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      Small detail that may be crucial in Dani Alves rape case as ex-Barcelona star held in jail over club toilet ‘assault’

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      BRAZIL star Dani Alves’ tattoos could prove crucial as he faces allegations he raped a woman in a nightclub toilet, reports say.The alleged victim is said to have told a judge she saw a crescent-shaped inking on his lower abdomen as he forced himself on her in a cubicle.
      Brazil footballer Dani Alves pictured with his model wife Joana SanzCredit: Instagram
      An alleged rape victim is said to have described his tattoos in courtCredit: Instagram
      Her detailed description of the tattoo prompted ex-Barcelona defender Alves, 39, to change his account as he was quizzed by a magistrate on Friday, reports El Mundo.
      A Barcelona court heard the tatt stretches from his belly “to his genital area”, the respected newspaper said.
      Alves initially denied any contact with the woman, according to reports in Spain.
      Asked about the tattoo in court, he testified he was “sitting on the toilet bowl, and she had entered and pounced on him”.
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      The judge is said to have asked how it would have been possible for her to see the tattoo, which would be covered by his shirt while sitting down.
      Alves then reportedly said he “he got up when she entered and that is why she could see the tattoo that is usually covered by clothing, since it goes down from the abdomen to the genital area”.
      Later in the evidence session, the footballer reportedly told the magistrate he had consensual sex with the woman.
      His changing version of events was key to the decision to remand him in custody, El Mundo reports.
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      Other contradictions highlighted by the judge include a ten-fold error in declaring his income, reports claim.
      He reportedly said he was paid 30,000 euros a month by Mexican club the Pumas – but it was really 300,000.
      Alves was held in a jail outside Barcelona over the weekend then transferred to a second jail housing those accused of offences.
      Today it emerged he had sacked his lawyer and hired a hotshot legal expert instead.
      The new attorney is expected to launch a fresh appeal for bail, offering to surrender his passport so he remains in Spain.
      Alves has reportedly confirmed in his police statement he did visit the Sutton nightclub on December 30.
      It came after CCTV footage published by Spanish media was said to show him and the alleged victim in a VIP area and then going to the toilet for 47 seconds.
      New details from her behind-closed-doors evidence to the investigating judge were published in Spain yesterday.
      She said after the alleged attack she was too scared to leave the toilet for several minutes.
      When she finally opened the door the footballer and his companions had left the venue.
      She reportedly burst in tears and was comforted by her friends.
      They then told club bouncers she had been raped, and they engaged their protocol for sexual assaults, it is said.
      The woman was taken to hospital and later to a police station.
      Her dress from that night was being analysed for DNA evidence by the Mossos d’Esquadra police, El Mundo reports.
      Earlier we told how Alves’ arrest came as a double blow to his heartbroken wife Joana Sanz after her mum died days earlier.
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      She said: “I have lost the only two pillars in my life.”
      A woman said the footballer raped her at Sutton nightclub in Barcelona
      Dani Alves was remanded in custody as the investigation continuesCredit: Instagram
      His arrest was a double blow to wife Joana days after her mum died More

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      Dani Alves’ wife breaks silence as Brazil star is held over nightclub sex assault days after her mum’s death

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      DANI Alves’ wife has spoken of her heartbreak as the Brazil footballer was held in custody accused of a nightclub sex assault – days after her mother died.Spanish model Joana Sanz, 29, said she had lost the “two pillars of my life” following the incarceration of her husband in Barcelona on Friday.
      Brazil ace Dani Alves married Spanish model Joana Sanz in 2017Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      Joana said she lost the ‘two pillars in my life’ after her mother died and her husband was remanded in custodyCredit: Instagram @joanasanz
      His detention by an investigating judge came days after Joana’s mother died while awaiting surgery for womb cancer.
      She slammed hospital delays in an emotional Instagram post about her mum’s death last week.
      And she added after the double blow of Dani’s arrest: “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.
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      “I have lost the only two pillars in my life.
      “Have a little empathy, instead of looking for news in other people’s pain, thank you.”
      Joana, who married the former Barcelona defender in 2017, was pictured cheering him on in Qatar when he became Brazil’s oldest player at a World Cup aged 39.
      Dani’s first wife, mum to his two children, also backed him following Friday’s arrest.
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      Brazilian businesswoman Dana Dinorah told a Spanish TV show: “I’m still in shock. It seems like it’s a nightmare and it’s not happening.”
      She added: “Dani would never ever ever do this. 
      “I say this because I’ve known him for 22 years and was married to him for ten.
      “This has been a shock for me and for my children. I have two teenage children who are suffering.”
      Alves was sacked by Mexican club UNAM Pumas after he was remanded in custody by a judge in Barcelona.
      He had agreed to be questioned over allegations he assaulted a woman at the city’s swanky Sutton venue on December 30.
      After giving a statement to cops, he was driven to court to be quizzed by an investigating judge.
      The alleged victim was also questioned by the judge, local media reports.
      She reportedly said the footballer followed her from a VIP area into the toilets where he slapped her and assaulted her.
      The judge ruled Alves should be kept in custody, and he has been in the cells since at a jail outside the city.
      It emerged he has sacked his lawyer and hired a top attorney who also represented Lionel Messi in his tax case.
      He has placed his faith in Cristobal Martell, a well-known Barcelona-based legal expert.
      Mr Martell has also represented politicians accused of corruption and Barcelona FC in the Neymar transfer fraud case.
      Reports in Spain said the footballer’s family wanted him to select a new legal team after claims of alleged contradictions in statements before and after his arrest. 
      Alves protested his innocence in a Spanish TV interview after a court confirmed it had opened a formal investigation, insisting: “I don’t know who this lady is.
      “I don’t know her name, I don’t know her, I’ve never seen her in my life.”
      But he admitted he was at the nightclub when told he was filmed on CCTV, reports say.
      Security camera footage published by local media is said to show Alves heading to the toilet and emerging 47 seconds later.
      Read More on The Sun
      The woman is said to have broken down in tears after Alves left the club ten minutes later.
      Court officials have confirmed the footballer is under investigation for sexual assault but have not specified the exact nature of the allegations.
      Brazil star Dani Alves was arrested and quizzed by a judge on FridayCredit: Getty
      Alves became Brazil’s oldest World Cup player aged 39 in Qatar, cheered on by second wife JoanaCredit: Instagram @joanasanz
      She was heartbroken after the death of her mother last weekCredit: Instagram/@joanasanz
      Alves is accused of assaulting a woman at Sutton club on December 30Credit: Google Maps More

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      Ex-Manchester United starlet John Cofie who bagged £1m deal in court accused of rape

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      A FORMER Manchester United wonderkid appeared in court yesterday accused of rape.John Cofie, 29, was the youngest footballer to bag a £1million deal when Sir Alex Ferguson signed him for the youth team aged just 14.
      Cofie is charged with raping a woman in Trafford, Gtr Manchester, in 2019, alongside co-accused Nathan StuartCredit: CHRIS NEILL
      Cofie is charged with raping a woman in Trafford, Gtr Manchester, in 2019, alongside co-accused Nathan Stuart.
      Cofie, who is still close pals with ex-Red Devils Paul Pogba and Jesse Lingard, signed in 2007 for the huge sum.
      But the Ghanaian-born player failed to make a single appearance for United and left in 2013.
      He retired two years ago and has since worked as a mentor for kids enrolled in a footie programme in Lancashire.
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      Cofie denies the charge.
      The trial at Manchester Minshull Street crown court continues. More

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      Former Rangers star Jermain Defoe slapped with six-month driving ban after speeding charge

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      FORMER Rangers star Jermain Defoe has been banned from driving for six months after he was caught speeding.The 40-year-old was clocked doing 56mph in a 30mph zone in Rutherglen, South Lanarkshire, on December 28, 2020.
      Former England international Defoe has been banned from drivingCredit: Getty
      Glasgow’s Justice of the Peace Court was told Defoe was behind the wheel of a Range Rover at the time.
      Prosecutor Ryan Watson said the striker was snared by a speed camera in the area’s Mill Street around 11pm.
      The ex-England international – who also played for West Ham, Tottenham and Sunderland – pled guilty to the single charge of speeding.
      Paul Mullen, defending, stated: “He apologises to the court for a momentary lapse in judgement.”

      The lawyer added that Defoe, then of Bearsden, East Dunbartonshire, was dropping off a female colleague and was unfamiliar with the area.
      Mr Mullen also forwarded references to JP Colin Marchment for charities that he is involved in.It was revealed that Defoe already had 11 penalty points on his licence.
      JP Marchment added an additional four points of the offence – disqualifying him from driving for six months under the totting up procedure.
      The former footballer, now of Chigwell in Essex, was also fined £480.
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      The Crown accepted a not guilty to a separate speeding charge of 75 miles per hour in a 50 zone.
      Allegations stated Defoe was driving on the M74 in Glasgow’s Polmadie on April 9, 2022 behind the wheel of another Range Rover.
      Defoe already had previous driving offences.
      He was banned from the road in 2009 and he was up in court a year later for being caught with a phone while driving.
      Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page More

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      Cristiano Ronaldo and Will.i.am dragged into legal battle involving Italian restaurant

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      SPORTS legends and celebrity icons including Cristiano Ronaldo, Tyson Fury and Molly-Mae Hague have been dragged into a legal battle involving one of their favourite Italian restaurants.They are among high-profile names that appear in court papers lodged at the High Court by dining hotspot Cibo in a bid to stop a rival trading under its name.
      Cibo is a regular haunt for sports stars and celebrities – who have been named in legal papers issued by the restaurantCredit: Zenpix
      Former Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo is said to have attended the dinerCredit: AFP
      Other stars mentioned include Will.I.Am, Sir Alex Ferguson, Manchester United legends Ryan Giggs, Patrice Evra and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Liverpool stars Mohammed Salah, Alison Becker and Darwin Nunez.
      They are all regulars at Cibo Hale and Cibo Wilmslow which raked in £4.25million last year.
      The luxury restaurants have featured in ITV2’s Real Housewives of Cheshire and was where Solskjaer and Manchester United’s then chief Ed Woodward met to thrash out a permanent managerial deal over a £10.50 spaghetti bolognese.
      But furious bosses are locked in a bitter feud with three other nearby restaurants who they accuse of using its name without consent.
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      They are suing Cibo Manchester, Cibo Liverpool Road, and Cibo Great Northern, along with four of its directors, over claims they have been trading off its celebrity credentials and reputation.
      In a highly unusual move the bosses of Cibo named some of their celebrity clients in court papers submitted to the High Court and obtained by the Sun on Sunday.
      They read: “The Claimants’ exceptional level of service, stylish décor and reputation has helped to attract high profile and celebrity customers to their restaurant.
      “The Claimants’ customers include a range of high profile individuals and celebrities from across the UK, many of whom are known worldwide.”
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      But they claim their reputation is being damaged by the use of their name at eateries just 11 miles away.
      Baffled customers have also left bad reviews including one which read: “Not as good as the Cibo in Wilmslow.”
      It went on: “We expected the same good food but unfortunately not.
      “My starter came out very quickly but was somehow cold. In the future we will use the Wilmslow restaurant or try somewhere else in Manchester.”
      One Tripadvisor review stated: “Waitress was miserable. Food was basic. One toilet working…nothing like Cibo in Wilmslow…. Disappointing.”
      Another fumed: “I love CIBO in Wilmslow and hoped for the same…. The lasagne was a poor standard. It had barely any meat in it at all… the fries were undercooked and hard. Not somewhere I would look to go back to.”
      Other customers tried to present discount vouchers – including Groupons and Meerkat Meals – to pay for their meals.
      The court papers continue: “The Claimants have suffered and continue to suffer loss and damage.
      “The goodwill, and the associated reputation, of the Claimants is likely to be damaged by wrongly being associated with provision of the Defendants’ services.
      “The defendants have made misrepresentations to the public that are calculated to lead, have led, and/or likely to lead to the public being deceived.”
      Read More on The Sun
      They even claim that their rivals pinched their signs and changed their interior to look similar in “a deliberate campaign” to confuse customers.
      Cibo is seeking damages and an injunction to stop the other restaurants from using the name.
      US music star Will.i.am is also named as a visitor to Cibo restuarantCredit: Getty More

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      Juventus slapped with 15-POINT deduction over transfer scam with Spurs chief Paratici BANNED for two-and-a-half years

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      SPURS were rocked last night after director of football Fabio Paratici was handed a two-and-a-half YEAR ban from the game by an Italian court.Paratici was found guilty of orchestrating a transfer scam over three seasons at Juventus.
      Spurs chief Fabio Paratici has been handed a two-and-a-half year ban from footballCredit: Reuters
      Massimiliano Allegri’s Juventus have also been hit with a 15-point penaltyCredit: Alamy
      And the Italian giants had the heart ripped out of their season as they were given a huge 15-point penalty for the plot.
      The shock finding means the FA is now likely to be asked to implement the suspension by its Italian counterparts, leaving Spurs in the lurch and chairman Daniel Levy searching to plug a huge hole at the top of the club.
      SunSport understands Wembley chiefs are unclear if the sanction is one that they must automatically apply or await direction from Fifa.
      But normally associations accept the disciplinary decisions of fellow governing bodies and while it is expected Paratici will appeal the verdict – of the Federal Appeals Court – his future at Tottenham appears bleak.
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      Juventus were accused of inflating transfer fees in dealings with other Italian clubs over three seasons to create millions of pounds in “capital gains” for tax purposes.
      It was stated that Juve had manipulated the system to free up their spending powers in the market.
      Juve and eight clubs, including Sampdoria, Genoa and Parma, were initially acquitted in May.
      But that verdict was appealed to the Federal Appeals Court and Italian FA prosecutors asked the case to be reheard and for serious sanctions at yesterday’s hearing.
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      Prosecuting lawyer Giuseppe Chine had only asked for an immediate nine-point penalty.
      Instead, the “Old Lady” were mugged for 15 points, dropping them from third in the Serie A table down to 11th and 12 points adrift of the fourth and final Champions League spot, now taken by Lazio.
      Chine, acting on behalf of the FA, also demanded lengthy bans for Paratici and axed Juve board chiefs Andrea Agnelli and Pavel Nedved among others and fines totalling £1m for the clubs involved in the scheme.
      Juventus lawyer Maurizio Bellacosa argued the appeal was “inadmissible”, pointing to the legal principle that “nobody can be prosecuted or criminally convicted of an offence for which they have already been acquitted”.
      But that position was dismissed by the Court, even though it ruled that sanctions should only apply to Juventus and its officials and none of the other clubs.
      Paratici, 50, who joined Spurs 18 months ago to take charge of recruitment in N17, was handed the heaviest punishment.
      Agnelli, who formally stood down as Juve President this week, and chief executive Maurizio Arrivabene – who was formerly Principal of the Ferrari F1 team – were both given two-year bans.
      Nedved, who also left the club this week, is suspended from football for eight months, along with a number of club officials.
      The findings are also likely to have more serious implications for Juventus with Uefa poised to open an investigation into the financial dealings which are likely to lead to a lengthy European ban, More

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      Escaped prisoner hunted by cops looks like top footballer – can you guess who?

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      A GARY Neville lookalike on the run from prison is being hunted by cops.Social media users reckon Paul Clohessy is a spit for the ex-Red Devils ace turned pundit.
      Drugs offender Paul Clohessy is serving six years at HMP North Sea Camp but absconded on MondayCredit: SWNS
      When Lincolnshire Police issued a wanted photo yesterday, Facebook users pounced on his resemblance to ex-Man United star Gary NevilleCredit: Getty
      Drugs offender Clohessy, 36, is serving six years at HMP North Sea Camp but absconded on Monday.
      Facebook users pounced on the resemblance when Lincolnshire Police issued a wanted photo yesterday.
      One wag quipped: “When Gary Neville and Harry Maguire have a kid.”
      Others compared the fugitive to out-of-form Newcastle United striker Chris Wood.
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      They said: “Is that Chris Wood?
      “If so keep him locked up till the end of the season as he is rubbish.”
      The 400-capacity open prison was branded a holiday camp by some.
      One said: “Another walks out of North Sea Butlin’s never to return.”
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      Clohessy was convicted at Liverpool crown court in 2021 of possessing heroin and crack cocaine with intent to supply.
      Police believe he may be hiding in his home patch Birkenhead.
      He has a tattoo on each arm and a scar under the one on his right. More

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      Man, 35, charged with assault after Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale kicked by Spurs fan

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      A MAN has been charged with assault after Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale was kicked during a Spurs match. Joseph Watts, 35, from Hackney, is facing assault charges over an incident at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday.
      A man, 35, has been charged with kicking Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale
      Shocking footage later emerged appearing to show the Spurs fan escape through the crowdCredit: Sky Sports
      He is accused of assault by beating, going onto an area adjacent to playing area and throwing a missile onto a football playing area, police say.
      Both are contrary to the Football (Offences) Act 1991.
      He is due to appear at Highbury Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 17 February.
      Tottenham Hotspur Football Club assisted The Met’s Football Investigations Team during their investigation.
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      Ramsdale was allegedly kicked by a Spurs fan when he went to get his gloves and bottle on Sunday.
      When picking up his bottle, a Tottenham fan jumped onto the advertising board and allegedly booted Ramsdale in the back.
      Shocking footage later emerged appearing to show the Spurs fan escape through the crowd after kicking Ramsdale.
      The English shot-stopper made seven saves during the match – a record which he has only bettered in one Premier League game.
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      He made two extraordinary saves in particular, from Ryan Sessegnon and Heung Min-Son, as well as a few from Harry Kane.
      Tottenham said in a statement: “We are appalled by the behaviour of a supporter that attempted to attack Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale at the end of today’s match. Violence in any form has no place in football.”
      A Football Association statement read: “We strongly condemn the incident involving a spectator that followed today’s Premier League fixture between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal.
      “This is wholly unacceptable behaviour and we will work together with the police, the relevant authorities and the clubs to ensure the appropriate action is taken.” More