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      Joey Barton LOSES part of libel case against Eni Aluko after accusing ex-England footballer of ‘playing race card’

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      ENI Aluko has won the first part of her libel case against Joey Barton after he accused her of playing the “race card”.Ex-Man City star Barton was taken to court by the pundit following a string of posts he made on X in January.Joey Barton has lost part of a libel case against Eni AlukoCredit: APEni claimed two of the posts were defamatoryCredit: AlamyShe claimed the two posts were defamatory – including one where he targeted her family and background.Barton, 42, branded her a “race card player” and accused her of playing the “victim card”, adding: “Cry me a f***ing river”.He also claimed “everyone is laughing at you” and said she knew “next to nothing about men’s football”.Eni has now won part of her case at the High Court after a judge found Barton made defamatory remarks.Read more newsMr Justice Lavender had been asked to consider the “natural and ordinary meaning” of the posts.Eni, 38, welcomed the ruling, saying: “The posts were an unwarranted attack on my personal and professional identity, my integrity and my family life – in particular my late father.”Barton could still appeal the decision and defend his statements if the case proceeds to trial.His lawyer William McCormick KC previously described the claims as “strained, forced and unreasonable”.Most read in FootballIn a separate case, Barton has denied sharing “malicious” posts about Jeremy Vine, Eni and her colleague Lucy Ward.The former footballer allegedly compared the pundits to Fred and Rose West and branded Radio 2 presenter Vine a “bike nonce”.He is due to stand trial later this year at Liverpool Crown Court charged with 12 offences.Barton started his football career with Manchester City in 2002 after going through their youth system and went on to make 150 appearances for the club.He then moved to Newcastle United in a £5.8million transfer in July 2007 before leaving for Queens Park Rangers in August 2011.The midfielder was then put on loan to French side Marseille during the 2012-13 season before making his way to Burnley for one season – helping promote them to the Premier League.Barton made one appearance for England in 2007 – despite criticising some of his fellow players.The footballer later attempted a management career with stints at Fleetwood Town and Bristol Rovers.Eni bought the case against BartonCredit: PAHe denied the posts were inflammatoryCredit: Getty More

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      Jack Grealish ‘slapped in face by Man Utd fan’ in new crowd shock after vile Phil Foden mum chants

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      JACK Grealish was allegedly slapped in the face by a Manchester United fan at Old Trafford.The Man City star, 29, was apparently assaulted near the tunnel as he made his way off the pitch following the Manchester derby on Sunday.Jack Grealish prior to the game on SaturdayCredit: GettyPhil Foden was subjected to vile chants during the same gameCredit: AlamyFootage has emerged of the moment Phil Foden was targeted by Manchester United supportersCredit: TikTok/mohsin.d10Grealish was the victim of a violent encounter in 2019, when a Birmingham City fan stormed the pitch and clobbered him from behind – sending the then-Villa player sprawling onto the turf.A 20-year-old man has been charged with assault following Sunday’s alleged attack.He will appear at Manchester Magistrates’ Court in July.Both Man City and Man United are yet to make public comment on the incident, though police are understood to have immediately launched a probe following reports of the assault yesterday.Read more footballA spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said: “Alfie Holt, 20, of Haven Drive, Droylsden, has been charged with assault. “He will appear at Manchester Magistrates Court.”This charge relates to an incident which took place at Old Trafford Football Club yesterday.”Grealish started on the bench for City, but came on for Ilkay Gundogan in the 74th minute of the clash.Most read in FootballThe alleged slap comes after sections of the United crowd chanted “Phil Foden, your mum is a s**g” during the drab draw.City manager Pep Guardiola blasted fans for the vile song.​Pitch invader punches Jack Grealish in the middle of Birmingham City vs Aston Villa​Speaking after the game, he said: “It was a lack of class.“We are so exposed in football — managers, owners and football players especially.”He added: “I don’t understand the mind of the people involving the mum of Phil.“It’s a lack of integrity, class, and they should be ashamed.”Foden has also issued a three-word message on social media.”We keep going,” the Man City star wrote alongside five photos of himself from the match.Fans flocked to the comments to offer the midfielder some support, with one person writing: “Don’t mind the haters Phil every great person has haters we keep going.”While another said: “We are with you.”It comes after cops promised an increased police presence in the city over the weekend.Chief Superintendent Colette Rose, head of Special Operations at GMP and Gold Commander for the Manchester derby, earlier said: “We are lucky in Manchester to have clubs with passionate fan bases represented across all football leagues – a Manchester derby especially always brings excitement as the city unites in its passions for football.“There is a policing plan in place for Sunday – fans will notice an increased police presence in busier locations and specialist officers will be deployed to ensure fans remain safe and can enjoy the match.“We want everyone to enjoy the match – anyone with concerns can report them to a police officer or a member of security staff on the day.”Birmingham City fan Phil Mitchell, then 27, was jailed for 14 weeks in 2019 after admitting thumping Grealish during the clash with Aston Villa.Mitchell said he launched the attack as a “joke” because he thought Grealish was “a k***”.Read More on The SunIn a tragic twist, the footy fan was then found dead in 2023 aged 32.His body was discovered at an address in Birmingham, and he was later described by family as having “the kindest heart”.Grealish came on as a sub for his side in the second halfCredit: Getty More

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      Frank Warren and Chris Eubank Jr go head-to-head in court after boxer branded promoter a ‘cheating scumbag’

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      FRANK Warren and Chris Eubank Jr are going head-to-head in a court fight after the boxer branded the promoter a “scumbag”.Warren is suing Eubank Jr for slander and libel over comments made at a press conference in Saudi Arabia last year.Frank Warren is suing Chris Eubank Jr after he was branded a ‘scumbag’Credit: PAThe boxer made the comments at a press conference in Saudi ArabiaCredit: GettyThe boxer, who was taking part in an undercard fight with Poland’s Kamil Szeremeta, was asked why he had signed with promoter Boxxer.He responded: “Why Boxxer? Because every other promoter out here is a scumbag, that’s why.”You know, you’ve got Frank Warren behind me, been lying and cheating his way through boxing for the last couple decades.”Sued me for a couple hundred thousand a few years ago, so obviously I was never going to go with him. You know, the guy’s a scumbag.”Read more newsBoxxer later released statements from Eubank Jr – son of legend Chris Eubank – after he also lashed out at other promoters.The boxer said he wished to “retract my inaccurate statements” and “offer my apologies” to Warren.In return, Warren said: “I accept Chris’s apology and retraction. I too have said things before and apologise to him also if any criticism of him has upset him in the case.”But the Queensbury promoter launched the legal action, which has now reached the High Court in London.Most read in BoxingHis barrister Richard Munden said Eubank Jr’s comments suggested “serious wrongdoing”.He said: “Accusing someone of lying and cheating their way through their profession over the last two decades is about as strong and direct a slur as can be imagined.”Chris Eubank Jr abruptly walks out of Piers Morgan interview after awkward exchange with TV hostBut Victoria Jolliffe, for Eubank Jr, said that Warren’s case had taken a “simple sentence” and had turned it into a “complex, tautological allegation”.She told the court: “The ordinary reasonable listener or viewer… would understand that Mr Eubank was speaking in plain language at an event where it is commonplace for combative but entertaining verbal blows to be traded.”Mr Justice Jay has been asked to decide the “natural and ordinary” meaning of the statements ahead of a potential trial.But he instead urged both parties to come to an agreement away from court.The judge explained: “Our primary function is to determine disputes, so if you don’t want to mediate, fair enough, you are entitled to a trial.”But I would have thought this type of case is capable of being mediated.”Warren, 73, has promoted several major British boxers over his career, including Ricky Hatton, Joe Calzaghe, Amir Khan and Tyson Fury.Read More on The SunHe first sued the then British Middleweight champion in 2016 for a breach of contract – ending in Eubank Jr paying a six-figure sum to the promoter.Eubank Jr, 35, who has won 34 of his 37 fights but has never won a major world title, is set to fight Conor Benn at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on April 26.Eubank Jr, with dad Chris, was asked why he’d signed with Boxxer when he lashed outCredit: GettyHe later apologised for his commentsCredit: AlamyWarren’s team has accused Eubank Jr of ‘serious wrongdoing’Credit: GettyThe promoter, seen with Tyson Fury, is suing for libel and slanderCredit: PA More

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      Carlo Ancelotti pictured in the dock in court as Real Madrid manager faces five years in prison for alleged tax evasion

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      REAL MADRID manager Carlo Ancelotti has insisted ahead of his tax fraud trial he is “innocent” and has “no worries.”The 65-year-old Italian looked relaxed as he arrived at court in the Spanish capital this morning for the start of his much-anticipated trial the night after his team reached the Copa del Rey final after a thrilling comeback.Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has insisted he is ‘innocent’ ahead of his tax fraud trialCredit: APThe Italian arrived in court to start his trialCredit: ReutersHe faces almost five years in jail if found guiltyCredit: GettyDespite the threat of a five-year prison sentence hanging over his head if convicted he replied ‘No’ when asked by waiting reporters outside the Audiencia Provincial court in Madrid if he was concerned.He also dismissed suggestions he would try to strike a last-minute plea bargain deal by confirming he would take the stand and plead not guilty to allegations he defrauded the Spanish Treasury out of just over €1m (£835,000) in tax.Ancelotti was accompanied when he arrived at court by his ex-footballer son Davide, who works under his father at Real Madrid, and his wife Mariann Barrena.Public prosecutors announced in March last year they were seeking a four-year, nine-month jail term for the former Everton manager for two counts of tax fraud.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThey accused him at the time of failing to declare image rights earnings to the Spanish Treasury in 2014 and 2015 during his first spell in charge of Real Madrid through the use of shell companies outside Spain.Public prosecutors alleged in a pre-trial indictment he only declared his earnings as Real Madrid manager despite registering as a tax resident in Spain for the two years under the spotlight with an address in Madrid.Although his first spell at the Spanish giants came to a premature end in May 2015, public prosecutors say he rented his Madrid home until October that year which meant Spain was “his principal centre of personal relations and economic interests” in 2015 as well as the previous year.The accusation made public in March last year alleged Ancelotti channelled his image right earnings “with the aim of evading tax” on them through trusts and intermediary companies.Most read in FootballPublic prosecutors say the football boss earned more than €4m (more than £3.5m) in image rights in 2014 and 2015.The amount of tax they allege he defrauded amounts to just over €1m. Fans convinced Carlo Ancelotti has had lip fillers as reason for Real Madrid manager’s swollen mouth is revealedSpanish Treasury officials have recovered the money but are demanding Ancelotti pays triple the amount they accuse him of defrauding in fines.Lionel Messi received a 21-month prison sentence for tax fraud in July 2016. It was later changed to a €252,000 (£223,000) fine.Cristiano Ronaldo avoided prison in Spain by admitting tax fraud in January 2019.He was fined almost £16.6m and given a suspended jail sentence.Former Liverpool star Xabi Alonso, seen as a future Real Madrid manager, was acquitted of tax fraud in November 2019 after turning 38.He had been warned he could be jailed for two and a half years if convicted after Spanish public prosecutors lowered their initial prison demand at the end of his trial in Madrid.Ancelotti left Everton in June 2021 to take up the position of head coach at Real Madrid.Last Friday at a press conference he said: “I’m not worried but I am obviously annoyed if they say that I’ve committed fraud, but, once again, I have total confidence in justice. “I’m really looking forward to testifying next Wednesday.”Read More on The SunReal Madrid booked their place in the Copa del Rey final last night with an incredible comeback against Real Sociedad.Substitute Antonio Rudiger scored a dramatic goal just five minutes from the end of extra-time to put the Spanish giants through as 5-4 aggregate winners. More

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      in Boxing

      Eddie Hearn and Jake Paul settle $100m lawsuit over bribery claims involving Anthony Joshua fight

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      JAKE PAUL and Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing have settled their legal case out of court. Hearn filed a lawsuit against Paul in 2022 after the American claimed judge Glenn Feldman was “getting paid money by Matchroom Boxing.” Jake Paul and Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing have settled their legal case out of courtCredit: RexPaul slammed Feldman’s scoring of Anthony Joshua’s rematch loss to Oleksandr Usyk and Katie Taylor’s win over Amanda Serrano – who he promotes. Paul told iFL TV in a now-deleted interview: “I still think Amanda Serrano won the fight.“And then you see how this judge Glenn Feldman, who had the biggest gap between Taylor and Serrano.”Everyone pretty much had it a draw … a draw or that Amanda won. But there’s this judge, Glenn Feldman, who scored it such a big gap for Taylor, gave rounds that Amanda clearly won, to TaylorREAD MORE IN BOXING“Usyk had a runaway victory, clearly won the fight. This judge, Glenn Feldman, gives it to Anthony Joshua?”It’s like a repeated crime here. This type of s***, I’m going to call it out here in boxing because it’s bulls***.”Clearly, this guy is getting paid money by Matchroom Boxing.”Matchroom took legal action days after the interview was published – seeking $100m (£92m) in damages in a suit later joined by Feldman.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSPaul then countersued in October 2024 after failing to get the Matchroom suit dismissed by a New York judge a month beforehand.But attorneys for both parties filed a joint dismissal after an undisclosed settlement was reached, first reported by BoxingScene. Jake Paul claims he has agreement to fight Anthony Joshua and reveals date but brother Logan fears he’s on drugs Per a filing on Monday with the United States District Court, Southern District of New York: “It is hereby stipulated and agreed, by the undersigned counsel of record for the parties herein, pursuant to Rule 41(a)(1)(ii) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, that the above-captioned action is dismissed with prejudice and without costs or fees to either party.”A separate filing on March 18 read: “Plaintiffs Matchroom Boxing Limited (“Matchroom”) and Edward John Hearn (“Hearn”), Plaintiff-Intervenor Glenn Feldman (“Feldman”) (collectively the “Plaintiffs”), and Defendant Jake Paul (“Paul”) (collectively referred to herein as the “Parties”) jointly submit this letter to notify the Court that the Parties have entered into a Settlement Agreement.”Pursuant to the terms thereof, the Parties expect to file a Stipulation of Dismissal on or before March 31, 2025.”It comes as Matchroom and Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions prepare to co-promote Taylor’s trilogy fight with Serrano on July 11 in New York. The all-women’s Madison Square Garden card will be streamed on Netflix – the platform’s second boxing event. Paul, 28, headlined the first for his controversial fight against Mike Tyson, 58, which he won on points with over 100 MILLION watching on Netflix.Hearn, Katie Taylor, Amanda Serrano and Jake PaulCredit: EPA More

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      Man City cough up £30MILLION on lawyers to fight Premier League’s 115 charges – more than star defender’s wages

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      MANCHESTER CITY have spent over £30million on lawyers to fight the Premier League’s 115 charges.The latest accounts for parent company City Football Group shows that City had splashed a running total of £30,596,000 on legal fees in the war against PL chiefs over alleged rule breaches by the end of the 2023-24 campaign.Manchester City have spent more than £30million on lawyers fighting Prem chargesCredit: GettyThe club have won six titles since Pep Guardiola took over in 2016Credit: PAThat was an increase of nearly £10.7m on the figure from 12 months before – or £205,000 per week.The staggering sum is equivalent to what Josko Gvardiol, one of City’s top 10 earning players last season, was paid.CFG said in documents filed at Companies House that the £30,596,000 was “due to expenses incurred by City Football Group Limited on behalf of Newton Investment and Management”.NIM is the Abu Dhabi-based company through which Sheikh Mansour owns his majority stake in CFG, which in turn owns City and a number of other clubs worldwide.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLSunSport understands that this money is the running total of City’s legal costs in their war against the Prem chief.And the bill for this season is set to be the highest yet.The main disciplinary case between the Premier League and the club was heard between September and December, with the three-person independent panel set to deliver their verdict in the coming weeks.Respected lawyer Lord Pannick KC was hired by the club in February last year to lead their legal team as they looked to clear their name.Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKLord Pannick reportedly charges around £5,000 an hour for his services.By splashing out such huge sums City owner Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al-Nahyan is only making good on his alleged vow when City were fighting previous financial charges brought by Uefa.Inside Man City’s £300MILLION new stadium upgrade with futuristic Etihad project to rival AnfieldIn 2020, al-Nahyan was reported to have said he would said”“rather spend £30million on the 50 best lawyers” and sue Uefa “for the next 10 years” than accept their punishment.His remark came after the club were banned from the Champions League for two years and hit with a £25million fine, after being found of falsely inflating their sponsorship revenues when submitting accounts.The ban was overturned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) a few months later and the fine was reduced to £8.9million for their “disregard” of the principle of cooperation in investigations.City deny wrongdoing over the 115 charges, but could face severe punishments if the allegations are proven.Last month City won a separate legal battle with the Premier League over “unlawful” financial rules.An 18-page tribunal verdict ruled the Prem’s sponsorship regulations on Associated Party Transactions – which ran from December 2021 to November 2024 – were unlawful in their entirety.The Premier League recently warned its clubs that it spent more than £45million on legal bills last season, due to various disputes over its financial regulations. More

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      Major blow to shamed ex-footballer Joey Barton as thug’s business faces being struck off

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      DISGRACED footballer Joey Barton’s personal company faces being struck off for failing to file accounts on time.A business run by ex Manchester City star Barton, who was convicted of kicking his wife in a drunken row this week, has been served with an order to close.Joey Barton’s personal company faces being struck off for failing to file accounts on timeJoey Barton Promotions has not published legally required accounts and is now facing being struck off by Companies House.The firm faces a fine of £375 for failing to submit the documents which were supposed to have been published by Christmas Eve. If they are not filed by April 1, the fine will double to £750.The business’s last financial details for 2022 were published in June 2023 and revealed it was £58,539 in the red.The firm had just £2,301 in cash at the bank and the only other assets are computer equipment worth £1,958 and a debt of £148 owed to the business.READ MORE ON JOEY BARTONBut it was plunged into the red as it owed creditors £60,988, the accounts showed.This week Barton avoided jail for pushing his wife over and kicking her in the head after an incident at their home in southwest London in June 2021.Barton, 42, was convicted of assault and given a 12-week sentence, suspended for two years – meaning he will not go to prison unless he commits another offence.Wife Georgia Barton, 38, was left with a lump on her forehead and a bleeding nose after the attack in Kew.Most read in FootballBarton was arrested in his bedroom – still drunk – on the night of the attack, Westminster Magistrates’ Court was told.He has a chequered history of violence which included burning team mate Jamie Tandy’s eye with a cigar, punching teammate Ousmane Dabo until he blacked out, and a six month prison sentence for punching a man 20 times before turning his anger on a 16-year-old in a Liverpool City Centre bust up caught on CCTV.Barton also owns between 25%-50% of a management consultancy Resolve Energy which employs 26 people and has nearly £670,000 in assets.Joey Barton ‘shoved wife & kicked her in head as their kids slept upstairs’ More

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      Carlo Ancelotti ‘faces FOUR-YEAR prison sentence’ as Real Madrid manager is accused of tax evasion

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      CARLO ANCELOTTI is facing FOUR YEARS behind bars for alleged tax evasion.The Real Madrid gaffer is accused of deliberately misinforming the Spanish tax office of his earnings during his first spell in charge of the club between 2014 and 2015.Carlo Ancelotti has been accused of deliberately misinforming the Spanish tax office of his earnings during his first stint at Real MadridCredit: REXIf found guilty, the Italian could face four years behind barsCredit: REXIt’s alleged that the Italian misled the tax office to avoid paying over £833,000 in income tax.The 65-year-old is set to appear in court on April 2 to address the allegations.His court date will come the day after the first leg of Real’s Copa del Rey semi-final tie against Real Sociedad.That’s just six days before the first leg of Los Blancos’ Champions League quarter-final tie with Arsenal. READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSAncelotti has vehemently denied any wrongdoing, although the former AC Milan and Everton boss has previously underpaid tax.He admitted to not paying his fair share of tax in 2014 but blamed his doing so on errors from his accountants.The Italian is adamant he hasn’t broken the law, claiming he didn’t spend the 183 days in Spain required to pay tax.Prosecutors, however, will argue the bulk of his income came from Real as he didn’t take charge of Bayern Munich until December 2016.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSCarlo Ancelotti has denied any wrongdoing and believes he’ll be exoneratedCredit: REXIf found guilty, Ancelotti could face FOUR YEARS behind bars.The veteran manager, however, is confident he’ll be exonerated of any wrongdoing.Watch Carlo Ancelotti lead Real Madrid stars in wacky dance before they throw him up in air after Champions League finalHe said of his legal issues: “This is an old story.”The Prosecutor’s Office believes I was a resident in 2015, and I believe I wasn’t.”The fine has been paid, and the case is in the hands of my lawyers.”I’m convinced I’m innocent. Let’s see what the judge decides.”Ancelotti isn’t the only high-profile Spanish football star to be embroiled in a tax scandal. Barcelona icon Lionel Messi and his father, Jorge, were convicted of tax fraud for defrauding the government of £3.4million between 2007 and 2009.READ MORE SUN STORIESIn 2016, the Argentine was hit with a 21-month jail term for using tax havens to conceal his earnings from image rights. But he ended up paying a fine of £223,000 instead. More