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      How 3 MILLION dogs are being slaughtered ahead of World Cup with executions & poisoned food… but Fifa is doing nothing

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      AGAINST a backdrop of pained barking, an emaciated pooch hobbles over to a dirt-covered animal pile, which it licks, bites and then tugs at — eager to pry off any flesh to stave off starvation.It’s a haunting moment now regularly seen in Morocco, stray dogs are resorting to cannibalism to survive after a terrifying “street cleanse”, while others are killed in ghoulish ways and left to rot. Animal rights campaigners claim stray dogs are being rounded up and then killedCredit: International Animal Welfare Protection Coalition (IAWPC)One dog has resorted to cannibalism, as seen in footage supplied to The SunCredit: International Animal Welfare Protection Coalition (IAWPC)They claim dogs have been shot, beaten with weapons, poisoned and stabbedCredit: ‘International Animal Welfare Protection Coalition (IAWPC)A design of Morocco’s upcoming 2030 FIFA World Cup venue set to be built in CasablancaCredit: Courtesy Populous/Oualolou + ChoiThe north-west African nation is allegedly in the midst of a mass butchering spree to eradicate three million homeless dogs in time for the 2030 FIFA World Cup – despite vowing they’d ended the killings.Horrifying videos released by animal rights campaigners expose the horrors being unleashed on the streets of Morocco on the canines.Heartbreaking footage shows dogs being stabbed with poisonous sticks, violently impaled with hooks, left to bleed out from gunshot wounds and abandoned in pounds without food or water. It flies in the face of FIFA’s Bid Evaluation Report, which claimed Morocco had “outlined its commitment to the protection of animal rights” and since August had ruled “the culling of animals is prohibited in the country”.READ MORE FROM FEATURESHere The Sun refutes that with a damning dossier of evidence obtained on the ground through the International Animal Welfare Protect Coalition (IAWPC), which was also presented to FIFA.They say Morocco has violated their vow and lied to the footballing body. And that means their implementation as a host nation – alongside Spain and Portugal – is a “sham” and they must be stripped of their duties, campaigners say. The campaign calling for action from FIFA has been backed by celebrities including Downton Abbey star Peter Egan, music legend Gary Numan, conservationist Chris Packham and world-renowned conservationist Dr Jane Goodall.Most read in FootballChariots of Fire actor Peter tells The Sun: “Football is regarded as the ‘beautiful game’ and for it to be celebrated in such ugly circumstances is a betrayal of all ethics. FIFA must act now.“I’m absolutely appalled by the situation and the football-loving public will be too, the majority of people who love the beautiful game cannot endorse such cruelty by knowing about it, ignoring it and supporting the World Cup. “It’s almost impossible to get one’s head around why any country would choose to brutally slaughter millions of animals just to ‘tidy their streets’ for a football match. It’s inconceivable.“They choose the cheapest way of destroying these poor creatures too, often this is starving them to death or bludgeoning them with a weapon. It’s absolutely shocking.”Dog that mauled man to death ‘attacked schoolboy days earlier’ in East LondonOne stray dog being shot on the streets in MoroccoCredit: International Animal Welfare Protection Coalition (IAWPC)One stray was dragged along the ground for a lengthy amount of time to cause injuryCredit: International Animal Welfare Protection Coalition (IAWPC)’Absolute evil’The new footage, shot in the coastal city of Kenitra, shows animals waiting in dark and damp spaces to starve to death and canine cannibalism.Les Ward, President of the IAWPC, tells The Sun “absolute evil is going on in Morocco” and that cruel dog catchers are being dispatched to the streets to round up strays for slaughter. He explains: “The Moroccan Government hasn’t even got a clue what animal rights means. “They are setting up ‘dispensaries’ and ‘clinics’, which are killing stations to eradicate dogs, not help them.“At these killing pounds the dogs are thrown into a mass of frightened animals. They don’t feed them, they don’t give them water. If they do feed them it’s with poisoned bait that kills them.“Cannibalism is occurring. These dogs are being starved to death and as a result, start to eat one another. “Others are being killed, shot and poisoned and then thrown in the bin.”They don’t die immediately, they thrash around, crying as blood pours out of themLes Ward, IAWPC PresidentAnother heartbreaking clip shows several emaciated pooches cower in their alleyway-like prison, some lifelessly looking up at the camera, while others could be seen with wounds. A few had given birth.An IAWPC campaigner, who asked to remain anonymous to avoid persecution, told us: “The dogs are starving and dying. “It is a tiny space with up to 400 dogs cramped into it and they are living in their own waste. “Some of them die from sickness or poisoning, the others eat them because they are starving… the dogs are kept next to a slaughterhouse which uses them as food. “It is inhumane and unbearable.”World Cup ‘horror’Moroccan authorities are estimated to be killing 300,000 homeless dogs each year, despite it being ruled illegal since 2019.Supporters claim it will end rabies, which kills roughly 80 people a year, but campaigners argue culling won’t work.Instead, they insist their Trap Neuter Release (TNR) programme, currently being implemented by volunteers, is the only way to succeed. Previously it helped Goa, in India, become a rabies-free state.A poison-tipped stick that’s used to kill strays in MoroccoCredit: International Animal Welfare Protection Coalition (IAWPC)A dead dog moments before it was feasted on by a starving strayCredit: International Animal Welfare Protection Coalition (IAWPC)Animals filled a narrow alleyway in a ‘kill shelter’ in Kenitra, MoroccoCredit: International Animal Welfare Protection Coalition (IAWPC)Les tells us: “Morocco’s approach will exacerbate the problem because rabies-infected dogs will continue to breed and more will move into the area. Killing is not the solution, it’s a horror.”Campaigners claim the culling has been ramping up since the 2023 Club World Cup, which was a ‘trial event’ from FIFA officials after Morocco lost an unprecedented five main tournament bids.Some oppose the slaughter – in 2022, a judge fined the Governor of the Nador Province 6,000MAD (£490) after discovering they had killed strays.The judge labelled it “uncivilised” and stated the brutality “which dates back to ancient times, are no longer acceptable”.In 2023, hundreds of strays and tagged dogs were killed in Tangier, which the founder of SFT Animal Sanctuary insisted was “because of FIFA’s visit” for the Club World Cup.She claimed the orders came “from the governor” and that all tagged dogs had to be “removed… from the posh areas around the stadium where FIFA will be”.’Inhumane killings’Now a World Cup host for 2030, campaigners allege the butchery is increasing and often the barbaric street killings are taking place in front of children. IAWPC footage shows men of the attacks by men in orange suits, including one who stuck his fingers up at the camera.Using “tong-like” implements, which have a painful debilitating effect, they pick up dogs the size of German Shepherds and throw them into vans pile with other dogs. One ‘dog catcher’ flips up his fingers at a cameraCredit: International Animal Welfare Protection Coalition (IAWPC)They then use giant tongs to pick up a German Shephard and chuck it into a vanCredit: International Animal Welfare Protection Coalition (IAWPC)Dead dogs being taken to the tip to be disposed of alongside rubbishCredit: International Animal Welfare Protection Coalition (IAWPC)They are then taken to ‘holding’ centres where they are starved to death or “inhumanely killed”, we are told.One day is seen with blood trickling down from the midriff due to being cruelly dragged along the streets and beaten.Les says: “Some of the dogs are left to decompose on the street. Young children are seeing this. That’s traumatic for them and there are links between regularly seeing traumatising things and becoming violent in adult life.” Some dogs are killed with a stick that holds a syringe containing poison at the end, others are fed deadly bait by hand – both practices cause “considerable pain, suffering and lingering death”.Les explains: “Any vet will tell you killing a dog by strychnine is a cruel and lengthy process. They lure the dogs close by getting unsuspecting members of the public to tell them the dogs’ names.”Gun squads allegedly “shoot dogs around the clock with rifles and pistols” but cruelly they are “rarely killed outright” and left to bleed to death on the streets.he was banging on the door so hard and she was left standing in the street screaming as he was driven away. Louise Smith, victim of dog catchersLes adds: “These aren’t bullets that pass through they lodge in the body of dogs, meaning they don’t die immediately, they thrash around, crying as blood pours out of them.“I recently saw a harrowing photo of a dog seconds after its face was obliterated with a shotgun. It’s all extremely cruel.” Dog catchers Many of the animals are being rounded up by groups of dog catchers – and some seized them because they “know owners will bribe them to get their pets back”. Among them is Scottish mum Louise Smith, 46, who has paid to retrieve her six-year-old daughter Salma’s dogs “multiple times” but more recently she notes they are “all about killing.”“I tried to bargain with the dog catchers,” she says. “Salma was beside herself, she cut her knuckles. She was banging on the door so hard and she was left standing in the street screaming as he was driven away.”Dog catchers collect the animals and transport them to ‘kill centres’Credit: International Animal Welfare Protection Coalition (IAWPC)Six-year-old Salma was devastated when her dog Bingo was taken by dog catchersCredit: International Animal Welfare Protection Coalition (IAWPC)One man shoots a dog in the streetCredit: International Animal Welfare Protection Coalition (IAWPC)FIFA ‘betrayal’Pressure is mounting against FIFA to take action – celebrities to join the campaign include Dr Jane Goodall, who’s famed for her work with wild chimpanzees. In a letter, she demanded urgent intervention, writing: “If you fail to act, however, FIFA will be known for its complicity in a horrific act of barbarity – on your watch.”There is simply no excuse for the awful campaign of cruelty that is being executed in football’s name.” Les says the IAWPC has sent letters to FIFA every week, supplied photo and video evidence as well as written testimony, only to receive “no reply, nothing whatsoever”. He says: “Absolute evil is going in Morocco and FIFA and its associations should know better. In the UK, anyone found shooting, poisoning, starving or clubbing a dog would be thrown in jail, because it’s a criminal offence. “This World Cup is being built on three million dead dogs and god knows how many traumatised children, that’s a blood scandal and raises the question of whether we should be sending our football teams there at all.“Allowing Morocco to host the World Cup has greenlit their killing groups to pick up and murder as many dogs as they can, as quickly as they can before 2030. “FIFA is complicit by maintaining the wall of silence. They are not stopping the government from killing their dogs, so they are party to it and complicit.”READ MORE SUN STORIESThe Sun contacted FIFA, officials in Morocco and the Moroccan embassy but received no response.Find out more about the IAWPC here or sign their petition.Dog catchers using metal tongs, which cause immense pain, to pick up poochesCredit: International Animal Welfare Protection Coalition (IAWPC)Morocco is preparing to host the 2030 World CupCredit: AFPFIFA President Gianni Infantino has been slammed by animal rights campaignersCredit: EPA More

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      Ex-England and Gladiators star John Fashanu arrested on suspicion of ‘five crimes’ as he sues cops for £100k

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      EX-ENGLAND and Gladiators star John Fashanu was arrested on suspicion of “five crimes” and is suing cops for a whopping £100,000.The 62-year-old is on bail after getting apprehended over a land dispute, reports claim.Wimbledon Goalscorer John Fashanu (c) celebrates his goal with team mates Vinnie Jones (l) and Dennis Wise during the FA Cup 5th Round matchCredit: GettyPresenters John Fashanu and Ulrika Jonsson on GladiatorsCredit: RexJohn Fashanu attends the UK Premiere of ‘The Lone Ranger’ at Odeon Leicester Square in 2013Credit: Getty – ContributorFashanu is suspected of criminal conspiracy, threat to life, intimidation, trespass, and obtaining by false pretence in Nigeria, where the star now resides.The former footballer vehemently denies the claims, and is suing cops for an eye-watering £100,000 compensation, the Mirror reports.He accuses the police of violating his rights by wrongly arresting him, his wife Vivian and his lawyer Chinyere Chigbu over what he argues is a civil dispute involving land.Some investors reportedly agreed to pay Fashanu over £500,000 for the 22-acre site before the drama unfolded.read more sportAfter discovering the investors had sent their workmen to build a perimeter fence on the site, the star and his lawyer began to investigate.He alleged that they found the fence workmen being bizarrely protected by cops and were both arrested after agreeing to go to the police station to sort out the issue.Fashanu accused them of “arrest, detention and inhuman treatment” for “about three hours” on December 16.He added that there were “subsequent intermittent constraints” of his “personal liberty” up to December 19.Most read in Football His wife Vivian was also wrong arrested, he alleged, after she went to the police station with him.Fashanu also alleged he suffered “gross unconstitutional violation” of his rights after cops took away his mobile phone.Dan Burn’s gone from pushing trolleys at Asda to potential England glory – he fully deserves his call-upThe former footballer, nicknamed Fash the Bash, helped Wimbledon win the 1988 FA Cup and played for Aston Villa and won two England caps.Fashanu was born in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, and retained dual British and Nigerian citizenship due to his dad being born there.He has lived in the capital Abuja for a number of years and has become a prominent name in the country due to his successful career as a footballer and work with the Nigerian FA and the government.Fashanu’s brother, Justin, was Britain’s first openly gay footballer and the first Black £1 million player before his tragic death in 1998 at 37 years old.Earlier in March, Fashanu appeared at a hearing of Abuja’s Federal High Court where the case was adjourned by a judge until April 10.The former footballer’s lawyer Chinyere Chigbu said of the court case: “The court granted the adjournment to give all the respondents enough time to file their counter affidavit. “It will allow them enough time to properly file their response.”The lawyer also confirmed that himself and the Fashanu’s are on bail after their arrests.He added: “All three have perfected their bail conditions. “They have all met the requirements to be admitted on administrative bail by police.”READ MORE SUN STORIESFashanu filed the case against 12 defendants in the documents.These include the Nigeria Police Force, the Inspector General of Police and police service commission, naming Abuja’s police commissioner, deputy commissioner, chief superintendent and deputy superintendent.John Fashanu attends ‘Dancing On Ice’ in 2023Credit: Getty More

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      Ex-Newcastle chief behind one of biggest flop transfers faces jail after High Court Judge issues warrant for his arrest

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      FORMER Newcastle vice-president Tony Jimenez faces jail over a debt to Mike Ashley after a High Court Judge issued a warrant for his arrest.Jimenez, 62, worked alongside Ashley at St James Park before a spectacular 2008 fall-out over a proposed investment in a golf course in France.Tony Jimenez’s claims over Ashley were called ‘complete fantasy’Credit: AlamyThe former Charlton co-owner was ordered to pay Ashley £3m in 2019 but has yet to pay a penalty – with interest charges and legal bills now taking the money owed to just short of £6m.Jimenez’s claim that Ashley had agreed to pay him £10m was dismissed as “complete fantasy” by the Court with the document put forward on his behalf ruled as a “forgery”.Despite being committed to a 60-day sentence in Wandsworth Prison in 2021, Jimenez – understood to be living in Spain – has refused to surrender to the order.He also claimed – and had medical support for his arguments – that he is suffering from the major neurological complaint Guillan-Barre syndrome, which causes major muscle weakness and jerky movements.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut His Honour Judge Jonathan Klein issued the “bench warrant” for Jimenez’s arrest at a High Court hearing on Friday.Judge Klein said he could “attach no weight” to the claims made about Jimenez’s medical condition.He added he was “not convinced” the defendant would “ever submit” to the court “voluntarily”.Jimenez was credited with bringing in one of Newcastle’s most infamous flops – Spanish striker Xisco.Most read in FootballJimenez’ recruit Xisco only made nine Toon appearances in five yearsCredit: Action Images – ReutersHe was also behind the recruitment of other stars like Jonas Gutierrez, Fabricio Coloccini and Ignacio González.But those dealings were overshadowed by the failure of Xisco following his £6m arrival from Deportivo la Coruna in 2008.Dan Burn’s gone from pushing trolleys at Asda to potential England glory – he fully deserves his call-upThe Under-21 international only played nine games in five years for the Magpies before returning to his home country with Cordoba.Argentina midfielder Gutierrez was Jimenez’s most successful buy, becoming a St James’ Park favourite from 2008-2015. More

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      Man Utd star ‘had balloon in his mouth’ when he crashed Audi in 99mph horror crash

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      A FORMER Man Utd star was allegedly filmed with a balloon in his mouth before he crashed his Audi in a 99mph horror crash,Brandon Williams was driving erratically on the A34 near Handforth in Cheshire on August 20, 2023.Brandon Williams has pleaded guilty to driving dangerouslyCredit: Andrew Price / View Finder PicturesThe former Man Utd player crashed his Audi at 99mphCredit: GettyThe 24-year-old was playing for Utd at the time but was loaned to Ipswich for the 2023-24 season.Williams today pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and driving without third party insurance following the high-speed crash.Chester Crown Court heard the defender was with a female passenger at the time of the crash.She was seen filming him at one point as Williams reached speeds of 99mph with a balloon in his mouth, it was said.Read more newsHe lost control of the Audi A3 before it collided with a blue Ford Fiesta and then smashed into the central reservation.Williams, who no longer has a team, was breathalysed at the scene but the test was negative.The footballer was taken to hospital for treatment to his injuries before he was arrested.Williams told police he was driving the Audi but initially denied he was driving erratically.Most read in FootballHe also attempted to blame another driver for the crash – telling officers he only hit the central reservation as he was forced to swerve.Williams was asked about witnesses who saw him with a balloon at his mouth but he replied: “No comment”.The footballer will be sentenced on May 9 at Chester Crown Court.He joined United’s academy as a youngster and went on to make 51 appearances for the first team.Williams has spent two stints on loan away from Old Trafford — firstly with Norwich City during the 2021/22 season where he made 26 appearances and then Ipswich.In June last year, Utd announced that Williams would leave the club at the end of his contract.Andrew Madden, a senior crown prosecutor with CPS Mersey-Cheshire, said: “Brandon Williams’ driving on that day clearly fell far below what would be expected of a competent and careful driver.“Expert analysis showed that he was driving at 99 mph four seconds before he hit the Ford Fiesta.“Witnesses said Williams kept speeding up and then breaking sharply.“It was clear he wasn’t in control of the vehicle.“The driving was erratic and the speed was grossly excessive. “Eventually, Williams lost control completely and crashed.“It is a fortunate no one was seriously injured or killed.READ MORE SUN STORIES“To drive at 99mph in those circumstances was extremely dangerous and placed the lives of other road users at serious risk of harm.“The Crown Prosecution Service wishes to thank the witnesses for supporting this prosecution.”Williams will be sentenced in MayCredit: Andrew Price / View Finder Pictures More

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      Joey Barton denies branding Jeremy Vine ‘bike nonce’ & comparing female pundits to Fred & Rose West on social media

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      JOEY Barton has denied sharing “malicious” posts about Jeremy Vine and football commentators Lucy Ward and Eni Aluko.The former footballer allegedly compared the pundits to Fred and Rose West and branded Radio 2 presenter Vine a “bike nonce”.Joey Barton has pleaded not guilty to sharing offensive social media postsCredit: PAHe allegedly targeted Eni AlukoCredit: GettyBarton is also accused of posting about Lucy WardCredit: GettyBarton appeared at Liverpool Crown Court today where he pleaded not guilty to 12 charges against him.The 42-year-old is accused of sending grossly offensive communications with the intention of causing distress or anxiety.Barton allegedly shared the posts on X in January, February and March last year.He referred to Aluko and Ward as Fred and Rose West – calling both “serial killers”, the court heard.Barton also allegedly claimed Aluko was “only there to tick a box” and compared both pundits to Joseph Stalin and Pol Pot”.At the time, both Aluki and Ward were working as pundits for ITV on the FA Cup clash between Crystal Palace and Everton.Eni bravely revealed she was seeking legal action after the barrage left her “scared”.Vine was also caught up in a social media spat after Barton allegedly branded him a “big bike nonce”.Most read in FootballThe former Man City star is due to stand trial later this year.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.The footballer later attempted a management career with stints at Fleetwood Town and Bristol Rovers.The ex-footballer also allegedly called Jeremy Vine a ‘bike nonce’Credit: PABarton is due to stand trial later this yearCredit: PA More

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      Maradona ‘house of horrors’ REVEALED in first day of homicide trial as pic of late star’s bloated body shocks court

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      FOOTBALL legend Diego Maradona spent his last days in a “house of horror”, a prosecutor claimed during a trial over the sporting icon’s death in Argentina.The World Cup winner’s home care was “reckless and deficient”, according to chief prosecutor Patricio Ferrari as he described the seven defendants on trial.A trial over the icon’s death involved the chief prosecutor showing the court a very graphic image of the footballerCredit: Canal CBAArgentina’s legendary attacking midfielder Diego Maradona died in November, 2020Credit: AFPDoctor 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: AFPThe defendants – who were called a bunch of “people who improvised” – are charged with homicide and face up to 25 years in jail if convicted.Mr Ferrari told a Buenos Aires court that the carers were “absolutely indifferent” to the consequences of poor care provided to Maradona, delivering a hard hitting speech at the start of the trial. The prosecutor said: “You will see during this trial what reckless home care is, reckless, deficient, without precedent, without any type of control during the period that ended with Diego’s death.“They co-operated in putting into place a series of factors or circumstances that increased the permitted risk to generate the death of Diego Armando Maradona which is something we say they were absolutely different to.”READ MORE SPORTS NEWSThe prosecutor shocked the room by holding up a grim picture of the player’s last day, which showed the Argentinian icon lying on his back with his bloated stomach exposed under a lifted-up black T-shirt.“This is the way he died,” Ferrari told the court.Over 100 witnesses are set to give evidence in this trial, which will focus on the care he received at a house in Tigre when he died from heart failure in November 2020.Just before he died in 2020, he had returned to the house from a blood clot operation at a hospital.Most read in FootballAlthough the icon struggled with obesity, alcoholism and drug abuse, 20 medical experts stated in 2021 that his death could have been avoided with better treatment.Maradona’s doctor Leopoldo Luque, and his physiatrist Aguestina Cosachov, who were responsible for the footballer’s last days, are due to get in the dock.Former lover Veronica Ojeda, who is also the mother of his 12-year-old son, Dieguito, and his two grown-up daughters Dalma and Gianinna with his ex-wife Claudia Villafane, all attended the court session.When the haunting last image of Maradona was shown to the court, Dalma broke down in tears.Mardona’s former partner Veronica Ojeda arrives at the courthouseCredit: GettyThe star’s daughter Jana Maradona, arrives at courtCredit: ReutersHis medical team face up to 25 years in prison if convictedCredit: AFPMr Ferrari said: “The right to truth is a human right and today Diego Armando Maradona, his children, his relatives, those closest to him and the Argentinian people deserve justice.He added that the public prosecution’s “solid” case was supported by messages from phones seized during property raids as well as witness evidence including the testimony of a number of medical experts.He continued: “We will show that between November 11 and 25 2020, Diego Armando Maradona was introduced into house 45 in the San Barrio neighbourhood in San Benavides in Tigre when, clearly the victim, he was not in full use of his mental faculties and even less could decide on his own about his health.“He entered that place for a clinical rehabilitation and home medical care that we can say without any doubt was calamitous.He said the defendants “improvised” and that they “neglected all the duties they had”.”In that House of Horror where Diego Maradona died  no-one did what they had to do,” Mr Ferrari added.Before the hearing, his former partner Veronica Ojeda launched into an furious tirade at Agustina Cosachov.She was caught on camera from a distance shouting “Daughter of a b**ch”, before police stepped in to separate them.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe other defendants aside from Luque and Cosachov are 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 World Cup winner was a club manager as well as a playerCredit: Reuters More

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      Diego Maradona homicide trial BEGINS as late football icon’s medical team accused of fatal negligence over 2021 death

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      DIEGO Maradona’s medical team could face 25 years in prison as the football legends homicide trial starts today in Buenos Aires.The Argentinian star died after suffering a heart attack at his home in 2020 while recovering from brain surgery for a blood clot.Diego Maradona’s homicide trial has started todayCredit: ReutersDoctor 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: AFPEight members of the World Cup winner’s medical team have been accused of negligence that contributed to his death at 60 years old.Each defendant has denied wrongdoing but risks between eight and 25 years in prison if convicted of “homicide with possible intent”.His neurologist Leopoldo Luque, who performed the surgery, is one of the seven people facing trial.Psychiatrist Agustina Cosachov, psychologist Carlos Diaz, doctor Nancy Forlini, clinical physician Pedro Pablo Di Spagna, and nurses Mariano Perroni and Ricardo Almiron, will also appear in court.read more on maradonaThe day nurse Gisela Dahiana Madrid, who found Maradona dead just two weeks after his surgery, has asked to be tried by jury separately.More than 100 witnesses, including members of Maradona’s family and his doctors over the years, are expected to take the stand in the long-delayed trial in the Buenos Aires suburb of San Isidro.Although the icon struggled with obesity, alcoholism and drug abuse, 20 medical experts stated in 2021 that his death could have been avoided with better treatment.Prosecutors have accused the medical team of pushing for Maradona to receive home care, which proved “reckless” and “totally deficient.”Most read in FootballThe night nurse said he had seen “warning signs” but had received orders “not to wake” Maradona.Prosecutors allege the footballer was abandoned to his fate for a “prolonged, agonizing period” before his death.Diego Maradona’s daughter fights back tears as she says family live in fear of mafia ahead of trial into his death The football legends’ family claimed that leaked audio and text messages show that the star’s health was in imminent danger, said Mario Baudry, a lawyer for Maradona’s son Dieguito.He said the messages showed the medical team’s strategy was to try and ensure that Diego’s daughters did not intervene “because if they did, they (the medical staff) would lose their money.”The expert 2021 report that ignited this trial questioned why the football legend was released from hospital so soon after his surgery, saying: “The home confinement did not comply with norms and protocols.”The rented home Maradona stayed in notably did not have a defibrillator.This huge trial is expected to last until July.Vadim Mischanchuk, lawyer for psychiatrist Agustina Cosachov, said he was “very optimistic” of an acquittal, arguing his client was in charge of Maradona’s mental, not physical health.The World Cup winner’s death plunged Argentina into mourning during the pandemic.Maradona shaking hands with his doctor Leopoldo Luque in Olivos in 2020Credit: AFPFans outside the courthouse on TuesdayCredit: GettyTens of thousands of people queued to bid farewell to the former Boca Juniors and Napoli striker as his body lay in state in the presidential palace.Mardona’s former partner Veronica Ojeda arrives at the courthouseCredit: GettyLocals have remained heartbroken over the World Cup winner’s tragic death.READ MORE SUN STORIESpensioner Hilda Pereira told AFP: “All society needs to know… what really happened, who abandoned him… and whoever is responsible must pay the price.”Maradona “did not deserve to die as he died, alone,” she added, her voice quavering.The star’s daughter Jana Maradona, arrives at courtCredit: ReutersEight people have been accused of ‘homicide with possible intent’Credit: AFP More

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      Rangers star hit speeds of 100mph in motorway police chase where he tailgated cop car

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      RANGERS star Rabbi Matondo hit speeds of over 100mph as cops chased him to Ibrox — after he had tailgated their unmarked motor.The Welsh winger, 24, also weaved in and out of traffic on Glasgow’s M8 and ran a red light as he rushed to training.Rabbi Matondo was slapped with a driving banMatondo was driving an Audi Q8 at the timeCredit: GettyHe was clocked on the M8He was hit with a year’s road ban and fined after being convicted of dangerous driving.But cops didn’t try to keep up with Rangers ace Rabbi Matondo’s car during a 100mph dash to Ibrox — in case he lost control and killed someone, a court heard.A traffic constable told how he feared “a fatality” if he tried to match the high speeds hit by the winger, 24, as he raced to a public training session.Officers finally caught up with the footie ace at the Rangers stadium, where they marched in through the players’ entrance to charge him with dangerous driving.And the Welsh international was hit with a 12-month driving ban after being convicted of the offence at Glasgow Sheriff Court.PC James Bowie told how he was with a colleague in an unmarked police motor on the M8 when they were tailgated by Matondo’s Audi Q8 on the city’s Kingston Bridge.Dashcam footage showed the powerful SUV speeding off, sparking a pursuit on August 1, 2023. The Light Blues forward was then seen undertaking an HGV and running a red light as he left the cops in his wake.Most read in FootballPC Bowie said they “never went anywhere near” his car despite reaching 80mph.He explained: “I knew it was a nice big Audi Q8. But I thought that if he loses control at 100 miles per hour there is a possibility of a fatality.”Former Sky Sports pundit and Rangers striker Andy Gray’s foul-mouthed rant at Jose MourinhoWhen the officers eventually got to interview Matondo, they said he was “remorseful”.Defence lawyer Ronnie Simpson said the officers’ report stated the player’s average speed was 72mph on a 50mph stretch.PC Bowie replied: “That’s an average between distances.“In among that the speed was in excess of 100mph.”He was also asked why he charged Matondo with dangerous driving rather than hand him a fixed penalty notice.PC Bowie said there were “other elements” to his driving, and it was a “course of conduct”.The cop added: “In my opinion, he seemed remorseful and his attitude was pretty good.“He understood what we were explaining and seemed to accept why we were there.”Mr Simpson said: “He was a young man running late to his work — and he didn’t want to let his colleagues down.”But Sheriff Mary Shields found Matondo — currently on loan at German side Hannover 96 — guilty of dangerous driving.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe first offender was handed a year’s road ban and £420 fine.The law chief said: “I think overwhelmingly the way in which Mr Matondo drove the Audi car over the distance shown on CCTV is obviously far below what is expected of a driver.”Matondo at Glasgow Sheriff Court where he given a 12 month ban and fined £420Credit: Spindrift More