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      Man Utd star Harry Maguire slapped with fine after being caught speeding in Land Rover

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      MAN United footy ace Harry Maguire has been slapped with a £1,000 fine for speeding in his flash Land Rover.The £80m centre-back, 31, was clocked by a traffic camera on the A616 in South Yorkshire doing 68mph in a 60mph zone.The £80m defender was at the wheel of his luxury Land RoverCredit: GettyMaguire was fined the four-figure sum for going just 8mph over the limit (pictured in 2023)Credit: ZenpixMaguire was at the wheel of his black Land Rover motor when he triggered the monitor near his home city of Sheffield just before 2pm on March 7.Two days later he missed the Red Devils’ Old Trafford clash with Everton for unspecified reasons.The Three Lions ace admitted the offence by post and pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.His case was processed on Monday at Sheffield magistrates’ court, where JPs fined him £670 and added three points to his driving license.Read more about Harry MaguireIt meant Maguire did not have to attend court to hear the verdict in person.The former United captain, reportedly paid £190,000 a week, was also ordered to cough up a £268 victim surcharge and £90 in court costs, taking the total to £1,028.Police figures show around 130 motorists a year are caught out by the same speed camera on the Stocksbridge bypass.The busy artery, which links West Yorkshire to the M1, is set at the national speed limit – 60 for single-carriageway roads.Most read in FootballThe court run-in is the latest in a long line of driving woes for Man United stars.Maguire’s pal Marcus Rashford is currently banned from the road after speeding at 104mph on the M60.The forward was pulled over by an undercover cop car and claimed he only sped up as he was scared of being followed.Last year Rashford, 26, infamously collided with a grandmother in his £700,000 Rolls-Royce Cullinan as he left United’s Carrington training ground.Both drivers luckily escaped without harm.Fellow England star Jack Grealish, of United’s rivals Man City, was also fined £666 earlier this year for speeding at 44 in a 30mph zone.Harry Maguire and Man United were approached for comment.Maguire was also given three penalty points on his licenseCredit: Getty More

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      Boxing champion sentenced to death in Iran for third time for ‘corruption on earth’ and ‘protesting’

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      IRANIAN boxer Mohammad Javad Vafaei-Sani is facing execution for a third time after being convicted of “corruption on earth” during anti-government protests in 2019.The 29-year-old athlete was arrested in March 2020 and accused of setting fire to a government building – which he denied.Iranian boxer Mohammad Javad Vafaei-Sani has been sentenced to death for the third timeThe 29-year-old athlete was arrested in March 2020 and accused of setting fire to a government buildingCredit: Youtube / @WIONHis death sentence is being compared to the execution of wrestler Navid AfkariCredit: AFPIt’s claimed that the boxer was subsequently put through horrific “severe physical and psychological torture”, AS reports.Vafaei-Sani’s case has been commonly compared to wrestler Navid Afkari, 27, who was accused of killing a state security guard during the anti-government protests in 2018 and hanged in 2020.Vafaei-Sani was convicted in December 2021 of “corruption on earth” – which is considered to be the most serious charge under Iran’s penal code and punishable by death.His lawyer Babak Paknia said on X that despite the Supreme Court overturning the previous verdict, “the majority opinion of the investigative judges (consultants to the Branch 3 of the Mashhad Revolutionary Court), in opposition to the Supreme Court judges, has again issued a death sentence for ‘corruption on earth’.read more world news”This ruling can be appealed.”Figures show Iran carries out around 250 executions a year, in addition to a 100 executions of children each year.The country’s barbaric system of punishments includes hanging from cranes in public, use of horrific electric shocks and flogging.Vafaei-Sani is one of the many Iranian athletes who have been sentenced to death by the government or killed during protests in recent years.Most read in BoxingAs reported by Iran Wire, volleyball player Ali Mozafari was killed during protests in 2022.Footballer Mohammad Ghaemifar was fatally shot by regime forces a month later and was reportedly targeted and cornered in an alley.And bodybuilder Ehsan Ghasemifar, 32, was killed during protests in December 2022.He was “surrounded by security forces while livestreaming on Instagram” and his family were urged to say his death was due to a “heart attack”, says Iran Wire.Other Iranian athletes have suffered the same fate for decades.Navid AfkariNavid Afkari was a champion wrestler before his deathCredit: EPAIran hanged champion wrestler Navid Afkari in 2020 on a trumped-up charge of killing a security guard during protests.He is believed to have been tortured and forced to sign a confession letter.Handwritten letters from him detailed 50 days of beatings and attempted suffocation.”The Islamic Republic of Iran is about to execute an innocent person,” he said in a final voice message.Navid was hanged – and his death sparked outrage around the world, with even then US President Donald Trump decrying Tehran.Habib KhabiriHabib Khabiri was a national footballing hero – but was killed aged just 29Credit: IranWireDescribed as the closest thing Iran has ever had to American national hero Kobe Bryant, Habib Khabiri was hanged by Iran.He was the captain of Iran’s national football team and a hero.Habib scored a dramatic winning goal in the 1978 World Cup qualifying game against Kuwait.But he was arrested and executed when he was aged just 29, being hanged for being a member of a dissident group.He was killed among 40 others at the notorious Evin Prison.”Habib was the Iranian Kobe Bryant,” commentator Manook Khodabakhshian told Sports Illustrated in 1998.”Sometimes when I watch Kobe Bryant, I see Habib Khabiri. He was only 16 or 17 when he started to play for the national team. He was a very creative player.”So young, such a happy guy.”Mahshid RazaghiHabib (bottom) also saw his teammate Mahshid Razaghi (top) be arrestedCredit: CSDHI NewsAnother footballer who played alongside Habib, Mahshid Razaghi was a member of the Iranian team that went to the Olympics.He was arrested for selling anti-government newspapers – and was sentenced to one year in prison in 1980.But the footie star was never released.Mahshid was left rotting in jail until 1988 – when he was executed along with a wave of other political prisoners as part of the infamous massacres by the Death Commission.His brother Ahmad was also executed just days later, with up to 30,000 people estimated to have been killed in the purge.Foruzan AbdiForuzan Abdi was the volleyball team’s captain – but she was executedCredit: FacebookAnother high profile athlete, Foruzan Abdi was the captain of the Iranian women’s national team.She was arrested in 1981 and sentenced for eight years in prison for supporting a dissident group.Just like Mahshid, she was never released from her prison.And she was killed along with thousands of others as part of the 1988 purge.Majid Jamali-FashiMajid Jamali Fashi claimed he was tortured and forced to confessCredit: APIran killed kickboxer Majid Jamali-Fashi after a show trial which was shown on TV.He was accused of working for Israeli spies and assassinating a nuclear scientist in Tehran.Pictures were paraded on TV of an Israeli passport said to be his – only for it to be exposed as one edited from Wikipedia.Majid is alleged to have been tortured into to confessing, and he is believed to have doomed after being mentioned in a leak by Wikileaks.He was hanged.Houshang MontazeralzohourHoushang Montazeralzohour was reportedly executed by firing squadCredit: CSDHI NewsFive years after he represented Iran at the Olympics as a wrestler, Houshang Montazeralzohour was executed by firing squad.He was a national champion in his weight class and competed for the his country at the Summer Olympics in Montreal.READ MORE SUN STORIESBut he was arrested along with 29 others in 1981.Houshang was allegedly tortured and then shot dead by firing squad. 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      Arsenal legend Jens Lehmann stopped by cops for ‘drink driving’ in Lederhosen after ‘necking steins’ at Oktoberfest bash

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      ARSENAL legend Jens Lehmann has been stopped for suspected drink-driving in LEDERHOSEN – after downing steins at Oktoberfest.The Gunners veteran – in goal for the famous ‘Invincibles’ team – was pictured partying at the huge Bavarian beer festival, in Munich, Germany, on Sunday.Jens Lehmann spotted at OktoberfestThe Arsenal goalkeeper in 2006Credit: PA:Press AssociationLehmann at Oktoberfest in 2014Credit: GettyLehmann, 54, was then pulled over by cops outside the beer extravaganza and was staggering and smelled of alcohol, Bild reports.Breath tests had to be abandoned because the ex-Emirates ace was “no longer able to blow” and instead was taken to a police station for further tests.His driver’s licence has been confiscated as a matter of procedure while cops continue looking into the case.Lehmann was earlier pictured in full traditional Bavarian dress with a beer, surrounded by female pals at the festival.Read more on footballFans also spotted him dancing in benches in the Schützenfest tent.A source said: “There are police officers lurking around the Oktoberfest who are supposed to prevent drink driving.”Senior public prosecutor Anne Leiding said: “Mr. Lehmann was subjected to a police check on September 23, 2024 at around 1:30 a.m. due to his unusual driving behavior in a car in the inner city area of Munich.”She added: “The police are said to have noticed a clear smell of alcohol and an unsafe manner.Most read in Football“A breath alcohol test did not produce any usable results, whereupon a blood sample was ordered and the driver’s licence was confiscated.“Our investigations are still pending. Suspicions of drunk driving continue.”Lehmann – who came third at the 2006 World Cup with Germany – has faced a string of trouble with police over recent years.In December 2023 he was fined £400,000 by the Starnberg District Court, in Bavaria, for chainsawing his neighbour’s garage roof to get a better view of Lake Starnberg.A court also previously heard he drove bumper-to-bumper behind a car under a barrier in order to avoid paying parking fees at Munich Airport.In 2009 Lehmann was dropped by then team Stuttgart for partying at Oktoberfest without permission.He is a regular at the festival and in 2012 was picture there with Sol Campbell in full traditional Bavarian dress. He was pictured at the festival with Didier Drogba in 2011.Lehmann famously became the first player to be sent off in a European Cup final after tripping Barcelona striker Samuel Eto’o, in 2006.READ MORE SUN STORIESJens Lehmann told Blild: “I can’t say anything about it at the moment.”A spokesman for Munich police declined to comment. More

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      Man City verdict in legal challenge to Premier League rules ‘set to be revealed in coming days’

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      MANCHESTER CITY could hear the verdict on a huge legal battle with the Premier League within days.The champions are challenging financial rules designed to stop clubs getting an unfair advantage from massive sponsorship deals.Man City await the result of a big case over sponsorship dealings, but the matter of their alleged 115 fairplay breaches could take months more to resolveCredit: AlamyThe appeal is separate from the case over City’s alleged 115 breaches of Prem financial rules.But it too has big repercussions – as some rival clubs worry the top-flight’s global standing will be damaged if the Etihad club wins.Prem chiefs brought in “associated-party” transaction (APT) financial rules in December 2021 following Newcastle’s Saudi-backed takeover.The aim was to stop teams inflating sponsorship deals with organisations linked to the club owners.READ MORE MAN CITY NEWSThe new rules were also intended to make sure transfers involving teams with multi-club ownerships remained fair.The Telegraph suggest many Prem opponents would be alarmed if City win their appeal.It’s also claimed a result is due imminently.Rivals reckon the Prem needs to keep the financial controls.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe fear is that losing them could create less interest in the English game at the top level across the world.That’s because it might get more difficult for so-called smaller clubs to compete financially with bigger rivals taking advantage of sponsorship arrangements.Furious Ian Wright calls Erling Haaland a ‘coward’ and says Man City star throwing ball at Gabriel ‘really boiled me up’ City launched their action in February – arguing that the rules were discriminatory.The Times revealed that Etihad chiefs want “damages for the losses which it [claims to have] incurred as a result of [what they alleged to be] the unlawfulness of the FMV [fair market value] rules”.City further say that other teams are just trying to “safeguard their own commercial advantages”Prem rules state the aim of the rules is to end the “reliance on enhanced commercial revenues” from “entities linked to the club’s ownership”.They want to ensure that such dealings don’t give clubs an “unfair advantage over domestic competitors”.Meanwhile, in the headline-grabbing other case, City could face points deductions and even possible relegation if they are found guilty of numerous financial fairplay breaches, relating to 2009-2018.The club deny all charges and say their case is backed by a “comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence”.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe private hearing into that matter is likely to last around 10 weeks, with a verdict expected early next year.What City may face if 115 breaches are provedBy Martin LiptonMANCHESTER City’s fate lies in the hands of the independent commission hearing the financial allegations that have hung over the club for the past 18 months.But while it is theoretically possible that the Etihad club could be banned from any competitions if they are found guilty it is, simply, not going to happen.Yes, if the commission decides the Prem charges have been proven, any and all punishments are available.That would include expulsion from the League and relegation into the lower tiers.But nobody, seriously, in the real world, believes City will be banished from the top four levels of the pyramid and cast into the National League – the only way in which they would be ineligible to play in the Carabao Cup.And while the FA will ratify any punishment imposed by the Prem, the commission has NO remit that allows it to impose a sanction that applies to any other competition.As in so many potential scenarios, the word “may” can do an awful lot of heavy lifting.I, for example, at 57, “may” be a shock signing for Arsenal. It won’t happen. But, theoretically, it “may”. If I suddenly win a few billion and buy the club, for example. Which “may” happen. But won’t.What is more intriguing – and could cause a difficult series of conversations – is a scenario in which City, having been found guilty – a very big “if” given the club’s vehement and persistent denials of all the allegations – were to win the Champions League this season, after being given a points deduction that ensures relegation.Under Uefa regulations, the holders of the competition have an AUTOMATIC right to try to retain their trophy.But all representatives of a country can only play in European competition if their names are proposed by the national federation.In other words, while people often do not realise it, no club can play in Europe without FA endorsement – normally something that is guaranteed.It would therefore fall on the FA – after discussions with Uefa – to decide if City’s name should be put forward. Similar issues would arise if they won either this season’s Carabou or FA Cups.As for the looming Club World Cup, City are already confirmed as participating, by dint of their 2022 Champions League win.Fifa rules do not give holders automatic entry to competitions, so even if they win in the USA next summer, they would have to qualify through Uefa.And if they are relegated even to the Championship, meaning at least a two season Uefa absence, they would have to win the Champions League in 2028 to qualify.City fans are in for a nervous few daysCredit: Getty- More

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      Football hooligan who left England fan with broken jaw in horrific Euros attack caught using face recognition technology

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      A FOOTBALL hooligan who attacked a fellow England supporter at the Euro 2024 was tracked down using facial recognition tech. Josh Waugh, 34, broke his victim’s nose and jaw following the Three Lions’ match against Serbia on June 16 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany.Cheshire Police, the UK Football Policing Unit, and German officers collaborated to track down WaughA witness took a photo of him and gave it to policem who tracked him down using Retrospective Facial Recognition Technology (RFR) and mass messaging app SOLV, The Times reports. It is the first time the technology has been used at an overseas tournament. Cheshire Police, the UK Football Policing Unit, and German officers collaborated to track down Waugh. The picture was used in a witness appeal issued using SOLV. Read more FootballIt got more than 54,000 hits and aided the police investigation into Waugh. He appeared at Middlesbrough magistrates’ court on Wednesday and got a three-year banning order.German police have not yet taken any action against him. Chief constable for Cheshire and the head of UK Football Policing, Mark Roberts, said: “This is the first time that we have used this type of technology at overseas tournaments, but as the results demonstrate it can make a real difference. Most read in Football”Thousands of people attend football matches every week, many of them travelling long distances, so trying to identify and locate a suspect on the ground can sometimes be difficult.Sir Alex Ferguson booked me a flight home from my holiday and hauled me back to Man Utd – I hadn’t done anything wrong“However, systems such RFR and SOLV allow us to identify offenders even when they’re hundreds of miles away, so we can ensure that those who do offend are arrested and held accountable for their actions.”Josh Waugh broke his victim’s nose and jaw following the Three Lions’ match against Serbia on June 16 in Gelsenkirchen, GermanyCredit: Reuters More

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      Man City backed to be relegated by staggering 42 PER CENT of punters after huge court case kicked off

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      MANCHESTER CITY have been backed by nearly HALF of punters to be relegated.It comes as the court hearing into their alleged breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules nears the end of its first week.Almost half of punters have placed bets on Man City to be relegatedCredit: RexMan City are facing between 115 and 130 charges brought against them by league bosses.This includes giving false accounts on player wages and sponsorships and failing to assist with the investigation.The financial breach charges stretch for nine years from 2009, while charges of withholding information run into 2023.The decision for the unprecedented trial is not likely to be known until the Spring.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut since the hearing began on Monday, punters have placed their bets on what they reckon the outcome will be.According to Betfair, a whopping 42 per cent of punters have placed single bets on Man City to be relegated.If found guilty, punishments could include a heavy financial penalty, points deductions, being stripped of previous titles and relegation.And it has now been revealed that City are at risk of being kicked out of the FA Cup and Carabao Cup too.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSWhile there is also no certainty that the four-in-a-row Premier League champions would be able to compete in the Champions League and Club World Cup either.However, SunSport understands the latter is unlikely despite the rules allowing it to happen.’It was dead,’ says Peter Schmeichel as he savages Man City supporters and tells Micah Richards ‘leave the studio’Pep Guardiola’s Man City drew their most recent game 0-0 against Inter Milan in the Champions League.They have a 100 per cent winning record in the league so far, but host title rivals Arsenal on Sunday with one team set to lose their unbeaten start to the season. More

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      Ex-Arsenal star Jay Emmanuel-Thomas charged with importing drugs after £600,000 worth of cannabis seized at airport

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      AN EX-ARSENAL star has been charged with importing drugs.Striker Jay Emmanuel-Thomas was arrested on Wednesday morning after £600,000 of cannabis was seized at Stansted Airport.Jay Emmanuel-Thomas has been charged with importing drugsCredit: Getty£600,000 of cannabis was seized at Stansted AirportCredit: National Crime AgencyEmmanuel-Thomas has previously flaunted his lifestyle on InstagramCredit: InstagramThe striker will appear at Carlisle Magistrates’ court todayCredit: GettySuitcases, used to smuggle the drugs in, were discovered by UK Border Force after a flight arrived from Bangkok, Thailand, on September 2.The 33-year-old was detained by National Crime Agency (NCA) officers yesterday and has since been charged.Emmanuel-Thomas appeared at Carlisle Magistrates’ Court today.The charge sheet states he is accused of “being concerned in the fraudulent evasion of a prohibition on the importation of a class B drug — cannabis — on 2nd September, 2024, at London”.read more football newsHe was remanded into custody to appear at Carlisle Crown Court on October 18.Two women aged 28 and 32 were also arrested in connection with the drugs bust.They have both been charged with drug importation offences.The maximum sentence for smuggling cannabis into the UK is 14 years behind bars.Most read in FootballNCA senior investigating officer David Phillips said: “The NCA continues to work with partners like Border Force to target those involved in drug smuggling – that includes both the couriers and the organisers.”We would appeal to anyone who is approached to engage in any kind of smuggling to think very carefully about the likely consequences of their actions and the potentially life-changing risks they will be taking.”Emmanuel-Thomas joined Arsenal at the age of eight, signing a professional contract with the Gunners in 2008.He played a major role in the club’s youth team – scoring in every round of the 2008-9 FA Youth Cup.But the striker struggled to make a break-through into the first team and after a series of loan spells signed for Ipswich Town in 2011 for an undisclosed fee. He went on to play for Greenock Morton in the Scottish Championship, and has also played for Aberdeen, Bristol City, Queens Park Rangers and Thai side PTT Rayong. More

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      Premier League could be hit by mass referee holidays as officials win landmark court case

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      REFEREES’ CHIEFS have lost the latest round of their courtroom battle with the taxman and it could mean paid holiday for officials.The Supreme Court ruled that the PGMOL must treat part-time refs from League One downwards as employees and therefore provide benefits to go with that.Part-time referees must be paid holiday leave, rule the PGMOLIt means the body which oversees the officials from the Premier League downwards faces a huge bill for annual leave for around 60 referees and assistants.A whistle-blower told SunSport: “This could mean dozens of referees backdating claims for holidays in lieu. “Imagine them all deciding to take the rest of the season off on full pay? “Sitting on deck chairs with nobody to take charge of games in certain areas of the EFL.”READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSAt present, referees in the lower reaches of the EFL are treated as self-employed and therefore not entitled to the trappings of permanent employment, although they do get expenses.Referees at this level tend to have other jobs in addition to taking charge of games. While PGMOL provides them with kit and equipment.The battle between PGMOL and HMRC is similar to that in 2021 when multinational online taxi service provider Uber was ordered to treat their drivers as paid employees.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSPGMOL won the first round of the legal war. HMRC equalised by winning the second, sending the case to the highest court in the land. ‘I’d expect a foul’ – Paul Merson claims Arsenal’s winner at Tottenham shouldn’t have stood as VAR fails to interveneDespite the ruling by The Supreme Court, PGMOL can still appeal the judgement.The case has been dragging on since 2017 and may run for years.Our whistle-blower added: “And you thought VAR decisions took a long time?”The PGMOL claimed they were only contracted for services and therefore should be classed as self-employed.Changes to the Premier League for 2024/25NOTHING stays the same forever.And that includes the Premier League, which is making a number of tweaks this season.Team news will now be released 75 MINUTES before kick-off, 15 minutes earlier than had been the case before.Things could get crowded on the touchline, with the number of substitutes permitted to warm-up boosted from three players per team to FIVE.There’s also a change to how added time is calculated when a team scores a goal, an update to the ‘multiball’ system and the introduction of semi-automated offsides – but not straight away.Go here to read about all the changes to the Premier League for 2024/25. More