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    Horror as football match abandoned after machete-wielding hooligans spark brawl in stands and players are forced to flee

    A FOOTBALL match in Colombia was suspended last night after a huge fight broke out in the stands, leaving at least 20 people injured.The Prima A clash between Atletico Nacional and Atletico Junior descended into chaos in the second half as Marino Hinestroza made it 2-0 to the hosts.A huge brawl broke out in the stands at the Atanasio Girardot StadiumFans in the away section jumped into the home end to attack the home supportersSome fans were wielding knives, machetes and sticksVisiting fans allegedly jumped into the home section, sparking a huge brawl with Nacional supporters.Players watched the horror scenes unfold before referee Nolberto Ararat officially paused the match.They eventually rushed back to the dressing room when the fight spilled onto the pitch.Some rioters could be seen wielding knives, sticks and machetes as the chaos escalated.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLDesperate fans attempted to jump down to the lower stand to get away from the danger.According to reports in Colombia, at least 20 people were injured with many taken to nearby medical centres.Those who suffered injuries were taken down to the lower part of the Atanasio Girardot Stadium for treatment from the Red Cross.Riot police were forced to intervene, but the brawl spilled onto the outskirts of the stadium.Most read in FootballAccording to regional newspaper El Heraldo, stun grenades were heard as police attempted to disperse the crowds.The match was eventually abandoned after 55 minutes due to the violence.Manuel Villa, Medellin’s Secretary of Security, later condemned the horrific violence.He said: “Football should be a celebration of peace, and the culture of football is a collective commitment.”But if someone doesn’t understand that, they have no place in this celebration: those masquerading as fans who create these situations and act outside the law are not fans, but criminals and should be treated as such. Irresponsible! “There will be sanctions, and measures will be taken as necessary.” More

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    Premier League clubs with the most football fans arrested at games revealed – is your team on the list?

    THE Premier League clubs with the worst-behaved fans have been revealed in a shocking new league of shame.Fresh Home Office figures reveal which English clubs have topped the table for the most supporters arrested and banned last season.Supporters of West Ham United ranked first for number of arrests in new Home Office figuresCredit: PAManchester City fans were not too far behind with 88 arrestsCredit: APTeams in two major UK cities made up the shortlist of ardent fans nabbed by cops on matchday.West Ham United die-hards took the cake for the highest number of arrests, with 103.Second was Manchester City with 88, third Manchester United also with 88, fourth Arsenal with 85 and fifth Chelsea with 67.The most common offence was public disorder.read more football newsArrests rose by 14 per cent to 2,584 in connection with club and international football.Home Office statistics also revealed that there are now 2,172 banning orders in place in England and Wales, up from 1,624 a year ago.That included 821 new bans – with those serving them ordered to surrender passports and report to police stations when key matches are taking place.And following the barmy summer exploits at Euro 2024, 180 arrests were made in England and Wales of fans returning from host nation Germany after they were identified by both UK and German police during the tournament.Most read in FootballCheshire Chief Constable Mark Roberts, the country’s top football cop, said: “Last year we arrested more than 2,500 people, a 14 per cent increase compared to the previous season.“The number of banning orders is the highest figure for nearly a decade, meaning that they cannot attend any matches, including those at international tournaments.Liverpool and Man City fans clash in huge fight on the tube before Community Shield“This undoubtedly contributed to the improvement we have seen in terms of the total number of incidents.“That is still above pre-pandemic levels but it’s encouraging to see them stabilising and going in the right direction.”He added: “It is important that these figures are put into context.“Last season around 47 million people attended men’s domestic and international matches, the highest number we have on record, and the vast majority of football fans are law-abiding citizens who want to support their team.“However, there are a small number of fans who commit offences, and we will continue to work closely with the CPS and our other partners to ensure that those responsible are held accountable.The return of hooliganismAcross the continent, authorities are struggling to control hooliganism — often aimed at travelling English fans, who receive massive police protection as continental supporters try to test their reputation for street brawling.Two months ago in Milan a Newcastle United fan was stabbed in the stomach by a machete-wielding yob in a balaclava.This season was Brighton and Hove Albion’s first taste of competitive European football.But last month in Athens, tear gas aimed by police at riotous fans of the defeated home team AEK ended up choking Brighton supporters.In May, West Ham players tried to intervene when hooded fans of Dutch side AZ Alkmaar piled into the section of the stadium where the English team’s families were sitting.Football’s ruling bodies fear the return of the hooliganism from decades ago, which in 1985 saw English teams banned from Europe for five years after the deaths of 39 mostly Italian fans in the riot at the Heysel Stadium in Brussels.“We’re also working closely with social media companies to ensure that action can be taken against those responsible for online hate crimes.“Collectively, we need to make football a safe environment for the overwhelming majority of fans who want to enjoy the game, and anyone who commits a criminal offence either outside or inside a football ground.”The Sun has reached out to all the aforementioned clubs for comment.Arsenal will be disappointed with the news given their efforts in recent yearsCredit: PAA shocking 88 fans flocking to Old Trafford were arrested for public disorder offencesCredit: GettySupporters of Chelsea ranked fifth on the shortlistCredit: Getty More

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    Police detain SIXTY armed fans with knives and other weapons after trying to avoid escort to Europa League clash

    GERMAN police have detained armed Lazio fans ahead of the Europa League clash with Dynamo Kyiv in Hamburg.About 60 away fans were stopped by the authorities after attempting to avoid a police escort.German police have arrested about 60 armed Lazio fans before the game with Dynamo KievCredit: GettyCops claim the supporters were found to be carrying knives, clubs and other weapons.Those fans were checked late Tuesday and detained until Wednesday.Lazio released a statement which confirmed the fans held overnight have been banned from attending the game at the Volksparkstadion.However, the Serie A giants also announced that there were no arrests.Read More on FootballUkrainian giants Dynamo are playing their home games in Hamburg this season because of the war in their homeland after Russia’s illegal invasion back in 2022.Lazio have been hit with numerous sanctions both in Serie A and Europe because of fan trouble throughout the years.Last March, a Lazio fan was arrested and fined for giving a Nazi salute inside the beer hall where Hitler founded the party before a Champions League match against Bayern Munich.A year earlier, a fan wearing a shirt with a reference to Hitler was slapped with a lifetime ban from attending Lazio matches by the Roman club. Most read in Europa LeagueAuthorities reviewed security camera footage from inside the Olimpico of the fan wearing a Lazio shirt that read “Hitlerson” and the No88, which is a numerical code for “Heil Hitler”.Football hooligans started the SPFL season with a brawl in Paisley as St Mirren met Hibs Two seasons ago, the Laziali were ordered to play a Serie A game with part of their home ground closed to spectators after fans directed racist chants at opposing players. More

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    Ex-Blackburn star shares joy at his two missing children ‘saved’ as they return after 616 DAYS

    FORMER Blackburn star Claus Reitmaier has announced his two missing children have been found. In January 2023, Reitmaier’s ex-partner Pricilla Patricia L., went into hiding with their children Whitney (nine) and Cyril (five).Former Blackburn star Claus Reitmaier has announced his two missing children have been foundCredit: GettyIn January 2023 Reitmaier’s ex-partner Pricilla Patricia L. went into hiding with their children Whitney (nine) and Cyril (five)Credit: AlamyAn international search began in August for Pricilla and on Friday she finally turned herself in.According to BILD the police revealed: “Ms. L. turned herself into the Monchengladbach district court on Friday, September 20. “The arrest warrant against her was announced and suspended under conditions.”The whereabouts of the abducted children are known. Both are well.”READ MORE ON FOOTBALLOn Instagram, the retired German goalkeeper Reitmaier, 60, expressed his joy, writing, “Hello, it’s done. All wanted ads can be deleted. “Please take them all out, the children are safe. Fortunately. Thank you very much for your support!”Reitmaier told the German news outlet BILD on Friday evening: “I am overjoyed that I was able to see my children again today after 616 days.” His former partner had not returned the children to him on January 15, 2023, as per the custody agreement. Most read in ChampionshipDespite extensive investigations, their whereabouts remained unknown for months.At the request of the public prosecutor’s office, the Monchengladbach District Court issued national and European arrest warrants and ordered a public search for the accused. These were withdrawn after the 35-year-old woman turned herself in.According to BILD, Ms. L. reported to the police on Friday in consultation with her lawyer. She had spent time in northern Germany and Austria while the children were with their grandmother.Reitmaier began his professional career in 1986 with Bavarian club Viktoria Aschaffenburg. In 1990, he signed with Blackburn Rovers but never got the chance to be their No1 goalkeeper and left after a year after making zero caps.His most notable period was with Bundesliga side Wolfsburg, where he made 163 appearances from 1998 to 2003.READ MORE SUN STORIESAfter a distinguished 27-year career, Reitmaier retired at SV Halstenbek-Rellingen. In his final years, he started coaching goalkeepers and since retiring in 2013 he has been the goalkeeping coach at German second-tier side SC Paderborn. More

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

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

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    Man Utd star Harry Maguire slapped with fine after being caught speeding in Land Rover

    MAN United footy ace Harry Maguire has been slapped with a £1,000 fine for speeding in his flash Land Rover.The £80m centre-back, 31, was clocked by a traffic camera on the A616 in South Yorkshire doing 68mph in a 60mph zone.The £80m defender was at the wheel of his luxury Land RoverCredit: GettyMaguire was fined the four-figure sum for going just 8mph over the limit (pictured in 2023)Credit: ZenpixMaguire was at the wheel of his black Land Rover motor when he triggered the monitor near his home city of Sheffield just before 2pm on March 7.Two days later he missed the Red Devils’ Old Trafford clash with Everton for unspecified reasons.The Three Lions ace admitted the offence by post and pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.His case was processed on Monday at Sheffield magistrates’ court, where JPs fined him £670 and added three points to his driving license.Read more about Harry MaguireIt meant Maguire did not have to attend court to hear the verdict in person.The former United captain, reportedly paid £190,000 a week, was also ordered to cough up a £268 victim surcharge and £90 in court costs, taking the total to £1,028.Police figures show around 130 motorists a year are caught out by the same speed camera on the Stocksbridge bypass.The busy artery, which links West Yorkshire to the M1, is set at the national speed limit – 60 for single-carriageway roads.Most read in FootballThe court run-in is the latest in a long line of driving woes for Man United stars.Maguire’s pal Marcus Rashford is currently banned from the road after speeding at 104mph on the M60.The forward was pulled over by an undercover cop car and claimed he only sped up as he was scared of being followed.Last year Rashford, 26, infamously collided with a grandmother in his £700,000 Rolls-Royce Cullinan as he left United’s Carrington training ground.Both drivers luckily escaped without harm.Fellow England star Jack Grealish, of United’s rivals Man City, was also fined £666 earlier this year for speeding at 44 in a 30mph zone.Harry Maguire and Man United were approached for comment.Maguire was also given three penalty points on his licenseCredit: Getty More

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    Boxing champion sentenced to death in Iran for third time for ‘corruption on earth’ and ‘protesting’

    IRANIAN boxer Mohammad Javad Vafaei-Sani is facing execution for a third time after being convicted of “corruption on earth” during anti-government protests in 2019.The 29-year-old athlete was arrested in March 2020 and accused of setting fire to a government building – which he denied.Iranian boxer Mohammad Javad Vafaei-Sani has been sentenced to death for the third timeThe 29-year-old athlete was arrested in March 2020 and accused of setting fire to a government buildingCredit: Youtube / @WIONHis death sentence is being compared to the execution of wrestler Navid AfkariCredit: AFPIt’s claimed that the boxer was subsequently put through horrific “severe physical and psychological torture”, AS reports.Vafaei-Sani’s case has been commonly compared to wrestler Navid Afkari, 27, who was accused of killing a state security guard during the anti-government protests in 2018 and hanged in 2020.Vafaei-Sani was convicted in December 2021 of “corruption on earth” – which is considered to be the most serious charge under Iran’s penal code and punishable by death.His lawyer Babak Paknia said on X that despite the Supreme Court overturning the previous verdict, “the majority opinion of the investigative judges (consultants to the Branch 3 of the Mashhad Revolutionary Court), in opposition to the Supreme Court judges, has again issued a death sentence for ‘corruption on earth’.read more world news”This ruling can be appealed.”Figures show Iran carries out around 250 executions a year, in addition to a 100 executions of children each year.The country’s barbaric system of punishments includes hanging from cranes in public, use of horrific electric shocks and flogging.Vafaei-Sani is one of the many Iranian athletes who have been sentenced to death by the government or killed during protests in recent years.Most read in BoxingAs reported by Iran Wire, volleyball player Ali Mozafari was killed during protests in 2022.Footballer Mohammad Ghaemifar was fatally shot by regime forces a month later and was reportedly targeted and cornered in an alley.And bodybuilder Ehsan Ghasemifar, 32, was killed during protests in December 2022.He was “surrounded by security forces while livestreaming on Instagram” and his family were urged to say his death was due to a “heart attack”, says Iran Wire.Other Iranian athletes have suffered the same fate for decades.Navid AfkariNavid Afkari was a champion wrestler before his deathCredit: EPAIran hanged champion wrestler Navid Afkari in 2020 on a trumped-up charge of killing a security guard during protests.He is believed to have been tortured and forced to sign a confession letter.Handwritten letters from him detailed 50 days of beatings and attempted suffocation.”The Islamic Republic of Iran is about to execute an innocent person,” he said in a final voice message.Navid was hanged – and his death sparked outrage around the world, with even then US President Donald Trump decrying Tehran.Habib KhabiriHabib Khabiri was a national footballing hero – but was killed aged just 29Credit: IranWireDescribed as the closest thing Iran has ever had to American national hero Kobe Bryant, Habib Khabiri was hanged by Iran.He was the captain of Iran’s national football team and a hero.Habib scored a dramatic winning goal in the 1978 World Cup qualifying game against Kuwait.But he was arrested and executed when he was aged just 29, being hanged for being a member of a dissident group.He was killed among 40 others at the notorious Evin Prison.”Habib was the Iranian Kobe Bryant,” commentator Manook Khodabakhshian told Sports Illustrated in 1998.”Sometimes when I watch Kobe Bryant, I see Habib Khabiri. He was only 16 or 17 when he started to play for the national team. He was a very creative player.”So young, such a happy guy.”Mahshid RazaghiHabib (bottom) also saw his teammate Mahshid Razaghi (top) be arrestedCredit: CSDHI NewsAnother footballer who played alongside Habib, Mahshid Razaghi was a member of the Iranian team that went to the Olympics.He was arrested for selling anti-government newspapers – and was sentenced to one year in prison in 1980.But the footie star was never released.Mahshid was left rotting in jail until 1988 – when he was executed along with a wave of other political prisoners as part of the infamous massacres by the Death Commission.His brother Ahmad was also executed just days later, with up to 30,000 people estimated to have been killed in the purge.Foruzan AbdiForuzan Abdi was the volleyball team’s captain – but she was executedCredit: FacebookAnother high profile athlete, Foruzan Abdi was the captain of the Iranian women’s national team.She was arrested in 1981 and sentenced for eight years in prison for supporting a dissident group.Just like Mahshid, she was never released from her prison.And she was killed along with thousands of others as part of the 1988 purge.Majid Jamali-FashiMajid Jamali Fashi claimed he was tortured and forced to confessCredit: APIran killed kickboxer Majid Jamali-Fashi after a show trial which was shown on TV.He was accused of working for Israeli spies and assassinating a nuclear scientist in Tehran.Pictures were paraded on TV of an Israeli passport said to be his – only for it to be exposed as one edited from Wikipedia.Majid is alleged to have been tortured into to confessing, and he is believed to have doomed after being mentioned in a leak by Wikileaks.He was hanged.Houshang MontazeralzohourHoushang Montazeralzohour was reportedly executed by firing squadCredit: CSDHI NewsFive years after he represented Iran at the Olympics as a wrestler, Houshang Montazeralzohour was executed by firing squad.He was a national champion in his weight class and competed for the his country at the Summer Olympics in Montreal.READ MORE SUN STORIESBut he was arrested along with 29 others in 1981.Houshang was allegedly tortured and then shot dead by firing squad. 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    Arsenal legend Jens Lehmann stopped by cops for ‘drink driving’ in Lederhosen after ‘necking steins’ at Oktoberfest bash

    ARSENAL legend Jens Lehmann has been stopped for suspected drink-driving in LEDERHOSEN – after downing steins at Oktoberfest.The Gunners veteran – in goal for the famous ‘Invincibles’ team – was pictured partying at the huge Bavarian beer festival, in Munich, Germany, on Sunday.Jens Lehmann spotted at OktoberfestThe Arsenal goalkeeper in 2006Credit: PA:Press AssociationLehmann at Oktoberfest in 2014Credit: GettyLehmann, 54, was then pulled over by cops outside the beer extravaganza and was staggering and smelled of alcohol, Bild reports.Breath tests had to be abandoned because the ex-Emirates ace was “no longer able to blow” and instead was taken to a police station for further tests.His driver’s licence has been confiscated as a matter of procedure while cops continue looking into the case.Lehmann was earlier pictured in full traditional Bavarian dress with a beer, surrounded by female pals at the festival.Read more on footballFans also spotted him dancing in benches in the Schützenfest tent.A source said: “There are police officers lurking around the Oktoberfest who are supposed to prevent drink driving.”Senior public prosecutor Anne Leiding said: “Mr. Lehmann was subjected to a police check on September 23, 2024 at around 1:30 a.m. due to his unusual driving behavior in a car in the inner city area of Munich.”She added: “The police are said to have noticed a clear smell of alcohol and an unsafe manner.Most read in Football“A breath alcohol test did not produce any usable results, whereupon a blood sample was ordered and the driver’s licence was confiscated.“Our investigations are still pending. Suspicions of drunk driving continue.”Lehmann – who came third at the 2006 World Cup with Germany – has faced a string of trouble with police over recent years.In December 2023 he was fined £400,000 by the Starnberg District Court, in Bavaria, for chainsawing his neighbour’s garage roof to get a better view of Lake Starnberg.A court also previously heard he drove bumper-to-bumper behind a car under a barrier in order to avoid paying parking fees at Munich Airport.In 2009 Lehmann was dropped by then team Stuttgart for partying at Oktoberfest without permission.He is a regular at the festival and in 2012 was picture there with Sol Campbell in full traditional Bavarian dress. He was pictured at the festival with Didier Drogba in 2011.Lehmann famously became the first player to be sent off in a European Cup final after tripping Barcelona striker Samuel Eto’o, in 2006.READ MORE SUN STORIESJens Lehmann told Blild: “I can’t say anything about it at the moment.”A spokesman for Munich police declined to comment. More