More stories

  • in

    Disgraced former Premier League star ‘facing jail’ after admitting match fixing and accepting bribes

    FORMER Everton midfielder Li Tie is facing a lengthy jail term after being charged with a series of bribery offences.The 46-year-old was accused of “serious violations of the law” by state prosecutors in China last year.
    Former Everton midfielder Li Tie is facing jailCredit: Getty
    He was also held in a detention centre, according to Chinese media.
    A statement from the Supreme People’s Procuratorate read: “Li Tie, the former head coach of the Chinese national men’s football team, was suspected of accepting bribes, offering bribes, offering bribes at the unit, accepting bribes of non-state employees, and offering bribes to non-state employees.
    “The investigation was completed by the Chibi City Supervision Committee and Chibi Public Security Bureau of Hubei province. The investigation was completed and transferred.”
    The charges are part of a wider government crackdown on alleged corruption in Chinese football.
    READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
    Last year, senior executives at the Chinese Football Association, including secretary general Liu Yi and deputy secretary general Chen Yongliang, were investigated over “severe violations of the law”.
    CFA president Chen Xuyuan and Shandong Taishan midfielder Son Jun-ho were also investigated.
    Li Tie joined Everton on an initial season-long loan from Liaoning FC in 2002 before eventually joining the Toffees in a permanent transfer the following year.
    He then signed for Sheffield United in 2006 and spent three years at Bramall Lane.
    Most read in Football
    The midfielder went on to play for Chengdu Blades and Liaoning before retiring and turning to management.
    He took charge of the China national team from 2019 to 2021. More

  • in

    Ex-England ace Emile Heskey facing bankruptcy in latest battle with taxman

    FORMER England star Emile Heskey was facing bankruptcy last night in his latest battle with the taxman.The ex-Liverpool striker — whose net worth was estimated at £12million in 2009 — has had financial woes since joining a celebrity investment scheme now at the centre of a £1.6billion tax dispute.
    Emile Heskey is facing bankruptcy in his latest battle with the taxmanCredit: Getty
    The former England star has had financial woes since joining a celebrity investment schemeCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
    He has been hit with a High Court bankruptcy petition filed by HMRC — setting off alarms for a string of VIPs.
    Dad-of-six Heskey, 45, was last year found to have defaulted on £92,000 of tax while working as a football development officer between 2017 and 2020.
    He was handed a £42,000 penalty.
    Meanwhile, the trendy bar he ran with wife Chantelle in posh Alderley Edge, Cheshire, was wound up by the courts with £163,000 of debts.
    Read More on Football
    It was unclear whether the court case arrears were related to the investment scheme or his business flop.
    Heskey has recently been involved in the running of Leicester City’s women’s team and supporting the England under-18s squad.
    The tax scheme was among those run by Ingenious Media, a financing company which funded more than 60 movies.
    David Beckham, Ant and Dec and Robbie Williams are among the famous names who pumped in cash, with a minimum £50,000 stake required.
    Most read in Football
    Clients were said to have been able to claim tax relief against most of their payment.
    Other stars linked to the scheme included Liverpool greats Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher and ex-Newsnight host Jeremy Paxman.
    Gerrard and composer Andrew Lloyd Webber were among investors reported in 2019 to be suing HSBC for “dishonestly assisting” Ingenious Media.
    Take That singers Gary Barlow, Howard Donald and Mark Owen have already repaid £20million.
    They insisted they had paid significant tax and believed the investments were legitimate enterprises.
    But Barlow later admitting it was “the stupidest thing I have ever done”.
    HMRC and Heskey were approached for comment. More

  • in

    Sunderland star Jack Diamond weeps in the dock as he’s cleared of rape

    A FOOTIE star wept in the dock today after he was cleared of rape.Jack Diamond, 23, put his head in his hands after a jury found him not guilty in 15 minutes.
    Sunderland footballer Jack Diamond told Newcastle crown court there was consensual sexual activity at his home in 2022Credit: NNP
    Diamond denied rape and assault by penetration at Newcastle crown courtCredit: Getty
    The Sunderland winger had denied attacking the woman at his home.
    His trial heard the pair were “friends with benefits” after meeting on the dating app Tinder.
    Diamond told Newcastle crown court there was consensual sexual activity at his home in 2022.
    He said he then told the woman he did not think sex was a “good idea” and explained to the jury this was because he feared things “getting a bit too serious”.
    READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS
    He said after being rejected, the woman turned away from him in bed and appeared to be in a “huff”.
     Eleanor Laws KC, defending, said: “He is not on trial for being immature . . . for misreading signals about whether he hurt someone.”
    Outside court Diamond, of Washington, Tyne & Wear, insisted: “The last 18 months have been hugely challenging.
    “I now look forward to resuming my career.”
    Most read in Football
    Diamond was on loan with Lincoln City last season but the deal was terminated after he was charged, and Sunderland suspended him. More

  • in

    Maddy Cusack’s football manager ‘called her a “psycho” and complained about her weight before death’, family claim

    MADDY Cusack’s football manager allegedly called her a “psycho” and complained about her weight before her death, her family has claimed.The Sheffield United star’s family made an official complaint to the club after she took her own life in September.
    Sheffield United star Maddy Cusack took her own life in SeptemberCredit: Getty
    Jonathan Morgan was named in a complaintCredit: Getty
    Cusack’s lawyer dad David, who reportedly wrote the complaint, alleged that she was “troubled” after Jonathan Morgan was appointed as the team’s manager.
    Morgan reportedly denies treating Cusack unfavourably.
    The Sun has repeatedly contacted Morgan’s representatives for comment.
    The complaint, which has reportedly been seen by The Athletic, is said to read: “There were a number of factors that troubled her in the end.
    Read More Sport
    “But they all spring from the relationship with Jonathan Morgan.
    “As she confided to us, every issue had its origin in Morgan’s appointment.
    “We know she would still be with us had he not been appointed. Her text messages and conversations support this.”
    Morgan, who had previously managed Cusack at Leicester, was cleared of treating Cusack unfavourably by a nine-week external inquiry – with no disciplinary action taken.
    Most read in Football
    The complaint by Cusack’s family alleged that she left Leicester in 2019 because she felt worn down by Morgan – who she thought disliked her.
    Cusack and Morgan met again after she played for Sheffield against his Burnley women’s side.
    Morgan allegedly called Cusack a “psycho” when she ran near his dugout, adding to her sense that he disliked her.
    When Morgan was appointed as Sheffield’s manager, he dropped Cusack from the starting line-up and allegedly told her she was overweight.
    He also allegedly told other players about their previous clashes, giving the impression she was difficult to manage.
    Cusack stayed at Sheffield United because she had bought a house in the South Yorkshire city and had made friends at the club.
    She had reportedly never clashed with previous Sheffield managers and was popular at the club, according to the family’s complaint.
    It is claimed that Cusack moved back in with her parents after become unwell from anxiety.
    She was reportedly prescribed medication and asked the club doctor about counselling at the start of September.
    The family’s complaint was delivered to the club on September 27, a week after her body was found at her parents’ house in Derbyshire.
    An inquest has been opened into her death, which cops said is not suspicious.
    CLUB PROBE
    Sheffield United appointed retired Raoul Moat cop Dennis Shotton to handle a probe into the family’s allegations.
    He allegedly misspelled Cusack’s first and second names as “Madeline Cussack” in correspondence with her grieving family.
    Shotton also allegedly failed to record a witness interview with David Cusack and twice referred to him as a club employee – rather than Maddy’s father.
    The investigator also allegedly failed to contact a close confidante of Cusack whose details he had been given.
    It is also alleged that he did not contact some players who the family had recommended he speak to.
    Safecall, which employs Shotton as an investigator, confirmed that it has carried out an investigation on Sheffield United’s behalf.
    The firm declined to comment further.
    The Cusack family, which was not allowed to see Shotton’s report, has rejected its verdict.
    The FA has now begun gathering evidence after the family asked it to launch its own probe.
    The Maddy Cusack Foundation said: “Those who knew Maddy well will be aware she had no long-standing mental health issues or troubles.
    “Maddy was a happy-go-lucky, carefree girl with everything to live for.
    “By Christmas 2022, she could be described as being at her happiest.
    “This all changed gradually from February.”
    Morgan reportedly denies telling Cusack she was overweight, claiming he told her she needed to improve her conditioning following fitness tests.
    He also reportedly denies shouting that Cusack was a “psycho” or telling other Sheffield players anything negative about her.
    The manager reportedly claims that he tried to help Cusack, making her vice-captain and putting her in touch with the club doctor.
    Morgan also reportedly claims that he campaigned for Cusack to get a pay rise from £6,000 to £18,000.
    He reportedly maintains that he did not single out Cusack for criticism.
    Morgan’s representatives have been contacted for comment.
    ‘TRAGIC PASSING’
    Sheffield United declined to comment, instead referring The Sun to its December press release announcing the outcome of the external inquiry.
    The release read: “Sheffield United Football Club can confirm that an investigation has taken place following the tragic passing of Women’s team player and club marketing executive, Maddy Cusack.
    “Maddy was an important member of Sheffield United’s Women’s team.
    “She was our longest serving player, scoring 7 times in 110 appearances and was synonymous with the number 8 shirt that she wore with distinction.
    “Maddy was also a valued and popular member of the Club’s marketing team, working on promotion of all areas of the Blades.
    “Everyone at the Club remains deeply saddened by her passing.
    “At the request of and with cooperation from Maddy’s family, we appointed an independent third party to carry out a formal investigation into concerns the family raised about processes and conduct at the Club.
    “Following a thorough review of the valuable input provided by each of the key witnesses put forward by Maddy’s family and the Club, the investigation has found no evidence of wrongdoing.
    YOU’RE NOT ALONEEVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide.
    It doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
    It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
    Yet it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
    That is why The Sun launched the You’re Not Alone campaign.
    The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
    Let’s all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You’re Not Alone.
    If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:

    “The Club is always looking for ways to evolve and will reflect on the outcomes and recommendations arising from the investigation to consider how processes and policies may be improved.
    “Following Maddy’s death, the Club provided staff with the opportunity to engage with additional external support.
    “As part of the Club’s commitment to continual improvement, we have and will continue to review and expand the Club-wide wellbeing support offered to our staff.
    “We will increase the learning and development opportunities for all staff around language and culture, welfare and mental health awareness.
    “We have also recently strengthened our Women’s and Girls’ structure with the addition of a new highly experienced Head of Women’s and Girls’ Football and other key appointments.
    Read more on The Sun
    “We wish to offer support to Maddy’s family and the Maddy Cusack Foundation, MC8.
    “We hope to work with them to continue the lasting positive impact Maddy had on those who knew her.”
    If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123.
    Cusack was Sheffield United’s longest-serving playerCredit: PA
    Manager Jonathan Morgan has denied the claimsCredit: PA More

  • in

    Man City ‘sued by clothing brand Superdry’ due to training kit endorsement deal with brewery’s alcohol-free beer range

    MANCHESTER CITY have been sued by clothing brand Superdry over their training kit endorsement deal.According to the Telegraph high street fashion brand Superdry have launched a High Court claim against the Cityzens.
    Manchester City have been sued over their training kit sponsorship dealCredit: PA
    Their Asahi sponsored warm up gear features the words Super ‘Dry’Credit: Alamy
    The claim comes after Man City announced that their training gear would be sponsored by Japanese brewery Asahi’s alcohol free beer.
    The teetotal beverage is named Asahi Super “Dry” 0.0 and their sponsorship deal with City sees the words Super “Dry” plastered on the club’s training gear.
    As a result the clothing brand Superdry have alleged that the partnership represents a trademark infringement on their name.
    City announced in 2023 that their deal with Asahi Super “Dry” would see men’s and women’s training kit feature the brand’s logo for the current campaign.
    READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
    But on December 15 Superdry asked for an “injunction” to be put in place to “restrain” the treble winners from using their name on the kit.
    And the clothing manufacturer is also said to be looking for costs alongside the injunction, but are yet to quantify the amount their claim is worth.
    While the law firm acting on behalf of Superdry, Fox Williams LLP, have also warned for a demand for the “destruction or modification upon oath of all goods and other items… [which] would constitute a breach of the injunctions.”
    Phillip Roberts KC, who represents the firm, explained that the public may confuse the branding on Man City’s training kit as something created by Superdry.
    Most read in Football
    FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS & NEW CUSTOMER BONUSES
    He said: “The sponsored kit is identical to each of the selected goods [and is] identical with or similar to the mark for which the Superdry Registrations are registered in relation to goods identical with or similar to those for which the Superdry Registrations are registered,
    “In circumstances liable to give rise to a likelihood of confusion on the part of the public.”
    City’s sponsorship deal with Asahi goes beyond their training kit with a number of modifications and re-brands taking place at the Eithad Stadium.
    The Asahi Tunnel club was introduced by the club while technology has been put in place around the stadium to allow the beer to be served to fans.
    SunSport has approached Manchester City for a comment. More

  • in

    Sunderland footballer Jack Diamond claims he refused sex with rape accuser after she ‘got on top of me’

    A CHAMPIONSHIP footballer accused of raping a woman told a court that he had refused sex with her.Sunderland winger Jack Diamond, 23, told a jury that his alleged victim was in a “huff” when he told her to stop after she “got on top of me”.
    Sunderland footballer Jack Diamond claims he refused sex with rape accuser after she ‘got on top of me’Credit: NCJMedia
    Diamond denied rape and assault by penetration at Newcastle crown courtCredit: Getty
    He explained that he did so because he feared things were “getting a bit too serious”.
    Diamond, who had previously been in a long relationship, said he kissed her later to “comfort” her and she told him, ‘I think the moment has gone’ and left.
    The footballer, who met the girl on dating site Tinder, is alleged to have attacked her at the home he shared with team-mate Anthony Patterson.
    He said he did feel regretful about his “immaturity” towards relationships at the time.
    READ MORE UK NEWS
    Diamond, of Washington, Tyne & Wear, denies rape and assault by penetration at Newcastle crown court.
    The trial continues. More

  • in

    Footie fan stripped of season ticket in three-year ban after sick taunt about Munich air crash

    A FOOTBALL fan was today banned from matches for three years for a sick taunt about the Munich air disaster which went viral.Newcastle United supporter James Blake, 42, “photobombed” a YouTuber’s report at the club’s Carabao Cup clash with Manchester City in September.
    A clip went viral of Newcastle United supporter James Blake making a sick taunt about the 1958 Munich air crash, in which eight Manchester United players diedCredit: North News & Pictures
    Blake — who had been drinking heavily and was wearing a replica Newcastle shirt — yelled: “Hello! What about Man United, eh? Air disasters, air disasters.”
    Prosecutor Steven Davis said: “You will see a person address the camera when he is approached from behind by a man and a young child and he makes the comment.”
    Eight Manchester United players were among 23 people who died in 1958 when a plane crashed during take-off in then-West Germany.
    Painter and decorator Blake was stripped of his season ticket by Newcastle after his arrest.
    READ MORE BEAUTIFUL GAME
    Dave Parish, mitigating, said: “He is deeply remorseful and frankly ashamed by this behaviour.
    “He accepts he was highly intoxicated at the time.”
    Blake, of North Shields, admitted using threatening or abusive words or behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress at North Tyneside magistrates’ court.
    He was fined £400, ordered to pay a total of £780 and banned for three years from all football matches in England and Wales.
    Most read in Football
    23 people died when a plane took off in then-West Germany, with eight of them being Manchester United playersCredit: PA More

  • in

    Former Premier League star Brenden Aaronson, 23, banned from driving after he was caught speeding in flash Mercedes AMG

    A FORMER Premier League star has been banned from driving after he was caught speeding in his flashy Mercedes.Leeds midfielder Brenden Aaronson was clocked at 37mph in a 30mph zone while driving through Harrogate in North Yorkshire.
    Brenden Aaronson has been banned from drivingCredit: Getty
    The 23-year-old has now been barred from driving for six months after racking up 13 points on his licence.
    He was also ordered to pay a £666 fine, £266 surcharge and £90 in court costs.
    Aaronson, who is currently on loan with Union Berlin, pleaded guilty to the speeding offence at Harrogate Magistrates’ Court.
    JPs heard he already had ten points on his licence when he was caught speeding in his Mercedes AMG on March 12.
    Read more news
    Aaronson signed for Leeds in 2022 in a £25million transfer from RB Salzburg.
    The US international scored one goal in 40 appearances across all competitions.
    His one goal came following an extraordinary blunder by Chelsea keeper Edouard Mendy.
    After the club was relegated from the Premier League at the end of last season, Aaronson went out on loan to Bundesliga side Union Berlin.
    Most read in Football
    Aaronson signed for Leeds in 2022Credit: Getty More