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      Ex-Chelsea and Arsenal star Lassana Diarra’s legal action against Fifa risks ‘anarchy’ and changing transfers forever

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      FORMER Premier League midfielder Lassana Diarra will learn the outcome of his legal battle with FIFA this week.The 39-year-old’s case stems from his time with Russian side Lokomotiv Moscow and a dispute over wages.Lassana Diarra will learn the outcome of his legal battle this weekCredit: RexThe case stemmed from his time with Lokomotiv MoscowCredit: GettyIn the summer of 2014, Diarra fell out with then-Lokomotiv manager Leonid Kuchuk.Club officials subsequently tried reducing his salary, suggesting it was justified due to his drop in performance.The Frenchman refused to accept the pay cut and eventually stopped attending training.Lokomotiv terminated his contract as a result and took the matter to FIFA.Read More in FootballThe football governing body banned Diarra before the Court of Aarbitration for Sport ordered him to pay €10.5million plus interest in compensation.Belgian club Royal Charleroi then made him an offer, subject to a guarantee they would not have to pay any additional compensation sought by Lokomotiv.But when they did not receive those guarantees, they withdrew the proposal.Diarra’s legal team argue this amounted to a restriction of trade and a breach of European labour law because Diarra was prevented from engaging in his profession.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSFIFA refused to issue the international transfer certificate (ITC) which Charleroi needed to register him.Diarra claims he played no role in talks between Lokomotiv and Anzhi Makhachkala, his former club, but still found himself blocked from resuming his career after being denied his ITC.Chelsea Player vs Brighton RatingsThe Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) will now determine whether FIFA’s refusal to issue the ITC was lawful or not.If it is not deemed lawful, FIFA may have to overhaul the whole ITC process.The football governing body could lose authority in the transfer market as a result, with clubs and players taking more control.Belgian sports law experts and academics Robby Houben, Oliver Budzinski and Melchior Wathelet suggested: “The likely practical outcome of Diarra will be that the transfer system in football, as we know it, will fall.”The Guardian also claim it could lead to “anarchy”.Diarra’s legal case is set to be concluded on Friday, October 4. More

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      Chris Eubank’s son Joseph found not guilty of dragging girl, 16, along beach and raping her

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      CHRIS Eubank’s son has been found not guilty of dragging a teen girl across a beach and raping her.Joseph Eubank, 27, was accused of attacking the 16-year-old near Brighton Pier on July 16, 2022.Joseph Eubank has been cleared of raping a teen girlCredit: Dan Jessup / Eddie MitchellHe then allegedly messaged her, saying: “Hey pup, are you ready for round two?”Eubank was today found not guilty to two counts of rape following a trial.Lewes Crown Court was told the girl had been out celebrating a birthday with friends before they became separated.She said she was “very drunk”, had lost her phone and was desperately trying to find it to call her friends.Eubank then approached the teen girl, who was stood near the seafront, because he found her attractive.He allegedly dragged her down across the pebbled beach under the pretence of “going to look at the moon”.She claimed in her evidence that he became “aggressive” and forced himself on her near the water,The distraught girl said she managed to call a friend and was found “hysterical, confused and very upset” a short time later.Most read in BoxingEubank admitted he engaged in sexual activity with the alleged victim but said it was “all very fluent and very consensual”.He also claimed the teen looked “completely sober” as they chatted near the beach.Following his acquittal, Judge Christine Laing KC told Eubank: “You need to reflect on what you did that night.”It was not decent behaviour in any way shape or form.”Joseph Eubank is the youngest son of Chris Eubank Sr, who held the WBO middleweight and super-middleweight titles between 1990 and 1995.His brother Chris Jr is also a professional boxer and has fought the likes of Billy Joe Saunders and George Groves.Eubank had claimed the sex was consensualCredit: Dan Jessup / Eddie MitchellEubank, left, with his boxer dad and brother Chris Jr More

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      Arsenal legend Lehmann fined £112k as he’s found guilty of property damage after chainsaw attack on neighbour’s garage

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      FORMER Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann has been found guilty of property damage and attempted fraud following a chainsaw attack on a neighbour’s garage.The German, 54, was fined £112,000 following the verdict at a court in Munich earlier today.Jens Lehmann was found guilty at a Munich courtCredit: APLehmann, 54, played for Arsenal between 2003 and 2011 across two stintsCredit: GettyLehmann had been accused of using a chainsaw to hack through the roof beams on his neighbour’s garage by Lake Starnberg, which is in the Bavaria region of Germany.The alleged incident was said to have taken place during the summer of 2022.He was initially found guilty last December, being slapped with a 10-month suspended prison sentence and ordered to pay more a fine worth more than £350,000.The former Gunner subsequently launched an appeal, as did Munich prosecutors.READ MORE ON ARSENALAccording to local reports in Germany, a deal was reached between prosecutors and Lehmann’s lawyers prior to the trial’s resumption this morning.Following this morning’s session, Lehmann’s legal representative Florian Ufer gave an update – with his client having also been on trial for alleged unpaid parking fees.He said: “Mr Lehmann accepts responsibility.”He has come to an agreement with his neighbour. The parking fees have been paid.”Most read in FootballLehmann’s initial £350,000 fine was reduced to around £112,000.He is also claimed to have paid his neighbour around £50,000 in order to close the matter.Arsenal chief executive Tim Lewis fails to shake hands with Manchester City’s top brass after dramatic Etihad drawFollowing the out-of-court settlement, criminal charges against Lehmann regarding the alleged chainsaw attack were dropped.A spokesperson for Munich District Court had said: “This is not the same as a confession.”The guilty verdict from the first instance was accepted and is therefore legally binding.”Now the question is how much the fine will be.”Lehmann played 200 times for Arsenal across two spells; between 2003 and 2008, and during a brief return in 2011.He was a member of the Gunners’ Invincibles side in the 2003-04 season, and won a further FA Cup under Arsene Wenger.Earlier this week it was revealed that Lehmann’s driver’s license was confiscated last Sunday.He had been in attendance at Oktoberfest while wearing lederhosen, and was later stopped by cops for alleged drink-driving.READ MORE SUN STORIESAccording to German outlet Bild, Lehmann was “staggering and smelled of alcohol”.Breath tests were abandoned with Lehmann “unable to blow” – with the ex-keeper instead taken to the police station for further testing.Lehmann was a member of Arsenal’s ‘Invincibles’ sideCredit: Getty More

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      Preston striker charged with biting Liverpool legend Ian Rush’s nephew and could face FOUR-MONTH ban

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      PRESTON striker Milutin Osmajic has been charged with biting Blackburn star Owen Beck during the Lancashire derby on Sunday.Osmajic now faces a potential FOUR-MONTH ban from football.Milutin Osmajic has been charged by the FA for allegedly biting Owen BeckCredit: GettyThe incident occurred in the final stages of the Lancashire derby on SundayCredit: GettyMilutin Osmajic has been charged by the FACredit: RexMontenegrin forward was charged with violent and/ or improper conduct by the FA on Wednesday.Osmajic is set to the punished for allegedly attempting to take a chunk out of Rovers defender Beck, the great-nephew of Liverpool legend Ian Rush.An FA spokesperson said: “Milutin Osmajic has been charged following Preston North End’s EFL Championship game against Blackburn Rovers on Sunday, 22 September.“It’s alleged that the forward committed an act of violent conduct by biting an opponent around the 87th minute.read more football news“Milutin Osmajic has until Monday, September 30, to provide a response.”Beck was sent off for kicking out at Duane Holmes in the same incident in the game at Deepdale.The former Dundee star was embroiled in a fierce melee with Preston players during their 0-0 clash on Sunday.Beck, who is on loan from Liverpool, was dismissed for a swipe at Holmes in the aftermath of Yuki Ohashi’s foul on Osmajic.Most read in FootballBeck was confronted by Osmajic after the Preston star was sent offCredit: PAA fierce brawl then kicked off in the Lancashire derbyCredit: PAFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSAn enraged Osmajic then jumped to his feet and grabbed Beck, barging him away with his head pressed into the back of his head.Beck, 22, furiously protested to referee Matthew Donohue that he had been bitten by Osmajic, who received a yellow card for his actions in the brawl.Blackburn boss John Eustace said in his post-match press conference: “Beck’s got a big bite mark on the back of his neck. He’s shown all the lads. He’s a little bit quiet, a little bit shook up.”The bad-tempered match earlier saw Preston’s Sam Greenwood sent off for a lunge at Rovers’ Lewis Baker.The punishment for biting another player is severe.In April 2013, former Liverpool ace Luis Suarez was handed a 10-match ban from football after he was found guilty of biting Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic.Luis Suarez was found guilty of biting Branislav Ivanovic in 2021 More

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      Anthony Joshua pleaded guilty to driving offence days before Daniel Dubois defeat and blamed it on ‘fatigue’

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      ANTHONY JOSHUA pleaded guilty to a driving offence just days before his crushing defeat to Daniel Dubois, according to reports.The former two-time unified heavyweight champion was reportedly slapped with a speeding charge in the build-up to his Wembley war with his old sparring partner.Anthony Joshua locked horns with Daniel Dubois in a Wembley war last weekendCredit: REUTERSThe Watford warrior suffered a crushing fifth-round KO loss to ‘Triple D’Credit: GETTYAJ reportedly pled guilty to guilty to a speeding fine days before the boutCredit: REUTERSAnd the Watford warrior is said to have pled guilty to the offence FOUR DAYS before his fifth-round TKO defeat to Triple D.The London Evening Standard claims AJ, 34, turned in a guilty plea online on September 17.He was permitted to submit his plea online and not in court as the Single Justice Procedure dealt with the case.The London 2012 gold medallist is said to have blamed the offence on the “physical and mental fatigue” from his latest training camp.READ MORE ON AJIn a letter of mitigation seen by the Evening Standard, he said: “I fully accept responsibility for my actions on May 29, 2024 and deeply regret my failure to adhere to the speed limits. “I understand the importance of road safety and am fully aware of the potential consequences of speeding, not only for myself but also for other road users.””My behaviour on that day was not excusable, and I take full ownership of my mistake. “I would, however, like to offer some context regarding the situation, not as an excuse. Most read in Boxing”But in the hope that the court may consider it when determining my penalty.Anthony Joshua confirms retirement decision following shock loss to Daniel Dubois as he sends video message to fans“I am a professional athlete, currently in the middle of a very intense training camp. “My schedule has been extremely demanding, and I was traveling to or from a training session at the time and date of the offense.“The physical and mental fatigue from my training may have clouded my judgment, leading to this lapse in concentration.“I recognise that such circumstances do not justify speeding, and I deeply regret allowing myself to make this error. “I have since made a very conscious effort to be more mindful of my speed and have been adhering strictly to all traffic laws.”AJ is now at a career crossroads following his demolition at the hands of IBF heavyweight king Dubois.Anthony Joshua insists retirement is NOT on the cards for himCredit: REUTERSHe was dropped a staggering FOUR TIMES on his way to being stopped in the fifth round, in which he hurt the defending champion.Fans and pundits alike have called for him to hang up his gloves and enjoy his millions in the bank.But AJ is still hell-bent on becoming a three-time heavyweight champion and insists retirement ISN’T on the cards.He said in his post-fight interview: “Before I came here, I’m always saying to myself, ‘I’m a fighter for life.READ MORE SUN STORIES”We rolled the dice at success and we came up short and we roll it again.”We keep rolling the dice.” More

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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