More stories

  • in

    Meet Brit boxing’s best social media star who coached in the Maldives and has Snoop Dogg and Sugar Ray Leonard as fans

    DAN MORLEY – British boxing’s best social media star – is back with a bang.The 28-year-old Epsom welterweight clocked up a modest 8-0 record on the small-hall circuit between 2018 and 2022, to little fanfare.Dan Morley launched his comeback with a perfect liver shot knockoutCredit: RexMorley is now hoping to get a British title shotCredit: Boxing TunesThe 28-year-old coached out in the MaldivesCredit: Instagram @danmorleyboxingHe coached Stranger Things star Millie Bobby Brown during his time thereCredit: Instagram @danmorley97And a disillusionment with the frustrating sport, combined with the covid pandemic that crippled it, put him on the sidelines for two years and bedridden at mum’s house.In that time though, the self-taught video whizz started creating brilliant boxing clips and biographies on some of history’s greatest boxers.This has earned follows and friendships from superstars from Sugar Ray Leonard, to Carl Froch and even Jackass legend Johnny Knoxville and music legend Snoop Dogg.Morley’s TikTok and Instagram accounts grew to over 500,000 followers and he was invited to teach the sport he loves in paradise hotels in Switzerland and the MaldivesRead more BoxingAnd on July 6 the newly empowered puncher won his comeback with a beautiful body shot in the opening round and he already has another September date secured as promoters who previously overlooked him now chase his signature.The entrepreneur sat down with SunSport to explain his rapid rise from the obscurity of his barber’s chair to his mum’s spare sickbed to a couple of star-studded profiles.“I started during Covid when my barber told me to start a TikTok account,” he told SunSport.“I couldn’t be a**ed with it at first but then I started doing a few about myself and my training but that stuff doesn’t stand out and nothing happened.Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSMorley also spent time coaching and training in SwitzerlandCredit: Instagram @danmorley97Morley is ready to cause a ripple in the boxing world after conquering social mediaCredit: Boxing TunesEpsom welterweight Dan Morley is a TikTok and Instagram whizzCredit: Rex“But then I caught Covid and was in bed at my mum’s and I asked her if she thought people would be interested in the Cuban style of boxing.“She said ‘probably not’ but I did it anyway and it got about 250,000 views and then the TikTok grew.Brit boxer Dan Morley delivers stunning liver shot KOBoxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard is one of Morley’s social media followersCredit: GettyMusic legend Snoop Dogg is also a big Morley fanCredit: Reuters“Since then a few crazy things have happened, like a friendship with Johnny Knoxville, which is mad, Sugar Ray Leonard follows the account and Carl Froch has sent me messages. It’s amazing and a big confidence booster.“When I was first boxing these big names weren’t paying attention and now they are, for my boxing knowledge.”Too many boxing promoters and broadcasters flogged themselves to the social-media-influencer world at the start of the digital craze and we have seen some thoroughly dismal acts and ‘fights’.Thankfully the sport now seems to be pulling away from the fame-desperate circus act it helped kickstart around 2018 when Watford showman KSI danced with American entertainer Logan Paul in Manchester.But it means a bonafide throwback fighter and boxing fan like Morley has been cautious about using the platforms to boost his well-deserved popularity.Morley’s mum told him nobody would watch his Cuban boxing clip – then 250,000 didCredit: RexHe explained: “I was cautious because it is not my nature to sell-out or make a spectacle of myself.“I had a plan to build my following but I had to do it in the right way, which would benefit me but also help people.“I am not very good on phones, my friends get the hump when I take two days to reply to a message.“I am no good at technology but I taught myself all that and learned how to edit up to four good videos a day.“I had to learn how to clip things probably, merge things together but also learn how to not rip anybody else’s footage off.“In my 18 months out I did over 2,000 posts so I put the work in and have hopefully deserved the following.”Morley teaches boxing in stunning spots in Switzerland and Maldives but can’t switch offCredit: RexMorley’s accounts are must-follow content for fellow boxing nerds, sports fans and even history buffs.And he hopes that the modern tools at his disposal help him teach Generation Z about the incredible and criminally underrated men who paved the way for glitz-and-glamour version of the sport we see today.“I have read every book I can find and I am a proper nerd about it,” he laughed.“I want people to know that Harry Greb lost ONCE in 100 fights and went 45-0 in one year – all while being BLIND in one eye.“Some of these feats are so amazing.“Henry Armstrong won 59 of 61 fights in three years – through SEVEN weight divisions.“People rave about Floyd Mayweather and Mike Tyson – and rightly so because they are amazing fighters – but it wrongly feels like people think they are the only boxers who ever walked the earth.”I was cautious because it is not my nature to sell-out or make a spectacle of myself.Dan MorleyMorley now has a following that some British world champions would be proud of – or even have their PR people pay for.The pugilism media pioneer has a podcast and book ideas and has been wisely used by Wasserman to present some of their Channel 5 shows.So why on earth is he back in the back in the gym, punishing and starving himself, sparring hundreds of unpaid rounds and risking his life?“I love boxing,” he said. “I took a break from it and that told me how much I love it.“I have goals that I want to achieve, the social media stuff is all-well-and-good but I have not fulfilled my potential.READ MORE SUN STORIES“I built my social media in a way that allows me to do it as a passion, it doesn’t feel like a cringey way of doing things.“I have the followers that I needed and now I love it.”MORLEY AND THE MALDIVESBy Kealan HughesBRIT boxer brushed shoulders with ex-England rugby stars Jason Robinson and Ben Cohen, as well as fitness guru Joe Wicks.Morley even trained members of the Qatar royal family and a then 15-year-old Millie Bobby Brown of Stranger Things fame on the Maldives island of Huvafen Fushi where he stayed in hotel rooms costing £60,000 a night.Time away from the spotlight gave Morley a much-needed break both physically and mentally and he got his love back for boxing, sharing his knowledge first-hand and online.He quickly began to build his fanbase and now boasts 400,000 fans across his social media platforms, including Snoop Dogg, Sugar Ray Leonard and Johnny Knoxville, who recently appeared on his podcast. More

  • in

    Ex-Arsenal cult icon Nicklas Bendtner in shock career change after taking up new hobby during Covid lockdown

    ARSENAL cult hero Nicklas Bendtner has launched his own gaming company.Bendtner, 36, rolled credits on his turbulent football career in 2019 and is now set for a completely different endeavour.Arsenal cult hero Nicklas Bendtner started his own gaming groupCredit: AFPBendtner spent nine turbulent years with ArsenalCredit: Getty – ContributorAccording to Esports Insider, the former striker created his own group that he calls Legendary Gaming Group.This comes after the ex-Denmark international spent the Covid-19 pandemic playing Counter-Strike: Global Offensive.Bendtner said, “My own role in the company will be an active one, but what the exact title will be is not 100% decided yet, as it also depends on what roles the other sports profiles coming in will have.”The ex-Arsenal ace propped up a website alongside Morten Jensen, Atle Stehouer, Stephen Shine, and Jonas Rosbech.Read More on ArsenalThe site says: “Legendary Gaming Group offers a premier esports experience, blending elite talent development, cutting-edge scouting, and thrilling events. “We collaborate with top brands, NGOs, and sponsors to create impactful partnerships. “Join us to elevate your gaming journey and be part of the future of esports innovation.”Bendtner joined Arsenal’s academy in 2004 from Kjobenhavns Boldklub at the age of 16.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThe controversial forward earned a senior call-up in 2005 and went on to amass a total of 47 goals and 22 assists in 171 appearances with the Gunners.The Dane played for the likes of Birmingham, Sunderland and Juventus on loan during his nine-year stint with the North Londoners.Ex-Arsenal striker Bendtner shows off new look in shock appearance in Denmark World Cup 2022 squad announcement video Bendtner also played for Wolfsburg, Nottingham Forest, Rosenborg and Copenhagen before his early retirement at the age of 31. More

  • in

    Heartbreaking story of boxer who’d get beaten up in ring to numb pain of baby son’s fight for his life

    MACAULAY MCGOWAN was supposed to stop accepting dangerous fights after his baby boy won the toughest one of all.In December 2019 the Manchester super-welter was supposed to welcome his little boy smoothly into the world. Macaulay McGowan is a proud fighter and an even prouder dadCredit: Macaulay McGowanMcGowan lost three dangerous fights in a row after a bright undefeated startCredit: GettyBut brave missus Francesca suffered a placental abruption and internal haemorrhage, robbing little Albie of his oxygen supply.The fearless light-flyweight suffered Hypoxic-Ischaemic Encephalopathy – or birth asphyxia – and the biggest concern was whether or not he would survive – not even how much brain damage he would suffer.The undefeated new father was almost destroyed and – faced with the added financial and psychological punishment of the Covid lockdown – he took three rushed fights as the rank underdog and lost them all.Incredibly Albie has since beaten odds that daddy could have only dream of and is now walking and talking and attending nursery and dad has rebuilt with six wins, a harsh draw and an even harsher points defeat.Read more boxingBut he’s back in the deep end on Friday on Channel 5, against celebrated German amateur Abass Baraou for the European title, but tooled with a far brighter outlook and side hustle.“They were dark days,” McGowan told SunSport with the sounds of jet engines rattling down the phone.EURO 2024 FREE BETS AND OFFERS“I lost three fights on the spin, 30 long rounds, and never felt a thing.”I was using boxing as a distraction from what my son and missus were going through.Anthony Joshua shows the training never stops as boxer does 30 press-ups on PRIVATE JET as all-Brit clash edges closer“Being punched in the face for half an hour by an amateur star or a former world champion was better than facing up to what my lad was going through.“We had no idea how good or bad things would be, we just had to sit and watch and wait and hope and then slowly he got up and started walking and then talking and, although we have to keep an eye on a few things and he’s a bit behind his class with his speech, he has come on so much and has now started at nursery.“Now I am boxing because I love it again and I think I can surprise a few people and upset a few opponents.“I never wanted easy fights and I still don’t. But now I am not just getting beaten up to help numb me to stuff outside the ring.”Macaulay McGowan’s son Albie is even tougher than his dadCredit: Macaulay McGowanMcGowan with heroic wife FrancescaMost read in BoxingIt would be a very emotional phone call if it wasn’t for the constant roar of aeroplanes drowning out some of McGowan’s poignant words.“I’m up a scaffold near the airport,” he says very casually.“When I am not on the school run or training I come and labour for my mate’s construction firm, Broadbent Developments.“I do it right up to a week or two before the fight, they offer to teach me the trades and get me trained up.”But I’m already OCD about boxing and everything else in my life, so I come on site to have a laugh, keep me busy and entertain the lads.”McGowan is as as handy on site as he is in the ringCredit: Macaulay McGowanDespite having so much on his plate, the working-class hero refuses to boast about his ability or chances of beating Baraou. The same cannot be said of seven-year-old daughter and No1 fan Francesca.McGowan explained: “She ran out of a playground recently crying and saying some bigger boys were being mean to her.“I went in to calm everything down and make sure everyone was being kind to each other.READ MORE SUN STORIES“And the lads in there said she had been telling everyone that her dad is a professional boxer who can beat everyone up.“So I will be hiding the belt from her if I get it home, I can’t have her talking me into fights, she’ll be offering me out to everyone and I’ve got to get back on the tools with the lads next week.” More

  • in

    Champions League winner ‘could be awarded Ballon d’Or FOUR YEARS late’ in never-before-seen move

    ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI could win the Ballon d’Or FOUR YEARS late – in a move almost as remarkable as his 2019-20 season.Covid restrictions robbed the striker of football’s top individual gong – despite his 55-goal campaign helping Bayern Munich win the Treble.Robert Lewandowski might get an extra gong after helping Bayern win the Treble in 2019-20, including beating PSG in the Champions League finalCredit: GettyInter Miami’s Lionel Messi won the Ballon d’Or for an eighth time last yearCredit: AFPBayern icon Lewandowski, 35, is still going strong, albeit for BarcelonaCredit: GettyLewandowski, now with Barcelona, is arguably the greatest modern-day men’s star never to have picked up the award.And in 2021, when Lionel Messi picked up the seventh of his record eight Ballons d’Or, the Argentine revealed everyone believed the Polish goal machine had been cruelly denied 12 months earlier.Messi told the ceremony: “Robert, you deserve your Ballon d’Or. Last year, everyone was in agreement to say that you were the big winner of this award.”Now Diario Sport journalist Ivan San Antonio claims France Football are considering handing Lewandowski the gong retrospectively. READ MORE TOP STORIESIt’s understood no final decision has been made over such an unprecedented step.But Lewandowski would reportedly be delighted to get the award – rather than frustrated at missing out when the prestigious occasion was ditched for the first time in 64 years.OneFootball quote the 35-year-old as saying: “If I won the Ballon d’Or four years later, I wouldn’t feel offended. “It would be a great honour and I would accept the award.”Most read in Champions LeagueCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSBALLON D’OR WINNERS THIS CENTURYLIONEL MESSI and Cristiano Ronaldo of course have dominated the men’s award this century – but the last British winner also sneaks into the list.

    2000: Luis Figo (Real Madrid)
    2001: Michael Owen (Liverpool)
    2002: Ronaldo (Real Madrid)
    2003: Pavel Nedved (Juventus)
    2004: Andriy Shevchenko (AC Milan)
    2005: Ronaldinho (Barcelona)
    2006: Fabio Cannavaro (Real Madrid)
    2007: Kaka (Milan)
    2008: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)
    2009: Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
    2010: Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
    2011: Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
    2012: Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
    2013: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)
    2014: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)
    2015: Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
    2016: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)
    2017: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)
    2018: Luka Modric (Real Madrid)
    2019: Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
    2020: Cancelled because of Covid-19
    2021: Lionel Messi (Paris Saint-Germain)
    2022: Karim Benzema (Real Madrid)
    2023: Lionel Messi (Inter Miami)

    Lewandowski’s 2019-20 term has few equals for goalscoring.He failed to net when Bayern completed the Treble with a 1-0 victory over PSG in the Champions League final – the only time he has won that tournament.Ex-Man Utd star HEADBUTTS Robert Lewandowski and then scores own goal as Barcelona suffer epic collapseBut Lewandowski’s 55 goals in all domestic football was 16 more than his nearest rival in Europe’s big five leagues – with 34 strikes coming in his 31 Bundesliga matches.Apart from winning the European Golden Shoe, he was also named Fifa’s Men’s Player of the Year – which only added to the anger from many fans and pundits when the Ballon d’Or awards were cancelled.The 148-cap hero won the German crown eight times in a row and, since joining Barca in 2022, has added one LaLiga title.And apart from his own record-breaking, he stands to become his country’s first ever Ballon d’Or winner – if France Football does opt to roll back the years.ALL-TIME TOP 10 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SCORERSROBERT LEWANDOWSKI is third on the all-time list – behind only Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
    But Lewandowski, former Bayern team-mate Thomas Muller and Kylian Mbappe are the only top-tenners still with clubs playing Champions League football.
    140: Cristiano Ronaldo (Man Utd, Real Madrid, Juventus)129: Lionel Messi (Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain)94: Robert Lewandowski (Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich, Barcelona)*90: Karim Benzema (FRA, Lyon, Real Madrid)71: Raul González (ESP, Real Madrid, Schalke)56: Ruud van Nistelrooy (PSV Eindhoven, Man Utd, Real Madrid)54: Thomas Muller (GER, Bayern)*50: Thierry Henry (FRA, Monaco, Arsenal, Barcelona)48: Zlatan Ibrahimović (SWE, Ajax, Juventus, Inter, Barcelona, AC Milan, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United)48: Kylian Mbappé (FRA, Monaco, Paris)*
    * Includes 2023/24 More

  • in

    I fled in horror as merciless hooligans stormed Wembley Stadium like ‘zombies’ & hurled glass at my terrified daughter

    ENGLAND’s outing in the Euro 2020 final was a day that went down in sporting history – but for many, it was for all the wrong reasons. Instead of the nail-biting match – where England lost in a 3-2 penalty shootout to Italy – it was the anarchy and carnage that unfolded at Wembley Stadium that remains in the minds of many.The 2020 Euro final was dominated by scenes of inebriated Brits outside Wembley StadiumCredit: RexScores of ticketless fans ‘punched’ their way through security barriers and guardsCredit: NetflixSome England supporters clashed inside the stadium with the ticketless mobsCredit: NetflixIt followed more than 2,000 ticketless fans storming the ground and thousands more outside – many of whom were drunk and drugged up – causing danger and destruction.Footage from the day, July 11, showed people with injuries from fights and glass bottles being wantonly lobbed into the air, as well as broken traffic lights, lamposts and trees. Baroness Louise Casey’s review into violence at the 2021 final found a “series of near misses” could have led to “significant injuries or even death” and that Wembley’s security had been breached 17 times. Now the Netflix documentary The Final: Attack On Wembley, which airs on May 8, reveals the “carnage and chaos” that unfolded on the day that was compared to “a warzone”. READ MORE ON SPORTThe terrifying scenes, which resulted in 19 police officers suffering injuries and 86 arrests, left many fearing for their safety as they tried to navigate through the inebriated masses.Among them was Gianluca Santoro, an Italian who lives in South London, who was forced to shield his daughter Maya, then 10, from projectiles lobbed at them by England fans.The tennis coach, 51, told The Sun: “I remember walking towards the stadium and the floor was full of broken glass. It was like a bomb had gone off.“I had to stop bottles and cans hitting us with my hands, which was painful, and some were open so the beer was spraying all over us.Most read in Football“I was really scared for my daughter’s safety because the bottles were flying at us from all over the place and people were yelling abuse and swearing at me right to my face.“We found a group of Italians and we all surrounded Maya to create a protective barrier. I took off my rucksack to cover her face and they put jackets and hoodies around her.The Final: Attack on Wembley Netflix Trailer“I felt silly, naive and guilty that I took her but I imagined a different atmosphere, I thought people would be happy to be at Wembley and in the final. I wasn’t expecting so much abuse.” ‘Like a warzone’On the day of the final, there were 67,000 ticketed fans but more than 6,000 others showed up at Wembley Stadium – some arriving as early as 8am, 12 hours before kick-off, to bask in England’s glory. But soon, amid drunkenness and reported cocaine use, “scenes of carnage and chaos” unfolded according to Chris Whyte, Director of Operations at Brent Council.He told the documentary that drinking levels were “very, very high” early on and “bad behaviour… had taken hold” due to a low police presence and security and stewards being vastly outnumbered. Gianluca Santoro had to shield his daughter Maya, then 10, from glass bottles lobbed by England fansCredit: Netflix /Gianluca SantoroInebriated fans climbed on top of traffic lights, buses and lampostsCredit: NetflixCharlie Perry, 25, from Sunbury-on-Thames, became known as ‘a*** flare man’ after this stuntCredit: 2021 Elliott FranksGianluca recalls being ‘really scared’ for his daughter’s safetyCredit: Netflix /Gianluca SantoroMetropolitan Police, who later apologised for the “unacceptable scenes of disorder”, had sent the majority of officers to Central London, where previous antisocial behaviour had taken place.The force’s main deployment was due to arrive at Wembley by 3pm – five hours before kick-off – but were called in early due to the danger presented by fans. It was a scene of devastation. There were broken traffic lights, lamposts, trees. It was just like a bomb had gone off and there was debris everywhere.Carolyn Downs, then Chief Executive of Brent CouncilSocial media footage from the day showed some fans climbing onto traffic lights, lamposts and a bus, others lit flares and several scuffles broke out. “Bottles and cans are sort of crashing down all around, full bottles of beer, empty bottles…” Whyte recalled. “People [were] clearly unaware of and uncaring about where these bottles might land and what damage they might cause…“I’ve got very vivid memories of seeing glass injuries, there was blood and bandages… it did resemble a bit of a warzone.”Carolyn Downs, Chief Executive at Brent Council, added: “[It] was a scene of devastation. There were broken traffic lights, lamposts, trees. It was just like a bomb had gone off and there was debris everywhere.”Onlookers described how security and stewards “didn’t really have a chance” of clamping down on the dangerous behaviour due to the sheer number of people around the stadium. Shameless invadersTo prevent ticketless fans getting in, a security perimeter around the stadium had been set up but it didn’t prove enough. Chris Bryant, Director of Tournaments and Events at The FA, says many of the “thugs” were “putting their own and others’ lives in danger” during their attempts to break in.Among them was England fan Dan, who joined a mob that stampeded their way through security and managed to bypass the turnstiles by hiding behind a ticketed fan.Nearly 90 people were arrested on the day of the finalCredit: NetflixThose without tickets charged through turnstilesCredit: NetflixMobs raced up stairs to get closer to the stadium after evading securityCredit: NetflixDespite the damage caused and the risk to life, the Manchester United fan, from Shropshire, told the documentary: “I’m not ashamed of what I’ve done.”He had taken “what I earn in a month” – around £2,000 – hoping to buy a ticket from a fan, believing “it would be difficult for them to say no” to such a large sum. But when Dan’s offer “fell on deaf ears” and he realised he could end up “not even having anywhere to watch it at all,” he made a drastic decision.We’ve never locked down the turnstiles there’s never been a need to… but I’ve just witnessed something I’ve never seen before.Liam Boylan, Director of Wembley StadiumHaving spotted that Wayne Rooney had entered without having to battle through the crowds, he started to scope out the ground for weak spots.Dan noticed a large crowd gathered at the Spanish Steps and after hearing them yell “Are we ready? Are we ready?” joined the masses who forced their way through security guards and barriers.Liam Boylan, Director of Wembley Stadium, who was watching from the control room, described seeing the crowd “punch their way through” as “antisocial, reckless behaviour turned to violence”.Recalling a steward was knocked down to the ground, he said: “It catches your breath when you’re watching that… [and] thinking, ‘What the hell is going on.’”Dan, who had to do a “roly-poly over the bodies” on the ground, added: “I wasn’t really aware of what was going on around me, violence-wise. “I was so focused on my own little mission, that’s all it was for me, it was just complete desperation to not miss this event.” Later, Dan managed to bypass stewards for a second time by jigging – where someone walks closely behind a ticketed fan to squeeze through a turnstile without paying.One man was kicked multiple times in the head after entering the stadiumCredit: NetflixInside the stadium several fans clashedCredit: NetflixMetal gates were piled up by irate, drunk and drugged up fansCredit: NetflixEuro 2020 final: a timeline of the chaotic events

    8.00AM – Fans begin to arrive at Wembley, 12 hours before kick off. Some head to pubs, others surround the stadium. Many do not have tickets. 
    10.00AM – One London Underground official claims to have “never seen drunkenness like this so early on in the day”. Stewards and security staff report high levels of drug use.
    11.30AM – Met Police Service (MPS) Silver Commander requests officers are sent to the stadium earlier than their deployment time. One officer has been punched in the face. Crowds gather at the Olympic steps, near Olympic Way.
    12.00PM – Fans climb onto the roof of a bus on Fulton Road, near the stadium. It’s considered the first “red flag” for those on the ground. Officers, requested at 11.30am, arrive and rescue the stranded bus.
    1.00PM – Flares are set off, fans climb traffic lights, lamposts and trees, and bottles are “getting chucked into the air”. Half an hour later British Transport Police deploys officers from Central London.
    2.30PM – 175 Met Police Service officers are deployed. Fireworks, smoke bombs and glass bottles are being thrown on Olympic Way. 
    3.00PM – Volunteers and council workers are withdrawn for their safety. An additional, 50 public order officers and 100 specialist officers from the MPS Territorial Support Group arrive.
    4.00PM – Police stop barriers being kicked down at Bobby Moore Bridge, near Olympic Way. Police advise ticketless fans not to travel to Wembley. Every 15minutes, an extra 3,000 fans arrive at Wembley Park Underground Station.
    4.30PM – The Outer Security Perimeter (OSP) entrances open. Police fear swathes of unticketed fans “will try to push onto the concourse”. It’s feared the OSP fence will not hold.
    5.00PM – Doors and gates are open. Within minutes a first person has been detained for ‘jigging’ – closely following behind a ticketed fan to gain entry – at Gate A.
    5.30PM – One group has breached the Spanish steps. The Safety Officer has locked all turnstiles. “Loutish” behaviour and “hand-to-hand combat” with “groups of 40-50 men at a time” occurs. MPS sends more reserves to Wembley, making a total of 553 officers.
    5.45PM – Violence erupts outside a Co-op on Olympic Way. One police officer is attacked. The crowd fails to smash the shop’s windows. Soon, turnstiles are unlocked due to concerns over crowd density. 
    6.30PM – A fence line has been knocked down, allowing crowds to breach Club Wembley’s outer security perimeter. Police and stewards battle to stop a group entering through a disabled pass gate at Gate M. Several more gate invasions follow including 90 people storming an emergency fire door. Police are deployed to all turnstiles. 
    7.30PM – Crowds attempt to breach more gates. During one, multiple fans are trampled amid a stampede of 100 unticketed fans. Police are dispatched to the bottom of the Olympic Steps when a fence collapses. 
    7.55PM – A large group charges at the Olympic Steps Outer Security Perimeter as England’s national anthem plays. Police wield batons and ‘fast walk’ to force them back. By 8.02pm, when Luke Shaw scores for England, crowds charge an outer gate near the South West Ramp.
    9.15PM – Urgent repairs have been called for on emergency exit doors at Turnstile G due to breaches.
    10.00PM – Fans continue to look for points where they can break in as extra time begins. 
    10.50PM – Fire doors at Gate G are breached for a third time – around 30 people enter. Two minutes later, exit doors are opened for fans to leave the stadium. By 10.54pm, Italy has beaten England on penalties. Fans outside the stadium start to leave the area.
    12.30AM – Portable toilets have been pushed over on Olympic Way. Railway officials report having protected Italian fans. The beginning of a five-day clean-up operation begins, as 31 tonnes of rubbish – 10 times the normal amount – is removed. 

    ‘Massive crush’Near the Club Wembley entrance, groups of ‘30 to 40 people’ were collectively barging into metal railings and tipping them over in a bid to get closer to the stadium. Former rugby union star Ugo Monye, who observed the chaos, recalled: “There was an avalanche of people coming through.” He said observers were “terrified” and had to shield themselves from projectiles, adding: “The chaos and carnage was happening all around us.”Meanwhile, Bryant and his colleagues reconstructed the metal barriers only for others to be knocked down further away.  He said: “It did feel like whack-a-mole for the best part of 45 minutes.”Amid the chaos, Boylan says the decision was made to “lock down the turnstiles” – preventing fans with tickets, as well as those without, from entering the ground. I’ve never seen anything of that sort in my life. This horde of zombies come running in, falling over, people trampling over them. It was madness.Taz, Wembley Security GuardHe said: “We’ve never locked down the turnstiles, there’s never been a need to… but I’ve just witnessed something I’ve never seen before.”Security guard Taz says he knew “something bad must have happened” for them to take such drastic action and while waiting for the turnstiles to reopen received a barrage of abuse.He recalled being told: “When I get in I’m going to f*** you up,” along with racist abuse.Soon after, the turnstiles were reopened for “the safety of the majority” after concerns there could be a “massive crush”.Downs, who was at the south side of the stadium, said: “It felt really scary. This could really end up being quite serious. I just kept thinking, ‘Please don’t let anyone get hurt.’” After the turnstiles opened, more ticketless fans began forcing their way in. Some broke in through fire escape doors, which had been deliberately opened from the inside, and others forced their way through gates.Large barriers were knocked down by ticketless mobs trying to get into the stadiumCredit: NetflixWembley security guards were praised for their braveryCredit: NetflixMakeshift medic stations had to be erected to treat spectators with glass injuries from thrown bottlesCredit: NetflixSecurity guard Taz said: “I’ve never seen anything of that sort in my life. This horde of zombies come running in, falling over, people trampling over them. It was madness.“If I had thrown myself in front of all those people I probably would not be sitting here today.”While Taz focused on trying to close the fire escape doors, ticketed and unticketed fans clashed.  Boylan added: “There was a conflict between those people that have got in legitimately and those people that have got in illegally… there are scuffles, fights and all sorts of stuff breaking out.” Social media footage revealed brutal scenes including one fan being kicked multiple times in the face and several others being punched. Seat thief laughedHaving an extra 2,000 people illegally in the stadium meant many fans, some of whom had paid thousands to watch the game, struggled to get to their seats.Kevin, from East London, who forked out £1,000 for two tickets, recalled being laughed at after confronting someone who had nicked his seat.You look at what could happen if England win and the safest outcome is England losing.Liam Boylan“He turned to his mate and goes, ‘Oi, these two paid for their tickets!’ and he started laughing,” Kevin said.“He and his friend described how they had a minibus of 10 or 12 of them who had come down with the intention of breaking in and they all managed to.” Shortly before kick off, the turnstiles were locked down again and police dressed in riot gear lifted their batons and “walked with purpose” at revellers outside the stadium.They created a perimeter around Wembley, which prevented further ground invasions but didn’t help to disperse the crowds, as hoped. Officials compared scenes to ‘like a warzone’ due to the amount of debris and broken glass around the stadiumCredit: ReutersSome fans arrived at Wembley Stadium at 8am – 12 hours before the match was due to beginCredit: GettyFor Boylan, his focus was on the 67,000 fans inside the stadium and he admits hoping that England would lose in order to keep fans safe. He feared more of the unruly mob outside would try to break in, especially when exit doors opened before the end of the match.Recalling his fear, he said: “I’ve got this blue line with 6,000 people out there, if they see that doors are opening and then they hear the roar going up because England have won, are they coming inside?“This lot are not England fans, this lot are not football fans, I don’t know what they are. They’re just a bunch of people that are going to punch their way through.“You look at what could happen if England win and the safest outcome is England losing.” Boylan admits he was overwhelmed with “relief” after England lost 3-2 on penalties and those outside the stadium finally started to walk away from the ground. ‘Perfect storm’Reflecting on the day, he said: “I never ever want to go through what I faced on that day again… I’m not still fully over it because it hurt, it really, really hurt. We saw things that we’d never ever seen before.” Baroness Casey’s review would later conclude there was “a perfect storm of lawlessness” on the day of the final – caused in part by it being a major event after coronavirus lockdown restrictions had been relaxed. It praised the bravery of stewards and police officers as well as staff from Brent Council, the FA and Wembley in what was described as “extraordinary aggression”. Metropolitan Police later apologised for the ‘unacceptable scenes of disorder’Credit: NetflixIn addition to 67,000 ticketed fans, thousands gathered around Wembley StadiumCredit: NetflixFA CEO Mark Bullingham said: “No event is set up to deal with such disgraceful behaviour from thousands of ticketless fans. Collectively we must never allow this to happen again.”Some of the ticketless fans were prosecuted. But it’s likely many do not regret their actions – including Dan.He told the doc: “I’m not ashamed of what I’ve done. In 2020, we were all locked away in our homes couldn’t go anywhere, could only go outside for a little bit of exercise and the whole time we’re doing that, the leaders of our country were partying.“How can I feel like I’ve done something wrong? To witness England [potentially] winning their first trophy since 1966, I wasn’t missing that for nobody.” As for Gianluca, while the finals were far from the day he envisaged with his daughter, he says it made her appreciate her Italian heritage more. READ MORE SUN STORIESHe says: “I often think they did me a favour. Maya, whenever she talks about something related to Italy, she says, ‘But daddy, we Italians, us Italians’. For me it was more than football.”The Final: Attack On Wembley, which was filmed by Rogan Productions, is available to watch on Netflix from May 8. More

  • in

    Paris Olympics to lift sex ban with 300,000 condoms to be delivered to Olympic village

    OLYMPIC chiefs have lifted the ban on athletes having sex ahead of this summer’s Games.A sex suspension was implemented ahead of the 2020 Games Tokyo, which took place in the summer of 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic.The 2024 Olympic Games take place in Paris this summerCredit: ALAMYOlympic chiefs have lifted the sex ban they had in place for the 2024 GamesCredit: REUTERSThe ban was imposed in a bid to stop events from being scuppered by Covid outbreaks.But those preventative measures have been lifted ahead of this summer’s Games in Paris – meaning athletes can get up to as much rumpy-pumpy as they like.Olympic Village director Laurent Michaud said: “It is very important that the conviviality here is something big.”Working with the athletes commission, we wanted to create some places where the athletes would feel very enthusiastic and comfortable.”READ MORE ON PARIS 2024The Olympic Village , according to TMZ, will be stocked with a whopping 300,000 free condoms.So athletes will have no excuse for not practicing safe sex during the tournament.There won’t, however, be any free champers for them to drink during the competition.Although they will have a wide array of food from around the globe available to them every day.Most read in AthleticsCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSThe Olympic Village will be stocked with 300,000 free condomsCredit: GETTYFormer Center Parcs head-honcho Michaud said: “[There will be no champagne in the village, of course, but they can have all the champagne they want also in Paris.”We will have more than 350 metres of buffet with the world food.We’re twin sisters, 27, who both secretly battled same disease… now we’re plotting Olympic gold at Paris 2024 together”And I’m sure that the athletes will be very happy to have some French specialties made over here.”But the variety will first respond to the athletes’ needs for their nutrition and their performance.”The Paris Games – which get underway on July 26 and end on August 11 – are expected to attract the largest crowds since London 2012.Olympic Games executive director Christophe Dubi told Sky News: “It has to be a celebration and it is a celebration.”We’ve had many challenges in the past. “In Rio, we faced situations that were amazingly complex.”But what you see is that with a bit of goodwill from everyone – starting with the organisers.”But also as far as the Olympic community is concerned – meeting with the challenges and coming up with solutions… is in the greater interest that the Games represent.READ MORE SUN STORIES”What we all want is for unity, peace and a celebration of the best athletes. “This is how this creative family works together. Any challenge? We will win.” More

  • in

    Watch Conor McGregor land brutal shot on sparring partner in his garden… leaving Ebanie Bridges in awe

    CONOR McGREGOR looked razor sharp in a sparring session held in his GARDEN – leaving the likes of Ebanie Bridges in awe. McGregor is gearing up for his anticipated UFC return and has spent the past year ramping up training.
    Conor McGregor looked razor sharp in a sparring sessionCredit: https://www.instagram.com/thenotoriousmma/
    Ebanie Bridges was in awe of McGregor’s sparring clipCredit: @ebanie_bridges
    McGregor and Bridges have struck up a friendshipCredit: Instagram @ebaniebridges
    During the Covid-19 pandemic, with restrictions on public gyms, the Irishman built a fully-sized UFC cage on the site of his mansion.
    And McGregor still uses it to this day as he released footage from a recent sparring session.
    He captioned it: “The double goat, I have the full scale octagon in my garden with the canvas covered in billion dollar businesses.”
    In the clips, McGregor lands a series of stinging counter shots and one kick to the stomach had his sparring partner wincing in agony.
    READ MORE IN UFC
    His comment section was full of praise, with boxing legend Evander Holyfield replying: “Ok then.”
    Ex-champion Bridges followed up with three fire emojis and one lovestruck face.
    The Aussie has struck up a close friendship with McGregor and is even sponsored by his Forged Irish Stout beverage.
    McGregor’s return to the cage has continued to be delayed since his last fight in July 2021, when he broke his leg.
    Most read in Boxing
    CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
    The former two-weight UFC champion, 35, had eyed the headline spot on the historic UFC 300 card on April 13.
    But he then brazenly announced he would return on June 29 against Michael Chandler, 37, in a middleweight bout.
    Seven sports stars who started an OnlyFans including ex-footballer and British boxing icon
    UFC president Dana White was quick to shut down McGregor’s claim and even said his comeback fight was more likely pushed back till the winter.
    And White recently spoke out to try and clarify the confusion behind McGregor’s dragged out talks to return.
    He told Kevin Iole: “Only Conor knows [when he’s ready].
    “These are questions for Conor McGregor, not me. I know he’s training. I don’t know what level of training he’s doing.”
    White added: “I don’t know what level of kicking he’s doing right now. I don’t know any of that stuff.
    “I need to know the guy’s in a full camp and he’s ready to go. Conor McGregor has a movie coming out.

    “He’s got businesses that he’s built. It’s a completely different dynamic when you’re dealing with a guy that has this kind of money.”
    McGregor is in training for his UFC returnCredit: https://www.instagram.com/thenotoriousmma/
    The UFC star has not fought since July 2021Credit: https://www.instagram.com/thenotoriousmma/ More