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      in Boxing

      Katie Taylor’s former opponent Viviane Obenauf sentenced to 16 years in prison for murdering husband with baseball bat

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      FORMER boxer Viviane Obenauf has been sentenced to 16 years in prison after being found guilty of murder.The Brazilian, 36, became known to British fight fans after losing on points to Irish star Katie Taylor, 36, in a high-profile clash in Manchester in 2016.
      Viviane Obenauf fought Katie Taylor at the Manchester Arena six years agoCredit: Sportsfile – Subscription
      In December 2020, she was arrested in connection with the death of her 61-year-old husband.
      He was found dead in their Swiss home in October 2020 after suffering serious injuries caused by a blunt object.
      He has only ever been identified as ‘Thomas’ during the proceedings due to Swiss protection law.
      Obenauf stood trial more than two years ago and has just been sentenced.
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      Police said she struck her victim 19 times in the head with a baseball bat at their home in Interlaken.
      Obenauf pleaded not guilty but prosecutors proved their case with evidence which included blood samples taken from her clothes and his clothes.
      They had only been married for about ten months before she killed him.
      Former Matchroom Boxing pro Obenauf competed in the super featherweight and lightweight divisions and retired from the sport in 2019.
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      She challenged for three world titles and hung up her gloves with a record of 14 wins and six defeats from 20 bouts.
      After boxing, Obenauf worked in the food and beverage industry before opening her own gym in Switzerland. More

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      in Soccer

      Sheffield United star Oli McBurnie CLEARED of assault after being accused of stamping on rival fan’s head

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      SHEFFIELD United star Oli McBurnie has been cleared of assault after being accused of stamping on a rival fan’s head.The footballer, 26, was found not guilty of a single charge of assault by beating at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court today.
      Oli McBurnie has been cleared of assaultCredit: PA
      It comes after fans carried out a pitch invasion during a play-off semi-final game.
      Nottingham Forrest fan George Brinkley, 27, claimed he was singled out and attacked after telling the star: “You’re s*** at football, I’m better than you.”
      Brinkley told the Court he genuinely feared for his life as fans stormed the pitch following last season’s Championship match.
      District Judge Leo Pyle said his judgment was based on evidence heard in court and “not the instant judgment of social media”.
      READ MORE ON NEWS
      In his ruling, the judge said some of the evidence given by alleged victim Brinkley had been “somewhat flimsy”.
      Judge Pyle was urged by McBurnie’s barrister to find that “a degree of club bias” was responsible for the accounts given by witnesses.
      During her closing speech, McBurnie’s barrister Lisa Judge said the footballer had lifted his boot “like a ballerina” to clear the legs of the complainant, who was “lying on the floor of a pitch he ought not to have been on”.
      District Judge Pyle said of mobile phone footage of the alleged attack: “The defendant’s foot is nowhere near Mr Brinkley’s left shin. He [McBurnie] quickly and clearly lifts his leg up to avoid the complainant.”
      Most read in Football
      Fans rushed from the stands following the full time whistle, with Blades skipper Billy Sharp also headbutted by a Forest season ticket-holder who was later jailed for 24 weeks.
      After being put in a headlock by McBurnie’s team-mate, Rhian Brewster, prosecutors claim Mr Brinkley was stamped ON by McBurnie as he suffered “a loss of temper and control”.
      McBurnie, 26, of Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, who has scored nine goals in 18 games this season, denied a single charge of assault by beating. More

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      in Soccer

      Plans for European Super League over FOR EVER as court backs Uefa in huge blow to Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus

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      THE DREAMS of Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus lie shattered.Their ambitions of creating a Super League of the richest clubs, a money spinner to bankrupt Uefa and hit the power of the Premier League, rendered null and void by the Luxembourg lawmakers.
      Plans for the controversial European Super League have been shatteredCredit: Reuters
      There were restrained but triumphant celebrations across Europe, at Uefa’s headquarters in Nyon, the Prem’s shiny new offices near Paddington, for LaLiga in Madrid  and the Bundesliga in Frankfurt.
      But if there were any remaining doubts for the American owners of Liverpool and Manchester United about the wisdom of cashing in their investments now, they were surely ended for good by the “non-binding opinion” of the European Court of Justice’s Advocate General.
      The northwest duo and the remaining members of the Big Six were forced to drop their plans to join the breakaway and even agreed to punitive financial and sporting repercussions for any future U-turn by the public backlash.
      Yet it always seemed they did so with their fingers crossed firmly behind their backs, waiting for the chance to jump back on any future gravy train before it left the station.
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      The argument would have been simple: We didn’t want to do it and we did promise we would stay. But what else can we do?
      Super League offered the prospect of a new financial universe even for the wealthy elite.
      A £3.6billion elite cartel funded by US financial behemoth JP Morgan, worth up to £310m for each club PLUS a minimum of £130m each season.
      If they had pulled it off, the value of the English clubs involved would have sky-rocketed, blitzing past the £5billion mark without even thinking of stopping.
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      That it would have impoverished those left behind was unimportant and irrelevant.
      It is all over now. 
      Revenues will rise in the future, especially if the Prem giants can get control of streaming rights and if the international desire to watch the world’s best league continues to increase.
      But not the exponential growth FSG and the Glazers had imagined and anticipated when they got into bed with the plotters as ringleaders of the scheme.
      Instead, the £3-4bn sums being bandied about as potential prices for the Anfield and Old Trafford clubs might be the top of the market. Even above what the market will be prepared to pay.
      Former Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein, one of the five original club chiefs involved in the formation of the Premier League but who counselled Stan Kroenke against joining the breakaway, said: “The Super League was the owners not reading the tea leaves properly. 
      “They got the wrong message and that clearly was driven by owners thinking there was a Holy Grail out there.
      “The whole concept was abhorrent. It wasn’t in the best interest of football generally.
      “When it failed, that probably promoted the sale of Liverpool and Manchester United.” 
      UEFA COCKAHOOP
      Uefa chiefs, backed by the powerful European Club Association and the major leagues, were unsurprisingly cockahoop at a ruling which went far further than any of them had anticipated.
      The ECA, which represents nearly 250 clubs across the continent including nine from the Prem, trumpeted: “This is a clear rejection of the efforts of a few to undermine the foundations and historical heritage of European football for the many.
      “The self-interested few sought to disrupt European club football and undermine the values that underpin it.”
      Despite the devastating reverse, set to be confirmed by the formal judgement in March, the three remaining rebels, speaking through their lobbying vehicle, Madrid-based A22, attempted to find consolation.
      A22 clung to the finding that Uefa should not block attempts to set up a rival competition but ignored the key position that the European governing body DOES have the right to sanction any that do.
      Chief executive Bernd Reichart said: “We are pleased with the recognition of the right of third parties to organise pan-European club competitions. 
      “We believe the 15 judges who are entrusted with the responsibility to examine this case will go substantially further and provide the opportunity for clubs to manage their own destiny in Europe.” 
      Victories like that look like… defeats. Heavy ones. Ones that do not allow any comeback.
      Of course, it could all change in March. Until that verdict comes in, anything is possible.
      But even Real President Florentino Perez’ allies in the Spanish media depicted it as a humiliating reverse.

      The coffin has been ordered and the last rites have been performed. Now all that awaits Super League is the final confirmation of its fate.
      European football can breathe a sigh of relief. It may not be shared in Boston or Miami. More

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      in Soccer

      Sheffield United star Oli McBurnie ‘stamped on rival fan’s head’ after being told he was ‘s*** at football’, court hears

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      SHEFFIELD United ace Oli McBurnie has gone on trial accused of stamping on a rival fan during a frenzied pitch invasion. Nottingham Forrest fan George Brinkley, 27, claimed he was singled out and attacked after telling the star: “You’re s*** at football, I’m better than you.”
      Oli McBurnie pictured arriving at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court where he is charged with assault by beatingCredit: PA
      The Blades ace is accused of stamping on a fan following a pitch invasionCredit: PA
      Brinkley told Nottingham Magistrates’ Court he genuinely feared for his life as fans stormed the pitch following last season’s Championship play-off semi-final.
      Fans rushed from the stands following the full time whistle, with Blades skipper Billy Sharp also headbutted by a Forest season ticket-holder who was later jailed for 24 weeks.
      After being put in a headlock by McBurnie’s team-mate, Rhian Brewster, prosecutors claim Mr Brinkley was stamped by McBurnie as he suffered “a loss of temper and control”.
      McBurnie, 26, of Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, who has scored nine goals in 18 games this season, denies a single charge of assault by beating.
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      McBurnie, who was wearing a protective boot over an injury, claims he lost his balance after going to the aid of a team-mate.
      He faces a maximum sentence of six months in prison if he’s convicted.
      After social media footage alleged to show the assault was played to the court on Wednesday, Mr Brinkley said he invaded the pitch because of the “adrenaline” of Forest reaching a Wembley final.
      Giving his account to a district judge via a video-link to a witness room, Mr Brinkley said he had been sitting near the dug-out, in the second row of the stand, for the match.
      Most read in Football
      He told the court: “At half-time I spoke to a couple of (United) players.
      “I said ‘Oli McBurnie you are s*** at football, I am better than you and I’m not a pro’.”
      Mr Brinkley said former Swansea City and Barnsley player McBurnie had heard the comment, adding: “He responded to me, laughing, and said ‘You look like you are’.
      “I said: ‘Enjoy the Championship next season’. I had a smile on my face. Hopefully because I was joking, it came across in that way. It’s just a bit of banter, isn’t it?”
      Asked by prosecutor Simon Jones how McBurnie had reacted, Mr Brinkley said: “He had a grin on his face – quite patronising… looking down on me.”
      Describing what he claims happened moments after Forest’s 3-2 penalty shoot-out win, Mr Brinkley told the court: “I celebrated with the two people directly behind me.
      “I jumped over the advertising boards – I had that much adrenaline going through me.”
      Brinkley said that after joining other fans in hugging Forest defender Steve Cook, he was stunned to see that United forward Billy Sharp had a nose bleed.
      “My instant reaction was shock,” the supporter added. “I didn’t know how it had happened.”
      Invited to tell the district judge what happened next, Mr Brinkley said: “I got headlocked to the ground. I was laid on my back.
      “Oli McBurnie stamped on me once, stamped on me twice, then went to stamp on me for a third time, but then got pulled away.
      “My instant reaction was to kick him but I didn’t because I knew what the repercussions would be.”
      The alleged victim said he knew his assailant was McBurnie because he was the only person he had seen wearing a protective boot.
      He added: “I couldn’t get up because of the people around me – I felt that I was going to get my head kicked in.
      “I did genuinely fear for my life because I have had head injuries in the past and my head is very sensitive.”
      The court heard that Mr Brinkley did not realise it was Brewster who had put him a headlock until he saw social media footage of the incident.
      During cross-examination by McBurnie’s barrister, Lisa Judge, Mr Brinkley was asked if he was suggesting that the striker had selected him out of a crowd of hundreds and assaulted him “purely because you had said he was a s*** footballer”.
      Ms Judge asked: “He (McBurnie) said ‘Aha, that’s the man who said I was a s*** footballer, I am going to stamp on him?'”
      Mr Brinkley answered: “I believe so.”
      Read More on The Sun
      Prosecutors dropped a common assault charge brought against Brewster in July.
      The trial continues. More

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      in Boxing

      Anthony Joshua says he gets stopped at customs every time he enters US as he warns ‘you can’t run away from your past’

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      ANTHONY JOSHUA has warned kids his former life of crime keeps coming back to haunt him every time he tries to enter the USA.AJ, 33, got into his fair share of trouble as a youngster and once found himself on remand in Reading prison for “‘fighting and other crazy stuff.”
      Anthony Joshua got into his fair share of trouble as a youngster and was even charged with intent to supply class B drugsCredit: THE SUN
      AJ escaped jail time and was able to pursue his dream of becoming world championCredit: MATCHROOM
      But he admits his former life comes back to bother him when he tries to enter the USACredit: Reuters
      His world was almost turned upside down in 2011 when he was charged with possession with intent to supply a class B drug after police found a large amount cannabis in his car.
      Joshua avoided jail time by submitting a guilty plea, although his criminal record keeps coming to the fore when he tries to enter the United States.
      And AJ hopes his story can help keep the next generation on the straight and narrow.
      He said: “A message to the youth: When I was younger…. used to get in trouble.
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      “I’m telling you, it catches up with you. You can’t run away from your past.
      “Every time I step into the USA, they pull me into the US Customs and Border Protection.
      “Luckily, certain things with my criminal record aren’t too severe and they don’t stop me from actually entering.
      “But every time I enter the USA, they pull me over for questioning and it’s tedious and time-consuming.”
      Most read in Boxing
      Joshua, 33, has been open about his former life in a bid to steer kids off the wrong path, including his willingness to spend 15 years behind bars when he was on remand.
      Anthony Joshua is the rebuilding phase of his career following back-to-back losses to Oleksandr UsykCredit: GETTY
      The former two-time heavyweight champ is currently out of the world title pictureCredit: MATCHROON BOXING
      During an appearance on Apple’s Song for Life, he said: “I feel like I was looking at 15 years.
      “I thought I’d do that easy. I would have been out maybe two years ago [2018].
      “So I was like, ‘Cool. No problem. If it is guilty, it’s guilty.'”
      Joshua knuckled down and focused on boxing after escaping prison time for drug possession, which would’ve derailed what has turned out to be a glittering career.
      Recalling the aftermath of his almost life-altering brush with the law, he said: “I done my community service, I got banned from the Olympic team though, which was a tough time.
      “I learned how to get smarter, I changed my car, too flash, and that’s why I think now as a boxer I know how to keep low key.
      “I learned the art of bouncing back, most important.”
      Read More on The Sun
      Anthony Joshua is set to return to the octagon early next yearCredit: Getty
      Joshua is set to return to the ring in early March following his defeat in his rematch with unified heavyweight champ Oleksandr Usyk in August.
      An opponent hasn’t been finalised, although dust-ups with Otto Wallin and Brit rival Dillian Whyte are on the cards. More

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      in Soccer

      Italian footballer jailed for gang raping woman, 21, along with his uncle and two pals at sordid party

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      AN ITALIAN footballer has been sentenced to six years in jail for the sick gang rape of a 21-year-old woman.Manolo Portanova, a midfielder for Genoa Football Club, raped the woman on May 30 2021 in her apartment, in the historical centre of Siena.
      Portanova is expected to serve six years in Italian prisonCredit: Getty
      Manolo Portanova has played for Genoa since 2019Credit: Getty
      His uncle, Alessio Langella, 23, received the same sentence after partaking in the sick rape, alongside his friend Alessandro Cappiello.
      A 17-year-old boy also has been charged, and his case is being dealt with by the Juvenile Prosecutor in Florence.
      Both Manolo and his uncle opted for a fast-track trial, which reduces prison sentences by a third compared to trials with a jury, according to La Gazetta dello Sport.
      Manolo is the son of former Bolonga, Napoli and Genoa defender Daniele Portanova.
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      The midfielder from Naples has continued to deny kidnapping the woman alongside his uncle and friend.
      Reports from the court case revealed the act was “consensual”.
      Court reconstructions revealed the young woman was alone with Portanova, but the other three defendants joined in and participated in “violence”.
      The student “went to A&E afterwards, where medics found bruises and wounds”, according to Football Italia.
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      “I learned from my father and from sport to have healthy respect for everyone, especially women. I am pained for the psychological damage the girl has suffered,” Portanova said in a statement.
      Genoa is Italy’s oldest football team, founded in 1893, but the club came under fire after Coach Alexander Blessin continued to use Manolo after he was charged with the crime.
      Manolo has maintained his innocence throughout the court proceedingsCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk
      He played for Genoa on December 4Credit: Getty More

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      in Soccer

      Benjamin Mendy jury OUT as Manchester City star waits for verdict on seven counts of rape against six women

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      JURORS in the Benjamin Mendy rape trial have been sent out to decide the footballer’s fate.The Man City star, 28, has been accused of being a “predator” who “turned the pursuit of women for sex into a game”.
      Jurors in the Benjamin Mendy case have been sent outCredit: AFP
      Jurors at Chester Crown Court have now been sent out to deliberate and reach a verdict.
      The jury retired at 2.17pm after hearing evidence in the trial, which started in August.
      Mendy is accused of seven counts of rape, one count of attempted rape and one count of sexual assault against six young women.
      The star, who is currently missing out on the World Cup for Frane, allegedly locked women in “panic rooms” at his mansion in Cheshire while hosting parties.
      Read more on Man City
      Some of his alleged victims claim their phones were taken away from them on arrival, which the prosecution say left them unable to call for help.
      He previously told the court it was “honestly, so easy” for him to meet up with women and have sex “because of the status”.
      The French international said the attention became “10 times more” when he began playing for Man City and admitted he is “no Brad Pitt.
      He also told jurors he would often sleep with different women on the same night, admitting: “For me it was normal, I realised just now it sounds bad.”
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      Mendy is on trial with co-defendant Louis Saha Matturie, 41, who was an alleged “fixer” in charge of finding women for sex.
      He denies six counts of rape and three counts of sexual assault relating to seven young women.
      Both men say if any sex did take place with women or girls it was consensual.
      The trial continues.
      Mendy is accused of seven counts of rape, one count of attempted rape and one count of sexual assaultCredit: AFP
      Jurors are also deliberating on co-defendant Louis Saha MatturieCredit: AFP More

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      in Soccer

      Gary Neville in the clear after his online comment delayed pal Ryan Giggs’ trial

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      FOOTIE pundit Gary Neville is in the clear after his online comment delayed pal Ryan Giggs’ trial.The former Man United defender, 47, was referred to the Attorney General for possible contempt of court.
      Gary Neville posted on social media just before business partner Ryan Giggs’ domestic abuse trial was due to start in August
      Neville — who is Giggs’ business partner — posted on social media just before the domestic abuse trial was due to start in August.
      Judge Hilary Manley was informed of the potentially prejudicial post and proceedings were delayed by almost an hour.
      Now a spokeswoman for the Attorney General has confirmed no further action will be taken. The post has been removed.
      Contempt of court carries a fine or up to two years in prison.
      READ MORE ON RYAN GIGGS
      Neville did not make specific reference to Kate Greville — the ex-girlfriend and accuser of his former Man United teammate.
      He denied wrongdoing and maintains his remark was about United’s owners, the Glazers.
      Giggs, 48, was on trial for four weeks accused of coercively controlling Kate, 37, over a three-year period and head-butting her in a drunken row.
      The jury failed to reach any verdicts and he faces a retrial next July.
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