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      Mason Greenwood has charges of attempted rape and assault DROPPED more than a year after Man Utd star was arrested

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      MASON Greenwood today had all charges of attempted rape, assault and coercive control against him dropped.The Manchester United striker, 21, was first arrested in January last year after police swooped on his mansion.
      Mason Greenwood has had all charges against him droppedCredit: PA
      Greenwood was due to stand trial in November accused of attempted rape, assault and coercive control.
      The Crown Prosecution today confirmed they had dropped all charges against him.
      A spokesperson said: “We have a duty to keep cases under continuous review.
      “In this case a combination of the withdrawal of key witnesses and new material that came to light meant there was no longer a realistic prospect of conviction.
      Read more on Mason Greenwood
      “In these circumstances, we are under a duty to stop the case.
      “We have explained our decision to all parties.
      “We would always encourage any potential victims to come forward and report to police and we will prosecute wherever our legal test is met.”
      Greenwood last appeared in court in November where a trial date was set for November 23 this year.
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      The alleged offences related to one woman and were said to have taken place between November 1, 2018, and October 15, 2022.
      Greenwood was accused of “repeatedly engaging” in controlling and coercive behaviour for almost four years – including making threats and derogatory comments on social media.
      He was also charged with attempting to rape the woman on October 21, 2021, and allegedly assaulted her between December 12, 2021, and December 31, 2021.
      The footballer was originally remanded in custody after being charged by police on October 15.
      But a judge released him on the condition he does not contact witnesses, including the complainant, and resides at an address in Bowdon.
      The striker also spent three nights in custody after he was arrested at his £15,000-a-month rented home in Trafford last January.
      He was suspended from Utd but still received his £75,000-a-week salary.
      Greenwood was removed from FIFA 22 and dropped by sponsors Nike in the wake of the allegations.
      Football Manager 2022 also confirmed he would not feature in the game.
      All merchandise bearing the No11’s name was axed from the official Utd site and teammates unfollowed him on Instagram.
      Greenwood last played for the Red Devils on January 22 last year when the team beat West Ham 1-0.
      The player joined the club aged just six and rose through the ranks to land himself a regular spot on the first team.
      In 2019, he became the youngest footballer to play for United in the Champions League when he took to the pitch aged 17.
      Greenwood has made 129 appearances in total for the Red Devils and netted 35 goals.
      In 2020, England manager Gareth Southgate gave the striker his first cap when Greenwood came off the bench in a 1-0 win against Iceland.
      Greenwood missed out on last year’s Three Lions’ World Cup campaign in Qatar as the case went to court.
      Utd have not yet released a statement following the development.
      Chief Superintendent Michaela Kerr, GMP’s Head of Public Protection, said today: “The investigation team has remained in regular contact with the legal team, providing any updates of note, and so understand the rationale for the discontinuation of proceedings at this stage, and that this decision has not been taken lightly.
      “Despite the media and public’s interest in this case, we have decided not to comment on it in any further detail.
      “I would, however, like to use this opportunity to reiterate GMP’s commitment to investigating allegations of violence against women and girls and supporting those affected, regardless of their circumstances, throughout what can be a hard and upsetting time for them.
      “An ever increasing number of officers are receiving specialist training and the force is more consistently utilising tools, available via the criminal justice system, to keep people safe and care for victims.
      “If you feel you are or might be a victim, please don’t let this case put you off asking for help.”
      Read More on The Sun
      Greenwood was due to stand trial in NovemberCredit: PA
      The footballer was first arrested last January and spent three nights in custodyCredit: Reuters
      A court sketch shows the footballer in courtCredit: PA More

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      ‘More than enough evidence’ to keep Dani Alves in prison over nightclub rape charge, says judge as ace appeals for bail

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      THERE is “much more than enough evidence” to hold Dani Alves on a charge of raping a woman in a nightclub toilet, a judge reportedly said.The Brazilian World Cup ace, 39, has agreed to wear a GPS ankle tag and surrender his passport in a fresh bid to be freed on bail.
      Brazil’s oldest ever World Cup player Dani Alves is in preventive custody in Spain accused of rapeCredit: AP
      CCTV is said to show him with his accuser in the VIP area at Sutton nightclubCredit: TripAdvisor
      The woman claims he raped her in the toiletsCredit: The Sutton Club
      Alves was locked up last month by a judge investigating claims of an assault at Barcelona’s swanky Sutton venue in the early hours of December 31.
      He initially denied any contact with his accuser, but is said to have changed his story and claimed they had consensual sex.
      He denies wrongdoing.
      The star’s new lawyer reportedly told a Spanish TV journalist his initial version of events was to “protect his wife” and cover up his “infidelity”.
      read more on dani alves
      Top attorney Cristobal Martell – who also represented Lionel Messi in his tax fraud case – filed an appeal yesterday against the decision to remand him in custody.
      Alves promised not to leave Spain and to stay 500 metres away from his accuser’s home and work, legal papers show.
      He also offered to report to police daily and wear a tracking device 24 hours a day if he is let out of jail.
      Previously the judge had deemed ex-Barcelona FC star Alves a flight risk.
      Most read in Football
      And today new details of the ruling were revealed by the newspaper El Periodico.
      Magistrate Anna Marín decided there was case to answer after questioning the accuser and suspect at Barcelona’s court number 15 on January 20, it reported.
      According to the paper, she said “there are much more than enough indications” to consider that there was a rape “and that the suspect was the perpetrator of it”.
      The magistrate also stressed the investigation is ongoing and nothing is proved, the paper reported.
      Mr Martell, Alves’ lawyer, slammed the magistrate in his 24-page submission.
      He claimed the investigation by the Mossos d’Esquadra police was “biased” and criticised Judge Marín for accepting it in an “uncritical and careless way”.
      The lawyer also claims CCTV from the club’s VIP room contradicts the alleged victim’s account.
      He said it shows the woman and her friends were in “festive” mood and not “intimidated” and she claimed.
      The footage allegedly shows Alves leading the woman to the toilets where they spent 16 minutes out of view – not 47 seconds as previously reported on Spanish TV.
      A decision on the fresh bail appeal is expected in days.
      It it goes to trial, Alves could wait more than a year for the case to be heard.
      Previously it emerged the woman claimed Alves slapped her and raped her in the bathroom.
      She is also said to have described seeing the footballer’s intimate tattoo while he was partly undressed.
      The tearful woman is said to have immediately told her friends what happened, and bouncers then alerted police.
      Alves flew into Barcelona after agreeing to be questioned over the allegations last month.
      Mexican club the Pumas terminated his contract after he was held in custody.
      Alves’ model wife Joanna Sanz, 29, spoke of her heartbreak after his arrest, which came days after her mother died.
      She said: “I have lost the only two pillars in my life.”
      Since then she has deleted some images of her husband from her social media profiles.
      Alves is the most decorated player in football history with 43 career trophies including three Champions League titles, two Copa Americas and an Olympic gold medal.
      In December he became Brazil’s oldest ever player at a World Cup aged 39.
      Last week he reportedly made his debut for a prison football team.
      Read More on The Sun
      A source told La Vanguardia “the expectation was great” as many inmates idolise the former Barca right back.
      And in an odd twist, he is said to be sharing a cell with a Brazilian named Coutinho – although it is not his national teammate.
      Alves has spent nearly two weeks in a cell at Brians 2 prison near BarcelonaCredit: Solarpix
      Model wife Joana Sanz has removed pictures of Alves from her social mediaCredit: Instagram @joanasanz More

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      Ex-Arsenal star Anthony Stokes charged after ‘high-speed police chase through red lights’ weeks after arrest

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      A FORMER Arsenal star has been charged with dangerous driving just weeks after a first arrest for the same offence.Anthony Stokes was held following an alleged police chase in Dublin through red lights in the early hours of yesterday morning.
      Ex-Arsenal star Anthony Stokes has been charged with dangerous drivingCredit: Rex
      The 34-year-old has been charged with dangerous driving and failure to provide a sample when required.
      Former Irish international Stokes is due to appear before Dun Laoghaire District Court at a later date.
      It comes just weeks after the forward was arrested when almost £4,000 worth of suspected cocaine was found in a car.
      He was also allegedly involved in a police pursuit in that incident too after the vehicle sped off from cops.
      Read more on Arsenal
      Former Celtic and Hibs star Stokes spent a night in custody following the drama.
      He is due to appear in court on Friday over that alleged incident.
      In the latest charge, Stokes is accused of allegedly failing to stop for police in his Volkswagen Golf.
      The vehicle is then suspected of driving through a number of red lights at junctions as officers gave chase.
      Most read in Football
      It then came to a stop close to a roundabout around twenty minutes later.
      Troubled Stokes has been hauled before the courts on a number of occasions.
      In 2013, former Elvis impersonator Anthony Bradley, 55, suffered a broken nose after he was attacked by Stokes at a pub.
      Stokes admitted bombarding his ex-girlfriend Eilidh Scott with offensive text messages in 2019.
      He was due to be sentenced in Scotland but a warrant for his arrest was ordered after he failed to appear for sentencing.
      Stokes began his career in the Arsenal reserve team when he was aged 15.
      He made his first-team debut as a substitute in the League Cup against Sunderland in 2005.
      Stokes the moved on loan to Falkirk where he scored 16 goals in 18 league and cup appearances.
      The footballer was transferred by Arsenal to Sunderland for £2million in 2007 with ex-Ireland and Utd star Roy Keane at the helm.
      He made 36 appearances before moving to Sheffield United and Crystal Palace on loan.
      Stokes later made a return to the Scottish league playing for Hibs and Celtic as well as spells for Greek and Iranian clubs.
      Stokes began his senior career with ArsenalCredit: Rex
      The Irish international is due to appear in court on a later dateCredit: Getty

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      Dani Alves’ wife Joana Sanz ‘demands divorce’ after revealing her ‘pain’ over Brazil star’s nightclub ‘sex assault’

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      DANI Alves’ wife has demanded a divorce after he was arrested over an alleged nightclub assault, according to reports.Joana Sanz, 29, removed most photos of her with the footballer from her Instagram after he reportedly claimed he had consensual sex with his accuser – having initially denied he knew her.
      Joana Sanz has requested a divorce for Dani Alves, according to reportsCredit: Instagram @joanasanz
      The Spanish model has removed most photos of her with Alves from her InstagramCredit: Instagram @joanasanz
      The Spanish model told of her heartbreak after Alves, 39, was detained in custody in Barcelona, just days after her mother died.
      But Joana has now told her lawyers she wants a divorce after her husband refused to see her in the prison where he is being held on remand, Spanish TV programme Telecinco show El Programme de Ana Rosa claims.
      The Tenerife-born beauty, who married former Barcelona defender Alves in 2017, has yet to make any official comment on the bombshell report.
      Joana’s decision to erase most of her photos with Alves – except a couple linked to advertising campaigns – came after her initial show of support for the Brazilian international.
      More on Dani Alves
      Alves was sacked by Mexican club UNAM Pumas after he was remanded in custody by a judge in Barcelona.
      A 23-year-old woman claimed she was assaulted by Alves at the city’s swanky Sutton venue on December 30, leading to his arrest on January 20.
      A judge ruled Alves should be kept in custody, and he has been in the cells since at a jail outside the city.
      Alves who enjoyed two spells at Barcelona before signing for Mexican side UNAM Pumas last year, claimed before his arrest he had never met his female accuser.
      Most read in Football
      However, in a court hearing, the footballer reportedly told the magistrate he had consensual sex with the woman.
      Following the footballer’s arrest, Joana said she had lost the “two pillars in my life.”
      But hours before Alves was remanded in custody, she posted a photo of them holding hands with the message ‘Together’ in English.
      In Spain, there are two types of divorce – agreed and contested.
      Agreed divorce is when both spouses petition for divorce together.
      Contested divorce, however, is when only one person files without the other’s consent.
      Meanwhile, Alves’ ex-wife has been outspoken in her defence of the player.
      Dana Dinorah said at the start of last week: “I’m still in shock. It seems like it’s a nightmare and it’s not happening.”
      Insisting she believed the father of their two children was innocent, the Brazilian-based businesswoman said in an interview with a Spanish TV programme: “Dani would never ever ever do this.
      “I say this because I’ve known him for 22 years and was married to him for 10.
      “This has been a shock for me and for my children.”
      Initially it was reported Alves had been accused of putting his hands down his accuser’s underwear inside the nightclub.
      It then emerged the woman had alleged she was slapped round the face and raped in a toilet.
      Court officials have confirmed Alves is under investigation on suspicion of sexually assaulting a woman, but have not confirmed the exact nature of the allegations against him.
      His new lawyer submitted a bail application on Monday, arguing the footballer is not a flight risk.
      He agreed his client would have his passport taken away so he can’t leave Spain and wear an electronic tag if necessary as part of his bail conditions.
      The decision on whether he is released pending an ongoing criminal probe is expected to be taken sometime next month.
      Both the state prosecutor and a lawyer acting for Alves’ accuser are expected to oppose the bail application from his lawyer.
      The final decision on a conditional release would be taken by a higher court and not the one that is currently investigating the footballer.
      Investigations of the sort currently being conducted by the investigating magistrate can take months and even years in some cases to complete, especially when suspects are on bail.
      Read More on The Sun
      People under formal investigation can be held in prison without charge for up to four years in Spain, although the normal limit is two years.
      Formal charges in Spain are only laid when an investigating magistrate rules there is sufficient evidence for a trial to take place and subsequently invites prosecutors to submit an indictment. More

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      Man City star Benjamin Mendy seen for first time since being acquitted of rape charges – as he faces retrial in months

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      BENJAMIN Mendy was today spotted for the first time since a jury cleared him of raping women at his isolated mansion.The smiling Man City star was snapped walking with two pals in Cheshire this afternoon – two weeks after being acquitted.
      Benjamin Mendy out in Cheshire on January 29Credit: Eamonn and James Clarke
      The Man City star was cleared by a jury of raping four womenCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
      The 28-year-old was accused by prosecutors of being a “predator” who “turned the pursuit of women for sex into a game”.
      Mendy also allegedly locked his victims in a “panic room” and hid their phones so they couldn’t escape.
      But on January 13, the French international was found not guilty of six rapes and one sexual assault against four women.
      Jurors could not reach verdicts on one count of rape and one of attempted rape against two other alleged victims after 67 hours and 17 minutes of deliberations.
      READ MORE ON MENDY
      He will return to court to be retried on June 26.
      On the day, Mendy’s lawyer said he was “delighted” to have been cleared of sex attacks and “looks forward” to clearing his name at re-trial.
      During the six-month trial, jurors were told by prosecutors that the left-back lured young women into “toxic and dangerous” situations at his six-bedroom Cheshire home.
      Co-defendant Louis Saha Matturie acted as Mendy’s “fixer” by getting girls as young as 17 to attend the lockdown-busting parties after nights spent in the VIP sections of clubs drinking £1,500 bottles of champagne, it was alleged.
      Most read in Football
      Saha, 41, was found not guilty of three counts of rape relating to two teenagers. 
      Jurors failed to reach verdicts on three counts of rape and three counts of sexual assault against him by five other women.
      Some of the alleged victims claimed their phones were taken away from them on arrival leaving them unable to call for help.
      Once inside, the women were allegedly treated as “disposable… used for sex then thrown to one side”.
      Mendy’s lawyer Eleanor Laws KC described claims he used his fame to attract the opposite sex were “utterly ridiculous”.
      She told the court: “He’s not the kind of character to deliberately harm anyone under any circumstances.”
      But during Mendy’s own evidence, he said it was “honestly so easy” for him to meet up with women and have sex “because of the status” – though admitted he’s no Brad Pitt.
      He also told jurors he would often sleep with different women on the same night, and reportedly boasted to one alleged victim that he had bedded 10,000 women, telling her it was a “privilege” to be one of them.
      Manchester City said it is “not in a position to comment further at this time”. More

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      Dani Alves changed version of events that led up to ‘nightclub rape’ to cover up CHEATING, his new lawyer claims

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      DANI Alves changed his version of events about an alleged nightclub sexual assault to cover up his “infidelity”, his new lawyer has reportedly claimed.A Spanish TV current affairs programme said Cristobal Martell had made the admission off-camera after visiting the former Barca star on Friday at Brians 2 Prison near Barcelona.
      Alves is said to have changed his version of events to cover up his infidelityCredit: Getty
      Dani Alves with his wife Joana SanzCredit: instagram
      TVE programme Hablando Claro published images of Mr Martell leaving the jail after a two-hour visit.
      Reporter Dani Gonzalez, who had been dispatched to the prison, told a studio presenter: “A few minutes ago Dani Alves’ lawyer Cristobal Martell left the prison after a meeting with his client.
      “They spent two hours talking.
      “He told us off-camera because he didn’t want to make an official comment that the footballer is calm.
      Read More on Dani Alves
      “Another of the important things he told is that Dani Alves gave his initial version of events when he was shocked and changed his version of events afterward to protect his wife because he didn’t want her to find out about the infidelity he had committed.”
      The 39-year-old Brazil international, who enjoyed two spells at Barcelona before signing for Mexican side UNAM Pumas last year, claimed before his arrest last Friday he had never met his female accuser.
      He is said to have admitted to having sex with her when he was questioned by a judge after his detention on suspicion of sexual assault.
      CCTV FOOTAGE
      The alleged inconsistencies in his statements have been linked to witness testimonies and CCTV footage showing the pair entering the toilet at iconic Barcelona nightclub Sutton where the 23-year-old woman says she was raped.
      Most read in Football
      Alves changed lawyers and hired high-profile Mr Martell, who former teammate Lionel Messi has used in the past to defend himself in his tax fraud case, after reports of the changes in his version of events started to emerge.
      Overnight Alves’ Tenerife-born model wife Joana Sanz, who had shown her support for her husband after he was first linked to the alleged nightclub sex attack, removed nearly all the photos of them together from her Instagram.
      The few pictures of them that remain are linked to advertising campaigns.
      The couple married in Formentera off Ibiza in 2017.
      Following the footballer’s arrest Joana, who Alves had accompanied back to Spain from Mexico after her mother died, wrote in a social media message: “I ask media who are outside my house to please respect my privacy at this moment.
      “My mother died a week ago and I have barely begun to take on board that she is no longer with me for me to be tormented with the situation of my husband.
      “I have lost the only two pillars in my life.”
      CLAIMS SEX WAS CONSENSUAL
      Hours before he was remanded in custody and before it was claimed he had admitted having sex with his female accuser, she posted a photo of them holding hands with the message ‘Together’ in English.
      Alves’ ex-wife has been outspoken in her defence of the player, who was sacked by UNAM Pumas after his arrest.
      Dana Dinorah said earlier this week: “I’m still in shock. It seems like it’s a nightmare and it’s not happening.”
      Insisting she believed the father of their two children was innocent, the Brazilian-based businesswoman said in an interview with a Spanish TV programme: “Dani would never ever, ever do this.
      “I say this because I’ve known him for 22 years and was married to him for 10.
      “This has been a shock for me and for my children.
      “I have two teenage children who are suffering.”
      RAPE ALLEGATION
      Initially it was reported Alves had been accused of putting his hands down his accuser’s underwear inside the nightclub before it emerged the woman had alleged she was slapped round the face and raped in a toilet.
      Court officials have confirmed Alves is under investigation on suspicion of sexually assaulting a woman, but have not confirmed the exact nature of the allegations against him.
      His new lawyer is expected to submit a bail application shortly and argue the footballer is not a flight risk.
      Even if he is released from prison in the next few weeks he is expected to be made to remain in Spain and have his passport taken off him while the criminal probe continues.
      Investigations of the sort currently being conducted by the investigating magistrate can take months and even years in some cases to complete, although when suspects are being held in jail they speed up their probes as much as possible.
      People under formal investigation can be held in prison without charge for up to four years in Spain, although the normal limit is two years.
      Formal charges in Spain are only laid when an investigating magistrate rules there is sufficient evidence for a trial to take place and subsequently invites prosecutors to submit an indictment.
      Read More on The Sun
      Both the state prosecutor and a lawyer acting for Alves’ female accuser are expected to oppose any bail application from his lawyer.
      The final decision on a conditional release would be taken by a higher court and not the one that is currently investigating the footballer. More

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      Two Scots footballers who battered man on a night out in Dublin handed suspended jail terms

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      Two Scots footballers who carried out a “shameful attack” during a night out in Dublin have walked free from court after being handed suspended prison sentences.Montrose stars Liam Callaghan and Craig Johnston chased a ‘blameless’ 52-year-old man through the city streets, swung a traffic cone at him, punched him and clobbered him with a box.
      Liam Callaghan chased a ‘blameless’ 52-year-old man through the city streetsCredit: Callan Media – The Sun Glasgow
      Craig Johnston also chased the man alongside CallaghanCredit: Callan Media – The Sun Glasgow
      Police clocked the two 27-year-olds from Fife carrying out the assault and grabbed them as they tried to leg it.
      The semi-pros with the League One side had earlier pled guilty to assault causing harm and obstruction in Dublin City Centre on December 8, 2019.
      Imposing sentence today at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Judge Orla Crowe said the injured man had been “attacked by two men who had no reason to come down a road after him”.
      The court was previously told there had been an altercation between the victim and a colleague of the two accused men at a Xico bar on Baggot Street.

      Judge Crowe noted there had been no prior interaction between the then 52-year-old victim and the two accused, and what had happened at the late bar had “nothing to do” with Callaghan and Johnston.
      Judge Crowe said this was a “shameful attack carried out by two people visiting this country” and the men had “involved themselves in a matter that was at an end”.
      She said the assault had serious consequences for the victim, which was an aggravating factor in this case.
      Defence counsel told the beak that the pair had brought €6,000 to court as a token of remorse, which the victim was willing to accept.
      Most read in Football
      Judge Crowe said she took into consideration as mitigation the fact that both men have no previous convictions for violence, are working and are talented footballers.
      She noted that both men are very remorseful and have travelled from Scotland to attend all court dates.
      She said Callaghan was the “more dominant” of the two men during the attack, having thrown the first punch, but Johnston joined in.
      She imposed a two-year prison sentence on both men. 
      Judge Crowe said in the circumstances, she would suspend the sentence in full on condition that both men keep the peace for two years.
      She also directed that the gesture of remorse from both men was to be handed over to the victim.
      Callaghan took the stand and apologised directly to the victim on his and Johnston’s behalf for what happened. 
      Character references from the defendants’ employers and Montrose FC were handed to the court.
      Both defendants have recently signed contract extensions with the Scottish club. 
      Read More on The Sun
      They had also lost a close friend in tragic circumstances in the months before this incident, although no details of that were revealed.
      We pay for your stories and videos! Do you have a story or video for The Scottish Sun? Email us at scoop@thesun.co.uk or call 0141 420 5200 More

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      Newcastle star Joelinton ADMITS drink-driving after downing 2 glasses of wine – and gets fined a huge sum

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      NEWCASTLE star Joelinton has been slapped with a fine after he admitted drink-driving after sinking two glasses of wine.The midfielder, 26, was arrested on January 12 after being pulled over while in his £170,000 Mercedes Benz AMG G63.
      Joelinton today admitted drink-drivingCredit: PA
      Joelinton admitted to officers at the scene in Newcastle that he had drunk two glasses of wine earlier in the evening.
      A breathalyser test showed there was 43mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mcg.
      The Brazilian admitted drink-driving at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court today.
      It comes less than 48 hours after he scored the winner in the Magpies’ Carabao Cup semi-final against Southampton.
      Read more on the Magpies
      The star was banned from driving for 12 months – although this can be reduced to nine months if he completes a drink-driving course.
      Joelinton was also fined £29,000 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £2,000 victim surcharge – totalling £31,085.
      The court was told the footballer earns £43,000-a-week – meaning it will take less than a week to pay the fine.
      He issued a statement after the sentence apologising for his actions.
      Most read in Football
      Joelinton said: “Hi everyone, I wanted to acknowledge that I made a mistake and to publicly apologise to all the fans of Newcastle and all the people of this city. My actions unintentionally put other people in danger. For that, I am truly sorry.
      “I will learn the lessons from his incident and will do everything I can to be a role model for my family, for football and for society.”
      District Judge Paul Currer told Joelinton that he “sincerely hopes” he has learned from his mistake.
      He added: “This offending could, potentially, have had disastrous consequences for the lives of others, as well as yourself.”
      The court was told police had been sitting in an unmarked police car when their “attention was drawn” to a black Mercedes.
      Jonathan Stirland, prosecuting, said: “The sergeant formed the view that the car was speeding or going too fast for the road. It caused him [the sergeant] to turn his vehicle around and followed the Mercedes on to the Central Motorway.
      “He requested the vehicle to stop. The driver complied. While in a safe space, the officer spoke to the driver, who is the defendant before you today.”
      He admitted drinking the wine and was arrested after failing the breathalyser test.
      Geoffrey Forrester, defending, said the footballer was “utterly calm and compliant” and apologised for his antics.
      The lawyer added: “If he could turn back the clock, he would.”
      Joelinton was bought by Newcastle for £40million in 2019 from German side Hoffenheim.
      He has since become instrumental for the Premier League team.
      Manager Eddie Howe moved Joelinton from his position as centre-forward to a left-sided midfield role last season.
      Since then, the footballer has gone from strength-to-strength.
      Speaking about the player’s arrest, Howe said earlier this month: “It came as a shock. A difficult situation. Joe is very remorseful and was very upset. He knows the seriousness.
      “I can’t go into too much detail but he understands his responsibilities. We are supporting him but understand the situation.
      “‘Looking at Joe as a person, he is a very good professional and is hugely passionate about his career and the club. I was very much surprised by what happened.
      Read More on The Sun
      “We will back him and support him, while also educating him and helping him, that is important. He is very young, everyone makes mistakes. I think it is also important that we don’t overreact.”
      The footballer was pulled over by cops while in a MercedesCredit: PA
      Joelinton leaves court after pleading guilty to drink-drivingCredit: NNP
      Joelinton’s goal on Tuesday helped Newcastle win the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-finalCredit: Reuters
      The Brazilian defender was bought by Newcastle for £40million in 2019Credit: Getty More