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    Phil Foden’s son, 5, set to become star by entertaining fans as a YouTuber

    FOOTIE ace Phil Foden’s five-year-old son is set to smash the net again — with his own YouTube channel.Ronnie already has five million Instagram followers after dancing on the pitch following his dad’s 2023 Champions League triumph with Manchester City.Phil Foden’s five-year-old son Ronnie is getting his own YouTube channelCredit: GettyRonnie was nicknamed ‘The Dude’ by City fans and has since become the unofficial mascot for the teamCredit: GettyNow the cheeky chap could cash in on his fame by entertaining fans as a YouTuber after dad Phil, 23, and mum Rebecca, 22, set up a channel for him.A source said: “Ronnie loves being the centre of attention and is a big fan of some of the YouTubers so Phil and his mum have set up an account.“He could end up making loads of money from it.”Speaking about his son’s celebrations in Istanbul, Phil said: “His personality has made him who he is. READ MORE ON FOOTBALL”He just reminds me of myself when I was a kid and he’s very funny.”Ronnie was nicknamed “The Dude” by City fans and has since become the unofficial mascot for the team.And after their latest Premier League title in May, he was seen trying to open a bottle of champagne to the amusement of fans.He has a modelling contract and is on a talent group’s books despite only just starting school.Most read in FootballPhil and Rebecca also share daughter TruePhil Foden’s girlfriend Rebecca Cooke gives birth to boy with England star to fly back to Euro 2024 for Slovakia clash More

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    Ebanie Bridges reveals pregnancy to the world with beaming boxer showing off baby bump as she arrives at Misfits event

    BOXER Ebanie Bridges has revealed to the world she’s expecting her first child.The Blonde Bomber hasn’t set foot inside the ring since her decision loss to Miyo Yoshida last December, which saw her lose the IBF female bantamweight title.Ebanie Bridges has kept a relatively low profile since losing the IBF women’s bantamweight titleCredit: REUTERSThe 37-year-old made an appearance at the latest Misfits Boxing event and was sporting a baby bumpCredit: YOUTUBE / BOXING KING MEDIAThe radiating Bridges was all smiles as she was congratulated on her pregnancyCredit: YOUTUBE / BOXING KING MEDIAThe Aussie, 37, has kept a relatively low profile since the crushing defeat, keeping public appearances to somewhat of a minimum.But she made the trip to Newcastle on Saturday to watch her pal Elle Brooke headline Misfits Boxing’s 18th X Series event.And she proudly showed a baby bump upon arrival at the Utilita Arena, much to the surprise of some of her acquaintances.YouTube channel Boxing King Media revealed Bridges’ pregnancy to the world, briefly catching up with her before she entered the arena for the fights.READ MORE BOXING NEWSMotherhood is something Bridges has longed for but put off in order to pursue her dream of becoming a world champion.In an exclusive interview with SunSport two years ago, she said: “It’s a battle I have all the time, and it’s very heartbreaking.”I want nothing more than to have a family and have kids. It’s very important to me.”It’s getting harder and it’s a tough decision to make.Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSEbanie Bridges put off motherhood in order to fulfil her dream of winning a world titleCredit: REUTERS”I am at the peak of my career, and to stop and have a kid.”Not only does that put me out for a year, but it makes it very hard to have a kid with my partner back home.Seven sports stars who started an OnlyFans including ex-footballer and British boxing icon”My career is over here, it’s not in Australia.”I can’t have a baby, then disappear and ask someone else to look after the baby and head to the UK for weeks while I’m in a training camp.”It’s not possible, it’s hard for me, it’s hard for my partner.”But, I have to go with my heart and believe that everything happens for a reason.”I’m just praying in a couple of years I’ve achieved what I want to achieve and can go off and then have children.”Brooke had a front-row seat for Brooke’s unanimous decision victory over Jenny Savage, which saw her retain the Misfits Women’s middleweight title. More

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    Inside life of ‘special man’ Lee Carsley who raised son with Down’s Syndrome and continues second job alongside England

    LEE CARSLEY does not intend to put his life on hold after becoming interim England manager.The Three Lions boss oversaw wins over the Republic of Ireland and Finland in his first two games in charge, and has received growing support to take the job on full-time.Lee Carsley has received growing support to be the next permanent England managerCredit: AlamyBut he admitted how he turned from being a ‘selfish’ player after the birth of his second sonCredit: GettyCarsley takes his son, who has Down’s Syndrome, to Solihull Moors Foundation on FridaysCredit: Instagram @solihullmoorsfoundationBut Carsley, described as a “special man” by SunSport columnist Troy Deeney, is far more than just an international coach.He is a loving father who takes his son, Connor, to training for the Solihull Moors Foundation’s Down’s Syndrome team regularly on Friday evenings.In an interview with the Daily Mail last year, Carsley opened up on how the birth of his second son in 1999 saw him turn the leaf from being a “selfish” Premier League player.Carsley has three children with wife Louisa.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHis second son, Connor, was born with Down’s Snydrome, a condition which increases the risk of health complications such as heart disorders, hearing problems, thyroid issues and recurrent infections.He said: “It affected the whole family. I was quite selfish as a player. I didn’t know anything about special needs because it didn’t affect me. “I was quite sheltered in terms of if you went to hospital (for an injury), you went to a specialist. A car took you in, waited, you went straight in, back in the car and away. “We went from that to, ‘No, this is the real world, if you want a speech therapist you have to get in the queue with everyone else’.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”That probably doesn’t sound right but it was different from what we’d always done. “It made me a lot more aware of the bigger picture, the bigger world, more aware of how much support families need. Money is obviously important but it didn’t help us.”‘Good on him’ – Lee Carsley wins the praise of Roy Keane after very frank admission following first two England gamesCarsley also revealed how Connor, now 25, would take up around 80 per cent of his and his wife’s time when growing up compared to siblings Callum and Lois.His own fundraising efforts for the foundation led to extra support being made available for other families.When moving to Everton in 2002 he became vice-president of the club’s Disabled Supporters’ Association, while his influence led to further donations to the Down’s Syndrome Association from team-mates.The late Sven-Goran Eriksson was said to be among those to contribute.Carsley, 50, also has the second job of coaching weekly sessions for young footballers aged between 16 and 21 at the Strachan Football Foundation in Warwick.It affected the whole family. I was quite selfish as a player. I didn’t know anything about special needs because it didn’t affect me.Lee CarsleyOn his role at the team, he said: “I still find a way to coach which gives me the chance to practise what I’m going to do with any teams I’m working with.”I could potentially be practising for two months on what I’m going to try, rather than a day when you’ve got two games in an international window.”It gives me a chance to experiment and then hopefully deliver it when the (England) players are live.”I was there in Warwick last Friday (Aug 23). I’ve been doing that for maybe three years. It’s like an education and coaching centre.”The biggest thing you notice when you first come and work internationally is that you stop coaching and I was adamant that wasn’t going to happen to me.”My biggest strength is coaching so that is one of the things I didn’t want to stop.READ MORE SUN STORIES”I have other priorities within the job as well. I have to be creative and make sure I have got a couple of hours every week on a Friday morning that I’m able to get out there and try things and get it wrong!”England’s next games will come in October against Greece and Finland.England ratings vs Finland: Kane bags double on his big day… but he’s not the Three Lions’ star manTRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD showed his brilliance as Harry Kane’s brace saw England beat Finland.Interim boss Lee Carsley maintained his 100 per cent win record in charge of England.SunSports Tom Barclay has given their ratings of the England players…Jordan Pickford – 6Had nothing to do.Trent Alexander-Arnold – STAR MAN 9England’s best player as he supplied some beautiful balls from deep that on another day would have led to a glut of assists.He did get one in the end, although that was more thanks to Harry Kane’s lethal finishing.Ezri Konsa – 6Showed his ability on the ball with a super ball through for Bukayo Saka on the half hour.Twisted his ankle early in the second half, surprisingly played on before being replaced on the hour.John Stones – 6Played at left-sided centre-back before shifting when Levi Colwill came on.Solid though not much to deal with. Now 19 short of 100 caps.Rico Lewis – 7In the right place to snuff out early danger from ex-Norwich man Teemu Pukki.Came close to a goal on his second England cap when prodding wide after the break.Declan Rice – 5Lost possession to give Finland their one and only big chance which Topi Kesinen should have squared to Pukki, but instead fired wildly over.Angel Gomes – 7Wanted the ball from the off, just like Lee Carsley thought he would. Deliciously drilled cross-field ball to Alexander-Arnold early doors showed his range.Bukayo Saka – 7Almost scored and almost assisted in a lively display.Unlucky that Kane was millimetres offside after the centurion had headed home the Arsenal man’s wicked delivery.Jack Grealish – 7Enjoyed being in the heart of the action at No10 again, as he did on Saturday against the Republic of Ireland.Carsley clearly likes him – it will be fascinating to see what happens when Mssrs Bellingham, Foden and Palmer all return.Anthony Gordon – 7Caused problems down the left with his rapid pace – how we needed some of that in the Euros.But did not have on his shooting boots as he fluffed a decent chance early in the second half.Harry Kane – 8Two blistering finishes took the centurion to an astonishing 68 goals in 100 caps.Was denied the chance of a hat-trick in front of his family when subbed off to a standing ovation for the final ten.Kane said he fancies his chances of reaching a ton of international goals – and it does not seem fanciful.SUBSLevi Colwill (on for Konsa, 61) – 6Next to no threat from Finland by the time he came on.Eberechi Eze (on for Gordon, 66) – 6Raced on to yet another special Trent pass but could not loop it over the keeper.Noni Madueke (on for Saka, 66) – 7Looked to make an impact every time he got the ball on debut. Excellent one-two with Trent saw the Chelsea man tee up Kane’s second.Marc Guehi (on for Stones, 80) – 6As with Colwill, little to do.Jarrod Bowen (on for Kane, 81) – 6Played up top after Kane went off for the final minutes, as he has done for West Ham. More

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    Former Premier League captain cuts all ties with his father as he says ‘he did horrible things to people I love’

    SHEFFIELD UNITED star Anel Ahmedhodzic has cut all ties with his father – claiming he has done “horrible things to people I love”.The defender’s allegations are the latest twist in a sad saga which also saw him withdraw from duty with Bosnia and quit international football.Anel Ahmedhodzic’s exit from Bosnia duty spilled into allegationsCredit: RexAhmedhodzic has won 24 Bosnia caps but suggested he’s had enoughCredit: GettyAhmedhodzic says he has reluctantly gone public after dad Mirsad alleged he was “under the influence of his wife and mother-in-law”.His father had earlier revealed he “did not consider” the 25-year-old his son “anymore” – suggesting he had been turned off his country by “bad people”.The former Blades’ skipper, whose club lost their Premier League spot last season, responded by accusing his dad of “manipulation, lies, scams and almost daily bullying”.The ex-Nottingham Forest man was “insulted” too by a claim his wife had “cast black magic” on him.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSAhmedhodzic explained he’d received hundreds of messages abusing him and his family after he pulled out of Nations League action.He blamed an injury, poor medical treatment and misinformation for his latest problems on international duty.Now Ahmedhodzic has spoken out on issues with his dad as “things can no longer be ignored”.In a statement shared by Balkan cable TV station N1, he said: “The only thing anyone wants from their father as a son is support and pride. Unfortunately, I got very little of that.Most read in Football”What I got most of the time was manipulation, lies, scams and almost daily bullying. “This is the type of man who shows his ‘power’ over women, but has never had the guts to stand up to another man.”Inside Angel Gomes’ rise from Man Utd wonderkid to England starAhmedhodzic added he had a “very good relationship with my mother” and supports her “financially”.He continued: “So when he [his father] says that I don’t care about my parents, it’s a complete lie. That’s not a man. “He goes after people I care about every time there’s a problem.  “He did horrible things to people I love but I don’t want to talk about that here. “There are so many reasons why I cut off contact with him. You will say ‘but he is your father, life is short’.”Trust me, I’ve tried many times to fix things, to forget what he did and every time I fix things, we end up back at the beginning and he doesn’t change at all, not even a little bit.”There have been many occasions when he has publicly insulted me since I married my wife, which he only does to make me angry and get a reaction from me.”Ahmedhodzic also reckoned his dad had “spoiled my reputation in England” with “completely untrue” statements that he “wanted to leave” the Blades. He insisted: “This is the city and the club that gave me the best memories of my life, including the birth of my son.”The Sweden-born ace, who joined United from Malmo two years later, also fiercely defended his partner.He said: “Saying my wife cast black magic on me is very insulting to me and especially to my wife because she is awesome.”It is very hard to find a woman who will take care of you like she does and I am very lucky that my son has such an amazing mother. Ahmedhodzic saw the Blades drop to the Championship this seasonCredit: Alamy”And then say that he doesn’t let me go to national team matches? It’s ridiculous.””She never missed a match, even when she was nine months’ pregnant… She is my biggest supporter and to say she won’t let me go is stupid, but what do you expect from a narcissist?”I am very disappointed, but not surprised that it has come to this. “I never wanted it to be public, but when you have a father who is actively trying to control you, push you down, and hurt your reputation, I had to do it.”Ahmedhodzic’s dad had earlier said: “No one is a better friend to my son than his parents, but when he listens to the wrong people, what happens to him happens.”That’s not my son anymore, I don’t consider him my son anymore. I wish him well. The best. “I fought the whole war, I was wounded three times. I wanted my son to play for the country that I created with my own blood, but he was turned away by bad people who think only of self-interest.” Ahmedhodzic Senior also suggested his son’s wife and her family had tried to separate Anel from his parents.He added: “I hid my feelings when they asked me how Anela was doing, I hid everything inside me.”It was difficult for me to answer the truth, I always said ‘he’s doing well, we talk to each other, etc.. I defended him. READ MORE SUN STORIES”I thought he would understand, forgive himself, but nothing works. They have it under control.”Ahmedhodzic Junior won a single cap for Sweden in 2020 before switching his allegiance the same year to Bosnia, for whom he played 24 times until apparently now having enough. More

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    I’m a former world champ who KOd Brit boxing legend… but my rap star twin sisters are more famous than me

    DANNY GARCIA is the former world champion boxer bidding to win another belt – but he is not the most famous face in his family. Garcia – who knocked out British legend Amir Khan in 2012 – was coached to titles in two divisions by his eccentric dad Angel. Danny Garcia with his twin sistersCredit: Instagram @siangietwinsGarcia is trained by dad AngelCredit: PBC Amir Khan was knocked out by Garcia in 2012Credit: Action Images – ReutersBut neither are as popular as Angel’s twin daughters Sianney and Angelise Garcia – known as the rap duo SiAngie Twins. Garcia, 36, told SunSport with a chuckle: “They’re more famous than me!”We come from a family of talent, even my daughter is very talented, my daughter Philly, she has so much character, so much charisma. One day somebody’s gonna see her talent also.”Believe it or not, my sisters and I, we do have mutual fans but they have a different fan base than me.READ MORE IN BOXING”So, like some of their fans don’t even know who I am. Some of my fans don’t even know who they are.”But a lot of people do know we’re a family so people know us as a family business and that’s why we kinda like all intertwined.”We all kinda like book our family together because we promote us being a successful family.”But for the most part, their fans are younger than me. They don’t even know who I am.”Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSGarcia helps promote his sisters’ music and has even featured on tracks with them. The family also had their own reality TV show – documenting the ups and down of mixing family with business. Garcia said: “Sometimes it’s tough. Sometimes it’s tough because my sisters are younger than me, 13 years younger than me. “So they’re not fully gonna see life how I see life. So sometimes we bump heads because we have different visions. “Even my father, we bump heads a lot we’re always bumping heads because we have different visions and different outlooks.”But we always sit down as a family, you know, figure it out and just try not to always hold grudges and be mad at each other. “So we just kinda learn how to work together and things like that.”Garcia is 13 years older than the twinsCredit: Instagram @siangietwinsThey are rappers from PhiladelphiaCredit: Instagram @siangietwinsGarcia says his twins are ‘more famous’ than himCredit: Instagram @siangietwinsThe SiAngie Twins have songs out with brother DannyCredit: Instagram @siangietwinsGarcia’s father Angel has become a star of his own, known for riling up his son’s opponents, with the two reuniting once again in the gym. Garcia beamed: “You know, my dad is full of energy. He’s the reason why I love boxing so much.”He’s so passionate about it and when I’m doing, I know I’m making him happy because that’s all he really loves is boxing.”I tell them, look, we can’t fight forever. So you gotta learn how to be happy outside the ring too.”I love my dad, you know, that’s my best friend.”Garcia held unified light-welterweight world titles before moving up to welterweight to once again become champion. But now he challenges Erislandy Lara, 41, for the WBA middleweight belt over the weekend in Las Vegas. It is well over a STONE heavier then when he sucked down to 10st to KO Khan – a weight cut even Garcia is stunned he managed. Garcia has always had dad Angel in his cornerThey have won world titles togetherCredit: Getty Images – GettyThe two are best friendsCredit: Amanda Westcott/SHOWTIMEHe admitted: “I’m fighting 17 pounds heavier, but yeah, I definitely don’t miss miss making 140. I don’t even know how I made 140 to be honest.”Sometimes I sit back and I look, and I’m like, how did I make that weight?”I won titles at 140, 147. I feel like all the great fighters go up in weight and try to do something great.Try to do something for her legacy.”So I feel like this right here is a fight that I’m jumping up a couple of weight classes to try make big history and just try to put myself in the category of all the great champions who’ve done it for me.”Garcia returns after over two years out, last beating Jose Benavidez Jr, 32, in July 2020 when he broke down in tears following the win. The American bravely spoke about his mental health struggles outside the ring and battling back to victory. Garcia admits he is in the final chapter of his career now but vowed to close it out as a three-division champ. READ MORE SUN STORIESHe said: “I’m just taking it one fight at a time.”I wanna win this WBA middleweight title and then after I’ll just go from there one fight at a time.” Erislandy Lara defends his WBA middleweight title against Danny GarciaCredit: Esther Lin/

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    Transgender parent-of-two Valentina Petrillo, 50, qualifies for Paralympics 2024 women’s 400m semi-final

    AN ITALIAN runner who was born male has become the second transgender athlete to compete in the 64-year history of the Paralympics.Valentina Petrillo, 50, has a visual impairment and competed in the heats of the women’s T12 400m class on day five of the Paris Games.Valentina Petrillo of Team Italy made history during the Women’s 400m T12 Round 1 Heats on day five of the ParalympicsCredit: GETTYThe 50-year-old became the second transgender athlete to compete in the Games in its 64-year historyCredit: GETTYPetrillo was born a male and underwent hormone therapy in 2019Credit: GETTYPetrillo, who does not require a guide, qualified for tonight’s semi-finals at the Stade de France with a time of 58.35 seconds as she finished behind Alejandra Paola Perez Lopez of Venezuela in heat four but ahead of China’s Shen Yaqin.Without requiring the use of a guide runner, parent-of-two Petrillo qualified sixth overall and will be in contention for the podium spots at the Paras.She said: Petrillo said: “The atmosphere in the stadium is great, it’s just a dream come true. We are here finally, it’s September 2, 2024, let’s sign this historical date (in our diary).“From today I don’t want to hear anything more about discrimination, prejudices against transgender people.READ MORE PARALYMPICS NEWS“There are lots of people dying only for being trans, people are killed because they are trans, people commit suicide because they are trans and lose their jobs, or (they are) are not included in sport.“But I made it. If I can make it, everyone can make it. I thought about Paris from the day I knew I was not making it to Tokyo. I am here now. Finally, I made it.”In 2017, the disabled star shocked her wife, the mother of their two children, when she revealed she wanted to become a transgender woman – and within two years, she was undergoing hormone therapy.Running as a male, Petrillo won 11 Italian para-athletics titles but has started to win medals on the international stage since switching to female-only events.Most read in AthleticsIn March 2023, World Athletics – the governing body of able-bodied track-and-field – took a firm stance on this controversial topic.Officials decided to exclude male-to-female transgender athletes who had gone through male puberty from competing in international events for women.Imane Khelif wins Olympic gold in women’s welterweight final after huge gender row that has grabbed worldwide attentionSeb Coe, the president of the governing body, said “decisive action” was taken “to protect the female category in our sport”.While some might feel that Petrillo has a considerable physical advantage, despite being in her sixth decade on the planet, the International Paralympic Committee refused to implement any ban, saying they do not have any “framework” of rules.Channel 4’s Paralympics Line-UpChannel 4 have a star-studded line-up of hosts and pundits for their coverage of the 2024 ParalympicsA IPC spokesperson said: “We have had one previous transgender athlete at the Paralympic Games. “This was a Rio 2016 Paralympian who represented the Netherlands.“Our framework is very clear. The IPC have no specific rules on transgender.“It’s the responsibility of the international federations, which is a very similar approach to the IOC (International Olympic Committee).”Not everybody is convinced and some want a suspension to come into force.Germany’s Katrin Mueller-Rottgardt, who competes in the women’s long jump, said: “Basically, everyone should live in everyday life the way they feel comfortable, but I find it difficult in competitive sports.“Petrillo has lived and trained as a man for a long time, so there is a possibility that the physical requirements are different to those of someone who was born as a woman.Valentina Petrillo wants to be a role model for other transgender peopleCredit: GETTY”This could give an advantage.”Petrillo said: “I’m happy as a woman and running as a woman is all I want. I couldn’t ask for more.“I dream of a future where no one has to hear stories like mine anymore.“For 44 years I had no tools, I thought I was the only one in the world experiencing this situation.”I was born in Naples in the Seventies, where the ‘femminielli’ were considered the ‘scum’ of society.READ MORE SUN STORIES“I had an older relative who declared that she was trans and she was kicked out of the house by her father. I was scared and hid.“I dream of a future in which there are no longer children, girls, teenagers, forced to hide, to be afraid, to not be able to express themselves for who they are: in the family, in society, in everyday activities.” More

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    Former Jamaica ace hopes new guide for mums in football leads to better support for female players with children

    CHEYNA MATTHEWS hopes new guidelines for mums in football will make it “less taboo” for female players to bring their children to sports events.The former Jamaica player, 30, shared her thoughts as part of ‘The Postpartum Return to Play’ guide published by global players’ union Fifpro.Sara Bjork Gunnarsdottir, who won a landmark maternity pay case last year, is among the players who fed into Fifpro’s new guideCredit: ReutersCheyna Matthews (left) hopes Fifpro’s guide will help make it less taboo for players who are mums to bring children into football environmentsCredit: APThe 48-page guide, published today, was produced with input from current and former elite players who are parents, including Matthews, who is a mother-of-three.Other players who are mums and shared their experiences include ex-Iceland midfielder Sara Bjork Gunnarsdottir, who won a maternity pay claim case against French giants Lyon last January.The guide provides information on topics such as sleep hygiene, breastfeeding and pelvic health. It also provides advice on nutrition for players for during and after pregnancy, as well as management of mental wellbeing, and returning to exercise post-pregnancy.Read More Football StoriesThe guide includes insights from experts on pregnancy and reproductive health, women’s football and Fifa maternity regulations.And Matthews, who played for Jamaica at the 2019 and 2023 World Cups, hopes it will lead to better support for female footballers wanting to blend their roles as mothers and elites athletes.The former forward, said: “For me, I tried to keep my children away from the club environment because I didn’t want to be looked at as the mum, I wanted to be looked at as a professional.”I think that was probably my biggest challenge – finding that balance of how often do I have my children around, do they travel with me?Most read in Football”It’s those kinds of things and I just worked with my family and the support and resources that I had outside of the team to make it fit what I felt like I should do in my professional environment.”These guidelines will really help, in terms of having the professional life and the family life intersect, where it’s not as taboo to have your child travel with you on a trip. “And it’s not considered a distraction and there’s a space for it.”Last month in Paris retired United States sprint star Allyson Felix opened the first nursery to be set up in an Olympic village.The seven-time Olympic gold-medallist told NBC the idea for this at the Paris games “was top of mind to support athletes are mothers”.Felix, who won an election to represent athletes on the IOC, said: “It’s here so that mothers and families feel supported.”Having some normalcy is great, just to have an actual space dedicated for this.”Last month Allyson Felix opened the first nursery to provided in an Olympic Games villageCredit: ReutersMatthews, who has 18 senior Jamaica caps, hopes Fifpro’s new guidelines will open doors for similar spaces at football tournaments.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe forward, whose former clubs include Washington Spirit, Racing Louisville and Chicago RedStars, adds: “Having the childcare centre for the Olympians is huge.”I can just see with the (Fifpro) guideline how it will open doors for maybe sponsors and different supporters to have these experiences for players in the football environment as well.” More

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    I dated football star for 2 YEARS before his ‘mask dropped’ when I fell pregnant – I can’t afford clothes for our boy

    A WOMAN who dated a football star for two years says his “mask dropped” when she fell pregnant – claiming she now can’t afford clothes for their son.The struggling mum told how the married player paid her just £8 a month for maintenance.A football star paid a struggling ex-girlfriend £8-a-month maintenance payments — leaving her to raise their son on Pot Noodles (stock image)Credit: GettyShe claimed he hid his assets to make sure he qualified for nil rate child support.The woman dated the player for two years before she became pregnant.She said: “The mask fell. He said, ‘You can’t be pregnant, I’m married’. I was stunned.”The mum claims the former Championship player owes hundreds of thousands for the upkeep of their boy, now 14.Read More SportShe says records show he earns less than £7 a week.The girlfriend said: “My son has had to eat £1.80 packet noodles for dinner on really hard days. “He once asked me for an ice cream, I couldn’t afford it. It broke my heart.“He’s had to wear clothes that are too small. He wanted to go to boxing and basketball.Most read in Football”But I can’t afford the fees. Anything I earn goes towards him and my house.”She says she foolishly accepted the ex-player’s offer of £10,000 not to take their finance row to a tribunal.She added: “But I expected the basic child maintenance to continue, which to my surprise was abruptly stopped.”Officials tell me their records show he is earning less than £7 a week, so he can send what he wants.”He comes across as a jovial guy. His hypocrisy is jaw-dropping.” More