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    I survived an assassination attempt after being shot, I’m not afraid of Tyson Fury and will KO him, says Mahmoud Charr

    MIRACLEMAN Mahmoud Charr refuses to be intimidated by Tyson Fury – having overcome far more devastating fights in his life. The Germany-based, Lebanon-born Syrian is in talks to face Fury in December, after negotiations with Anthony Joshua broke down.
    Mahmoud Charr still bares the scars of his assassination attemptCredit: Instagram
    Mahmoud Charr was shot four times in 2015Credit: Instagram
    Charr at one point was considered the forgotten man of the heavyweight division, despite remarkably escaping death.
    The 37-year-old survived an assassination attempt in 2015 and amazingly returned to the ring nine months later.
    So he finds it fitting comeback king Fury – who beat depression to win back the world title – wants to fight him.
    Charr told SunSport: “Fury, the Gypsy King, and me, the Arab King, have one thing in common: we both never give up.
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    “Fury had severe depression, wanted to take his own life. My life was almost taken. I survived a shot in the stomach.
    “I decided to have two hip operations in one evening. After that, I became a world champion.
    “Fury and I are ambassadors for never giving up, believing in yourself and fighting for your dreams. A person without a dream has no life.”
    Even before Charr was shot four times in the stomach, he had to overcome hardship, fleeing from civil war that claimed his father’s life.

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    The boxer spent time in prison in his teenage years, before turning his life around with a career in the ring.
    Charr said: “I survived a bullet in the Libyan civil war when I was four years old. I lost my father in that war.
    “In Germany, I spent a total of three or four years in prison. I had a very hard life, had no money.
    “I was always on the street, having to struggle, fight my way through life.
    “Finally, it was martial arts that taught me discipline and made me a better person.
    “Yes, I have experienced a lot. The abdominal shot I mentioned, the bilateral hip surgery.
    “I am probably the only professional athlete who is still active with two artificial hip joints and plays so far above.”
    Youssef Hassan was given five years in prison for shooting Mahmoud CharrCredit: Alamy
    Mahmoud Charr returned to boxing after surviving the shootingCredit: Instagram
    Charr was 28–4 when his life was almost taken from him, following a cowardly assault from a Facebook troll.
    The attacker had been provoking the fighter online, posing videos of his losses on social media.
    But when Charr offered to face the man behind the screen in person, he was subject to a drive-by shooting in a kebab shop in Essen.
    He miraculously survived and lived to see his shooter, Youssef Hassan, sentenced to five years in prison.
    Charr had two tune-ups fights afterwards but later needed a double replacement, undergoing surgery in 2017 at the age of just 32.
    The same year, he went on to win the WBA’s secondary world title and has won his last five bouts.
    Charr’s biggest fight to date was a 2012 loss to Vitali Klitschko, but challenging for Fury’s WBC crown would top that.
    And despite the British star’s unbeaten record and fine winning-form, Charr remains unnerved, after conquering much more outside the ring.
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    He said: “I am not afraid of anyone.
    “Fear is a feeling and feelings can be controlled. Fear exists only in your mind.
    “Everyone who knows me knows that I would even fight a T-Rex. I will knock out Tyson Fury in four rounds.”
    Tyson Fury turned to Mahmoud Charr as talks with Anthony Joshua collapsedCredit: Jamie McPhilimey
    Mahmoud Charr has won his last five fightsCredit: Instagram
    The heavyweight has a deal to fight Tyson FuryCredit: Instagram More

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    Italy asks Brazil to extradite ex-Man City star Robinho to serve nine-year prison sentence for rape

    ITALY’S justice ministry has asked Brazilian authorities to extradite former Manchester City star Robinho so he can serve a nine-year prison sentence in relation to rape.The disgraced former ex-striker lost his final appeal against a conviction for gang rape back in January.
    Italy’s justice ministry has asked Brazil to extradite former Manchester City star Robinho to serve jail term for rapeCredit: PA:Press Association
    The rape of the Albanian woman took place on her 23rd birthday at a Milan nightclub in 2013 while he was playing for AC Milan.
    Robinho and five others were found guilty in 2017.
    The conviction was confirmed by an appeals court in 2020 and the verdict, which sentenced the 38-year-old to nine years behind bars, by the Supreme Court in Rome.
    That means that ruling cannot be challenged and is definitive.
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    Robinho, whose full name is Robson de Souza, lives in Brazil. 
    Now ESPN reports that The Ministry of Justice of Italy have today requested the extradition of Robinho from Brazil, where he is currently living.
    They have also asked for the extradition of his friend Ricardo Falco, who was one of those involved in the incident.
    The other four people involved have not been traced by Italian authorities and have therefore not been prosecuted.
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    However, the Brazilian Constitution does not allow Brazilians to be extradited from their homeland. 
    Robinho, who scored 28 goals in 100 games for his country, played for clubs including Real Madrid, Manchester City and AC Milan, and signed a contract in 2020 to return to his very first club in Brazil, Santos.
    However, the deal almost immediately fell apart after sponsors reportedly threatened to cut ties with the club for signing a player convicted of rape.
    At the previous appeal Robinho did admit to having “contact” with the woman, but called it “consensual”.
    He claimed after he left, his friends also had consensual sexual intercourse with the woman – while adding he can’t speak for them.
    Key evidence used to convict the former Real Madrid star involved intercepted phone calls between Robinho and his friends.
    It’s claimed Robinho said the woman “was completely drunk”.
    But Robinho’s legal team stated the messages were mistranslated into Italian. More

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    Boxer David Haye arrives to face trial after ‘assaulting man’ at Hammersmith Apollo

    FORMER boxer David Haye has today arrived at court where he is due to stand trial charged with assaulting a man at a gig.The 41-year-old former cruiserweight and heavyweight world champion allegedly attacked Nickesh Jhala at the Hammersmith Apollo.
    David Haye is due to stand trial todayCredit: PA
    Haye was later arrested and charged as he stepped off a plane at Heathrow Airport in June.
    The alleged attack took place on October 30, 2021.
    Haye has arrived at Westminster Magistrates’ Court charged with assault.
    He will give evidence at the two-day trial, which will hear from nine witnesses in total.
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    Haye is one of Britain’s most successful boxers – with a record 28 victories and just four defeats in his career.
    He spent time as both cruiserweight and heavyweight champion of the world before retiring in 2018.
    Haye made a one-fight comeback in September 2021, defeating good friend Joe Fournier in an exhibition clash.
    In 2012, the boxer appeared on I’m a Celebrity and came third.
    Haye is one of the UK’s most successful boxersCredit: PA
    He became a unified cruiserweight world champion in 2008Credit: AFP
    He then claimed the WBA title in 2009 after moving up to heavyweight statusCredit: Getty More

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    Premier League international arrested on suspicion of raping two women has bail extended

    A PREMIER League footballer under investigation for two alleged rapes has had his bail extended by the Met Police.The player is accused of raping two women in separate attacks, one in June this year and one in April 2021.
    The star was arrested on suspicion of rape in JulyCredit: Getty
    The international star, 29, was arrested at his North London home on suspicion of rape in July after an alleged victim came forward.
    She claimed she was raped during a sunshine break in the Mediterranean in June.
    The alleged victim fled her five-star resort and flew home to her friends and family.
    She spoke to police on her return to the UK and attended a police station to make a full statement.
    She showed detectives photos that she claimed highlighted bruising on her body after the alleged attack.
    After his initial arrest he was later re-arrested on suspicion of two more counts from April and June 2021.
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    Cops later decided not to pursue the latter of those two accusations.
    He was bailed to August, which was then extended to this month and has now been extended again.
    A magistrates court is likely to approve the extension and confirm the bail conditions next week.
    It was previously reported that his club knew of the accusations last autumn, but that the player continued to play last season and has been a regular in 2022-23.
    He was also reportedly due to play in the World Cup in Qatar next month.
    The club confirmed in July that it would select him until further notice and that he would not be suspended.
    Neither the club nor the player are being named for legal reasons.
    A statement from The Met said: “On 4 July, a 29-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of rape and taken into custody.
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    “While in custody, he was further arrested on suspicion of two incidents of rape that were alleged to have been committed in April and June of 2021 against a different woman in her 20s.
    “The man was bailed until a date in early October but his bail has since been extended further – an exact date has yet to be confirmed.” More

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    Steven Gerrard’s daughter Lilly, 18, finds love with son of villain linked to crime cartel

    STEVEN Gerrard’s daughter Lilly has found love with the son of a villain linked to a notorious crime cartel.Influencer Lilly, 18, has been seeing Lee Byrne, 23, since around April.
    Lilly Gerrard has recently returned from a holiday to Ibiza with her boyfriend
    Influencer Lilly Gerrard has been seeing Lee Byrne for the last few monthsCredit:
    Lilly is said to be a frequent visitor to Lee’s apartment in Formby
    The pair enjoyed a sun-soaked holiday in Ibiza this summer, said to be there at the same time with friends, and have shared photos online including one of Lee kissing her on the head.
    Another snap shows Lee relaxing on a private jet as he and Lilly — who has nearly 200,000 followers on Instagram — returned home to the UK in style last week from a trip.
    There is no suggestion either are involved with the gang or any criminality.
    Lilly’s former England and Liverpool star dad Steven, 42, was last week pictured alongside Lee’s dad Liam, 41, on a video call.
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    Byrne Snr is a close associate of Irish businessman Daniel Kinahan, who has been linked to killings in the UK, money laundering and a multi-million pound drug smuggling racket.
    Byrne Snr’s links to the Kinahan cartel emerged in Ireland’s High Court in 2018 when it was claimed that he was at “the very top tier” of organised crime.
    Lawyers told the court Byrne was a “close and trusted associate and lieutenant” of Kinahan.
    Lee had his own brush with the law in January when he was given a warning by Merseyside Police for crashing his £80,000 BMW M3 on the M62.
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    Friends say he and Lilly enjoy going on dates and she has been a frequent visitor to his apartment in Formby.
    The pair have also been spotted at a coffee bar.
    In one image she shared online, Lilly showed off Lee’s initials on one of her fingernails, while in snaps of them together she has covered his face with a love heart emoji.
    The pair were also spotted taking the Gerrard family’s two dogs Barney and Blondie for a walk in Formby.
    Last week, a video emerged of Aston Villa manager Gerrard with Byrne Snr sat together in a bar in Ibiza.
    It is not known how the pair met but during the video call, Gerrard offered to take a Liverpool fan to “see the Reds” as Byrne sits next to him and smiles.
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    Byrne then offered to arrange a dinner with Gerrard and the fan at Byrne’s home in the UK.
    Gerrard’s reps were contacted for comment.
    Lilly celebrated as dad Steven led Rangers to win the Scottish Premiership title in 2021Credit: INSTAGRAM/ LILLY.GERRARDD
    Lilly Gerrard has more than 200,000 followers on InstagramCredit: Instagram
    Lilly’s dad Steven played football for Liverpool and EnglandCredit: instagram
    Lilly and Lee enjoyed a sun-soaked holiday in Ibiza this summerCredit: Instagram
    Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard has recently had contact with Byrne SrCredit: Getty More

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    AFC Fylde manager James Rowe RESIGNS from National League club after being charged with sexual assault

    AFC Fylde manager James Rowe has resigned from the non-league club.The ex-Chesterfield boss was this week charged with sexual assault.
    Rowe while in charge of Chesterfield, a club he left by mutual consentCredit: Alamy
    A Fylde club statement said: “Following a meeting this afternoon, the board have accepted James Rowe’s resignation as manager of the club.
    “Andy Taylor will take temporary charge until a new manager is appointed.
    “There will be no further comment from anyone at this time.”
    Rowe, 39, is alleged to have sexually assaulted a woman in Chesterfield in November last year.
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    The former West Ham academy coach was in charge of Chesterfield at the time and left the club in February by “mutual consent” following a suspension.
    Rowe is due to appear in court next month.
    In a statement Derbyshire Constabulary: “A man has been charged with sexual assault.
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    “In January this year, officers received a report of a man having sexually assaulted a woman in Chesterfield, with the offence alleged to have taken place in November 2021.
    “James Rowe, 39, of Breaston, in Derby, has now been charged and is due to appear before magistrates at Chesterfield Justice Centre on Monday 7 November.” More

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    Boxing champion Jai Opetia ‘told police officers to “f*** off” and urinated in cell’ after nightclub arrest

    AUSTRALIAN boxing world champion Jai Opetaia was slammed by a magistrate for aggressive behaviour towards police and urinating in his cell after an arrest.Opetaia was charged with remaining in the vicinity of a licensed premises after being excluded, behaving in an offensive manner in a public place and using offensive language in a public place.
    Jai Opetaia was slammed by a magistrate for aggressive behaviour towards policeCredit: @jaiopetaia_
    The IBF champion became aggressive and refused to answer police questions.
    And court documents reveal he began banging on his cell door, urinated in his prison and verbally abused officers following his recent arrest.
    Charges relate to an August 14 night out in Sydney where the unbeaten boxer and a friend attempted to enter Home Nightclub on Cockle Bay Wharf.
    The pair walked towards the exit to the premises, where the security guard denied them entry – telling them to use the correct entrance.
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    They then moved towards the security guard, prompting five men to grab Opetaia and move him away.
    The cruiserweight star was asked to leave after getting into an argument with security – but he remained in the area.
    He was restrained until police arrived and put him in handcuffs.
    According to court documents, Opetaia became aggressive with police and loudly said ‘f**k you’ to the officers who gave him a final warning and told him he was being recorded.
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    He said: “You f***ing idiots, I’ve sat here arrested… for nothing.”
    He also shouted at one officer: “You are a dumb four-eyed piece of s***.”
    Opetaia faced court for the first time on Wednesday where defence lawyer Jason Murakami entered a plea of guilty on his behalf.
    Mr Murakami asked magistrate Daniel Covington to consider “exercising discretion” given that Opetaia entered a guilty plea, had no criminal history and the objective seriousness was low.
    The lawyer said his client was very remorseful and worried about his poor behaviour more than his sporting career being affected.
    Opetaia shot to fame in July when he defeated Latvian Mairis Briedis, 37, to win his title belt.
    He has also represented Australia at the 2012 Olympics at the age of just 16 and then the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
    Jai Opetaia beat Mairis Briedis for the IBF cruiserweight titleCredit: Getty More

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    Footie fan who threw flare at ref becomes FIRST woman in Britain to be banned from ALL MATCHES

    A FOOTBALL fan who threw a flare at a referee has become the first woman in Britain to be banned from all matches.CCTV footage showed Abbie-Leigh Reay, 23, dancing in celebration when the missile landed near ref Lee Swabey and the opposition goalie.
    Abbie-Leigh Reay has become the first woman in Britain to be banned from all soccer grounds
    Police stopped the Tranmere fan as she left her team’s 4-0 League Two defeat to Forest Green Rovers in January.
    Despite her arrest, Reay posted winking pictures of her at the match with her girlfriend, along with a laughing emoji and the caption: “Before it all went downhill.”
    One of her comments read: “Just hope I don’t get banned.”
    Aldi worker Reay, of Bebington, Wirral, got a three-year ban after she was convicted of throwing a missile on to a football playing area.
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    Sefton JPs fined her £250 with £654 costs.
    Sentencing, District Judge Paul Healey, said: “You throw the flare on to the pitch which puts people there at risk.
    “No one is struck but there is a risk and as a result of your actions, police and stewards had to intervene.
    “There was a large crowd which put them in a difficult situation.
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    “They have to take action.
    “There is a risk of it escalating further.”
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