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      in Athletics

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

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      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

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      in Boxing

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

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      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.
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      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

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      in Soccer

      I worked in McDonald’s after leaving uni – now I make six-figure salary after turning football side hustle into my job

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      OLLIE JENKS has come up trumps after turning his love of football nostalgia into a lucrative career selling player cards.Rather than get his stickers in a twist during the Covid lockdown, he used the extra time online to collect them and become a TikTok phenomenon.
      Cards for players like Beckham and Messi fetch huge sumsCredit: TikTok @paolo.panini
      Ollie Jenks’ finds from around the world go back six decadesCredit: TikTok @paolo.panini
      The former University of Surrey media student, 32, has unearthed a David Beckham Rookie card from 1996 worth £7,000 and also sold a Grade 10 signed Lionel Messi card for £3k.
      Ollie, from Devon, worked in McDonalds when he had little idea what career to pursue.
      But then his addiction to footie facts and figures took him back to the future – via vintage cards and stickers.
      Ollie fronts told card-breaking channel Paolo Panini, whose posts include a four-hour live stream on Friday that averages 35,000 viewers.
      READ MORE TOP FOOTBALL
      He told SPORTbible: “We grew quite rapidly over the first six months… in the first year, our sales were around the £300,000 mark.”
      And he revealed how his obsession set in at school where he beat all the teachers in the Fantasy Football Leagues – eventually emerging as a vocation where he searches for tiny pictures from the past.
      Ollie said: “My earliest memory is going to a swap shop at Exeter’s Westpoint Arena for the 1998 Premier League sticker album
      “It was a bit of a weird experience as it was in a giant cowshed. The idea of the event was to swap your duplicates for ones you need, but it stank of cow c**p, to be honest.
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      “I also fell in love with the story arcs of a player’s ups and downs throughout their career, especially in the ’90s or ’00s, when it felt like anything could happen.”
      He finally settled in Dublin, working with foreign students – only for Covid to force him into new ideas.
      He said: “I wanted to combine my love of storytelling and what I knew about ’00s football, so Team Of Our Lives was born – a niche 2000s-based football podcast.”
      In particular, Ollie switched from making short football documentaries on YouTube to an even more popular form of social media in 2020.
      He said: “I uploaded a few of those vintage pack-opening videos from the podcast to TikTok and it blew up.
      “Seeing so many people interested in football nostalgia was huge, and with some modern rare cards going for big money I attempted to make a living out of it.”
      Ollie now calls himself a Football Treasure Hunter and explained: “Some of the greatest players such as Pele have football cards that could be worth as much as $1.3million (about £1m).
      “So there is real value to be had in finding rare packs that have been sealed for 50 years and potentially finding some footballing history – that’s why I love it so much.”

      He reckons the most expensive packs currently in circulation are from the 1970 World Cup – including late legends Sir Bobby Charlton, Eusebio and Pele, plus Franz Beckenbauer.
      A complete album from that tournament in Mexico recently sold at auction for more than £2k. More

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      in Soccer

      I’m a Premier League star and champion of Europe – but I almost became a FARMER and still train on potato fields

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      FOOTBALLERS tried many different things to keep in shape during the pandemic, but Jarrod Bowen trained on a FARM.Bowen has become a hero at West Ham since he joined the club from Hull City in January 2022.
      Jarrod Bowen trained on a farm during the pandemicCredit: Getty
      He won the Conference League with West HamCredit: Getty
      The forward scored on his first start for the club in a 3-1 win over Southampton.
      Bowen, 27, would have to wait a while for his next as the Covid-19 pandemic put a stop to football across Europe.
      During the break from football, he maintained his fitness by training on a farm.
      Bowen claimed that the ground on a farm has helped him with muscle injuries.
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      He told BBC Radio 5 Live: “It’s a bit like running on sand, but a bit thicker.
      “I’ve found it really good for muscle injuries and, because I’ve had weak ankles, to work on them and stabilise them.
      “But also because it is really tough to train on because you feel so slow, when you go running on the grass you feel like you’re a sprinter.
      “It’s been my training method for years with my old man.
      Most read in Football
      “He is pretty old school, he doesn’t want me to just go running round a normal field doing football runs, he wants me to run around a potato field with weights in my arms.”
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      Bowen also admitted that after rejection from clubs such as Aston Villa, Tottenham and West Brom he came close to quitting football.
      If he had he would have opted for a career in farming.
      He added: “Maybe in another life I could have been up all night on the farm. The way of life back home is very country-orientated. There’s a lot of farms.
      “There’s a lot of routes you can go…and football isn’t usually a route you go down.
      “I used to go to the farm with grandad. Now it’s my uncle who owns one. I’d like a farm but when I speak to him, it’s too much hassle.
      “The thought of it, ‘oh yeah, I want a farm to do things’, is better than the actual reality.”
      Luckily for West Ham, Bowen did get his break at non-league side Hereford and then Hull City.
      Bowen became one of the top performers in the Championship which saw the Hammers swoop in with a £25million offer.
      Read more on The Sun
      Since joining the East London outfit, Bowen has become one of the star players and scored the winning goal in the Europa Conference League final last season.
      The forward has also earned a call-up to the England team and made his debut against Hungary. More

    • 238 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Emery’s Aston Villa could become the nation’s new Leicester and include players you might actually enjoy a pint with

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      IT’S been eight long years since Leicester City shook the world.Since Jamie Vardy was having a party, N’Golo Kante was covering 30 per cent of the world’s surface and manager Claudio Ranieri was ringing his imaginary bell, while babbling ‘dilly ding, dilly dong’.Happier times, those. Before the pandemic, Brexit, the European Super League plot and the Saudi invasion of elite sport. And pretty much all of us loved Leicester back then.
      John McGinn celebrates his winner vs ArsenalCredit: Getty

      Unai Emery celebrates getting one over his old clubCredit: Getty

      Because Ranieri’s miracle men took the impossible dreams of every football supporter who didn’t support a filthy-rich club and played out the ultimate fantasy of winning the Premier League.
      These days, the Foxes are in the Championship, Ranieri is next to bottom in Serie A with Cagliari, while Kante and Riyad Mahrez are taking Saudi dosh and Vardy is a bit-part character in the Wagatha Christie drama.
      Good times are fleeting, but we’ll always have 2016.
      Not just Leicester fans, but all of us who enjoyed the journey from Nigel Pearson’s ostrich rant to Andrea Bocelli singing Nessun Dorma when they dished out the big silver pot.
      READ MORE FOOTBALL
      In the past seven seasons, there has been no true outsider with a sniff of winning the Premier League crown at any advanced stage of the season.
      Not until the emergence of Unai Emery’s Aston Villa.
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      Do I think Villa will win the title? No. If Rodri plays every game for the rest of the season, Manchester City should do it.
      If not, Liverpool are grinding out undeserved wins like the champions of cliche.
      Most read in Football
      And if not them, then Arsenal went close last term and have improved since.
      Those clubs could stage a three-horse title race right down to the wire but, while us lot in the media would obsess about it, most neutrals wouldn’t really care all that much who won.
      City, Liverpool and Arsenal are breakaway Super League ‘snakes’, who sought to smash English football’s pyramid system and thought they were too good to play teams like Villa, Everton, Bournemouth and Fulham — probably the Premier League’s four most in-form teams.
      Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham showed that same ­arrogance and they cannot be reminded of it often enough.
      Sure, Newcastle disrupted the Big Six last season and will continue to do so but the oil-rich human-rights abusers who fund Geordie Arabia will never win the nation’s affections.
      Villa’s back-to-back victories over City and Arsenal — the first one impressively dominant, the second more fortuitous — leaves them two points off the top with the season almost halfway through.
      Even if Villa won the league, it would be no Leicester-style miracle. They have more history, money and quality than those 2016 Foxes.
      Ranieri’s men were relegation favourites, with their 5,000-1 price so fanciful that no bookie will ever offer such odds against anyone winning anything ever again.
      Ranieri’s Leicester made everyone believers for a while after their shock title winCredit: PA WIRE
      Villa are former European ­champions, who finished seventh last season, under a serial trophy-winner in Emery.
      But they are still the closest thing to Leicester since Leicester.
      And if they continue to be a part of the title argument, Villa would be a team for the nation — except for supporters of their immediate West Midlands rivals — to coalesce around.
      It’s easy to find things to like about Villa — from the atmosphere of their stately home ground, to an amiable manager who was wronged by plenty of us during his doomed spell at Arsenal.
      John McGinn — man of the match against City and scorer of the winning goal against Arsenal — is one of those rare ­current Premier League footballers you could imagine enjoying a couple of pints with.
      Ollie Watkins is not only an impressive striker but also a thoroughly decent bloke who has worked his way up through all four divisions at Exeter and Brentford.
      Along with Ezri Konsa, he’s a man from the pyramid Villa’s title rivals had hoped to destroy.
      Leon Bailey is a wonderful watch and a perma-smiled dude who seems to cherish his work.
      And Argentinian World Cup-winning keeper Emi Martinez is a lovable rascal who, when ­questioned about Villa’s title credentials by a Match of the Day interviewer, replied ‘I’m a believer, mate’, in something resembling a Cockney accent.
      Not many outside the Villa squad are believers just yet — their away record is patchy and their squad lacks a little depth.
      Read more on The Sun
      But Emery’s team are a force for good in a league too often dominated by sheer wealth.
      And, thanks to Leicester, none of us should ever again completely rule out anything.
      Martinez is a believer tooCredit: gETTY More

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      in Soccer

      Who is Jamie Arnold and what crimes did he commit?

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      JAMIE Arnold was found guilty of a racially aggravated public order offence aimed at Rio Ferdinand while he was working as a pundit in May 2021.Here we take a look at the crimes Arnold committed and what Ferdinand has said about them.
      Rio Ferdinand was working as a pundit for BT Sport when Jamie Arnold racially abused himCredit: Rex
      What crimes did Jamie Arnold commit?
      In August 2021 Jamie Arnold, 33, of Norton Bridge, near Stone, Staffordshire, was charged with causing racially aggravated harassment, alarm or distress.
      The crime was committed during a match between Wolverhamption Wanderers and Manchester United on May 23, 2021.
      Arnold was also charged with making homophobic comments towards the referee.
      Rio was working as a pundit for BT Sport when Arnold racially abused the former Man Utd defender at Wolves’ home ground Molineux.
      READ MORE ON RIO FERDINAND
      Arnold’s attack happened at the first game where a reduced number of supporters were allowed in the ground following the easing of Covid restrictions.
      At a hearing in July 2021, Arnold pleaded not guilty.
      Rio was escorted by PC Stuart Ward — the UK’s first dedicated hate crime officer within the football unit — as he arrived at Wolverhampton Crown Court on August 26, 2021.
      Arnold was granted conditional bail after a 25-minute hearing.
      Most read in Football
      On November 1, 2023 Arnold was found unanimously guilty by a jury of racially abusing Ferdinand.
      Senior Crown Prosecutor Alistair Redford said: “Arnold made despicable racist gestures towards a victim who was just trying to do his job.
      “I would like to thank the stewards whose quick-thinking actions ensured they could identify and remove Arnold from the stadium that day, and for Mr Ferdinand and witnesses who came forward to help us build as strong a case as possible.”
      A spokesperson for anti-racism organisation Kick It Out said: “Kick It Out welcomes the guilty verdict handed to Arnold today.
      “It is imperative that perpetrators of discriminatory abuse are held to account for their actions and we hope this result sends a strong statement that racism has no place in our, or in society.
      “We commend the CPS and West Midlands Police for their work securing justice in this case and would urge authorities across the country to take similar incidents of discriminatory abuse just as seriously.
      “We continue to work with partners across football to tackle discriminatory abuse as it happens and to ensure that victims receive the support they need.
      “We would encourage anyone who witnesses discrimination of any sort in future to report it directly to us at Kick It Out.”
      Arnold will be sentenced on December 8, 2023.
      Has Rio Ferdinand spoken out about the crimes?
      At the time of the attack, Rio said: “The last couple weeks, it’s been unreal to see fans back.
      “However, to the Wolves fan who has just been thrown out… you need to be dismissed from football and educated.
      “Come meet me and I will help you understand what it feels like to be racially abused.”
      In response to Arnold being found guilty, Ferdinand said: “I’ve been involved in a Court case in Wolverhampton since May 2021.
      “Today [November 1, 2023] the guy who racially abused me has been found guilty and will now have to face consequences for his actions.
      “Racism will only be eradicated when we all work together as a society.
      Read more on The Sun
      “The prosecution wouldn’t have been possible without all the help/support from the witnesses, Wolverhampton fans and staff that came forward to testify in court.
      “Special thank you to Police Constable Stuart Ward [football hate crime officer], my Family and my team at New Era.” More

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      in Soccer

      Sky Sports host Simon Thomas forced to cancel Soccer Saturday appearance with replacement drafted in at last minute

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      SOCCER SATURDAY host Simon Thomas will not host the Sky Sports show this afternoon after contracting Covid.The presenter, 50, will be replaced by journalist and broadcaster Caroline Barker.
      Simon Thomas will not be on Soccer Saturday after contracting CovidCredit: Sky Sports
      Caroline Barker has been drafted in as a late replacement for ThomasCredit: Getty
      Speaking on Twitter, he said: “Sadly no #soccersaturday for me today – #Covid has hit the Thomas household.
      “@carolinebarker is in the hot seat today. Go well CB – you’ll be brilliant. See you next week. 🤞”
      Football fans offered their support for Thomas as they wished him a speedy recovery.
      One said: “Get well soon Sir – been a cracking start!”
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      Another added: “Hope you’re all feeling better and testing negative soon Simon 🤞⚽️.”
      While a third replied: “You can watch City, Simon, that should cheer you up 🤣🤣 get well soon.”
      Thomas took over from long-standing Soccer Saturday host Jeff Stelling after his 25-year stint as the show’s presenter concluded at the end of last season.
      He broke through as a host of Blue Peter in 1999.
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      He first began hosting Premier League coverage for Sky Sports at the start of the 2016/17 season.
      Meanwhile, his replacement, Barker, made her name as a BBC Radio reporter.
      Nowadays, she is known as the host of The Totally Football League Show on Sky Sports.
      Barker is also a netball commentator and pundit and has hosted other sporting events such as the Champions League of Darts and NFL International Series.
      The Premier League lunchtime kick-off on Saturday sees champions Manchester City take on title rivals Liverpool at the Etihad.
      That is followed by five 3pm games in the top flight, before Brentford host Arsenal in the late match.
      There is also a full compliment of Football League fixtures as the Championship returns alongside the Premier League following the international break. More

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      in Motorsport

      What is Charles Leclerc’s net worth?

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      CHARLES Leclerc is one of the top competitors in Formula One, having finished as runner-up in the drivers’ standings for the 2022 season.Here we look at the Ferrari man’s salary, career and net worth.
      In 2023 Charles Leclerc has the third-highest salary in Formula OneCredit: Splash
      Who is Charles Leclerc?
      Charles Marc Hervé Perceval Leclerc was born on October 16, 1997 in Monte Carlo, Monaco.
      His nickname in Italy is ‘il Predestinato’, which translates to ‘The Predestined’, and was given to him by F1 commentator Carlo Vanzini.
      He competed from an early age in karting, becoming French Champion in 2009, winning the Monaco Kart Cup in 2010, the CIK-FIA Academy Trophy and the Junior World Cup in 2011.
      Leclerc was the top rookie in Formula Renault in his first season, and then also in Formula Three the following year.
      READ MORE ON CHARLES LECLERC
      In 2016 he won the GP3 Series before dominating the 2017 season of FIA Formula Two.
      He was spotted by Nicolas Todt in 2010 and joined the Ferrari Driver Academy in 2016.
      Charles entered Formula one in 2018 with Alfa Romeo Sauber F1, before moving to Ferrari in 2019, where his teammate was four-time World Champion Sebastian Vettel.
      Following seven pole positions, 10 podiums and two victories, Leclerc finished fourth in the 2019 World Championship and extended his contract with Ferrari until 2024.
      Most read in Motorsport
      The 2020 season was below the Monegasque driver’s expectation as finished on the podium on just twice, finishing 8th in the drivers’ classification.
      In 2021, Charles secured two more pole positions and a podium.
      In 2022 he had an excellent season, finishing as runner-up behind Max Verstappen in the drivers’ standings.
      Aside from racing, Leclerc has recently hit the headlines after embarking on a career in the music business.
      He released his debut single titled AUS23 (1:1) in April.
      The four-minute classical song features Leclerc, 25, playing the piano.
      And the Monegasque driver has enjoyed a fast start after venturing into the world of music.
      According to ESPN, Leclerc spent time inside the Top 10 of the Worldwide iTunes song chart following the release of his song.
      The title of the track, AUS23 (1:1) is a tribute to the Australian Grand Prix, where the song was born.
      Leclerc did not start playing the piano until the Covid-19 pandemic, but has “fallen in love with the instrument” after spending time playing it.
      The Ferrari star said on his Spotify page: “I’m excited to share with you a piano song that I’ve been working on, born out of my passion for music and created as a way to disconnect from racing and relax in between races.
      “I’ve created this song around the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix which is why I called it AUS23 (1:1). This is the way we call the Australian Grand Prix in my Formula One team and thought it would be a nice connection to the racing world.
      “After posting a story on Instagram of me playing that piano piece I had composed, I had a lot of positive feedback from the fans that inspired me to record it, making it easier for fans to enjoy my music.
      “My love for music has always been there, but it wasn’t until the pandemic that I started playing the piano.
      “With more time at home, I decided to buy a piano and learn to play. Since then, I’ve fallen in love with the instrument and find myself playing it whenever I’m at home.”
      Charles has also hilariously put himself forward to represent Monaco at next year’s Eurovison.
      The country withdrew from the 2007 edition due to poor results and three failures to qualify.
      But on hearing the news Monaco could be back for the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest due to the launch of TV Monaco and its membership with the European Broadcasting Union, Leclerc took to social media to offer his services.
      On X, formerly Twitter, he wrote: “I’m ready 🎤.”
      What is Charles Leclerc’s net worth?
      Reports of Leclerc’s net worth vary dramatically.
      At the bottom end EssentiallySports puts it at $12million (£9.7million).
      In the middle CelebrityNetWorth judges it to be $40million (£32.3million).
      Whereas at the other end of the spectrum Sportskeeda believes Charles has amassed a whopping $125million fortune (£101million).
      What is Charles Leclerc’s salary at Ferrari?
      Leclerc’s 2023 salary at Ferrari is reportedly $36million (£29million).
      Read More on The Sun
      This makes him the third-highest earning racer in F1.
      Unsurprisingly, the two drivers ahead of him are Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton. More