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      Sam Allardyce sues ‘thug in a suit’ Irish property developer for £3.5million

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      SAM Allardyce is suing an Irish property developer once dubbed “a thug in a suit” for £3.5million.Ex-England boss “Big Sam” and his wife claim they paid John Kelly £883,000 to buy and do up two Surrey mansions.
      Ex-England manager Sam Allardyce is sueing ‘thuggish’ property developer John KellyCredit: Getty
      But the deal — which also included buying £100,000 in Bitcoin — fell through, a High Court writ claims.
      Now lawyers for the couple say Kelly, 60, has since “failed to account” for their investment.
      The developer, of Windsor, Berkshire, built a property empire in Dublin in the 2000s worth millions.
      He paid around £350,000 to Girls Aloud to perform at his step- daughter’s 21st birthday.
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      In 2009 he told an Irish court he owned a helicopter, a yacht in Marbella, a Bentley and an Aston Martin.
      But his fortunes collapsed and in 2012 he claimed he was under police protection after paramilitary threats.
      In 2013 convicted fraudster Thomas Byrne accused Kelly, his former business partner, of being a “thug in a suit” and “vampire-like” while on trial at Dublin’s central criminal court.
      The writ by the Allardyces at London’s High Court, against him and his wife, Mary O’Connor, claims they handed over £883,000 to Kelly between 2017 and 2019.
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      The money was allegedly meant to be used to buy the properties in Woking and Cranleigh, which would be developed and sold for profit.
      Kelly also pledged to use the cash to buy 34 units of Bitcoin for £100,000. But the writ accuses him of failing to pay the Allardyces “any of the sums owed to them”.
      It says Kelly even rang 68-year-old Allardyce, who managed the England football team in 2016, and told him the Bitcoin deal had gone “belly up”.
      The writ is for £650,000, plus £2.5million in interest, with £1,417 per day in interest until the claim is concluded.
      It is also demanding 34 units of Bitcoin be returned or £511,200 in compensation.
      The writ also reveals Kelly committed to pay £200,000 to Mark Curtis, understood to be Allardyce’s football agent, by February 2019.
      Kelly’s defence is yet to be made public. More

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      Achraf Hakimi denies rape accusation alleging he’s victim of ‘racketeering’ plot as wife ‘dumps’ the PSG star

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      PARIS Saint-German star Achraf Hakimi has denied the rape allegations and claims he is a victim of attempted racketeering. The Morroco-born ace, 24, was placed under judicial supervision on Friday on preliminary charges of rape.
      The footballer alleges he is a victim of attempted racketeeringCredit: AFP
      Hakimi has denied all the allegationsCredit: AFP
      A preliminary investigation was opened last week after a woman accused the footie star of rape.
      The woman alleged the 24-year-old assaulted her after inviting her to his home while his wife Hiba Abouk was on holiday with their kids.
      Hakimi was questioned by prosecutors on Thursday and denied wrongdoing.
      The footballer’s lawyer, Fanny Colin, later released a statement noting that Hakimi “strongly denies” the allegations and alleging that he is a victim of attempted racketeering, ESPN reports.
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      The statement read: “According to the elements currently at the disposal of the police that M. Hakimi, in this case, is the victim of an attempt of racketeering.”
      “Achraf Hakimi strongly denied the accusations against him during his police interview.”
      According to Le Parisien, the 24-year-old defender began talking to the woman on January 16 on Instagram.
      He allegedly then invited her to his home in Boulogne on Saturday, reportedly ordering her an Uber to transport her.
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      She claimed he assaulted her before she was able to free herself by kicking him then texted a friend to pick her up.
      The woman went to a police station but said she did not want to press charges.
      Prosecutors launched an investigation due to the seriousness of the allegations.
      Meanwhile, TV actress Hiba, 36, is believed to have dumped the star with reports suggesting they have been estranged for weeks.
      They have not been seen together in public for months.
      And following the rape allegation she is “accelerating” proceedings to separate for good, according to Cierre Digital.
      She has not publicly commented, but an Instagram post shows her walking on a Dubai beach with her two young sons.
      She captioned it “Adding moments”, and added the hashtags “family first” and one translating as “I’d die for mine”.
      The pair met in 2018 when Hakimi was in Dortmund, seeing her relocate from Madrid.
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      They got married in a secret wedding in 2020 before welcoming their first son, while their second child was born in 2022.
      Hakimi was credited for helping his national team reach the historic semi-final sport in the 2022 tournament.
      The pair have been reportedly estranged for weeksCredit: Getty More

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      PSG ace Achraf Hakimi charged with rape after ‘inviting woman to his home while wife Hiba Abouk & kids were on holiday’

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      PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN star Achraf Hakimi has been charged with rape.French prosecutors confirmed the Morocco defender, 24, is facing formal charges this morning.
      Achraf Hakimi has been charge with rapeCredit: AFP
      The alleged incident involving PSG’s Moroccan star happened on February 25Credit: AFP
      On Thursday, it was reported that the PSG star was questioned by prosecutors in connection with accusations from a 24-year-old woman.
      Now Hakimi, 24, has been subsequently charged, prosecutors told AFP.
      The alleged attack happened when he reportedly invited a woman to his home in the suburbs of Paris while his wife and kids were on holiday on February 25.
      His alleged victim went into a police station on Sunday to say that had been raped by the PSG player but did not wish to file a complaint.
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      Prosecutors launched an investigation due to the seriousness of the allegations.
      According to Le Parisien, the ex-Real Madrid, Dortmund, and Inter Milan ace began talking to the woman on January 16 on Instagram.
      He allegedly then invited her to his home in Boulogne on Saturday, reportedly ordering her an Uber to transport her.
      Hakimi’s wife – actress Hiba Abouk – is currently holidaying in Dubai with their young two sons.
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      His accuser claims that after arriving at his home, the footie star began kissing her on the mouth while lifting her clothes.
      She alleged he sexually assaulted her before she finally managed to free herself after kicking Hakimi and then texting a friend to pick her up.
      Hakimi’s lawyer described the accusations as “false” earlier this week.
      The Morrocan ace met his wife Hiba in 2018 when he was at Dortmund, seeing her relocate from Madrid.
      Twelve years his senior, she made her name in the Spanish crime drama El Principe, and like Hakimi, she is a devout Muslim.
      The pair share similar stories – she was born in Madrid to parents who had emigrated from Tunisia.
      They got married in a secret wedding in 2020 before welcoming their first son, while their second child was born in 2022.
      Back in October, with the World Cup on the horizon, they appeared in a stunning shoot in Vogue Arabia.
      Hakimi was credited for helping his national team reach the historic semi-final sport in the 2022 tournament. More

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      Premier League urged to re-investigate Newcastle’s Saudi takeover after stunning court revelation

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      THE Premier League is under pressure to re-investigate Newcastle’s takeover after US court revelations that the club’s owner is part of the Saudi government.Prem bosses gave permission for the controversial £300million takeover in October 2021 after insisting they had “legally binding assurances” that the Saudi government did not control the club.
      Some Prem rivals want Newcastle’s takeover re-examinedCredit: Reuters
      Lawyers for Toon chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan in the US court case admitted their clients were representatives of the Saudi governmentCredit: Getty
      But those pledges were thrown into doubt after stunning revelations in a US court case in the bitter golf battle between the Saudi-funded LIV Tour and the PGA.
      In a bid to avoid giving evidence, lawyers for Newcastle chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan and the Saudi Public Investment Fund admitted their clients were representatives of the Saudi government.
      LIV lawyers said: “PIF and His Excellency Yasir al-Rumayyan are not ordinary third parties subject to basic discovery relevance standards.
      “They are a sovereign instrumentality of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and a sitting minister of the Saudi government.
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      “Thus they cannot be compelled to provide testimony and documents in a US proceeding.”
      Those arguments failed to impress Judge Susan van Kaplan, who ruled in favour of the PGA and ordered the Saudis to give a sworn deposition testimony.
      But more critically it appears that LIV’s legal team were making claims that run diametrically opposite to those made to justify the Prem allowing the Newcastle deal to take place.
      It has sparked anger from Prem rivals who are furious that the Prem failed to block the deal in the first place.
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      As part of the final discussions between Prem bosses and the Saudi Public Investment Fund, concerns were raised over “which entities would own and/or have the ability to control the club” before the ownership guarantees were given.
      But at the time Prem chief executive Richard Masters also insisted: “If we find evidence to the contrary we can remove the consortium as owners of the club in accordance with the rules.
      “That is understood. There are ways of ensuring we are comfortable and satisfied and that remains the case.”
      Masters will now face calls from rival Prem clubs to rule on whether he must intervene following the legal moves in a court in California.
      Rival club chiefs reacted with disbelief and anger and are now expecting Masters and Prem bosses to act.
      One club boss said: “This looks like a complete reversal of the position we were told was the reason the deal was approved.
      “Surely the Premier League has to get involved here and look at this issue again.”
      A Prem spokesman last night declined to make any comment when asked to respond to the latest development.
      But the demands for action will concern Newcastle fans just days after their first cup final in 24 years – Sunday’s 2-0 Carabao Cup final defeat by Manchester United.
      The Toon board gave a public show of “gratitude” in an open letter to fans, many of whom helped clean up Trafalgar Square after gathering there before the match.
      The board said: “The scenes around Wembley and inside the stadium on Sunday were remarkable and beyond inspiring.
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      “We could not have asked for any more from you. That connection and sense of family is part of our identity.
      “Our ambitions are strengthened by this experience and it will only make us even more determined as we move forward.”
      Newcastle directors Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi were part of the takeover in October 2021Credit: Getty More

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      Dani Alves faces years in jail after his bid for bail over ‘nightclub sex attack’ is rejected

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      DANI Alves is facing spending years behind bars after his appeal for bail was rejected.The Brazil star, 39, is being held in a jail near Barcelona, a month after his arrest over an alleged sex assault at the city’s Sutton venue in the early hours of December 31.
      Dani Alves was denied bail on TuesdayCredit: Getty
      A Spanish court deemed he needs to remain in jail while the investigation continuesCredit: AFP
      A Spanish court denied his appeal to be freed on bail while the investigation continues, ruling he was a flight risk and must remain in prison.
      Court officials have confirmed Alves is under investigation on suspicion of sexually assaulting a woman, but have not confirmed the exact nature of the allegations against him.
      Investigations of this kind can take months and even years in some cases to complete, while those under formal investigation can be held in prison without charge for up to four years in Spain, although the normal limit is two years.
      The former Barcelona defender was arrested last month after a 23-year-old woman identified him as her attacker to police.
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      His arrest came as a second blow for his heartbroken wife Joana Sanz just days after her mum died from cancer,
      Alves initially denied any contact with his accuser, but in a court hearing, he changed his story and claimed they had consensual sex.
      He denies wrongdoing and remains in custody.
      A judge ordered him to be jailed without bail after analysing the initial probe by authorities and hearing testimony from Alves, the alleged victim and witnesses.
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      “Daniel Alves remains as innocent as he was before this ruling,” his defense team said in a statement.
      “His desire to leave Spain and elude the process did not, and does not, exist.”
      Alves lawyers filed the appeal saying the Brazilian agreed to turn in his passport and wear a tracking device if he was freed.
      Alves would also report to the court and to authorities as often as required, including daily, and would not go within 500 meters (yards) of the accuser or her home or workplace.
      But the court ruled that those measures would not be enough to keep the player from potentially trying to escape considering he faces several years in prison if found guilty.
      It also said there was considerable evidence that a crime might have been committed, and that Alves’ wealth could make it easier for him to try to flee regardless of the amount of bail.
      “Nothing would stop Mr. Alves from leaving Spain by air, sea or even land without documentation and reaching his country of origin, where he could stay knowing that he would not be delivered to Spain despite international arrest warrants or extradition orders,” the court said.
      CCTV footage published by Spanish media was said to show him and the alleged victim in a VIP area and then going to the toilet for 47 seconds.
      The woman said that after the alleged attack she was too scared to leave the toilet for several minutes.
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      The football ace reportedly made his debut for a prison football team earlier this month. More

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      Spurs fan ADMITS assaulting Aaron Ramsdale after booting Arsenal goalkeeper in the back

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      A SPURS fan has admitted kicking Arsenal keeper Aaron Ramsdale during the North London derby.Joseph Watts, 35, was held after tensions flared at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last month.
      Ramsdale was kicked after the Gunners’ 2-0 winCredit: Sky Sports
      He then made a desperate scramble through the crowd
      Ramsdale celebrates Arsenal’s 2-0 win at Tottenham
      Ramsdale, 24, was booted in the back as he went to get his gloves and bottle from the side of the goal.
      Watts, who admitted he was drunk, had clambered onto an advertising board to aim the kick at the England star.
      Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court was told the thug was seen desperately scrambling through the throng of Spurs fans to escape.
      Players from both sides then ran over to try and diffuse the situation.
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      Watts admitted assault by beating, going on to an area adjacent to the playing area and throwing a missile on to a football playing area.
      The yob, of Hackney, East London, threw four coins towards the pitch during the drama on January 15.
      He was handed a 12-month community order and made to pay £100 in compensation to the footballer.
      Watts was also slapped with a four-year football banning order meaning he cannot attend matches.
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      In a victim impact statement, Ramsdale said he saw a masseuse because his back felt “heavy”, but there were no marks.
      He added: “I’ve never had someone enter the pitch and kick me.
      “I don’t think it’s acceptable that I should be assaulted at work.”
      The keeper had made seven saves during the Gunners’ 2-0 win against their London rivals.
      But the win was marred by the chaotic scenes, with the Arsenal no1 later revealing the incident left him with a “sour taste”.
      Tottenham vowed to slap the shameless fan with an immediate ban once they were identified.
      The club said at the time: “We are appalled by the behaviour of a supporter that attempted to attack Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale at the end of today’s match.
      “Violence in any form has no place in football.”
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      While a Football Association statement read: “We strongly condemn the incident involving a spectator that followed today’s Premier League fixture between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal.
      “This is wholly unacceptable behaviour and we will work together with the police, the relevant authorities and the clubs to ensure the appropriate action is taken.”
      Watts covered his face as he appeared at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court todayCredit: PA
      Watts balanced on the side-line rail before jumpingCredit: Sky Sports
      The fan then climbed back over the crowd to get away from securityCredit: Sky Sports
      Tempers had flared at the North London derby More

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      Cristiano Ronaldo awarded £280k from rape accuser’s lawyer after dismissal of sex attack claims

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      CRISTIANO Ronaldo has won £278,000 from his rape accuser’s lawyer for acting in “bad faith” over bogus sex claims. A US judge ordered Kathryn Mayorga’s lawyer Leslie Stovall must personally hand over the cash to the world’s highest-paid sportsman.
      Cristiano Ronaldo playing for his new club Al NassrCredit: Getty
      Kathryn Mayorga pictured in a Las Vegas club with RonaldoCredit: AP:Associated Press
      It comes after the 38-year-old former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus forward claimed he had been prejudiced by the attorney’s “reckless conduct” in the long-running case.
      The star has always denied raping Mayorga, 40, in a Las Vegas hotel room in 2009, insisting they had consensual sex, and police have never brought any charges.
      Mayorga claimed Ronaldo had paid her £275,000 in 2010 to gag her from talking about the incident and stop her pursuing criminal charges.
      But eight years later she filed the civil lawsuit seeking millions more after Football Leaks exposed details of communications between Ronaldo’s lawyers.
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      Then last June US district judge Jennifer Dorsey threw out that claim on the basis that she was unhappy over the way documents filed to the court were obtained.
      “Ronaldo would not have incurred a majority of the fees and costs that he spent on this litigation had it not been for the plaintiff counsel’s bad faith,” said the judge in her latest ruling.
      She also threw out a bid by former model Mayorga to get to Ronaldo to produce his contract with his lawyer to see if he had benefited from any fee discounts.
      The judge has accused Stovall of tainting the case “beyond redemption” with his use of hacked documents detailing discussions between Ronaldo and his lawyers about the rape allegations.
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      Ronaldo and his lawyer have repeatedly said the documents were forged in an attempt to defame him.
      He was awarded more than half of the £506,000 in legal fees he was trying to claw back and not the full amount.
      “It was clear early on that Mayorga’s allegations were rooted in the purloined materials,” said the Las Vegas-based judge.
      “Ronaldo shares at least part of the blame for this case dragging on for as long as it did although he had to recognise its dubious underpinnings.
      “I thus decline to award fees for the work Ronaldo’s attorneys performed in discovery or preparation for trial, as that work could have been avoided.”
      At the time of the alleged attack, Ronaldo, then 24, was in Las Vegas on holiday with his brother-in-law and cousin.
      Budding model Ms Mayorga, then 25, was ­working in Rain nightclub, inside the Palms Casino Resort and met the star in the venue’s VIP area.
      Ronaldo is now on a mega-bucks £173 million-a-year deal with Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr. More

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      Mason Greenwood’s Man Utd teammates ‘DON’T want him back at the club’ despite charges being dropped

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      MASON Greenwood’s Manchester United teammates don’t want him back at the club, despite all charges against him being dropped.The 21-year-old striker faced charges of attempted rape, assault and coercive and controlling behaviour until earlier this month.
      Mason Greenwood’s teammates are understood to be uneasy about his potential returnCredit: AFP
      Members of the Manchester United squad are reported to ‘harbour concerns’ about the strikers re-joining the teamCredit: Getty
      A new report in The Times has revealed that some player’s “harbour concerns” about Greenwood “coming back into the fold”.
      The Three Lions ace is currently suspended by the club, pending an internal investigation.
      It seems, though, that even if he is cleared by the probe, some of his fellow squad members have reservations about him joining back up with the team.
      However, the report does add that “others would have no objection to it” based on the fact that Greenwood “has not been found guilty of anything”.
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      It comes after it was revealed that Manchester United’s women’s team are set against him running out at Old Trafford again.
      According to reports in The Athletic, “the feeling is strong” amongst the team that Greenwood should be let go.
      They cite an audio clip released on social media last January, which was alleged to be a recording of the player forcing himself on a woman.
      This has apparently “disturbed” some players and made them “deeply uncomfortable” with the prospect of him pulling on the red jersey again.
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      Likewise, furious female United fans have demanded that he be released from his contract.
      Meanwhile, The Sun Online recently revealed that Greenwood himself may have lost “millions” after being dropped by major striker Nike.
      Similarly, any new club that takes him on if United release him, could expose themselves to a huge financial risk, according to a top PR expert.
      It comes as it was discovered that a Champions League team had been “making enquiries” about picking up the young star if bosses in Manchester give him the boot.
      There have also been rumours of a move to China in a drastic move to restart his career.
      The charges against him were dropped earlier this month after key witnesses, including the woman at the centre of the case, withdrew.
      It comes as the club’s women’s team are understood to be in favour of him being given the bootCredit: Getty
      All charges against the 21-year-old were dropped earlier this monthCredit: AFP More