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      Cocaine epidemic fuelling football yobs after biggest increase in matchday violence in EIGHT YEARS

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      A COCAINE epidemic has fuelled the worst increase in football violence for EIGHT years.The latest Home Office figures reported 2,198 arrests at games last season, the most since the 2013-14 season.
      Drink and drugs have fuelled the worst increase in football violence for eight yearsCredit: PA:Press Association
      That included 441 arrests for pitch invasions, with 561 people charged for throwing missiles, 729 for possession of pyrotechnics and 384 incidents of hate crime.
      The end of last season brought a series of violent pitch invasions with players and coaches attacked and fleeing for their safety.
      Police recorded 1,609 matches in which at least one arrest was made, meaning action was required at more than half of games played – 602 games more than in 2018-19, the last season of full crowds before the pandemic.
      And Cheshire Chief Constable Mark Roberts, the country’s top football cop, pinpointed drink and drugs as the root cause.
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      Chief Con Roberts said: “Alcohol has always been a factor but the more we look the more we find cocaine use at the heart of things.
      “We have done a number of operations where we have swabbed toilets in grounds and after the game 100 per cent of them had cocaine traces.
      “That is definitely contributing to the bad behaviour, with a lot more young people involved.
      “If this persists, we are talking about a problem that will last another 20 years.”
      Nasty numbers (all compared to 2018-19 season):

      Matches with at least one incident: 1,609 (up 60%)

      Arrests: 2,198 (up 59%)

      Hate crime incidents: 384 (up 99%)

      New banning orders: 516

      Possession of pyrotechnics: 729 (up 118%)

      Pitch incursions: 441 (up 127%)

      Missile throwing: 561 (up 86%)

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      He added: “This is a Europe-wide problem.
      “Some of it can be related to post-Covid but not all of it and it’s something that has to be dealt with quickly.”
      Courts in England and Wales issued 516 new banning orders taking the total of three-year orders up to 1,308.
      And while Prem chiefs have now confirmed minimum 12-month club bans for pitch invaders and those throwing pyrotechnics and missiles, police and prosecutors want the teams to provide more information.
      Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor Doug Mackay said: “Clubs can ban people for 12 months but there is no real sanction if they breach those orders to get into games.
      “That’s where we’d like to know who they are.
      “Football banning orders last for three years, they are monitored by the police and mean you have to hand in your passport, have your movements restricted and can go to prison.”
      The hate crimes, almost doubled since 2018-19, were a mixture of verbal and physical incidents with victims reporting the impact on their mental health, including suicidal thoughts.
      Ch Con Roberts added: “These figures show the rise in disorder we saw at the mid-season point of 2021/22 has continued.
      “It cannot just be put down to fans returning to stadiums after lockdown.
      “Disorder is a problem that has not gone away, from the Premier League right down to the National League.
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      “Anyone who commits a criminal offence either outside or inside a football ground can expect to face the consequences of their actions. 
      “We collectively need to make football a safe environment for the overwhelming majority of supporters who just want to enjoy the game.” More

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      Joey Barton swerves driving ban for crashing £30k Mercedes without insurance after telling court ‘special reasons’

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      JOEY Barton has swerved a driving ban after crashing a £30,000 Mercedes without insurance. The Bristol Rovers boss argued there were “special reasons” he should be kept on the road after the M5 smash last year.
      Joey Barton has swerved a driving ban after arguing ‘special reasons’Credit: Rex
      Barton, 40, crashed the Mercedes GL350 in Gloucestershire between junctions 11a and 12 of the M5 on December 16.
      He pleaded guilty at Cheltenham Magistrates Court to not having valid car insurance at the time – and was warned he could be banned from the road.
      But on Wednesday, Gwyn Lewis, defending, argued there were special reasons the former Newcastle midfielder should keep his licence.
      He told District Judge Nicholas Wattam that Barton had been misled into thinking his brother had insured the vehicle before he drove it.
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      The court was also told the cop called to the crash had recognised Barton at the time.
      He was fined £300 and ordered to pay court costs of £90 and a £34 victim surcharge.
      It comes after the star recently opened up about life in jail, from thugs threatening to stab him to sitting in safe prison zones.
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      Barton served time behind bars after pleading guilty to common assault and affray after an incident in Liverpool City Centre in 2007.
      When asked if he was scared, he told Men’s Health: “Oh yeah, of course.
      “You’re walking across the yard and people are shouting out the window, ‘I’m gonna slash you, I’m gonna stab you in the a***.’
      “I mean, it’s a bit different to being out on the pitch and having a fan shouting, ‘Hey, you’re s***.’
      “Then your mind starts reliving American prison movies. You think all sorts of mad stuff is going to happen.
      “But then you realise people are people.”
      The one-cap international also spoke of sitting in a “safe zone” to make sure he didn’t mess with hierarchy of the prison and the dangerous people that are locked up behind bars.
      He said: “I sat in a safe zone as much as I could. You needed to make sure people knew no one could take you on, but you’re not running any syndicates on the wing.
      Read More on The Sun
      “You keep your head down, get in and out as quick as you can and reflect on the patterns that got you there.
      “I went in feeling very sorry for myself but that changed.”
      The ex midfielder recently opened up about his time in jailCredit: Rex More

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      Ex-Man City star David Silva fined for grabbing young woman and knocking her to ground in brawl at carnival

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      FORMER Manchester City midfielder David Silva has been fined more than €1000 for grabbing a woman during a brawl at a music festival in Spain.The incident occurred three months ago at the Maspalomas Carnival in Gran Canaria.
      Silva has been fined over £945 for grabbing a womanCredit: Getty
      Also involved in the brawl were Silva’s brother Fernando Antonio Jimenez Silva and a third individual, who was not named in the report.
      The third individual hit a young man with a stone and threatened another with a knife, shouting: “Come here and I will cut you.”
      Spanish outlet Tiempo de Canarias report that the court documents detailed how Silva grabbed the arm of the young woman to move her away, causing her to fall to the ground.
      The sentencing from judge Francisco Javier Ramirez de Verger Vargas concluded that as a result of the Spaniard’s actions, the young woman suffered “post-traumatic cervical pain, contusion on the left elbow, a laceration on the second finger of the left hand, lacerations on both knees and lacerations on both legs.”
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      He added that the injuries required “a first medical assistance without subsequent medical treatment and eight days of basic personal injury.”
      Silva accepted the conclusion of the case, meaning he was fined €1080 – €12 per day for the three-month duration the injuries are expected to take to heal.
      The judge stated that the conclusion was reached as he was the “perpetrator responsible for a minor crime of injuries, with subsidiary personal liability in case of non-payment of one day of deprivation of liberty for every two daily instalments not paid.”
      The Real Sociedad star has also been told to give the woman €520 to compensate for the injuries suffered and the material damage caused.
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      Silva’s brother was adjudged to have hit a young man in the face and on several parts of the body.
      He also “dealt several blows” to another young woman and received a three-month fine as a result.
      Meanwhile, the third individual was sentenced to eight months in prison for throwing a stone at another man’s head – which caused a wound that required surgical intervention – and a further three month fine for threatening: “Come here and I will cut you.”
      Silva returned to Spain to sign for Real Sociedad in 2020 following a 10-year spell with Man City.
      He scored 77 goals and assisted 140 during his time in England with many fans hailing him a club legend.
      He has also represented the Spanish national team on 125 occasions. More

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      in Soccer

      Football Association probing claim manager was blackmailed by pro player in plot that saw his ‘wife & kids threatened’

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      A MANAGER at the heart of a stunning blackmail case is being investigated by the FA after the trial collapsed last week.The unnamed gaffer had accused a professional player of trying to extract thousands of pounds from him, including by threatening his family.
      The FA have opened investigation after the trial collapsed last weekCredit: Getty
      Neither the alleged victim nor the two suspects charged in the case can be named for legal reasons.
      However, the trial fell apart last week when the manager refused to give evidence against those he had accused.
      Both suspects were found not guilty at Derby Crown Court as the case was thrown out.
      It has now emerged that the FA have opened an investigation in the manager, which could see them face FA charges.
      English football’s governing body has reportedly been aware of the case for a long time.
      There have been suggestions that it is to do with betting by those involved in the case, but this has not been confirmed.
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      The FA declined to comment.
      The two players, one currently contracted and the other an ex-pro, had both been charged with blackmail and perverting the course of justice.
      They denied all charges.
      This comes after the news that Juventus ace Paul Pogba is under police protection in Italy amid his own blackmail ordeal.
      Most read in The Sun
      Pogba’s own brother, Mathias, has been charged as part of the gang that tried to extort the former Man Utd midfielder for a large sum.
      Mathias had previously claimed that his younger brother had paid a witch doctor to curse French teammate Kylian Mbappe. More

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      in Boxing

      Isiah Jones dead aged 28: Boxer ‘shot in the head during argument with family member’ as trainer confirms shock death

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      BOXER Isiah Jones has died aged 28 amid reports he was shot during a dispute with a family member.Jones’ trainer Roshawn Jones (no relation) told The Ring the American had been arguing with his brother.
      American fighter Isiah Jones has died after an alleged shooting
      Received the horrible news that middleweight Isiah Jones was killed last night. Homicide investigations are reportedly ongoing.Jones was one of the stars of the Top Rank bubble era on ESPN and fought on DAZN as well. R.I.P. Isiah. pic.twitter.com/67bDDG1DXv— Corey Erdman (@corey_erdman) September 20, 2022

      Isaiah Jones (9-7-0) is a Pro Boxer out of Detroit, Michigan, a fellow member of Soul City Boxing and Wrestling Gym, our last fight was against Roy jones jr Promotion Team! Isaiah, Lost his life yesterday in a tragic event! Please keep his family in your prayers @trboxing pic.twitter.com/ekZQRxcUir— Roshawn Jones (@Roshawn_Jones) September 20, 2022

      The Top Rank bubble star was allegedly shot at an address in a street in his home town Detroit on Monday evening.
      Police say a 28-year-old man was killed in an incident involving a relative on Monday evening.
      A murder investigation is under way after the shock death of Isiah, who turned professional after winning the 2016 National Golden Gloves and also fought on DAZN.
      Roshawn Jones paid tribute to a fearless fighter – but revealed he had asked Isiah to move to Ohio for safety reasons.
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      He said: “Him not turning down fights, every fight that he took, the odds were stacked against him.
      “He had enough heart and courage to take them. He could have taken the easier route and just padded his record.”
      But he admitted he had been worried about Isiah still living in Detroit.
      And he added: “When you’re living in poverty there is more frustration, more stressful energy. When you’re poor it’s easier to get mad.”
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      Isiah recorded nine victories and seven defeats in his 16 pro bouts.
      The fatal incident reportedly took place at around 6.26pm in the 9300 block of Stout Street.
      The Detroit Police Department have yet to reveal further details.
      DAZN boxing correspondent Corey Erdman posted on Tuesday: “Received the horrible news that middleweight Isiah Jones was killed last night.”
      And Roshawn Jones tweeted: “Lost his life yesterday in a tragic event! Please keep his family in your prayers.”
      Tragic Isiah Jones won nine and lost seven of his 16 pro contests
      Isiah won his first eight bouts under Roshawn Jones and Kenneth Ross.
      He moved back to Roshawn Jones for his last contest, a unanimous loss on points to Andrew Murphy in July.
      The Ring say Isiah was in training while seeking another fight at the time of his death. More

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      Ex-PSG Women’s star Diallo ‘Googled how to break a kneecap’ and ‘dangerous drug cocktail’ before attack on team-mate

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      FRENCH footballer Aminata Diallo allegedly searched online for “how to break a kneecap” before an attack on her ex-Paris Saint-Germain team-mate Kheira Hamraoui.Extracts of a police surveillance report published by Le Parisien newspaper also paint a picture of Diallo developing a “pathological” hatred towards her fellow midfielder.
      France star Kheira Hamraoui says the attack has left her with painful memoriesCredit: AFP
      Aminata Diallo has been without a club since her deal with PSG ended earlier this yearCredit: Getty
      Police are said are said to have bugged Diallo’s phone in the wake of the attack on November 4.
      The 27-year-old, who has seven caps and one goal for France, is also alleged to have looked up “dangerous drug cocktail” in the lead-up to the incident.
      Diallo was charged with aggravated assault on Friday in connection with the attack on Hamraoui, 32, by two masked strangers.
      Hamraoui was a passenger in a car driven by Diallo when she was dragged from the vehicle and beaten on the legs with an iron bar.
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      Quoting the police report, Le Parisien claims Diallo “considered her an obstacle to her own sports career”.
      The source material is said to reference a “slow psychological drift that has become, so to speak, pathological”.
      Diallo, who is a free agent after her PSG contract expired, was released without charges after being taken into custody in November.
      She has consistently maintained her innocence from the start of the investigation.
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      Ex-Barcelona star Hamraoui, who has 39 caps and three goals for France, told French daily newspaper L’Equipe about her ordeal last year.
      She said: “That night, I really thought I was going to stay there… I was screaming in pain.
      “I tried to protect myself as much as possible. I have a very painful memory.”
      Four men were arrested in connection with the attack and one reportedly admitted they were paid to do it. More

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      in Soccer

      Paul Pogba ‘under police protection’ in Italy after ‘£11million blackmail plot by gang that included his own brother’

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      FOOTBALL star Paul Pogba is reportedly under police protection in Italy after being the alleged victim of an £11 million blackmail plot.The Juventus midfielder claims he was the victim of violent extortion attempts by a criminal gang which allegedly included his own brother, Mathias.
      Pogba’s own brother Mathias has reportedly been charged over the blackmailCredit: AFP
      The French international is under police protection in Italy, according to French mediaCredit: Instagram / @paulpogba
      Le Parisien is reporting that Pogba has been placed under police protection in Turin.
      The report adds that a member of his entourage confirmed the story.
      Mathias Pogba turned himself in to authorities investigating the blackmail attempts.
      The journeyman footballer, who lived with Riyad Mahrez before playing for Wrexham, is then said to have been placed in custody.
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      The Daily Mail is reporting that he has been charged over the incident.
      World Cup winner Paul made the shocking revelations relating to a trip back to his home suburb of Lagny-sur-Marne near Disneyland Paris in March.
      He says he was held at gunpoint by an extortion gang — and one of the plotters was brother Mathias.
      Pogba told police he was confronted by the group that included friends from his childhood and teenage years as well as two masked men armed with assault rifles.
      The midfielder — married to Bolivian model Maria Zulay Salaues — then claimed he was forced to accompany them to a flat in nearby Roissy-en-Brie, where they demanded more than £11m for “protecting him”.
      With the gang demanding £2.6m immediately, Paul tried to withdraw the money but his bank declined to authorise such a large amount.
      Radio station France Info reported that the blackmailers had to settle for £85,000 in cash instead.
      The elder Pogba has accused the former Man Utd midfielder of paying for a witch doctor to curse French teammate Kylian Mbappe.
      Paul has denied the claims but Mathias — who played for a string of British clubs — labelled his sibling “a so-called Muslim deep in witchcraft”.
      Most read in The Sun
      On the pitch, Pogba is currently sidelined after undergoing knee surgery.
      However, reports suggest he could still be included in the French World Cup squad even if he has only just returned to fitness because of his “special status” in Didier Deschamps’ team.
      Mathias Pogba claimed his brother paid a witch doctor to curse French ace Kylian MbappeCredit: Getty
      The Juventus star is currently sidelined with a knee injuryCredit: Getty More

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      in Soccer

      Gang charged in connection with a £500,000 raid on Man City star Riyad Mahrez’s penthouse

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      A GANG has been charged in connection with a £500,000 raid on Man City star Riyad Mahrez’s penthouse apartment.Four men aged 21, 31, 32, and 34 have been charged with conspiracy to commit burglary.
      A gang has been charged in connection with a £500,000 raid on Riyad Mahrez’s apartment – pictured with wife Taylor WardCredit: Instagram
      High-end watches, jewellery, cash and signed footie shirts were taken in the raid
      They appeared before magistrates and are next due at Manchester crown court on October 11.
      High-end watches, jewellery, cash and signed football shirts were taken in the raid.
      Other luxury apartments in the block in Manchester city centre were also reported to have been broken into on April 23, 2020.
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      Riyad and wife Taylor announced the birth of their first child in July.
      Taylor, 24, wrote: “One week of loving you…Mila Mahrez 01.07.22 🤍.”
      The new arrival was photographed next to a pink wall bearing the words: “Welcome to the world baby girl.”
      Taylor, whose mum is Real Housewives of Cheshire star Dawn Ward, was quickly congratulated by her famous followers.
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      The Man City ace and wife Taylor announced the birth of their first baby in JulyCredit: PA More