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      in Soccer

      Millionaire Prem star loses court battle with HMRC over thousands in unpaid tax

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      MILLIONAIRE Premier League star Alexander Zinchenko has lost a court battle with HMRC which was chasing him for thousands in unpaid tax.Tax officials wanted to close his company Alex Zinchenko Image Rights over an unpaid tax bill, but representatives promised the bill would be settled at a High Court hearing.Alexander Zinchenko has lost a court battle with HMRC which was chasing him for thousands in unpaid taxCredit: GettyThe company channelled some of his lucrative earnings from a hugely successful career which includes four Premier League titles with Manchester City before a £30million move to Arsenal.Last accounts for the business covering 2023 showed it had a corporation tax bill of £893,133 in 2023 and £834,164 the year before.No figures of the tax owed were made public at the hearing which lasted only a few minutes.The company accounts also showed that Zinchenko, who earns a reported £150,000 a week, had a £1.879 million loan from the business.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLHMRC began the action to wind up the company in September last year, but at the hearing in London this week the court heard a settlement had been reached and it would be confirmed in March.Zinchenko was a director of the company and owned the company’s only share until November 3, when fellow director Artemijs Rjabovs, an official who works for the Ukrainian FA took over.Ukrainian Zinchenko has been a vocal opponent of Russia’s war on his homeland and told the BBC he would fight for his country if he was called up.The star told a BBC interview that he donated more than £1million to help refugees suffering in the conflict and that he knew of hundreds of children whose parents have died in the war.Most read in FootballZinchenko reveals ‘secret agent’ turned up at his door with Arteta inside to convince him to complete Arsenal transferUnlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club. More

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      Football legend Gary Shaw’s will revealed after star died aged 63 ‘banging head while getting out of cab on night out’

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      FOOTBALL legend Gary Shaw left nearly £300,000 after he died without writing a will.The Aston Villa striker, who died last September aged 63 after banging his head while getting out of a taxi, had no children, no siblings and never married.The former striker was part of the Villa side that won the First Division and the European CupCredit: GettyGary Shaw later worked as a club ambassadorCredit: RexHe did not draw up any wishes for his net worth when he passed.It means the European Cup-winning ace’s entire estate will be managed by a lawyer for the benefit of Michael Measey – believed to be one of Shaw’s friends or relatives.His estate was valued at £297,000 but £10,000 was deducted for fees, funeral costs and legal bills.Thousands of people a year die intestate, meaning they have no will, and their estate is typically passed by a court to either their spouse or closest living blood relative.Read more on Gary ShawThe High Court signed off his estate on February 10 and Michael Measey was named as administrator.Shaw rose through the ranks at his boyhood club and netted 79 goals in 213 games for Villa from 1978 to 1988.He scooped the Professional Footballers’ Association Young Player of the Year in 1981 and European Young Player of the Year in 1982, the year his side won the UEFA Cup.He was so well-liked that when Villa beat Barcelona to win the European Super Cup, Diego Maradona asked for his shirt.Most read in FootballThe Argentine great sent one of Barca’s staff to Villa’s dressing room with his shirt, with orders to bring back Shaw’s jersey as a swap.But Villa’s kit man refused the deal because the tops were too expensive to give away.The former England Under-21s striker also played for Blackpool, Walsall, Kilmarnock and Shrewsbury Town.Ron Greenwood named Shaw in his preliminary squad for the 1982 World Cup in Spain but axed him from his final selection.England were dumped out after goalless draws with Germany and Spain, and Shaw never earned a full international cap. After retirement, he worked as a statistical analyst and was a club ambassador at Villa Park meeting fans in the ground’s hospitality section.He sold his tranche of trophies and medals to a private buyer in 2018.The ace had been out drinking with friends on September 5 and was found by a neighbour collapsed on the pavement near his house at 1am the next morning, an inquest heard.It’s believed he fell and hit his head, causing a fatal injury.A coroner recorded a verdict of accidental death.He was rushed to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital but died from his injury 11 days later with his family by his side.Crowds assembled at the stadium in October to pay their respects before his funeral at Sutton Coldfield Crematorium, where the service was held.INQUESTBirmingham Coroner’s Court heard how the 63-year-old former footballer was found collapsed in the street by a neighbour after he had fallen and hit his head on a kerb.After the accident on September 6 last year, he passed away surrounded by his family 10 days afterwards.The inquest was told Shaw had been for a night out at the Jam House in the centre of Birmingham and was put in a taxi by friends at around 1.30am.However, as he exited the cab, he fell and hit his head on a kerb before being found by a neighbour in the early hours.They then phoned an ambulance and the 1982 European Cup winner was taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital.However, his condition deteriorated and he died ten days later on September 16 after suffering the “severe head injury”.Birmingham Coroner Louise Hunt recorded that Shaw died as a result of an accident.She said: “Mr Shaw had been out for the night drinking with friends on September 5.”In the early hours of September 6 and made his way home in a taxi.”He was found collapsed on the pavement outside his home address having fallen and hit his head.”He was taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital where he was found to have a severe head injury as a result of the fall which resulted in his death on September 16.”Philip Cutler, his brother-in-law, said in a statement how Gary had been out for the evening at the club.He confirmed that Gary was put into a taxi by friends at 1.30am and after getting out of the taxi, fell and hit his head on the kerb, rendering him unconscious.Philip said it was then sometime between 2am and 3am he was found and an ambulance called.A doctor said in a statement Gary had suffered an extensive and diffused head injury and that no surgical intervention was possible.He was then stabilised and put on the critical care unit.The doctor added Gary had a CT scan on September 9 which showed a deterioration in the brain, and his death was a result of a severe head injury caused by the fall.He also said that hypertension was a contributory factor, and a toxicological report showed that the ex-player had an alcohol reading of 221 milligrams per 100 millilitres.After his death, ex-Villa and England star Jack Grealish led tributes, writing: “RIP Gary Shaw. What an absolute legend and an unbelievable player.“Sending all my thoughts and prayers to his family and loved ones”.Match of the Day host Gary Lineker added: “Very sad. RIP Gary”.A Villa club statement read: “Gary was one of our own, a talented striker who delighted supporters with his goalscoring exploits which helped fire Villa to success in the 1980s.”Individual accolades would also follow for a player who was idolised by many on the terraces.READ MORE SUN STORIES”He passed away peacefully earlier today surrounded by his family, who asked Aston Villa to release a statement on their behalf. “The thoughts of everyone at the club are with Gary’s family and loved ones at this extremely difficult time.”Shaw died 11 days after sustaining a head injury in a fallCredit: Rex More

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      in Motorsport

      Bouncer behind £12m Michael Schumacher blackmail plot jailed after threatening to release secret files of F1 star

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      A NIGHTCLUB bouncer who was the architect behind a plot to blackmail Michael Schumacher for £12million has been sentenced to three years in prison.Yilmaz Tozturkan, 53, and two other men were arrested after hard drives containing private pictures, medical records, and videos of the Formula One legend were stolen.A man has been convicted of attempting to blackmail Michael SchumacherCredit: Getty – ContributorYilmaz Tozturkan standing in the courtroom before the verdict was announcedCredit: Avalon.redDaniel Lins was handed a six month suspended sentenceCredit: Avalon.redEx-bodyguard Markus Fritsche was handed a two-year suspended prison sentenceCredit: FacebookTozturkan and his 30-year-old son Daniel Lins were accused of demanding £12 million from the Schumacher family.The pair from Wuppertal in western Germany threatened to release 1,500 confidential files about the motorsport legend, on the dark web, if they did not get the money.These files allegedly included information on the F1 champion after his skiing accident in 2013 – when the driver was last seen in public.A third man, the Schumacher family ex-bodyguard, Markus Fritsche was also on trial for the shocking extortion plot.READ MORE ON SCHUMACHERTozturkan, who is currently behind bars for an unrelated crime, confessed and was handed a three-year sentence.His son also confessed and was handed a six-month suspended sentence.Ex-bodyguard Fritsche denied any involvement in the plot but was handed a two-year suspended prison sentence.Fritsche was accused of supplying the blackmailers with the images.Most read in MotorsportProsecutors said the former security guard for the family sold the images of Schumacher for what was described as a five-figure sum.The father was given an email, by Schumacher’s office, to send the files as proof he had them.Michael Schumacher security guard ‘tried to blackmail stricken F1 star for £12million so he could pay off his debts’Tozturkan brought his son into the mix when he reportedly set an anonymous email, per BILD.The father and son were arrested on June 9 when police stopped them in a parking lot.The pair made admissions of guilt at the start of their trial.Tozturkan said: “I am very sorry and ashamed.”I will take responsibility for what I have done.”The Schumacher family also expressed their worry that some confidential material might still be missing, despite several searches of the defendant’s properties.Schumacher’s lawyer, Thilo Damm, revealed he might consider an appeal on some of the sentences, per BILD.He said: “We do not agree with all of the court’s statements, in particular that Mr. F. is only accused of aiding and abetting and not of complicity.Markus Fritsche pictured in courtCredit: Avalon.redMichael Schumacher with his wife Corrina on 9 May 2004, Barcelona, SpainCredit: Getty Images – GettySchumacher and Ferrari CEO Jean Todt in 2007 at Monte CarloCredit: AFPWhat happened to Michael Schumacher?MICHAEL Schumacher’s life was hanging by a thread 10-years-ago as medics tried desperately to keep him alive after a tragic skiing crash that left him with horrific brain injuries.The F1 legend was given the best possible treatment as he was put into a medically induced coma, had his body temperature lowered and underwent hours of tricky operations on his brain.Back in 2013, the retired seven-time world champion, and his then 14-year-old son set off on the Combe de Saulire ski run in the exclusive French resort of Meribel.Footage from his helmet camera revealed he was not travelling at excessive speed when his skis struck a rock hidden beneath the snow.He catapulted forward 11.5ft and crashed into a boulder head first that split his helmet into two and left him needing to be airlifted to hospital for two life-saving operations.At one point his family were told to brace themselves for the worst case scenario as the situation was much worse than originally believed.At the time, medics said Schumacher was likely to stay in an induced coma for at least 48 hours as his body and mind recovered.But the coma ended up lasting 250 days – more than eight months.After he woke up in June 2014, he was discharged from hospital and sent to his home in Lake Geneva to get further treatment.Since then his wife Corinna and his inner circle of friends have expertly avoided almost anything leaking out about his health status.Only small amounts of information have been released including reports that Schumacher was in a wheelchair but can react to things around him.In 2019, it was said that Schumacher was set to undergo breakthrough stem cell therapy in a bid to regenerate and rebuild his nervous system.Renowned France cardiologist Dr Philippe Menasche, who had operated on him previously, was set to carry out the treatment that would see cells from his heart go to his brain.Following the treatment at the Georges Pompidou Hospital in Paris, he was said to be “conscious”, although few other details were given about his state.”You can rest assured that we will exhaust all legal remedies at our disposal.”ANOTHER ONEThis isn’t the first time Schumacher’s inner circle, headed up by wife Corinna, has been targeted by fiends in the past.In 2016, a 25-year-old man known as Hüseyin B sent a threatening email to Corinna targeting the couple’s children.The mum-of-two quickly passed on the email to the police who swiftly tracked down the painter.After being arrested, the thug was sent to court where a judge sentenced him to a year and nine months behind bars.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe perpetrator was reportedly caught after he told Corinna to send him the money to his personal bank account – something the police easily traced back.At the hearing, Judge Eberhard Hausch said: “To put it gently, putting your own account number there is not very smart.” Michael Schumacher won seven Formula One world championshipsCredit: GettyMichael with his son Mick and daughter Gina-MariaCredit: NetflixSchumacher driving the #1 Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro he won five world champions withCredit: Getty More

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      in Soccer

      Brit FIFA official arrested for ‘arranging to meet boy, 14, for sex while on work trip’ in US

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      A BRITISH FIFA official has been arrested in America after allegedly arranging to meet a 14-year-old boy for sex while on a work trip.Jack Edward Coles, 39, was detained by federal agents from Homeland Security Investigations at a hotel near FIFA’s offices in Coral Gables, Miami.Jack Edward Coles, 39, was arrested after allegedly arranging to meet a 14-year-old boy for sexCredit: InstagramColes is now facing federal charges of enticement of a minor and traveling to the United States with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minorCredit: BSOColes, a project leader with FIFA Sound — the organization’s music division — allegedly met the boy on the dating app Grindr last October and engaged in sexual activity with him at a hotel, reports the Miami Herald.He reportedly returned to Miami last week and attempted to meet the teen again, unaware that he was under federal investigation.FIFA confirmed it was aware of the case but stressed that the allegations were a “personal matter” unrelated to Coles’ work with the organisation.“FIFA is aware of ongoing legal proceedings in Miami. The alleged offenses are serious and of a personal matter with no link to his work at FIFA,” the world soccer body said in a statement Wednesday.Read more on football“The individual has been suspended with immediate effect and until further notice from all duties. FIFA has no further comment at this stage,” it said.The Miami Herald reports that Coles first contacted the teen via Instagram on October 10, asking him to visit him at the Hyatt Regency in Coral Gables. The boy told Coles he was 16, according to the complaint.The Brit initially responded that they would not have sex because of his age, writing: “I don’t want to break any laws.”Most read in FootballHowever, according to the arrest complaint, Coles allegedly later ordered an Uber to bring the boy to his hotel, bought him a White Claw alcoholic beverage, and engaged in sexual activity with him. Honduras slapped with final punishment decision after Mexico coach hit by beer can and left with blood pouring down face Afterwards, he allegedly messaged the teen, saying: “Can’t wait to see you again” and “You’re gonna be my Miami boyfriend by the way.”Coles returned to Zurich on October 21 but resumed contact with the boy in February, arranging to meet him again, reports the Miami Herald.What the Brit didn’t know was that the teenager had been in contact with federal investigators after their first encounter. On February 2, Coles messaged the boy again, saying: “I’m back Wednesday to Saturday So I see u.” This time, a Homeland Security agent took control of the boy’s Instagram account.The agent continued messaging Coles, who allegedly asked if he could record their next encounter and inquired about the boy’s grooming habits.On Friday, Coles arranged for an Uber to pick up what he believed was the boy at Dolphin Mall. Instead, a federal agent got into the car, which drove to Coles’ hotel, the Courtyard Miami Coral Gables.When Coles opened the door expecting the teenager, agents and police officers arrested him on Friday.According to the complaint, he was “naked, except for a shirt” at thetime.Coles was charged with enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activities and travelling to the US with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor. READ MORE SUN STORIESHe was initially booked into the Broward Sheriff’s Office jail but has since been released. It was not immediately clear whether he has legal representation. More

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      Real Madrid defender Raul Asencio investigated in child pornography case and could face up to five years in prison

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      REAL MADRID star Raul Asencio is set to face trial in a child pornography case.The defender is accused of disseminating images and a video of a minor and will stand trial in the Canary Islands.Raul Asencio is set to stand trial in a child pornography caseCredit: RexThree former Real Madrid reserve players are involved and claimed to have taken and recorded the content.Asencio, 21, is not deemed responsible for taking the images but he had access to them and is alleged to passed them onto others.It is claimed the players involved lied when they told the girls involved that the material had been deleted.Asencio reportedly requested to be left out of the trial but that has been denied by the court and if found guilty of disseminating child pornography he could be sentenced up to five years in prison.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThree former Real players – Ferran Ruiz, 21, Juan Rodriguez, 22, and Andres Garcia, 21 – were arrested in September 2023, with Asencio called to give testimony as a witness.After speaking to police Asencio became part of the investigation.A statement from Real Madrid at the time read: “Real Madrid wishes to announce that it has learned that a Castilla player and three Real Madrid C players have made statements to the Civil Guard in relation to a complaint about the alleged broadcasting of a private video via WhatsApp.”When the club has detailed knowledge of the facts, we will take the appropriate measures.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSA statement from the High Court of Justice of Gran Canaria in November read: “The judge is investigating four footballers linked to Real Madrid as alleged perpetrators of crimes of disclosure of secrets and dissemination of pornography.”Ascencio is in line to start against Liverpool at Anfield with Real facing a defensive injury crisis.Erling Haaland falls down in training as Man City prepare for Real Madrid clash They are without experienced stars Antonio Rudiger, Eder Militao and David Alaba. More

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      Chelsea star is found NOT guilty of racially abusing cop who she branded ‘f****** stupid and white’ after drunk cab row

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      CHELSEA star Sam Kerr has been found not guilty of racially abusing a cop after branding him “f***ing stupid and white” in a drunk row.The 31-year-old was out with her partner – fellow footballer Kristie Mewis – when one was sick in the cab and the other smashed a window.Sam Kerr has been cleared of racially aggravated harassmentCredit: PAThe footballer branded a cop ‘white and stupid’Credit: Central NewsShe was out with her fiance – fellow footballer Kristie Mewis – at the timeCredit: Instagram / samanthakerr20After the pair refused to pay a clean-up fee, the driver drove the pair to Twickenham Police station.Once there, Kerr was accused of becoming “abusive and insulting” towards PC Stephen Lovell.Footage showed the Australia international in the police station, saying: “Honestly, you guys are f***ing stupid and white”.Kerr, who is currently sidelined from Chelsea with an ACL injury, has now been found not guilty of causing racially aggravated harassment.She gave a thumbs up to her barrister as the verdict was returned following a day of deliberation.Kingston Crown Court heard the alleged verbal attack took place on January 30, 2023.Kerr denied using “whiteness as an insult” and believed she was treated differently “because of the colour of my skin”.She told jurors: “I believed it was him using his power and privilege over me because he was accusing me of being something I’m not. Most read in Football”I was trying to express that due to the power and privilege they had, they would never have to understand what we had just gone through and the fear we were having for our lives.”Asked if she was saying PC Lovell was “stupid because he was white”, Kerr said: “No.”Recalling the events leading up the rant, Kerr said she had put her head out of the taxi window when she began to feel sick.She claimed the driver then “rolled it up” and began to “drive dangerously” – causing her and Kristie to be “thrown around”.Kerr said this continued for 15 to 20 minutes – causing her to feel “terrified for my life”.She said there was “no reasoning” with the driver even after partner Kristie begged him to stop.Kerr added: “Everything was going through my mind about being in a car with a stranger I deemed to be dangerous.”Kristie was very distressed. She was crying and scared. I’ve never seen her like that before and it made me more scared.”I started to realise how serious the situation was. It put me in protective mode… he had the power over us.”We were not in control… I deemed him to be dangerous because of the driving but also because he could have taken us anywhere. He couldn’t be tracked so no one knew where we were.”Kerr said the pair tried to open the doors and windows multiple times but they remained locked.Eventually, Kristie “kicked out (the window) with her boot” which resulted in Kerr feeling “relieved”.Once she got to the police station, Kerr referenced Sarah Everard’s murder – telling the officer: “Look at what happened last year when a girl accepted a police officer’s help in Clapham and got raped and killed.”Prosecutor Bill Emlyn Jones KC said the police officer was left “shocked, upset and humiliated” by the comments.Matildas captain Kerr pleaded not guilty to racially aggravated harassment.The footballer has scored 99 goals in 128 matches since joining Chelsea in 2019.During her time there, the team has won four Women’s Super League titles, three FA Cups, two Women’s League Cups and the Women’s Community Shield.But the striker was crocked in January last year at the club’s warm weather training camp in Morocco.Kerr is her country’s all-time record goalscorer with 64 goals in 125 games for the Matildas.She has also been nominated for the Ballon d’Or Féminin – the top prize in women’s football – every year since its inception in 2018.READ MORE SUN STORIESKerr and fiancee Kristie got engaged last year and are expecting a baby together.The Chelsea star was accused of abusing a police officerCredit: GettyShe said she and Kristie were locked in the taxi following a rowCredit: PA More

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      in Boxing

      Olympics to be hit by legal action over Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting after Donald Trump’s ban on trans women in sport

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      THE International Olympic Committee is facing a lawsuit for allowing boxers Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-Ting to compete at the 2024 Olympics.The pair were at the centre of a heated gender row that dominated the Paris Games.Imane Khelif’s participation at the 2024 Olympics caused controversy as she allegedly failed a gender eligibility test 18 months earlierCredit: APTaiwan’s Lin Yu-Ting was also said to have failed the same testCredit: AFPImane Khelif won Under-66kg goldCredit: REUTERSLin Yu-Ting won gold in the 57kg finalCredit: AFPBoth competed at the Games 18 months after being disqualified from the Women’s World Championships for allegedly failing a gender eligibility test.Tests administered by the International Boxing Association are said to have determined that Khelif and Yu-Ting have male XY chromosomes.The IOC, however, permitted the pair to compete – much to the frustration of the IBA.And in light of Donald Trump’s executive order preventing transgender women from competing in female sports in the USA, the Russian-backed organisation has decided to take legal action against the IOC.READ MORE MORE BOXING NEWSA snippet of a statement read: “In light of the gender eligibility issues surrounding boxers in 2022 and 2023, the IBA proactively conducted all necessary testing and subsequently banned individuals deemed ineligible from participating in women’s competitions.”Despite notifying the IOC about the disqualification of Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting, the IOC disregarded this critical information, allowing both athletes to compete in the Qualifiers and ultimately at the 2024 Olympics, where they secured gold medals, denying opportunities to deserving female athletes.”As a result, IBA is filing an official complaint with the Attorney General of Switzerland, Mr Stefan Blatter, regarding the IOC’s actions that facilitated the participation of these ineligible athletes in the 2024 Olympic boxing tournament in Paris.”According to the Swiss law, any action or inaction that poses a safety risk to competition participants warrants investigation and may serve as grounds for criminal prosecution.Most read in BoxingImane Khelif’s 46-second victory over Angela Carini turned into a global talking pointCredit: REX”In addition, similar complaints are to be filed with the Attorneys General of France and the USA.”IBA chief Umar Kremlev said: “President Trump’s order to ban transgender athletes from women’s sport validates IBA’s efforts to protect the integrity of female sports.Gender row boxer Imane Khelif ‘names Elon Musk & JK Rowling in Olympics cyberbullying lawsuit'”Our actions aim to ensure gender equality in boxing.”We urge other International Federations to follow IBA’s example, as we are uniquely positioned to address this issue and advocate for our athletes’ rights.”He added: “IBA will provide free-of-charge comprehensive legal support to our boxers in these lawsuits.”As this is a clear violation of human rights, an outrage towards the female boxers, and simply a crime that should be punished accordingly.”In my personal opinion, Thomas Bach should take the full responsibility for this, as he was in charge when it happened.”And he needs to compensate the damages caused, if the court or any other instance rules this.”Khelif, who won Under-66kg gold, received a barrage of hate after forcing Italy’s Angela Carini to quit a mere 46 seconds into their opening bout.Multiple erroneous reports, most from social media, claimed she was a biological man.Imane Khelif has launched legal action against Elon Musk and JK Rowling for alleged “aggravated cyber-harassment”Credit: ALAMYKhelif has taken legal action against several prominent figures for alleged “aggravated cyber-harassment”, including Elon Musk and JK Rowling.Reflecting on her ordeal, she told El Birard: “Immediately after there was a big uproar from big politicians around the world, athletes around the world.”And even artists and stars, Elon Musk, Trump.. this thing….. that affected me.”I am not lying to you, it affected me. It affected me a lot, hurt me a lot. I can’t describe to you the amount of fear I had.”The scenario was very scary. Thank god, all the people of Algeria and the Arab world knew Imane Khelif with her femininity, her courage, her will.”Honestly, I don’t like to get into politics in sports, but they got into politics in sports.READ MORE SUN STORIES”Sports and politics are two separate things. “These politicians who are oppressing me, they don’t have the right to say that I’m a transgender.” More

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      in Motorsport

      Ex-champion motorbike racer jailed for rape of girl, 7, as judge slams sexual predator for taking ‘no responsibility’

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      A FORMER motorbike champion has been slammed by a judge for not taking responsibility as he was jailed for the rape of a 7-year-old girl.Connor Behan, 33, denied all charges against him before he was found guilty of rape, sexual assault and engaging in sexual activity in front of a child.Connor Behan has been jailed for 18 years over after being found guilty of rape, sexual assault, and engaging in sexual activity in front of a childCredit: SWNSThe former Isle of Man TT rider came to the attention of police in 2022, after the victim reported him to her teacherCredit: AlamyBehan, of Newcastle-Under-Lyme, sexually assaulted the victim on multiple occasions starting in May 2019, when she was just seven-years-old, the jury heard.They endured physical and psychological suffering from the abuse according to prosecutor Mark Connor. Following the week-long trial, Judge Michael Leeming stated: “You accept no responsibility for your actions and you continue to deny them but I cannot accept it.”You have no awareness, you have no empathy, and there is an element of victim-blaming throughout your pre-sentence report.”Read more SportBehan became an Irish road race super twin champion in 2014 and was active in the circuit from 2004 and 2015. He was jailed for 18 years and handed a restraining order at Chester Crown Court on Friday following years of abuseThe former Isle of Man TT rider came to the attention of police in 2022, after the victim reported him to her teacher.Using a seminal detection dog, police found traces of the disgraced rider’s semen on a blanket owned by the victim.Most read in MotorsportDenying all charges, he was found guilty of rape, sexual assault, and engaging in sexual activity in front of a child following a week-long trial last year.A victim statement said: “As a result of it I cannot be close to anyone.”It affects everything and I take it out on my family and on my friends.”Defending, Adam Watkins said Behan had an issue with drinking and drug-taking due to the death of his father.He added: “It does not explain or excuse his conduct but it is an idea of his difficulties at the time.”Behan will remain on the Sex Offenders Register for the rest of his life.Following the verdict, DS Scott Graves said: “Firstly, I would like to commend the victim who is now just 10 years old, for her bravery and courage shown throughout this investigation and trial. Sadly there are no winners in this case, however I truly hope this result will provide her closure.”Behan sexually abused his victim for a sustained period of time – he showed no remorse, denying everything throughout the investigation.”Thankfully, the jury were able to see through his lies, and he will finally be held accountable for what he’s done.READ MORE SUN STORIES”I hope this result will allow the victim to eventually move on with her life, now that Behan will be unable to hurt her ever again.”Behan was found unanimously guilty for the string of abhorrent offences at Chester Crown Court last December where he was also found not guilty of an additional count of sexual assault by touching of a child under 13. More