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      in Soccer

      Dani Alves will APPEAL bombshell 4.5-year prison sentence after ex-Barcelona star found guilty of raping woman in club

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      FORMER Barca star Dani Alves is planning to appeal the bombshell four-and-a-half years prison sentence he was handed this morning.The Brazilian defender, 40, was found guilty of raping a woman in the toilets of the nightclub Sutton on December 30, 2022.
      Dani Alves appeared before court earlier this month and denied all the claimsCredit: Reuters
      The footballer’s lawyer Ines Guardiola said they would be appealing the sentenceCredit: Reuters
      The Brazilian defender has been sentenced to four-and-a-half years in prisonCredit: Reuters
      As well as two spells at Barcelona, Alves played for Seville, Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain and Sao PauloCredit: AFP
      Alves arrived at the Barcelona court this morningCredit: EPA
      The Brazilian was summoned to court at 10am local timeCredit: EPA
      He was ordered to pay £130,000 (150,000 euros) to the victim and stay away from her for nine-and-a-half-years.
      “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,” the court said in a statement.
      Speaking outside the court, Alves’ lawyer Inés Guardiola said they were planning to appeal the sentence.
      She told reporters: “Four-and-a-half years is much better than nine and 12 that the accusation requested, but we are going to appeal because I still believe in Mr Alves’ innocence. 
      READ MORE ON DANI ALVES
      “We are going to review the sentence, but I can tell you that we are going to appeal.
      “We continue to believe in the innocence of Mr Alves. He already knows the sentence and is whole.
      “We will defend his innocence to the end.”
      State prosecutors were seeking nine years while the lawyers representing Alves’s accuser wanted 12 years.
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       Following the sentence, Alves headed back to Brians 2 prison near the Catalan capital.
      In a trial held in Barcelona earlier this month, the footballer denied the allegations and said the encounter had been consensual. 
      The trial, held at Barcelona’s Audiencia Provincial Court lasted three days with the alleged victim, witnesses, and experts testifying.
      The Brazilian defender was accused of raping a woman in a Barcelona nightclub on December 30, 2022.
      He has previously confirmed he had sex with a woman in the nightclub’s toilet but insisted it was consensual.
      Alves has been held in pre-trial detention since his arrest in January 2023.
      In a brief statement, the Barcelona court said Wednesday it had “summoned all parties in the Alves case, including the defendant, to appear in court for a so-called “notification procedure”.
      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.
      She claims that he was aggressive with her, slapping her and insulting her, and then forced her to have sex with him.
      During the first day of the footballer’s trial a friend and cousin of his accuser claimed he also groped them in the VIP area.
      The two women claim he then invited their friend, the alleged rape victim, to follow him through a separate door after flirting with her.
      His ex-wife Joana Sanz told the court Alves “smelled of alcohol” and “he bumped into several pieces of furniture and collapsed on the bed” after arriving home the night of the assault.
      Dani Alves’ model ex Joana Sanz arrives at court to reveal what ‘drunk’ ex-Barcelona star told her moments after ‘rape’
      But she said she didn’t want to talk to him because of “the state he was in”.
      Alves has made repeated bail requests but they have all been turned down, with judges saying his alleged victim’s version of events was coherent and pointing out Alves had changed his story several times as the evidence authorities have against him has emerged.
      In an exclusive interview from his cell in Brians 2 Prison near Barcelona last June with Spanish TV he claimed: “The only person I have to ask for forgiveness is my wife, Joana Sanz.”
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      As well as two spells at Barcelona, Alves has played for Seville, Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain and Sao Paulo.
      He is widely considered one of the greatest full-backs of all time and became the oldest player to represent Brazil at the World Cup in December 2022 in Qatar.
      The defender was found guilty of raping a woman in the nightclub Sutton in Barcelona
      The footballer apologised to his wife Joana after the bombshell claimsCredit: AFP
      His ex-wife told the court he ‘smelled’ of alcohol after arriving home that nightTimeline of Dani Alves’ caseDecember 30, 2022: A woman alleges she was sexually assaulted in the toilets of Sutton nightclub

      January 1, 2023: Cops in Barcelona investigate an alleged sexual assault in a nightclub involving Dani Alves
      January 5, 2023: Dani Alves’ alleged victim makes a formal complaint claiming she was sexually assaulted
      CCTV footage shows Alves had been alone for 47 seconds in a toilet at the nightclub with his accuser
      January 20, 2023: Alves is remanded in custody by a judge in Barcelona
      He initially denies ever meeting his accuser but later confirms they had sex in the nightclub’s toilets – but insists was consensual
      January 31, 2023: His wife Joana Sanz, 29, demands a divorce
      February 8, 2023: It emerges that Alves is said to be receiving ‘VIP treatment’ in prison
      March 17, 2023: Alves goes on a hunger strike following split from wife
      November 14, 2023: The footballer is ordered to stand trial for the alleged assault
      November 24, 2023: Prosecutors demand nine years jail time and to pay the alleged victim  £130,000, if found guilty
      February 5, 2024: Alves appears in court in Spain facing twelve years in jail
      February 6 2024: Joana Sanz testified in court about a “drunk” phone call her husband made to her after the alleged assault
      February 7 2024: Alves tells a Spanish court the encounter was consensual More

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      in Boxing

      Boxing hero Glenn McCrory reveals he survived on a bag of rice a week when he hit rock bottom over false sex claims

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      BOXING hero Glenn McCrory has revealed he survived on a bag of rice a week when he hit rock bottom over false sex claims.The former world champ and Sky Sports pundit also faced homelessness when his battle to clear his name wiped out his life savings.
      Glenn McCrory has revealed he survived on a bag of rice a week when he hit rock bottom over false sex claimsCredit: Central News
      McCrory with his world champion belt in 1990Credit: Getty
      Three waitresses alleged he touched their arms in a sexual manner at a dinner before the Anthony Joshua v Oleksandr Usyk world heavyweight title bout at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in September 2021.
      McCrory, 59, denied any sexual motive and insisted he was only trying to get their attention.
      He was cleared of all charges in just 90 minutes last September at Wood Green crown court, North London.
      And he has now teamed up with homeless charity CEO Sleepout to raise awareness of the plight facing record numbers in the UK.
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      Since 2010, rough sleeping has rocketed by 74 per cent and the charity stages annual sleepouts for business leaders to raise funds and awareness.
      This year’s fundraising drive is being kicked off with an event at Newcastle United’s stadium St James’ Park on March 21.
      Ex-cruiserweight Glenn, of Newcastle, said: “I know what it is like to hit rock bottom as I lost everything.
      “I was in the hands of the crisis team and my weight plummeted.
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      “Everything fell apart.
      “To not know what your future holds or where your next meal is coming from is absolutely terrifying.
      “People see those in the public eye and think they must have a great life, but anyone can have their world pulled from under them in a heartbeat – and I’m living proof.
      “You could lose your job, savings or family – or just become unwell – and the downward spiral starts.”
      Inside Jake and Logan Paul’s £3.2m two-story warehouse gym in Puerto Rico with boxing ring, weights and recovery zones
      Sleepout boss Bianca Robinson said: “Glenn’s story is heartbreaking but it is a stark reminder that everyone can be just a few steps away from being made homeless.”
      McCrory fighting Lennox Lewis at the Royal Albert HallCredit: PA
      The former world champion in action against Patrick Lumumba in 1989Credit: Getty More

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      in Soccer

      Laura Woods seen for first time since stalking hell revealed as she works on Arsenal’s Champions League coverage

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      LAURA Woods has been seen for the first time since her two-year stalking hell was revealed.The presenter, 36, was said to have been left in “real fear” after an obsessed stalker sent her vile messages and threatened to kidnap her dog.
      Laura Woods pictured on set today
      Woods suffered a two-year stalking hellCredit: Getty
      Harneet Kaur has been jailed for stalking the TNT Sports presenter
      Laura has been spotted on set ahead of TNT Sports’ coverage of Portugal’s FC Porto hosting Arsenal in the Champions League this evening.
      Photos shared on social media showed the presenter sat alongside Scottish football legend and commentator Ally McCoist.
      It comes after she endured two years of torment as Harneet Kaur, 25, targeted her online and sent unwanted packages to her home.
      Female Liverpool FC fan Kaur became infatuated with Laura back in 2021 and began visiting the street she lived on, a court heard.
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      The sick campaign involved terrifying threats to kill Laura’s dog and vile messages where she referred to the pundit as a prostitute.
      Bibles, sexual health tests and food orders were also arranged to be delivered to Laura’s London pad.
      Kaur used Just Eat to arrange for Krispy Kreme doughnuts to be delivered to the address.
      Judge Talog Davies said Ms Woods was initially “pleasantly surprised and thought it was a mistake or somebody being nice”, so posted a picture on her Twitter account saying they had “made her evening”.
      Most read in Football
      But Antonie Muller, prosecuting, told Wolverhampton Crown Court “Woods did not realise this was to be the start of a campaign against her”.
      Laura Woods straddles Adam Collard on romantic ski holiday after suffering ‘near-death experiences’
      Kaur sent a Starbucks order and chocolate lollipop with the message: “From your secret admirer and I’m not crazy”.
      The contact then started turning “darker” when Woods, who presents for TNT Sport, was bombarded with messages.
      One said she was a “former prostitute who slept herself into a job”.
      Kaur was arrested in April 2022 and re-arrested in August later the same year.
      Her phone and iPad were seized both times, but that “didn’t stop her”.
      In October, she posted a picture of Woods commentating at Anfield with the caption: “Wtf is that coke head doing at Anfield.”
      Kaur also sent messages saying Ms Woods was a ‘Tory’ and wasn’t welcome in Liverpool ahead of a match she was due to attend.
      Kaur, who has autism, was previously banned from Liverpool’s ground for ticket touting.
      While Kaur’s barrister claimed her offending was down to autistic traits of “obsession and compulsion”, judge Talog Davies rubbished the arguments.
      Sentencing her to 14 months in prison, he said Kaur would have known the impact she was having on Woods.
      Woods suffers from anxiety and has been forced to increase security at home and while at work.
      Prosecutors said Kaur’s actions had left Ms Woods with a “real fear” that the defendant would get close to her while she was working.
      They fought to have Kaur banned from every football stadium in the country, reports MailOnline.
      But the judge said it was too harsh a punishment and instead handed her a jail sentence and a restraining order.
      Kaur has been banned from contacting Woods and 14 other people, and cannot go within 500m of her home.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      Balbir Singh, mitigating, said: “This defendant has never met Laura Woods, she has never spoken to her, she has never approached her – this is why this case is very different to many others that come before the courts.”
      Kaur, from Walsall, West Mids, pleaded guilty to stalking. More

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      in Soccer

      Premier League star’s shock after gang take over home he owns & turn it into cannabis factory with hundreds of plants

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      A CRIMINAL gang took over a Premier League star’s home and forced his tenant to let them grow cannabis.The cuckoo-plot crooks left the female occupant surrounded by hundreds of plants.
      A criminal gang took over a Premier League star’s home and forced his tenant to let them grow cannabisCredit: Getty
      The cuckoo-plot crooks left the female occupant surrounded by hundreds of plantsCredit: Getty
      But when police raided the home, the player had to prove his innocence to avoid charges.
      Police also released the tenant without charge after deciding she was set up by the gang.
      A source told The Sun: “This player owns the house in the North West as part of a buy-to-let empire.
      “Another family member manages the properties but they couldn’t believe it when cops found a large-scale cannabis farm.
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      “The plants were taken away and destroyed and the player had to show paperwork to prove that while he was the owner of the property, he had someone else living in it.”
      Under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, production and possession of cannabis with the intent to supply is a criminal offence that can result in up to 14 years in jail.
      Landlords who fail to report suspicions of illegal activity can be liable and face the same penalty.
      Rental income could also be seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
      Most read in Football
      The number of cannabis farms operating in homes is growing.
      In June, more than 1,000 were raided, with plants worth £130million seized and 1,000 suspects arrested.
      Sham estate agents was a front for brazen drug lord who raked in £11m a YEAR
      Single plants are often attributed a value of £840 in criminal trials.
      The National Police Chiefs’ Council has said: “Organised networks involved in cannabis production are also directly linked to other serious criminality such as Class A drug importation, slavery, violence and exploitation.” More

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      in Soccer

      Ex-footballer Michael Boateng appears in court over £1m haul of crystal meth

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      A FORMER professional footballer has appeared in court over the massive seizure of £1 million worth of crystal meth.Around 20 kilos of the Breaking Bad drug was found during a Valentine’s Day raid on a flat in Croydon, South London.
      Boateng, 32, previously played for Bristol RoversCredit: Wikipedia/@Oneova
      Former Crystal Palace academy player Michael Boateng, 32, was arrested and charged with possession with intent to supply a Class A drug – Methylamphetamine.”
      It was one of the biggest ever seizures of crystal meth in the UK and raises fears that the highly addictive drug is taking root here.
      Boateng appeared in custody at Croydon magistrates’ court around 11am today and spoke only to confirm his name, age, and address in southeast London.
      Mr Harris, defending, made no bail application or indication of plea ahead of Boateng’s next hearing at Croydon Crown Court on March 15.
      Crystal meth
      District Judge Dean said: “I am remanding you in custody until then.”
      Right back Boateng was on the books at Palace as a teenager between 2005 and 2007 when they were competing in the second tier Championship.
      The defender went on to play for Bristol Rovers before having spells at Bromley, Sutton United, Newport County and Whitehawk.
      After hanging up his boots in 2013, Boateng qualified as a personal trainer, with Prem stars like Manchester United’s Jadon Sancho and Spurs’s Ryan Sessegnon among his clients.
      Most read in Football
      Police said the operation which led to his arrest “was part of ongoing work to disrupt and prevent serious violence in Croydon.”
      A Met spokesperson said: “An estimated £1 million worth of crystal meth has been seized by police after a drugs warrant was carried out at a flat in Croydon on February 14.
      “A 32-year-old man was arrested at the scene and later charged with possession with intent to supply a Class A drug.”
      The explosion of crystal meth in the US was highlighted by the drama series Breaking Bad, in which a science teacher, Walter White, begins cooking the drug to make money after learning he has terminal cancer.
      Until now, its use has not been widespread in the UK mainstream drug culture. More

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      in Soccer

      Club apologise for ‘jaw-droppingly offensive’ Murder on the Dancefloor stop sign post of player who killed man in crash

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      A LEAGUE of Ireland club has deleted and apologised for a controversial social media post of a player holding a stop sign featuring the song Murder On The Dancefloor.It had been pointed out the man had been convicted of killing a dad-of-two in a car crash.
      Galway United’s Instagram post image was accompanied by the Sophie Ellis-Bextor hit Murder On The Dancefloor
      McCarthy was given a two-year suspended sentence and a seven-year driving ban in November 2020 after pleading guilty to dangerous driving causing the death of Andrezej ObalekCredit: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
      Tragic Andrezej Obalek died in the crash
      The Instagram post by Galway United to promote a Premier Division clash against St Patrick’s Athletic tomorrow showed Ed McCarthy, 22, holding up the traffic sign.
      The image was accompanied by the Sophie Ellis-Bextor hit Murder On The Dancefloor and a golf club that is used to tee off and hit a ball long distances, which is known as a driver.
      The Moyross, Co Limerick native was 19 when he was given a two-year suspended sentence and a seven-year driving ban in November 2020 after pleading guilty to dangerous driving causing the death of Andrezej Obalek, 55.
      McCarthy was driving home from a training session with Cork City on February 18 that year at Ballybeg, Buttevant, Co Cork on the main Cork-Limerick road at around 10.40pm and was speeding through bends.

      He lost control of his car and crossed over the divide to the wrong side of the road, hitting the Polish national’s car and causing him to hit a ditch and die instantly.
      McCarthy also hit another car that was following behind Mr Obalek’s vehicle and that driver suffered minor injuries.
      He told a court he “never meant harm to anyone” and “never set out to do anything like that to anyone”.
      During the trial, Judge Sean O’Donnabhain at Cork Circuit Criminal Court read a victim impact statement by Obalek’s sister, Urszula Obalek-Owstrowska.
      Most read in Football
      It said: “Andrezej’s death caused a great gap in my life that I cannot fill with anything. I am still waiting for his calls, text messages, full of optimism.
      “You robbed me of this forever. I believe that the greatest punishment for you will be living with the knowledge that you have killed a great man.”
      The judge then addressed the court saying: “I hope the victim impact statement by Mr Obalek’s sister is burned into his brain and he never forgets it.
      “It is a belief that she has expressed to bring out the hurt that she has felt over the loss of her brother.”
      After it was posted, social media users were quick to point out the problems surrounding the image.
      In a post about the picture on Reddit, one user said: “Wow, not a good look at all.”
      Another added: “That golf club is a driver as well. Just jaw-droppingly offensive.”
      On X, one user said: “What would possess someone to think that was a good idea?”
      ‘Tasteless’
      Another described it as “horrible” and “tasteless, from both club and player”.
      The post on Instagram has since been deleted.
      Today, Galway United said it had meant no offence and wanted to “unreservedly apologise”.
      A statement on the club’s website read: “Galway United wish to advise that there was no offence intended by a recent social media post issued by the club and would like to unreservedly apologise for any hurt or distress that the post may have caused.”
      New contract
      Right-sided defender or midfielder McCarthy signed for Galway United in February 2022.
      McCarthy, who previously played for Cork City, Treaty United and Regional United, signed a new contract at Galway United last month.
      He had been named in the 2023 Professional Footballers Association Ireland First Division Team of the Year.
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      Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s 2001 hit Murder on the Dancefloor has returned to popularity after featuring in a memorable final scene in hit flick Saltburn.
      The hit movie, starring Ireland’s Barry Keoghan, tells the shocking story of what unfolds when a quiet young student spends a summer with a rich pal at an English country house. More

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      in Soccer

      England ace Jack Grealish due in court this week after he’s caught speeding – the latest in string of driving woes

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      ENGLAND footie ace Jack Grealish is due in court on a speeding charge this week — the latest in a string of driving woes.The Manchester City star’s £100,000 motor was caught on camera breaking a 30mph limit last July.
      Jack Grealish is due in court on a speeding charge this weekCredit: Cavendish
      The Manchester City star has had a string of driving offencesCredit: Getty
      The next month, he was charged with failing to give information relating to the identification of the driver in Wythall, near Birmingham.
      If convicted of speeding, the 28-year-old faces a fine based on his £300,000 weekly wage and up to six ­penalty points.
      The second offence also carries a fine and six points.
      Grealish has a chequered driving history.
      read more on jack grealish
      He got a nine-month ban and an £82,000 fine after crashing his Range Rover into two parked vehicles in 2020.
      He was also charged with speeding after clocking almost 100mph on the M42 when he was with Aston Villa.
      He pleaded guilty to careless driving and was only allowed back in a car in September 2022.
      At the time of those offences, Grealish had six points on his licence from 2018 when caught speeding on the M42.
      Most read in Football
      His case is due to be heard by Worcestershire JPs on Thursday.
      His agent said the hearing was a “mix up” and that his partner Sasha Attwood paid the fine at the time of the speeding offence.
      How does Gareth Southgate solve Phil Foden dilemma, with Jack Grealish possibly missing out on Euro 2024 More

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      in Soccer

      Ex-Man Utd wonderkid John Cofie who was youngest-ever million-pound footballer ‘raped woman with pal after night out’

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      A FORMER Man Utd wonderkid raped a woman with his pal after a night out, a court heard today.John Cofie, 30, and friend Nathan Stuart allegedly attacked the woman when she was too drunk to consent.
      John Cofie is accused of raping a woman with a palCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      Sean McGinty, Paul Pogba, Sam Johnstone, Cofie and Jesse Lingard celebrate winning the FA Youth Cup for Man Utd in 2011Credit: Getty – Contributor
      Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court heard how she had met the pair while on a night in Altrincham in April 2019.
      She and a friend visited a few bars with Cofie and Stuart before her pal decided to go home, it was said.
      Jurors were told the alleged victim was then seen “hanging off” Cofie’s arm and “slurring her words”.
      She ended up back at Stuart’s home where she was allegedly raped by the pair.
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      The woman was picked up by her parents at around 3am after they reported her missing when she failed to return home.
      She was “incoherent” and “not mentally alert” at the time, it was said.
      The court heard she had no recollection of the events and was later told by Stuart she’d had sex with him and Cofie.
      She claims she may have been spiked as it felt “similar” to a previous experience as a teenager.
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      The “distressed” woman was taken to hospital after she began “shaking and hyperventilating”, and was told the amount she drank couldn’t explain her memory loss, nausea, vomiting and headache.
      Man Utd star Rasmus Hojlund taunts Aston Villa crowd after Scott McTominay winner
      When she told Stuart how unwell she felt, he allegedly told her: “Well, you don’t think we spiked you?”
      But when she questioned him further, he said they’d had sex and Cofie “was there as well”.
      The woman then told Stuart she wanted to carry out checks with the police, causing him to warn her: “Forget it and move on”.
      After Cofie and Stuart were arrested, they maintained she had consented to the sexual activity.
      Jurors heard officers went through the pair’s phones and discovered Stuart had messaged his footballer pal advising him to “say nada”.
      Stuart, of Northwich, Cheshire, denies two counts of rape while Cofie, of Sale, Greater Manchester, denies three counts of rape.
      Cofie became the youngest million pound footballer when he signed for Man Utd from Burnley in 2007 aged just 14.
      He played alongside Paul Pogba and Jesse Lingard but left the club in 2013 when he failed to make the senior team.
      Ghanaian-born Cofie then had spells at Barnsley, Crawley Town and Wrexham.
      He also played on loan at clubs including Sheffield United and Belgian side Antwerp.
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      After hanging up his boots aged 27, he worked at a school mentoring children for a football programme.
      The trial continues.
      Cofie, pictured at a previous court hearing, denies rapeCredit: CHRIS NEILL
      Cofie had spells at 13 different clubs in his career More