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    Former Barcelona star Dani Alves cleared of raping woman at nightclub after appeal

    DANI ALVES has been cleared of rape following a successful appeal. The former Barcelona star was sentenced to four-and-a-half years in prison after being found guilty of raping a woman in a Barcelona nightclub in December 2022.Dani Alves has won his appeal to have his rape conviction overturnedCredit: APHe was ordered to pay £130,000 to the victim and stay away from her for nine-and-a-half-years.Alves, who has been on bail since March last year, appealed the decision as he claimed the sex was consensual.The Catalan High Court of Justice have overturned his conviction over “inaccuracies and inconsistencies” that were found.A court statement read: “The Appeals Section of the Superior Court of Justice of Catalonia has unanimously upheld the appeal of footballer Dani Alves, who was sentenced by Section 21 of the Provincial Court of Barcelona to 4 years and 6 months in prison for a crime of sexual assault on a young woman in a Barcelona nightclub on December 31, 2022.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”The full bench of the Appeals Section, composed of judges María Angels Vivas, Roser Bach, Maria Jesus Manzano, and judge Manuel Álvarez, does not share the conviction expressed by the Barcelona Court and points out that its exposition contains ‘a series of gaps, inaccuracies, inconsistencies, and contradictions regarding the facts, the legal assessment, and its consequences.“The court thus dismisses the appeals of the prosecution – which requested the partial annulment of the sentence and, alternatively, an increase in the penalty to nine years – and of the private prosecution – which sought to raise the penalty to 12 years – and acquits the defendant, nullifying the precautionary measures imposed.”The appeal judges ruled Dani Alves’ accuser was an “unreliable complainant” as shown by video evidence and the fact she denied a sexual act had taken place which had been corroborated “with very high probability” by DNA tests.They added: “It cannot be concluded that the standards required by the presumption of innocence have been met.Most read in Football“The trial court’s ruling uses the term credibility as a synonym for reliability in its analysis, and it is not.“Credibility corresponds to a subjective belief, which cannot be verified, associated with the person giving the statement.“Reliability, on the other hand, pertains to the statement itself.”Alves’ mum Lucia Alves, who attended his rape trial and caused controversy by naming and picturing her son’s female accuser in a social media post she later removed, reacted today on Instagram.She posted a photo of the footballer with her and her husband and wrote: “Thank you my God for everything.”There has not yet been any comment from Alves or his model wife Joana Sanz, who gave the Brazil international a second chance despite admitting she was seeking a divorce following his arrest.The couple were pictured hand-in-hand in April last year in the first snap of them together in public after Alves’ trial.They also took advantage of their day out in the sunshine to eat at an exclusive restaurant in Barcelona city centre and go shopping.In January Tenerife-born Joana posted a photo taken in their car of them interlocking hands next to a bouquet of flowers.READ MORE SUN STORIESAlves was sacked by Mexican side UNAM Pumas following his arrest in Barcelona at the start of last year when he flew back to Spain to attend his mum-in-law’s funeral.He was held for more than 14 months on remand in prison and released with bail conditions which included an international travel ban and the obligation to sign on at court every Friday. More

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    Major update in probe into death of ex-Newcastle boss Steve Bruce’s grandson as cops rule tragedy an ‘accident’

    THE death of footie boss Steve Bruce’s grandson was a tragic accident, cops have ruled.Madison Smith was just four months old when found dead at home in October.Steve, above with his wife Janet, spoke for the first time about the heartbreaking lossCredit: Sportsfile – SubscriptionThe tot was the son of ex-Man United star Steve’s daughter Amy and her husband Matt Smith, who played for Fulham and Millwall.After Madison’s death, a woman in her 40s, who was working as a nanny, was arrested on suspicion of child neglect. But detectives have ruled it an accident and ended the investigation.Greater Manchester Police said: “While the circumstances are tragic, we don’t believe any criminality was linked to this death.”READ MORE ON STEVE BRUCEThis week, Blackpool FC manager Bruce spoke for the first time about the heartbreaking loss, saying “there’s still not a day where it doesn’t affect you”.He added: “It’s been the tragedy of all tragedies. “Anyone going through the same sort of grief, I feel for them.“It’s horrendous that a fine, young, healthy baby boy doesn’t wake up one morning. Most read in Football”We’ll never come to terms with that. It’s agony.”’I don’t do tactics’ – Former Newcastle star claims he had conversation with Steve Bruce that left him ‘in shock’The death of footie boss Steve Bruce’s grandson was a tragic accidentCredit: Getty More

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    ‘He’d beat me until I was sick’ – Jakob Ingebrigtsen’s troubling first day in court facing his father

    JAKOB INGEBRIGTSEN accused his father of sickening emotional and physical abuse during a harrowing first day in court.The two-time Olympic gold medallist, 24, claims that his father and former coach, Gjert, “controlled” him and his siblings.Jakob Ingrebrigtsen sits alongside his lawyer on day one of the trialCredit: AFPIngrebrigtsen, 24, has made a series of allegations against his fatherCredit: AlamyIngebrigtsen alleges that his father assaulted him several times during his childhood, and that the emotional toll of the abuse has affected him in his adult life.The middle and long-distance runner referred to his father “as the defendant” during day one of the trial – claiming his actions were “not worthy” of being called a father.Gjert, 59, denies the allegations.Recalling getting in trouble at school aged “seven or eight”, Ingebrigtsen told the courtroom in Sandnes, Norway: “I’m just standing in the kitchen and looking down at the ground.READ MORE IN SPORT”The defendant is standing over me and screaming at me. He hits me several times on the top of the head.”I try to protect myself from violence, before he takes my hands and puts them down on my side… to continue hitting me in the head.”I remember freezing and wanting it to be over. I was just paralysed.”On another alleged incident at a hotel, Ingebrigtsen added: “If I didn’t do as he did, he would come and shame me and beat me until I was sick.”Most read in AthleticsGjert Ingebrigtsen, who denies assaulting his children, in a courtroom sketchCredit: APJakob Ingrebrigtsen is a two-time Olympic gold medallistCredit: PAIt was also claimed that Gjert threatened to beat his son “to death” during an argument in a car.Ingebrigtsen has six siblings; Henrik, Filip, Kristoffer, Martin, Ingrid, and William.I was a reality TV star dubbed the ‘cardio Kim Kardashian’ – now I’m making my own way and targeting Olympic goldJakob, Henrik and Filip have gone to become professional athletes, with the family’s journey detailed in the documentary series “Team Ingebrigtsen” between 2016 and 2021.The trio split with their father as coach in 2022, and the following year made allegations against him public.During day one of the trial, Jakob claimed that they decided to do so in order to protect younger sister Ingrid, 19.He said: “The motive is to look after and help her as best we can, and take care of ourselves.”Try to get out of the difficult situations and the lives we have had. I can’t think of any other motives than that.”‘SABOTAGE’Ingebrigtsen claimed that he had witnessed Ingrid being struck in the face with a wet towel in 2022 for not wanting to become a professional athlete like her older brothers.It was alleged that Gjert threatened to “sabotage” his sons careers when they split with him as coach three years ago.Asked about the toll of his father’s behaviour by the prosecutor, Ingebrigtsen said: “I definitely think it affected the way I was able to be a child.”I always looked over my shoulder and thought about the possible consequences of what I did.When I got a girlfriend and wife, it was difficult to have a life togetherJakob Ingebrigtsen”As a teenager, I realised that the less I did, the safer I was. I became very conscious about showing emotions and ended up not doing it. To protect myself.”I now struggle a lot with letting people in and trusting me. When I got a girlfriend and wife, it was difficult to have a life together.”You have to show feelings and be there for each other. Be a person who contributes to the family. It’s difficult when I’ve lived a life with a lot of stress.”Ingebrigtsen is married to childhood sweetheart Elisabeth Asserson.When they wanted to move in together aged 18, Jakob claims that his father called them “terrorists”.Gjert did not attend their wedding in 2023, although their mother Tone was present.’CHARACTERISED BY FEAR’On how he was raised, Ingebrigtsen said: “My upbringing was very much characterised by fear.”Everything was controlled and decided for me. There was an enormous amount of manipulation.”As a teenager I felt I had no free will or say in anything.”READ MORE SUN STORIESThe trial is expected to last around two months.Gjert is scheduled to give evidence next week. More

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    Diego Maradona’s bodyguard who was with legend on day he died ARRESTED in ‘house of horrors’ case over star’s death

    DIEGO Maradona’s former bodyguard has been arrested in the investigation into the player’s death.His final days have been described in court as a “House of Horrors”, and now Julio Cesar Coria — who worked closely with Diego — has been detained after a dramatic twist in the trial of seven medics accused over the star’s care.Diego Maradona’ s former bodyguard, Julio Cesar Coria (R), has been arrested on suspicion of perjuryThe Argentinian star died in November 2020Credit: GettyCoria is escorted at the San Isidro court in San Isidro, Buenos Aires provinceCredit: AFPA trial over Maradona’s death involved the chief prosecutor showing the court a very graphic image of the footballerCredit: Canal CBAProsecutor Patricio Ferrari accused Coria of lying under oath, prompting trial judges to order his immediate arrest.He had given evidence as a witness at the ongoing trial, which started on March 11 and is set to continue until the summer.Coria, 48, had worked with Maradona for five years and was with him at the house in Tigre, near Buenos Aires, where he died of heart failure on November 25, 2020.He attempted mouth-to-mouth resuscitation as the Napoli star lay unresponsive in bed.Read more on Maradona’s trialCoria had been called as a witness due to his close relationship with the star – but Ferrari told the court he falsely claimed he hadn’t spoken to Diego’s doctor, Leopoldo Duque, before the death and wasn’t a friend of his.WhatsApp messages revealed the pair had discussed Maradona’s health and even arranged a barbecue.Coria also reportedly failed to mention in his initial statement that psychiatrist Agustina Cosachov had attempted CPR — only to later claim she had on the witness stand.Judges ordered his arrest following a brief recess.Most read in FootballHe was later seen being driven away in a patrol car, handcuffed in the back seat.Luque, Cosachov, and five other health workers are on trial for homicide with possible intent, a charge carrying up to 25 years behind bars.Diego Maradona’s daughter fights back tears as she says family live in fear of mafia ahead of trial into his death They include nurses Ricardo Almiron, Nancy Forlini, and Mariano Perroni; psychologist Carlos Diaz; and doctor Pedro Di Spagno.An eighth person, nurse Gisella Dahiana Madrid, will be tried separately later this year.The case was initially treated as manslaughter, but was reclassified to homicide after a damning medical board report found Maradona’s team had acted “inadequately, deficiently and recklessly.”To convict, the court must find the medics acted in a way they knew could kill — and did nothing to stop it.Ferrari told the court at the start of their trial Diego spent the last days of his life in a ‘House of Horrors’ after he left hospital and agreed to home care.During opening arguments, Ferrari held up a photo of Maradona lying in bed with a bloated stomach under a lifted black T-shirt and told the courtroom: “This is the way he died.”Luque, who denies wrongdoing, broke down in tears days after Maradona’s shock death following a search of his home near Buenos Aires.He claimed: “If I’m responsible for anything when it comes to Diego, it was loving him, caring for him, improving his life to the end and extending it.”Doctor Leopoldo Luque (C) during the trial for the death of Diego MaradonaCredit: APPsychologist Carlos Angel Diaz (C-R) during the trial at the San Isidro courtCredit: AFPAfter his death, it emerged Maradona had been buried without his diseased heart – which, at 503 grams, weighed almost double that of a normal heart for a man his age.Doctor and journalist Nelson Castro said at the time part of the reason had been to prevent obsessed fans from stealing it.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe first court session was streamed live online but it was subsequently decided not to continue with that policy.Maradona’s daughter Jana today told the court during her evidence her sisters Dalma and Gianinna had wanted to get their dad admitted to a clinic before his death but said Leopoldo Luque had rejected the idea.Fans crowding next to the hearse carrying the late football legend Diego Armando MaradonaCredit: AFPMaradona’s daughters Dalma and Gianinna, arriving at the courthouse on March 11, 2025Credit: Getty More

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    Disgraced Joey Barton GUILTY of pushing wife to ground then kicking her in head as their kids slept upstairs

    DISGRACED Joey Barton has been found guilty of shoving his wife to the ground and kicking her in the head as their kids slept upstairs.The former footballer attacked Georgia Barton at their home in Kew, South West London, after a drunken night with two other couples.Joey Barton has been found guilty of attacking wife GeorgiaCredit: PAThe ex-footballer, pictured today, shoved his wife to the groundCredit: PABarton, 42, has now been found guilty of assault following a trial at Westminster Magistrates’ Court.The court heard Barton and Georgia, who are still married, had both drunk “four or five bottles of wine” before the sickening attack.The ex-Man City star threatened to fight his wife’s brother and father in a “verbal disagreement about a family matter”.Barton then “grabbed [Georgia] and pushed her to the ground and kicked her in the head”.Read more newsAs a friend tried to intervene, Barton “threw” him off and said “don’t disrespect me”.Georgia, who was left with a lump on her forehead and a bleeding nose, called police shortly after 11pm to “report she had been hit by her husband”.During a tearful 999 call played to the court, she said: “Me husband’s just hit me in the house.”He’s in the house, I’m outside.”Most read in FootballAsked if anything similar had happened before, she said: “No, it’s the first time,” adding that she had been hit “in the face”.When police arrived at around 11:30pm, Georgia told them: “I’ve been pushed down and kicked about and stuff.”He said he was going to fight with my brother and my dad.”Barton was arrested at about midnight in his bedroom, where he had been asleep, and was still drunk.Giving evidence, Barton admitted he had drunk “six to eight” drinks when the alleged attack unfolded.He told the court there had been a “disagreement” and he “stupidly took me mate’s side”.Barton continued: “We just got into petty name calling.”We ended up getting a bit more agitated and were close to each other.”The former footballer admitted he was someone that “on occasion” might lose his temper.But he denied the claims against him, saying: “If I kicked someone in the head there would be a lot more damage than what’s alleged in this case.”In her own evidence, Georgia told the court she and her husband had been “nose to nose” at one point but had not come to blows.She claimed she felt a “collision” to her head that “stunned me and made me fall backwards”.Georgia, who said she had drunk a lot of wine that day, added: “It couldn’t have been Joe, he was too far away.”Barton was due to face trial in 2022 after pleading not guilty to assault by beating but this was halted when Georgia retracted her claims.The High Court ruled last year that the trial could go ahead and that the previous decision to drop the case was “wrong in principle”.Barton married his childhood sweetheart in a lavish ceremony in 2019 at a country house in Oxfordshire.The couple have two children together – a son born in 2011 and a daughter born in 2014.Barton started his football career with Manchester City in 2002 after going through their youth system and went on to make 150 appearances for the club.He then moved to Newcastle United in a £5.8million transfer in July 2007 before leaving for Queens Park Rangers in August 2011.The midfielder was then put on loan to French side Marseille during the 2012-13 season before making his way to Burnley for one season – helping promote them to the Premier League.Barton made one appearance for England in 2007 – despite criticising some of his fellow players.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe footballer later attempted a management career with stints at Fleetwood Town and Bristol Rovers.Barton denied a single charge of assault and will be sentenced later.He attacked his wife, seen with Barton in 2011, after drinking up to five bottles of wineCredit: Getty – ContributorBarton married childhood sweetheart Georgia in 2019Credit: Instagram / Georgia McneilHe had denied a single count of assaultCredit: Alamy More

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    Marcus Rashford fined almost £800 for another motoring offence while banned from roads

    MARCUS Rashford has been fined almost £800 over more driving offences – while he was banned from getting behind the wheel.The Aston Villa ace, on loan from Man United, failed to give Cheshire Police information about who was driving his £100,000 electric BMW I7 motor on October 30 last year.Marcus Rashford has been fined almost £800 over more driving offences – while he was banned from getting behind the wheelCredit: GettyRashford, 27, was banned from driving at the time after being clocked at 104mph on a motorway in December 2023.The grey BMW was clocked in sleepy Winsford, Cheshire, on October 30 last year.Later that day, he started in Man United’s 5-2 win over Leicester in the League Cup.Cops sent the star a letter asking him to identify who was driving as they were “alleged to have been guilty of an offence”.Read More on SportHe pleaded guilty to failing to respond at Warrington magistrates’ court through the single justice procedure on March 13.It means it is still unclear who was driving the car.The £350,000-a-week ace was fined £500, and must cough up £200 in surcharges and £90 in costs, which he must pay by April 10.He was also given six penalty points on his license.Most read in FootballThe incident is the latest in a string of driving woes for Rashford, whose speeding driving ban only ended on January 18, after an undercover car clocked him going more than 30mph above the speed limit on the M60.And we told on Sunday how his Rolls-Royce had to be towed off a motorway following a tyre blow-out on Friday.’That was missing’ – Brutally blunt Thomas Tuchel reveals disappointment in Rashford and Foden’s England performancesThe winger was on England duty when the car broke down on the M60, leaving it stranded for an hour. It is not known who was driving. More

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    Kyle Walker’s wife Annie Kilner pleads guilty to having mobile phone behind wheel of her £70,000 Mercedes

    KYLE Walker’s estranged wife Annie Kilner has been fined £198 after pleading guilty to not having proper control of her £70,000 Mercedes.The Wag, whose case was heard at Chester magistrates court this afternoon, was spotted at the wheel with her mobile phone in her hand last summer.Annie Kilner did not appear at court for the hearingCredit: SplashKilner pleaded guilty to the driving offenceCredit: Dan CharityKyle Walker’s estranged wife accepted she was behind the wheel while not being in control of a £70,000 MercedesCredit: BackGridShe was stopped by police in Cheshire at around 8.30pm on June 8 2024 as love rat Walker prepared to go away with the England squad for the Euros.Kilner, 32, was on her way to collect their four children when she was clocked with the device in one hand, and the other on the wheel, the court heard.She was due to stand trial, but instead did not attend and pleaded guilty via her barrister Nick Ross.As well as fining her, magistrates also imposed three penalty points on her driving licence.The charges stated the driver was “in such a position that she could not have proper control of the car”.Kilner was also charged with using a phone at the wheel but it was withdrawn.Michael O’Kane, prosecuting, said PC David O’Connor pulled her over at traffic lights on Bollington Lane in Alderley Edge, and said in a statement that he “suspected that the lady was talking to someone on her mobile phone”.Mr O’Kane continued: “He observed the driver, Miss Kilner, she had her mobile phone in her left hand with the other hand on the steering wheel.Most read in Football”The officer then pursued and stopped the vehicle and engaged in conversation with the defendant.”She said, ‘My kids are at padel’ and that she was late.”Kyle Walker’s wife Annie Kilner set to get £750k to star in Celeb Big Brother – but only if bosses agree to strict ruleThe court heard a not guilty plea had initially been entered.But Mr Ross said she admitted the offence of not having proper control of her vehicle, rather than the offence of driving whilst using a mobile phone.He said the police officer suspected she may have been talking to someone on the phone but did not see her lips moving and she did not have the phone to her ear.He added: “This was a low-speed incident, an unremarkable incident and the defendant was on her way to collect her four children on that evening in question and she apologises for the offence.”Chair of the magistrates bench, Jean Bamford, imposed a fine of £198, with £400 costs and a £79 victim surcharge.She added: “Three points will go on her driving licence, that makes nine points. She will have to drive very carefully from now on.”The court heard she already has six points on her licence after exceeding a 30mph limit and for a traffic signal offence.Kilner faces a ban under “totting up rules” if she accumulates 12 points.The latest offence came months after Kilner and Walker, 34, had their fourth child and two days before the Three Lions ace flew to Germany.Kilner previously discovered her love-rat partner had fathered a second child with social media personality Lauryn Goodman.READ MORE SUN STORIESShe denied the driving charge in November.Her hearing is hours before Walker plays for England against ­Latvia at Wembley. More

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    Football club stunned to learn captain, 24, has been jailed saying it knew nothing about his arrest or case

    A football club were shocked as a key player was JAILED — after only learning of his case on the day of his sentencing.Barry Town were stunned to discover midfielder Evan Press had been sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison after pleading guilty to the supply of Class A drug cocaine.Evan Press was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison for drug offencesCredit: WNSEvan Press leading out Barry Town for a match. He was secretly living life as a drug dealer.Credit: AlamyThe midfielder played for Barry Town while his trial was ongoingCredit: WNSPress had been arrested, charged and pleaded guilty in Newport Crown Court on February 11 without his club’s knowledge.He proceeded to play in Barry Town’s next three matches, including a 2-1 win over Aberystwyth Town in the Welsh Premier League.But he was absent from this weekend’s game against Flint Town after being jailed.Barry Town revealed they did not have any idea about his arrest or trial until 30 minutes after the judge made their decision.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLPress’ offence is understood to have been committed between February 2021 and November 2023 in Cardiff.He was a Barry Town player throughout that period and even captained the club on occasion, including 19 times this season.A Barry Town spokesperson re-affirmed the club’s commitments to their family values as they denied knowing about the case before the day of sentencing.A spokesperson told Wales Online: “Being brutally honest we only heard about this on the day he was sentenced. He had never told us. Most read in Football”We were unaware until half an hour after the sentencing on March 19 when we were contacted by a family member.”Since the sentencing we’ve heard bits about the case but we don’t have all the information. We have been processing the news. It is a real shock.”Evan is a wonderful young man. He’s been part of our club for seven years. He has made a mistake and my understanding is it happened some time ago. “We are a family club who want our players to be role models. This was news to us.”Press, 24, has played for Barry Town since 2018 and has made 187 appearances for the club, scoring 11 goals.Fans were stunned to discover Evans was leading a secret life as a cocaine dealerCredit: Wales News Service More