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      Football-loving Evan Gershkovich is ‘thrilled’ by Arsenal tribute as family plead with Putin to free him from hellhole

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      BY rights, Arsenal fan Evan Gershkovich should be savouring the Gunners’ end-of-season title race from a comfy seat at the Emirates Stadium.Instead, he still languishes in Moscow’s grim Lefortovo Prison where Soviet tyrant Joseph Stalin once caged his enemies.Journalist Evan Gershkovich is languishing in Moscow’s grim Lefortovo PrisonCredit: APA banner is displayed in support of Evan prior to the Premier League match of his favourite team ArsenalCredit: GettyElla Milman, Danielle and Mikhail Gershkovich, mother, sister and father have put out an emotional plea, a year one from his captureCredit: AFPIt’s now a year since the brilliant young American reporter was held on trumped-up spying charges by Vladimir Putin’s regime — yet the Arsenal faithful have not forgotten one of their own.Twice this season fans have raised banners in the North Bank stand bearing his image and demanding #freeevan.His friend and fellow London-based Wall Street Journal reporter Eliot Brown told The Sun that the gesture by Gunners fans had left Evan “thrilled”.Although he is locked up with a cell mate for 23 hours a day, news of the placards filtered through via letters he is permitted to receive.READ MORE ON RUSSIAFellow Arsenal supporter Andrew Allen — who helped to organise the demonstrations — said: “The banners are a small gesture but Evan was just doing his job and he’s now living through hell.“As fellow Arsenal fans we thought we’d do our bit to keep his story in the spotlight.”Now the North Bank is planning more #freeevan protests after the innocent reporter was told by a Russian court on Tuesday that his pre-trial detention was being extended by a further three months.’Strong & resilient’Afterwards in the News UK offices in London — which the Journal’s UK bureau shares with The Sun — hundreds of sombre staff held up #istandwithEVAN posters.Most read in FootballThe 32-year-old reporter is the first US journalist to be charged with spying by Russia since the Cold War, and faces a possible 20-year prison sentence if convicted.America’s ambassador to Russia, Lynne Tracy, said he remained “strong and resilient” and added that it was “a tragedy that he is awaiting trial for a crime he did not commit”.Falsely jailed reporter Evan Gershkovich must be freed NOW after one year in Russian prisonThe bitter irony is that Evan loves Russia.He was born in Princeton, New Jersey, after his Jewish parents Mikhail and Ella had fled rising anti-Semitism in the Soviet Union.He and his elder sister Danielle grew up speaking Russian at home.At five Evan began playing football, which soon became “all-encompassing”, and Danielle said: “I remember him coming home from school and practising against the back of the garage.Bilingual skills “He would be out there and you would hear it — kick, kick, kick. I remember him being obsessed with Pele, his first big soccer idol.“Later he was into Thierry Henry, which led him to Arsenal.”Thatcher Foster, a teammate of Evan’s at youth team Princeton Spartak, said: “Football was such a big part of Evan’s identity.“Each year he would get around five different Arsenal kits.”After leaving school he became a journalist, using his bilingual skills to secure a reporter’s job on the online Moscow Times in Russia.There he bonded with colleague Pjotr Sauer over their love of Arsenal.The banners are a small gesture but Evan was just doing his job and he’s now living through hellFellow Arsenal supporter Andrew Allen Pjotr, who writes to Evan in prison to update him on their team’s fortunes, said: “Evan knew everything about Arsenal. I wasn’t expecting to meet a fellow Gunner who was an American guy.”After six years of working in Russia Evan moved to the globally-renowned Wall Street Journal in January 2022, a month before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.The journalist divided his time between London and reporting stints in Russia as the war ragedCredit: APAccredited by the Kremlin as a reporter, he divided his time between London and reporting stints in Russia as the war raged.Eliot, his colleague at the Journal’s London office, said: “We’d go out for beers and just talk about journalism and current events.“He has a million thoughts on everything. He is a fantastically talented young journalist.”But working in Moscow was becoming increasingly perilous.In July 2022, Evan tweeted: “Reporting on Russia is now a regular practice of watching people you know get locked away for years.”He assumed his phone was being tapped and he had been followed and filmed when on assignment.On March 29, 2023, Evan travelled to Yekaterinburg, nearly 900 miles east of Moscow, on a reporting trip.Constant brightnessHe was arrested at a steakhouse and led away with his head hooded.Conditions in Lefortovo prison are wretched.Evan is allowed out of his cell for just one hour a day.He usually spends it walking in one of the small courtyards on the prison roof, watched by armed guards.Cells are brightly lit, even at night.President Biden has pledged to do “whatever it takes” to bring him home, while Nato and the EU have also demanded his release.During several court appearances Evan has smiled for the cameras and looked remarkably relaxed.My brother is not a spy. He’s a journalistDanielle Gershkovich His mum Ella described one hearing in June: “We went and stood next to him, and immediately, Evan was talking and joking.“We were laughing. Russians don’t expect laughter in a court. Crying — that’s what they expect.”Evan spends his time keeping fit, reading Russian novels and answering letters from family and friends.The Arsenal results normally filter through to him two weeks late and he can watch limited match highlights on Russian TV.Pal Pjotr said: “He is very happy about how they are playing but obviously upset he can’t see for himself.”READ MORE SUN STORIESAnd sister Danielle has a heartfelt message for Putin: “My brother is not a spy. He’s a journalist.“Please, I just want him home.”Evan is allowed out of his cell for just one hour a dayCredit: AP More

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      Shameless rapist Dani Alves hosts all-night party at his £4.5m mansion just HOURS after prison release on €1m bail

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      DISGRACED rapist Dani Alves celebrated his first hours of freedom with an all-night party at his £4.5million mansion.The former Barcelona star was released after serving just four weeks of his rape conviction as he paid his €1million (£850,000) bail.Dani Alves walked out of prison after serving four weeks of his sentenceThe footballer is said to have thrown a big party at his luxurious mansion in EspluguesCredit: InstagramThe Barcelona ace partied until 5 in the morning in a celebration of his dad’s birthdayCredit: Instagram/danialvesThe Brazilian was convicted of raping a woman at a nightclub in December 2022 and was handed a four-and-a-half-year sentence.But after winning his fight to appeal his sentence from home Alves, 40, was pictured walking out of Brians 2 Prison on Monday alongside his lawyer Ines Guardiola.And after craving burgers for dinner following his release, the ex-Barca star pulled an all-nighter with his friends and family until 5 in the morning, according to Spanish reports.Alves is reported to have celebrated his dad’s recent birthday in a lavish party at his villa in Esplugues de Llobregat which he still owns with his ex-wife Joana Sanz.READ MORE IN DANI ALVESFriends and family of the footballer celebrated Domingos Alves Da Silva’s birthday at a dinner party in Barcelona before heading to Alves’s pad to continue, reports the Spanish TV program This is Life.And on Wednesday Alves was visited by two men who declined to respond to journalists’ questions or confirm whether they were the footballer’s friends, according to La Razon.The ex-Barcelona ace was pictured stone-faced as he walked through his mansion’s front door on Monday.In the evening, a housekeeper appeared at the door to receive the hamburgers Alves ordered for dinner.Most read in FootballA bouquet of flowers was delivered to the property soon after Alves returned, fuelling rumours it was a gift for his Tenerife-born ex-wife whose whereabouts remain a mystery.Sanz is yet to update her Instagram after deactivating it last week and then mysteriously reactivating it over the weekend before Alves’ release on bail.Apart from his €1million bail bond, Alves has to appear in court every Friday.He also had to hand in his Spanish and Brazilian passports so he could not flee Spain.In February, Alves, who played for Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, was convicted of raping a woman, 23, at a Barcelona nightclub.He received a sentence of four and a half years – far less than the nine years public prosecutors demanded and the 12 years Alves’ accuser wanted if he was convicted.Alves took the stand on the final day of his three-day trial maintaining his innocence and insisting the sex he had with his accuser was consensual.The victim accused Alves of forcing her to have sex in a private bathroom of the nightclub despite begging him to let her go.Alves’ lawyers had argued the victim had been “glued” to the player while dancing at the nightclub, saying there was “sexual tension” between them.But the court said in its 61-page decision that this did not mean “that she consented to anything that might have subsequently happened”.The footballer struggled to raise funds for his bail bond as his accounts in Brazil were blocked amid an ongoing conflict with his ex-wife.Ester Garcia, the lawyer of Alves’ rape victim, attacked the decision to grant him bail last Wednesday.She fumed on RAC1 radio: “I’m very surprised and totally outraged… because it’s like this is justice for the rich.”Garcia added: “It is scandalous that they can free a person who they know can get hold of a million euros in a heartbeat.”READ MORE SUN STORIESShe added: “I am very dissatisfied with this court decision. “We will lodge an appeal because we believe it is not in accordance with the law.”Alves was able to walk out of prison after he paid his €1million (£850,000) bailThe footballer had burgers delivered at his home after he was released from prisonCredit: Telecinco More

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      Disgraced Spanish FA chief Luis Rubiales facing 2.5 YEARS in prison and £85,000 payout over World Cup kiss scandal

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      THE axed Spanish FA chief who planted an unwanted kiss on a Women’s World Cup winner’s lips should be jailed for two-and-a-half years, prosecutors say.Disgraced Luis Rubiales should also pay £85,000 compensation to victim Jenni Hermoso if convicted of sexual assault and covering up the infamous “Kissgate” scandal.Luis Rubiales could face two and a half years in prisonCredit: APThe axed Spanish FA chief planted an unwanted kiss on a Women’s World Cup winner’s lipsCredit: GettyThe moment where Spanish football federation president Luis Rubiales kisses Spanish footballer Jenni Hermoso on the lipsCredit: EnterpriseLuis Rubiales and Piers Morgan on Talk TVCredit: Talk TVThe demands were laid out in a six-page indictment made public yesterday amid continuing fall-out 46-year-old Rubiales’s behaviour at the World Cup Final in Australia last year.Prosecutors say his unseemly conduct – beamed worldwide on TV – warrants a one-year jail term for a sexual assault.But they are also demanding a separate one-year and six month prison sentence for “coercion” linked to his alleged attempts to get Jenni, 33, to speak out in his defence.Madrid-based judge Francisco de Jorge paved the way for Rubiales to face criminal action earlier this year after recommending he be put in the dock.Read more on Luis RubialesHe said his long-running probe had uncovered “solid evidence” pointing to the potential illegality of the kiss.Mr de Jorge has already quizzed the former football boss and his alleged victim separately in closed sessions at Spain’s national court.He said: “The investigation has revealed the existence of solid evidence the kiss was not consensual and was a unilateral and surprise initiative on his part.“Whether there was not any erotic intention or it was a result of the state of euphoria … is something that should be valued in a public trial.”Most read in FootballHe said he had concluded Hermoso had been left “bewildered and surprised” by the “unexpected” kiss and “didn’t have time to react”.Rubiales grabbed her by the head with both hands and locked lips with her at the awards ceremony in front of millions of TV viewers watching live last August.Spain FA chief Rubiales enters women’s dressing room and vows to MARRY Hermoso and take stars to Ibiza after kiss stormRubiales’ home was raided earlier this month as part of a separate corruption probe into a deal to move the Super Cup to Saudi ArabiaCredit: GettyA Europol agent and several agents from the Guardia Civil’s Central Operational Unit leave the Royal Spanish Football Federation last week in MadridCredit: GettyHe also proposed former Spain’s women’s team manager Jorge Vilda, men’s team director Albert Luque and former FA marketing director Ruben Rivera should face trial.Mr de Jorge said in his written ruling he believed there was enough evidence to proceed with a formal accusation against all three for their “concerted action” to nobble Jenni.He said Rubiales and the rio tried to “break Jennifer Hermoso’s will and get her to agree to record a video saying the kiss had been consensual”.The judge concluded in his bombshell ruling: “The pressure the player was submitted to created in Jennifer Hermoso a situation of anxiety and intense stress.”Public prosecutors said yesterday they were seeking prison sentences of one year and six months for Vilda, Luque and Rivera if convicted of coercion.Hermoso, 33, who now plays for Mexican side Tigres, sparked the Audiencia Nacional investigation by filing a complaint against Rubiales last September.She his unsolicited smacker as a sexist act which left her feeling vulnerable – after Rubiales insisted it was consensual and “a peck”.Mr de Jorge banned him from going within 200 metres of Hermoso or making any contact with her.Defiant Rubiales pledged “I will defend my honourability. I will defend my innocence.“I have faith in the future. I have faith in the truth. Thanks to everybody.”Rubiales is at the centre of a separate corruption probe over to a multi-million euro deal to relocate the Spanish Super Cup to Saudi Arabia.He is currently in the Dominican Republic but has promised to return to Spain to defend himself.An apartment belonging to the former Spanish FA chief was searched earlier this month.And today, six suspects have been arrested after state prosecutors raided 11 premises around Spain as part of the Saudi Arabia cup probe, Sky News reported.The offices of the Spanish Football Federation on the outskirts of Madrid were searched, along with Rubiales’ residence in the southern city of Granada.However, Spain’s Guardia Civil stated that the former president was not one of the six arrested and was out of the country when authorities raided his property.READ MORE SUN STORIESRubiales is one of five persons formally under investigation, according to authorities.The office of Spain’s state prosecutors stated that police and Europol detectives were looking for papers and that the operation is expected to result in seven arrests and the identification of five additional persons as under investigation.Luis Rubiales resigned as president of the Spanish Football Federation following criticism over the ‘Kissgate’ scandalCredit: Getty More

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      Dani Alves orders burgers to his £4.5m mansion on first night of freedom after paying €1m bail weeks into rape sentence

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      DANI Alves spent his first night of freedom ordering burgers to his £4.5million Barcelona mansion after after serving just four weeks of his rape conviction.After finally forking out enough cash for his €1million (£850,000) bail, the disgraced footballer left prison yesterday afternoon apparently craving fast food.Stony-faced footballer Dani Alves was silent as he was released from jail on Monday pending an appeal on his rape convictionCredit: APThe moment burgers were ordered to his home for one of his first post-prison mealsCredit: TelecincoFlowers were also delivered to his £4.5million mansion – prompting speculation that his estranged wife Joana Sanz may be at the propertyCredit: TardeARThe ex Barcelona player leaving the Brians 2 prison with where he spent 14 monthsCredit: GettyOn Monday, Alves, 40, walked out of Brians 2 Prison at around 4:25pm local time alongside his lawyer Ines Guardiola and was driven to his luxury property.The Brazilian, who was convicted of raping a young woman at a Barcelona nightclub in December 2022, only served four weeks of his four-and-a-half-year sentence.On March 20, he won his fight to appeal sentence from the comfort of his own home.Local reports said he had left a bible, a fan and a box of books at the jail for inmates to use.read more on dani alvesAlves then arrived at the huge pad, which he still owns with his ex-wife but later lived at with his model partner Joana Sanz before his incarceration in January last year.Stony-faced, he declined to answer any questions and stayed quiet as he walked through his front door.A housekeeper appeared at the door of his bunker mansion in Esplugues de Llobregat, a 25-minute drive west of Barcelona city centre, in the evening to receive hamburgers Alves ordered for dinner.His estranged wife Sanz’s whereabouts remain a mystery and she is yet to update her Instagram after deactivating it last week then mysteriously reactivating it over the weekend before Alves’ release on bail.Most read in FootballDespite filing for divorce in 2023 after the explosive accusations surfaced, Sanz did testify on behalf of Alves in court claiming she was with him the night of the accusations.A bouquet of flowers was delivered to the property soon after Alves returned, sparking speculation it was a gift for the Tenerife-born brunette who might be inside or could soon arrive.The dad-of-two can stay fully hunkered down inside the property until the end of the week if he wishes.Ex-Brazil international footballer Dani Alves is to be released from jail pending an appeal against his rape convictionAs well as paying his €1million bail bond, he has to leave his home to make appearances at court every Friday.He also had to hand in his Spanish and Brazilian passports so he cannot flee Spain.It is not known how he raised his bail bond, although speculation is rife that a group of his former teammates could have put the money together.The convicted rapist was forced to spend another five nights behind bars as he desperately attempted to raise the bail bond despite his £50million career earnings.Alves pictured inside his multi-million pound home in BarcelonaHe used to live at his £4.5million mansion with estranged wife Joana SanzCredit: GettyAlves had only served one month in jail of his four-and-a-half sentenceCredit: AFPAlves, one of the world’s most decorated footballers who played for Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, was sentenced on February 22 after being convicted of raping a woman, 23, at a Barcelona nightclub in the early hours of December 31, 2022.The jail sentence he received, considered lenient by some critics, was far less than the nine years public prosecutors demanded and the 12 years Alves’ female accuser wanted if he was convicted.Prosecutors have appealed the decision to release him on bail, but the appeal did not affect yesterday’s release.THE TRIAL Alves protested his innocence on February 7 after taking the stand on the last day of his three-day trial, saying the sex he had with his 23-year-old female accuser was consensual and insisting he would never hurt anyone.The victim, who testified behind a screen to protect her identity, said Alves had violently forced her to have sex in a private bathroom of the nightclub despite begging him to let her go, causing her “anguish and terror”, prosecutors said.Alves’ lawyers had argued the victim had been “glued” to the player while dancing at the nightclub, saying there was “sexual tension” between them.But the court said in its 61-page decision that this did not mean “that she consented to anything that might have subsequently happened”.He was due to leave prison on Thursday, but missed the deadline to pay the court his bail.The fee was believed to be being settled by pal Neymar Jr’s father, reported LaVanguardia.But Neymar da Silva Santos Sr quickly shut down these claims by issuing a brutal 11-word statement after refusing to pay.Sources say Santos Sr originally offered help to Alves after his assets were frozen and it is also believed that he also helped to pay the £130,000 compensation package to his victim ordered by the court.The footballer’s difficulties in raising his bail bond were largely due to the fact his accounts in Brazil have been blocked as a result of an ongoing conflict with his ex-wife.His former partner, his ex-agent and the mother of his two children, has previously said that Alves “doesn’t exist” for her and refers to him as having died.Ester Garcia, the lawyer of Alves’ rape victim, attacked the decision to grant him bail last Wednesday.She fumed on RAC1 radio: “I’m very surprised and totally outraged… because it’s like this is justice for the rich.”Garcia added: “It is scandalous that they can free a person who they know can get hold of a million euros in a heartbeat.”She added: “I am very dissatisfied with this court decision. “We will lodge an appeal because we believe it is not in accordance with the law.”Spain’s former Equality Minister Irene Montero said on X, formerly Twitter: “Powerful men can always buy their freedom.“This is a dangerous message of lack of legal protection for all women.“We need the justice system to be feminist and equal for all.”READ MORE SUN STORIESBrazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva also condemned Alves’ release.He said last week: “The money that Daniel Alves has, the money that someone can lend him, cannot buy the offence that a man does to a woman by committing rape.”What happened?BRAZILIAN international footballer Dani Alves was accused of raping a woman in a nightclub in Barcelona on December 30, 2022.
      In a trial held in Barcelona in February 2024, the footballer denied the allegations and said the encounter had been consensual. 
      Held at Barcelona’s Audiencia Provincial Court, the trial lasted three days and saw the victim, witnesses, and experts testify.
      His accuser told the prosecution that she had willingly entered the bathroom with him, but that he forced her to stay after she wanted to leave.
      In court she claimed that he was aggressive with her, slapping her and insulting her, and then forced her to have sex with him.
      Following the trial, Alves was found guilty of raping the woman.
      He was convicted on February 22 and sentenced to four-and-a-half years.
      The court also ordered Alves to pay £130K (150,000 euros) in compensation to the victim.
      The court said in a statement: “The sentence considers that it has been proven that the victim did not consent and that there is evidence, in addition to the testimony of the plaintiff, to consider the rape proven.”
      He had previously been held in pre-trial detention since his arrest on January 20, 2023.
      Alves’ lawyers immediately appealed his sentence.
      On March 20, 2024 – a Barcelona court released Alves on a bail of €1million (£850k) pending an appeal on his conviction.
      His defense is seeking his acquittal while the prosecutor wants his prison sentence increased to nine years.
      There is no date yet for the new trial at a higher court in Barcelona. It can then go to the Supreme Court in Madrid.
      On March 25, 2024 – Alves was released from prison after paying his €1million (£850,000) bail bond.

      Alves paid £850,000 bail to secure his release and will also have to hand over his passports while appealing his rape convictionCredit: ReutersAlves did not speak as he walked out of his jailCredit: EPAAlves with his model wife Sanz who filed for divorce last year btu testified on his behalf at courtCredit: Getty More

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      Football clubs with the most fans arrested and banned last season revealed – is your team on the list?

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      THE football clubs with the naughtiest fans have been revealed.New arrest and banning statistics for each club during the 2022/23 season have been released showing which of England’s clubs are the worst behaved.Fans clash with police in the stands during a Europa League matchCredit: PA:Press AssociationThe number of arrests at football matches has jumped since CovidCredit: PAFollowing Covid, the number of arrests and bans at football matches has spiked to levels last seen in the 2013/14 season.Some 682 bans were issued last season – the most for more than 12 years after possession of Class A drugs like cocaine was added to the list of offences.Football banning orders are issued by courts lasting five years for offences including violence, pitch invasions, and booze-related behaviour.Manchester United fans had the most football banning orders, with 69.Read more on sportSecond was Millwall, third Leicester City, fourth Birmingham City, and fifth West Ham United.The team with the highest number of arrests was West Ham United, with 89 people arrested – 69 per cent at London Stadium.Second was Manchester United with 83 arrests, 49 per cent at Old Trafford. Third was Leeds United with 69 arrests with 43 per cent of them at home.Most read in FootballManchester City came in fourth on the table, Spurs in fifth, and Arsenal in sixth.The most common offences were violent disorder and public disorder.Over the last nine years, alcohol-related offences have reduced from 25 per cent to nine per cent. Banning orders showed some of the traditional hooligan firms.Pub-drinking England fans are most at risk at Euros from martial arts trained football ultrasThe Premier League had one of the lower arrest rates out of competitions played in England at 4.3 arrests per 100,000 people.The highest number of arrests at a domestic competition was the FA Cup with 6.4 arrests per 100,000.But the highest number of arrests was at international matches, with a whopping 13.5 arrests per 100,000 attendees.Football hooligans will be all-but banned from leaving Britain during the Euros this summer.Fans gather in Leicester Square after England’s victory against GermanyCredit: AlamyFresh laws imposed from today will force more than 1,600 yobs to surrender their passports to the police from June 4 until the tournament ends.Anyone who fails to comply – or tries to travel to Germany or any countries en route to the host nation – faces six months in jail for severe offences or an unlimited fine.Policing Minister Chris Philp last night said: “Violence, abuse, and disorder have no place in the game we love.“The vast majority of fans are law-abiding, but we will have zero tolerance for those who disrupt this incredible event.“These measures will ensure true football fans can travel to the tournament safely and prevent hooligans from committing these crimes abroad.”The travel crackdown applies to the 1,624 people in England and Wales who currently have a football banning order.During the month-long Euros – which kicks off on June 14 – the sanctioned hooligans can only go abroad with the explicit permission of the Football Banning Orders Authority.READ MORE SUN STORIESCops will also get new powers to intercept other known louts threatening to cause chaos.Possession of Class A drugs amounted to 9 per cent of all bans last year after being made a banning offence, on par with alcohol offences.The return of hooliganism
      Across the continent, authorities are struggling to control hooliganism — often aimed at travelling English fans, who receive massive police protection as continental supporters try to test their reputation for street brawling.
      Two months ago in Milan a Newcastle United fan was stabbed in the stomach by a machete-wielding yob in a balaclava.
      This season was Brighton and Hove Albion’s first taste of competitive European football.
      But last month in Athens, tear gas aimed by police at riotous fans of the defeated home team AEK ended up choking Brighton supporters.
      In May, West Ham players tried to intervene when hooded fans of Dutch side AZ Alkmaar piled into the section of the stadium where the English team’s families were sitting.
      Football’s ruling bodies fear the return of the hooliganism from decades ago, which in 1985 saw English teams banned from Europe for five years after the deaths of 39 mostly Italian fans in the riot at the Heysel Stadium in Brussels.

      Police walk through the Liverpool fans outside the ground before the Premier League match at AnfieldCredit: PA More

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      Marco Muller dead at 71: Ex-footballer turned bank robber dubbed ‘Swiss Robin Hood’ dies after 36 years on the run

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      A FORMER top-flight star turned jailed bank robber has been found dead after 36 YEARS on the run from police.Marco Muller, 71, played for current Swiss Super League champions Young Boys during the Seventies.Marco Muller, 71, died after 36 years on the run from the policeCredit: PoliceThe defender also won Swiss youth international caps, and played for lower-league club SR Delemont.But Muller turned to a life of crime after hanging up his boots aged just 20, and was dubbed the Swiss Robin Hood.He robbed a series of banks and cash-in-transit vans during the 1980s, netting a haul estimated at over £2.5million.Muller escaped from Jura prison while serving time for a string of armed heists.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLLater re-arrested, he went on the run while on remand in Berne jail in 1988 and was never recaptured.He had been due to answer charges of holding up cash vans in Geneva and Delemont.Muller’s story ended tragically when his body was found by a railway line near his home town Bassecourt last month.His identity was only confirmed by DNA tests last week.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERThe fugitive footballer had been thought to be hiding out in France in the intervening years.Muller’s former accomplice Andre Jaggi said: “I don’t think Marco returned to his home town while he was on the run.Where are they now: The unusual careers of former footballers”He wasn’t stupid. Even in disguise he would have been recognised here from his way of walking.”The police came to tell me he was dead. It gave me a funny feeling.”He used to keep the lion’s share of the money after robberies. Then he would borrow more from me, and say he’d repay me after the next heist.”Yves Girard, 71, worked in a bank in Bassecourt raided by Muller in 1979.He recalled: “The guy came in wearing a red wig and a long coat, like in a Sergio Leone film.”He pulled out sticks of dynamite, and told me to get all the money out of the safe or else I’d be blown sky high.” More

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      Vile football coach Barry Bennell who abused young boys at top clubs died in jail in ‘significant pain’ from cancer

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      PAEDO football coach Barry Bennell died in “significant pain” in prison after being diagnosed with tonsil cancer, an inquest heard today.The predator died at HMP Littlehey in Cambridgeshire where he was serving a 34-year sentence for abusing young boys.Barry Bennell died in prison in SeptemberCredit: PAAn inquest heard how Bennell, 69, was receiving palliative care after he was diagnosed with tonsil cancer last year.The paedo had previously suffered from throat cancer in 2004, which had resurfaced in 2016.At the time of his death on September 16, Bennell was being fed with a tube and could only communicate through writing.Cambridgeshire’s area coroner Elizabeth Gray said he was in a “significant amount of pain which was managed by the healthcare team at the prison”.Read more on BennellHe had discharged himself back to prison from Hinchingbrooke Hospital against medical advice two days before his death.A post mortem found he died from bilateral bronchopneumonia , with his tonsil cancer given as a contributing factor.The hearing was told Bennell had previously tried to kill himself and was found with opiates in his possession.A report from the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman concluded the care Bennell received was of a “good standard and equivalent to that he would have received in the wider community”.Most read in FootballPolice found no signs of third party involvement, the inquest was told.The coroner said: “I’m satisfied the conclusion for Mr Jones is he died as a result of natural causes.”Paedophile Barry Bennell’s victims react after he is found guilty of 43 counts of child sex abuseBennell was jailed in 2018 after after being convicted of 52 child sex offences against 12 victims.The former Crewe Alexandra coach and Manchester City scout was found to have been responsible for “industrial sexual abuse of boys”.It is feared more than 100 boys were attacked by the child sex beast.Bennell abused his position by targeting youngsters who dreamt of becoming professional footballers.The coach would lure the boys to his home with exotic pets including a puma and a monkey, and took them on trips away.He was first jailed in Florida in 1994 for raping a British boy on a football tour in America.The coach’s horrific abuse in the UK was brought to light in a Channel 4 Dispatches investigation.This led to further prison sentences in the UK in 1998, 2015, 2018 and 2020.Bennell’s sickening crimes
      1994
      The coach was jailed for four years for abusing a a 13-year-old boy while on tour with a Staffordshire youth team in Florida.
      1998
      Bennell pleaded guilty to 23 counts of sexual abuse of 15 boys aged between nine and 14. He was jailed for nine years for the crimes, which took place between 1978 and 1992.
      2015
      Bennell admitted sexually abusing a 12-year-old boy in 1980 and is jailed for two years.
      2016
      Brave footballer Andy Woodward revealed he had been groomed and abused by Bennell for four years, starting when he was just 11.
      2018
      The paedo was jailed for 30 years in 2018 after being convicted of 52 child sexual offences against 12 boys between 1979 and 1991.
      It is revealed Bennell may have more than 100 victims after a further 86 complainants come forward.
      2020
      The coach is sentenced to serve an additional four years after pleading guilty to three counts of buggery and six counts of indecent assault against two boys between 1979 and 1988.

      Brave footballer Andy Woodward waived his anonymity to reveal he was a victim – causing more complainants to come forward.After his 2018 conviction, more than 80 other alleged victims came forward to claim they had been abused by Bennell.Sentencing, Judge Clement Goldstone QC branded Bennell the “devil incarnate”.He added: “Your behaviour towards these boys in grooming and seducing them before subjecting them to, in some cases, the most serious, degrading and humiliating abuse was sheer evil.”READ MORE SUN STORIESBennell was locked up for a further four years in 2020 after admitting nine sexual offences, including six counts of indecent assault against two boys.During his time in prison, it emerged he was being treated for cancer and had two operations to remove tumours from his tongue.Bennell was first jailed in 1994 in FloridaHe abused his position to target young boysCredit: PA:Press Association More

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      in Soccer

      Moment rapist Dani Alves walks FREE from prison just weeks into his 4.5-year sentence after paying €1m bail

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      CONVICTED rapist Dani Alves has left prison today after spending just weeks behind bars.The ex-Barcelona ace paved the way for his release after stumping up the £850,000 bail he needed and should be back in the comfort of his Spanish home in the coming hours. Dani Alves alongside his lawyer Ines Guardiola leaving prison todayCredit: RexThe Brazilian defender should be back to his Spanish home later this evening where he can stay until his appeal has been ruled onCredit: ReutersAlves was convicted of rape in February but has only served a month behind barsCredit: APAlves walked free after he struggled to stump up the cash needed to make bail last weekCredit: ReutersAlves was silent as he walked out alongside his lawyer Ines Guardiola at around 4:25pm local time.The disgraced ex footballer hopped straight into a car wearing jeans, and a black jacket over a white roll-neck jumper.Despite only spending a few weeks in jail he was seen sporting a moustache as he left.The footballer is also understood to have complied with the other orders of the three judges who said he could leave jail despite his recent rape conviction by handing in his Spanish and Brazilian passports.read more in Dani AlvesHe was told he could leave Brians 2 Prison near Barcelona last Wednesday after winning his bid to appeal his four-and-a-half year jail sentence from the comfort of his own home rather than a cell.But the 40-year-old spent the weekend still locked up as he failed to find the cash to get free from the Spanish jail.Brazilian teammate Neymar’s dad had been expected to help Alves pay the money to secure his freedom, but he issued a statement denying he would hand over any cash after coming under political pressure in his homeland.The Brazilian had made several attempts before his conviction to get bail, but they were turned down partly on the basis he was a flight risk.Most read in FootballAlves is now set to live in the comfort of his £4million home in Esplugues de LLobregat – a 25-minute drive west of Barcelona – as his lawyers go through the appeal process, reports say.The dad-of-two managed to pay his bail earlier today.A court spokesman said: “We inform you that Daniel Alves’ bail bond has been deposited in the account of the 21st section of the Barcelona Court of Appeal.”Prosecutors have appealed the decision to release him on bail, but the appeal did not affect today’s release.The 23-year-old victim’s lawyer, Ester Garcia, described Alves’ release as “scandalous”, branding it as “justice for the rich”.International footballer Alves was accused of raping the woman in a nightclub in Barcelona on December 30, 2022.Alves claimed the sexual encounter was consensual, insisting “he would never hurt anyone”.I’m very surprised and totally outraged because it’s like this is justice for the richEster Garciavictim’s lawyerHe was found guilty of rape and sentenced to four-and-a-half years behind bars in February.But on March 20, 2024 a court ruled he could appeal his conviction and get out of his hellhole jail while his team, headed by Ines Guardiola, carried out the appeal.His bail was set at his €1million (£850,000) – a figure originally thought to be getting paid for by pal Neymar Jr’s father, say LaVanguardia.Neymar da Silva Santos Sr had been expected to help Alves pay the money to secure his freedom, but he issued a statement denying he would hand over any cash after coming under political pressure in his homeland.He said: “For us, for my family, this matter is over. Full stop.” Neymar’s father didn’t specify how much they gave Alves but added that it’s a “different situation” now because the three judge panel at the Barcelona Provincial Court ruled against him.”With the Spanish court ruling for his conviction, there’s speculation and an attempt to associate my name and my son’s to a matter that is not within our reach any longer,” Neymar’s father said in the family’s statement.He added that he hopes Alves “can find all the answers he looks for in his own family.”Dani Alves guilty of raping woman in nightclub bathroom with ex-Barcelona star jailed for more than 4 yearsAlves’ team requested that the disgraced full back was released as he had already served a quarter of his sentence in pre-trial detention following his arrest in January 2023.Garcia blasted the decision to let him walk out as she fumed on RAC1 radio: “I’m very surprised and totally outraged… because it’s like this is justice for the rich.”Before adding: “It is scandalous that they can free a person who they know can get hold of a million euros in a heartbeat.”The bail conditions set by the court say Alves must stay at least 1,000m away from the home of the victim or any other place she frequently goes.He is also banned from ever contacting her and must handover his Brazilian and Spanish passports.The court feared Alves could leave Spain and travel to his native Brazil to try and avoid serving anymore jail time.He will now return to his multimillion-pound home a short drive from Barcelona.It was built in 2010 when he was still married to his ex-wife Dinorah Santana before he met and married Tenerife-born model Joana Sanz.Sanz revealed last year she had demanded a divorce after Alves admitted for the first time to having sex with the woman he was found guilty of raping, but claimed as he still does that the relations were consensual.Media waiting outside the prison for Alves’ release last weekCredit: EPAAlves left the Brians 2 prison where he was being heldCredit: ReutersDani Alves relationship to Joana Sanz broke down after the shocking rape accusations came outCredit: GettyDani Alves walked away from his Brians 2 prison after meeting the bail conditionsCredit: ReutersWORLDWIDE REACTIONSBrazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva condemned Alves’ release.He said on Wednesday: “The money that Daniel Alves has, the money that someone can lend him, cannot buy the offence that a man does to a woman by committing rape.”It comes as residents of Barcelona – where Alves was once seen as an icon – blasted the court’s ruling to free him on bail.I think it’s shameful and they are showing once again that woman don’t matter, that our rights don’t matterBarcelona residentOne woman said: “I think it’s shameful and they are showing once again that woman don’t matter, that our rights don’t matter.”If you have money and you are a man, you can do whatever you want and you won’t have to pay.”As a second angered local told AS TV: “Sentences must be served and executed equally. “If you have a sentence then you have to fulfil it not just pay their way out of it because they have a lot of money.”As a man also gave his view saying “evil” things can’t be forgotten about simply because of money.Alves’ mum posted a collection of pictures on Instagram on Wednesday of her son hours after he was allowed to make bail and leave prison.They were captioned: “Victory has come for the honor and glory of the Lord, thank you my God.”What God has joined together no one can separate.”In a separate post she also said: “For all those who only believe in the justice of men @danialves is free. “Free from European justice as I was told. But I believe in divine justice. And I always believed in his innocence.”And Alves’ former wife Joana Sanz deactivated her Instagram account just hours after he was granted release on bail.Despite filing for divorce in 2023 after the explosive accusations surfaced, Joana did back Alves in court claiming she was with him the night of the accusations.It is currently uncertain what the pair’s status is after Joana accidentally shared a bizarre letter from her rapist ex where he declares his love for her from jail.WHAT HAPPENED IN COURT?In a trial held in Barcelona in February 2024, he denied the allegations saying the sexual encounter had been completely consensual. The three-day trial saw the victim, witnesses, and experts testify.His accuser told the prosecution she had willingly entered the bathroom with him, but was then forced to stay after wanting to leave.She told the court Alves allegedly slapped and insulted her before forcing her into having sex.Alves did confirm he had sex with the woman in the nightclub’s toilet but insisted it was consensual.Alves was found guilty of rape and sentenced to four-and-a-half years behind bars.The court also ordered Alves to pay £130,000 (€150k) in compensation to the victim.The sentence considers that it has been proven that the victim did not consent and that there is evidence to consider the rape provenCourt statementHe also faced a nine-and-a-half-year restraining order from the accuser.The court said in a statement: “The sentence considers that it has been proven that the victim did not consent and that there is evidence, in addition to the testimony of the plaintiff, to consider the rape proven.”Following the sentence, Alves was sent to Brians 2 prison in Barcelona.Despite filing for divorce in 2023 after the explosive accusations surfaced, Joana did back Alves when she took to the stand.During her testimony on February 6, 2024, Joana claimed they were not legally divorced and that she had been with Alves on the night of the accusation.Joana told the court Alves “smelled of alcohol” and “he bumped into several pieces of furniture and collapsed on the bed” after arriving home from the night out.But she said she didn’t want to talk to him because of “the state he was in”.A disgraced Alves publicly apologised to Joana during an interview from his prison cell in 2023.He told Spanish reporter Mayka Navarro: “The only person I have to ask for forgiveness is my wife, Joana Sanz.”I have already done that here in prison, but I have to do it publicly, because the story is public, the offence I caused her is public and she deserves that public apology.”It comes as former Man City star Robinho, 40, was arrested at his home on Thursday by Federal Police in Sao Paulo.He is now set to finally serve his nine-year jail sentence for a gang-rape committed in Italy, Brazil’s Supreme Court ruled.READ MORE SUN STORIESItaly issued an international arrest warrant for Robinho, but the former Premier League star managed to dodge jail for seven years while living in Brazil.The former Santos star says he is innocent.The ex-Barcelona ace is one of the most decorated footballers ever but has spent the last few months embroiled in the shock accusations against himCredit: AFPAlves on the dock during his trial at the start of 2024Credit: EPAThe lawyer of Alves’ victim Ester Garcia labelled the decision to release him ‘scandalous’Credit: The Mega AgencyJoana took to the stand at Alves’ trial and claimed she was with him the night of the accusationsCredit: instagram/joanasanzNeymar da Silva Santos Sr released an 11-word statement after refusing to pay Dani Alves’ bailCredit: AFPAlves’ lawyers Ines Guardiola said her client has already served a quarter of his sentence in pre-trial detention after being arrested last JanuaryCredit: ReutersFormer Manchester City forward Robinho is finally set to serve his nine-year prison sentence for a gang-rape in ItalyCredit: AFP More