negligence over 2021 death

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      DIEGO Maradona’s medical team could face 25 years in prison as the football legends homicide trial starts today in Buenos Aires.The Argentinian star died after suffering a heart attack at his home in 2020 while recovering from brain surgery for a blood clot.Diego Maradona’s homicide trial has started todayCredit: ReutersDoctor Leopoldo Luque (C) during the trial for the death of Diego MaradonaCredit: APPsychologist Carlos Angel Diaz (C-R) during the trial at the San Isidro courtCredit: AFPEight members of the World Cup winner’s medical team have been accused of negligence that contributed to his death at 60 years old.Each defendant has denied wrongdoing but risks between eight and 25 years in prison if convicted of “homicide with possible intent”.His neurologist Leopoldo Luque, who performed the surgery, is one of the seven people facing trial.Psychiatrist Agustina Cosachov, psychologist Carlos Diaz, doctor Nancy Forlini, clinical physician Pedro Pablo Di Spagna, and nurses Mariano Perroni and Ricardo Almiron, will also appear in court.read more on maradonaThe day nurse Gisela Dahiana Madrid, who found Maradona dead just two weeks after his surgery, has asked to be tried by jury separately.More than 100 witnesses, including members of Maradona’s family and his doctors over the years, are expected to take the stand in the long-delayed trial in the Buenos Aires suburb of San Isidro.Although the icon struggled with obesity, alcoholism and drug abuse, 20 medical experts stated in 2021 that his death could have been avoided with better treatment.Prosecutors have accused the medical team of pushing for Maradona to receive home care, which proved “reckless” and “totally deficient.”Most read in FootballThe night nurse said he had seen “warning signs” but had received orders “not to wake” Maradona.Prosecutors allege the footballer was abandoned to his fate for a “prolonged, agonizing period” before his death.Diego Maradona’s daughter fights back tears as she says family live in fear of mafia ahead of trial into his death The football legends’ family claimed that leaked audio and text messages show that the star’s health was in imminent danger, said Mario Baudry, a lawyer for Maradona’s son Dieguito.He said the messages showed the medical team’s strategy was to try and ensure that Diego’s daughters did not intervene “because if they did, they (the medical staff) would lose their money.”The expert 2021 report that ignited this trial questioned why the football legend was released from hospital so soon after his surgery, saying: “The home confinement did not comply with norms and protocols.”The rented home Maradona stayed in notably did not have a defibrillator.This huge trial is expected to last until July.Vadim Mischanchuk, lawyer for psychiatrist Agustina Cosachov, said he was “very optimistic” of an acquittal, arguing his client was in charge of Maradona’s mental, not physical health.The World Cup winner’s death plunged Argentina into mourning during the pandemic.Maradona shaking hands with his doctor Leopoldo Luque in Olivos in 2020Credit: AFPFans outside the courthouse on TuesdayCredit: GettyTens of thousands of people queued to bid farewell to the former Boca Juniors and Napoli striker as his body lay in state in the presidential palace.Mardona’s former partner Veronica Ojeda arrives at the courthouseCredit: GettyLocals have remained heartbroken over the World Cup winner’s tragic death.READ MORE SUN STORIESpensioner Hilda Pereira told AFP: “All society needs to know… what really happened, who abandoned him… and whoever is responsible must pay the price.”Maradona “did not deserve to die as he died, alone,” she added, her voice quavering.The star’s daughter Jana Maradona, arrives at courtCredit: ReutersEight people have been accused of ‘homicide with possible intent’Credit: AFP More