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      Premier League urged to re-investigate Newcastle’s Saudi takeover after stunning court revelation

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      THE Premier League is under pressure to re-investigate Newcastle’s takeover after US court revelations that the club’s owner is part of the Saudi government.Prem bosses gave permission for the controversial £300million takeover in October 2021 after insisting they had “legally binding assurances” that the Saudi government did not control the club.
      Some Prem rivals want Newcastle’s takeover re-examinedCredit: Reuters
      Lawyers for Toon chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan in the US court case admitted their clients were representatives of the Saudi governmentCredit: Getty
      But those pledges were thrown into doubt after stunning revelations in a US court case in the bitter golf battle between the Saudi-funded LIV Tour and the PGA.
      In a bid to avoid giving evidence, lawyers for Newcastle chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan and the Saudi Public Investment Fund admitted their clients were representatives of the Saudi government.
      LIV lawyers said: “PIF and His Excellency Yasir al-Rumayyan are not ordinary third parties subject to basic discovery relevance standards.
      “They are a sovereign instrumentality of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and a sitting minister of the Saudi government.
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      “Thus they cannot be compelled to provide testimony and documents in a US proceeding.”
      Those arguments failed to impress Judge Susan van Kaplan, who ruled in favour of the PGA and ordered the Saudis to give a sworn deposition testimony.
      But more critically it appears that LIV’s legal team were making claims that run diametrically opposite to those made to justify the Prem allowing the Newcastle deal to take place.
      It has sparked anger from Prem rivals who are furious that the Prem failed to block the deal in the first place.
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      As part of the final discussions between Prem bosses and the Saudi Public Investment Fund, concerns were raised over “which entities would own and/or have the ability to control the club” before the ownership guarantees were given.
      But at the time Prem chief executive Richard Masters also insisted: “If we find evidence to the contrary we can remove the consortium as owners of the club in accordance with the rules.
      “That is understood. There are ways of ensuring we are comfortable and satisfied and that remains the case.”
      Masters will now face calls from rival Prem clubs to rule on whether he must intervene following the legal moves in a court in California.
      Rival club chiefs reacted with disbelief and anger and are now expecting Masters and Prem bosses to act.
      One club boss said: “This looks like a complete reversal of the position we were told was the reason the deal was approved.
      “Surely the Premier League has to get involved here and look at this issue again.”
      A Prem spokesman last night declined to make any comment when asked to respond to the latest development.
      But the demands for action will concern Newcastle fans just days after their first cup final in 24 years – Sunday’s 2-0 Carabao Cup final defeat by Manchester United.
      The Toon board gave a public show of “gratitude” in an open letter to fans, many of whom helped clean up Trafalgar Square after gathering there before the match.
      The board said: “The scenes around Wembley and inside the stadium on Sunday were remarkable and beyond inspiring.
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      “We could not have asked for any more from you. That connection and sense of family is part of our identity.
      “Our ambitions are strengthened by this experience and it will only make us even more determined as we move forward.”
      Newcastle directors Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi were part of the takeover in October 2021Credit: Getty More

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      Arsenal legend Jens Lehmann grilled by cops after crashing Porsche in latest run-in with the law

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      FORMER Arsenal keeper Jens Lehmann has landed himself in hot water after allegedly crashing his Porsche.The ex-Gunners and Germany shot-stopper, 53, has had a history of run-ins with the law following some erratic driving.
      Jens Lehmann has a history of car-related run-ins with the lawCredit: AP
      He was pictured with police officers on WednesdayCredit: Newsflash
      And his latest car-related escapade came outside a women’s fashion store in Munich.
      According to BILD, it was a “minor traffic incident” involving another Porsche driver on Wednesday, February 22.
      A photo taken at the scene showed Lehmann grinning with his hands on his hips as two police officers took down details of the accident.
      A witness said: “The policemen eventually started checking his car using a measuring stick.”
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      It comes after a court hearing for a speeding charge against Lehmann was postponed in December as he was in Qatar watching the World Cup.
      He is now awaiting a new court date as he answers a charge of doing 69mph in a 31mph zone.
      In 2022, he was also accused of destroying a neighbour’s garage with a chainsaw because it blocked his view of Lake Starnberg.
      He has previously been fined for aiding and abetting an escape from an accident and missing his own trial for making phone calls while driving.
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      Last year he also objected to a £35 parking fine but failed to show up in court to fight it.
      Lehmann, a part of Arsenal’s “Invincibles” team, played 199 times for the Gunners between 2003 and 2008.
      He then returned for one more game in 2011 after the club suffered a goalkeeping crisis.
      Lehmann also played for Schalke, AC Milan, Borussia Dortmund and Stuttgart.
      He received 61 caps for Germany.
      Lehmann spent five years at ArsenalCredit: Getty More

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      Non-league clash abandoned after just 60 mins as fans fight, stewards attacked and flares thrown in outrageous scenes

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      A FOOTBALL match was abandoned after fans were embroiled in fights, stewards were attacked and flares throw on the pitch. The non-league clash between local rivals Tamworth and Nuneaton Borough saw the game abandoned after 60 minutes on police and match official advice.
      A fan was seen punching a stewardCredit: Twitter
      It came as fan trouble caused the match to be abandoned.Credit: Twitter
      The match in the Southern League Premier Central – the seventh tier of English football – saw Tamworth beating their opponents 2-0 before fan trouble forced the game to be abandoned.
      A Tamworth club statement read: “A keenly contested football match between two local rivals was being enjoyed by the vast majority of the 2156 crowd inside the Lamb ground on Tuesday evening.
      “The date of this fixture was selected by the Southern League following the original date not being available due to Tamworth’s involvement in the FA Trophy.
      “In line with league rules, this game had to be played within 42 days of the original date.
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      “Unfortunately, a very small minority of Nuneaton supporters in their segregated area instigated ugly scenes by throwing flares and other objects onto the pitch and into a group of Tamworth supporters when the home side scored their second goal.
      “The stewarding team, which had been supplemented by an outside company, worked very hard to restore order.
      “At that point, the Tamworth supporters were asked to move away from the top end of the ground to create a sterile area from the halfway line and we would like to thank them for their orderly manner and swift evacuation to other parts of the ground.”
      Staffordshire Police had sent officers into Tamworth town centre an hour before kick-off to escort fans to the ground amid reports of “emerging tensions between a minority of fans.”
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      Police, who were aware of the fixture, were also informed of damage dealt to the away end toilets at the ground.
      Tamworth’s statement added: “Tamworth Football Club totally condemns this behaviour which spoiled a very good evening and should have been a showcase for Non-League Football.
      “We are now working with the Police to identify the perpetrators of this behaviour using CCTV, social media and still photographs.
      “The incident is being investigated by the authorities and we will update supporters once we are aware of the outcomes.”
      No arrests were made at the time of the incident, but Police confirmed they had identified a number of suspects and “will be taking appropriate action.”
      The force also confirmed that two stewards reported being assaulted while another fan suffered a non-life-threatening head injury following a fall.
      Nuneaton also released a statement condemning the acts seen at the game and confirmed they would be working with the relevant parties to ensure it would not happen again.
      It read: “Nuneaton Borough FC are deeply saddened and disappointed at the turn of events that led to the abandonment of last night’s Southern League Premier Central fixture at the Lamb against Tamworth FC.
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      “In what should have been a showcase event for non-league football as a whole, the actions of a small minority of ‘so-called’ football fans has turned this into a worst-case scenario outcome for both clubs…
      “We will now hopefully be working closely with Tamworth FC, the league, the FA and all relevant local authorities to ensure that we do everything within our power to stop this happening again in the future and change the culture that leads to these kind of incidents.” More

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      Dani Alves faces years in jail after his bid for bail over ‘nightclub sex attack’ is rejected

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      DANI Alves is facing spending years behind bars after his appeal for bail was rejected.The Brazil star, 39, is being held in a jail near Barcelona, a month after his arrest over an alleged sex assault at the city’s Sutton venue in the early hours of December 31.
      Dani Alves was denied bail on TuesdayCredit: Getty
      A Spanish court deemed he needs to remain in jail while the investigation continuesCredit: AFP
      A Spanish court denied his appeal to be freed on bail while the investigation continues, ruling he was a flight risk and must remain in prison.
      Court officials have confirmed Alves is under investigation on suspicion of sexually assaulting a woman, but have not confirmed the exact nature of the allegations against him.
      Investigations of this kind can take months and even years in some cases to complete, while those under formal investigation can be held in prison without charge for up to four years in Spain, although the normal limit is two years.
      The former Barcelona defender was arrested last month after a 23-year-old woman identified him as her attacker to police.
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      His arrest came as a second blow for his heartbroken wife Joana Sanz just days after her mum died from cancer,
      Alves initially denied any contact with his accuser, but in a court hearing, he changed his story and claimed they had consensual sex.
      He denies wrongdoing and remains in custody.
      A judge ordered him to be jailed without bail after analysing the initial probe by authorities and hearing testimony from Alves, the alleged victim and witnesses.
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      “Daniel Alves remains as innocent as he was before this ruling,” his defense team said in a statement.
      “His desire to leave Spain and elude the process did not, and does not, exist.”
      Alves lawyers filed the appeal saying the Brazilian agreed to turn in his passport and wear a tracking device if he was freed.
      Alves would also report to the court and to authorities as often as required, including daily, and would not go within 500 meters (yards) of the accuser or her home or workplace.
      But the court ruled that those measures would not be enough to keep the player from potentially trying to escape considering he faces several years in prison if found guilty.
      It also said there was considerable evidence that a crime might have been committed, and that Alves’ wealth could make it easier for him to try to flee regardless of the amount of bail.
      “Nothing would stop Mr. Alves from leaving Spain by air, sea or even land without documentation and reaching his country of origin, where he could stay knowing that he would not be delivered to Spain despite international arrest warrants or extradition orders,” the court said.
      CCTV footage published by Spanish media was said to show him and the alleged victim in a VIP area and then going to the toilet for 47 seconds.
      The woman said that after the alleged attack she was too scared to leave the toilet for several minutes.
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      The football ace reportedly made his debut for a prison football team earlier this month. More

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      Spurs fan ADMITS assaulting Aaron Ramsdale after booting Arsenal goalkeeper in the back

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      A SPURS fan has admitted kicking Arsenal keeper Aaron Ramsdale during the North London derby.Joseph Watts, 35, was held after tensions flared at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last month.
      Ramsdale was kicked after the Gunners’ 2-0 winCredit: Sky Sports
      He then made a desperate scramble through the crowd
      Ramsdale celebrates Arsenal’s 2-0 win at Tottenham
      Ramsdale, 24, was booted in the back as he went to get his gloves and bottle from the side of the goal.
      Watts, who admitted he was drunk, had clambered onto an advertising board to aim the kick at the England star.
      Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court was told the thug was seen desperately scrambling through the throng of Spurs fans to escape.
      Players from both sides then ran over to try and diffuse the situation.
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      Watts admitted assault by beating, going on to an area adjacent to the playing area and throwing a missile on to a football playing area.
      The yob, of Hackney, East London, threw four coins towards the pitch during the drama on January 15.
      He was handed a 12-month community order and made to pay £100 in compensation to the footballer.
      Watts was also slapped with a four-year football banning order meaning he cannot attend matches.
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      In a victim impact statement, Ramsdale said he saw a masseuse because his back felt “heavy”, but there were no marks.
      He added: “I’ve never had someone enter the pitch and kick me.
      “I don’t think it’s acceptable that I should be assaulted at work.”
      The keeper had made seven saves during the Gunners’ 2-0 win against their London rivals.
      But the win was marred by the chaotic scenes, with the Arsenal no1 later revealing the incident left him with a “sour taste”.
      Tottenham vowed to slap the shameless fan with an immediate ban once they were identified.
      The club said at the time: “We are appalled by the behaviour of a supporter that attempted to attack Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale at the end of today’s match.
      “Violence in any form has no place in football.”
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      While a Football Association statement read: “We strongly condemn the incident involving a spectator that followed today’s Premier League fixture between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal.
      “This is wholly unacceptable behaviour and we will work together with the police, the relevant authorities and the clubs to ensure the appropriate action is taken.”
      Watts covered his face as he appeared at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court todayCredit: PA
      Watts balanced on the side-line rail before jumpingCredit: Sky Sports
      The fan then climbed back over the crowd to get away from securityCredit: Sky Sports
      Tempers had flared at the North London derby More

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      Patrice Evra breaks silence after getting criminal conviction for posting homophobic abuse online

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      FORMER Manchester United star Patrice Evra has broken his silence after he was convicted of posting homophobic abuse online.The 41-year-old filmed an expletive rant where he used discriminatory slurs in 2019 after the Red Devils beat Paris-Saint Germain in the Champions League.
      Patrice Evra has been convicted for homophobic comments made onlineCredit: Alamy
      Patrice Evra made the remarks in 2019Credit: Grab
      The video caused outrage in France and led to two anti-hate organisations, Mousse and Stop Homophobia, making a formal complaint.
      Evra referred to PSG as “queers” and said “it’s the men who talk”.
      He was convicted earlier this month, being fined £890 and ordered to pay £1780 to campaign groups.
      Evra has now had his say, claiming he has learnt a lot and does not want people to associate him with his past words.
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      He told The Times: “I’m hurt because this doesn’t represent me.
      “Yes, I used vulgar language because when I was growing up this was normal. It makes me think I have so much to learn but I will keep learning.
      “The police were laughing because they know I didn’t use the words [to be offensive]. They say we don’t have to pursue the case because we know who Patrice is.
      “It was a private message, I used words that were used when I was a kid. It was the way I grew up.
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      “I used words that were used when I was a kid. It was the way I grew up. The problem is you have to adapt. It is a new world. I apologised straight away because I could see I offended people.
      “For four years they fight but they are picking the battle with the wrong guy if you see what I have done all my life, which is to accept everyone for who they are.
      “It’s painful because it’s not who I am.
      “I have to pay those two associations and I hope they are going to use the money for good things but it is not just about the money, it’s about me being in this situation when I am not that person.
      “I made a mistake. In my youth it was not a mistake and now it is. Since that incident I have never used those words. 
      “I have acknowledged the homophobia problem in the football world so it’s really crazy for me to get this bad press for something I did four years ago. 
      “It was not because I meant it, I just used those words. I offended people, I apologised many times.
      “I lost the case, and I paid them and I am fine with that. But I am not fine with people trying to describe an image I am not.”
      Evra grew up in Senegal, where homosexuality is illegal, before moving to France as a young child. More

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      Volkan Kahraman dead at 43: Former Austria star shot and killed ‘by friend in city street murder-suicide’

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      AUSTRIAN football is in mourning after former international Volkan Kahraman was shot dead in a city street murder-suicide.The ex-midfielder, 43, won three caps and played for Dutch clubs Feyenoord and Excelsior.
      Volkan Kahraman has passed away aged 43Credit: Twitter @FKAustriaWien
      He helped his hometown club Austria Vienna win a league and cup double, and played for other clubs in Austria, Turkey and Greece.
      Kahraman later went into local politics as well as becoming a youth coach.
      But he was reportedly shot outside a bar in Vienna on Wednesday after an argument with a former friend and business associate.
      The apparent killer then turned his gun on himself.
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      Vienna police have opened an investigation.
      Spokesman Daniel Furst said: “We were called to the scene at around 11.40am, but every attempt at resuscitation proved fruitless.”
      Austria Vienna paid tribute to their former player on their website, listing his career highs.
      The Bundesliga club wrote: “Rest in peace, Volkan.
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      “Austria Vienna wish great strength to those who he leaves behind, above all his family and close friends.”
      Of Turkish origins, Kahraman founded the Besiktas Vienna football club in 2010. More

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      If Man City are guilty of breaking Premier League financial rules they should be kicked out – but don’t hold your breath

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      YOU’D think that to be accused of cheating would be the worst that could happen in sport.And that you would be kicked out and treated as a pariah.
      The Premier League has charged Manchester City with 115 counts of breaking the league’s financial rulesCredit: Reuters
      Man City manager Pep GuardiolaCredit: PA
      Well, let’s see what happens to Manchester City.
      After a long and painstaking investigation, the Premier League has charged City with 115 counts of breaking the league’s financial rules.
      In short, the Premier League is accusing Manchester City of false accounting.
      Of overvaluing the amounts of money they got in from sponsorship deals and other legitimate sources of revenue.
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      And undervaluing their costs.
      In other words lying, over a long period of time, about how much money they had and how much they were spending.
      This is called cheating.
      All the teams in the Premier League — and in the lower divisions — must abide by Financial Fair Play rules.
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      This governs what percentage of their income can be spent on wages and transfers and so on.
      It ensures the books are balanced.
      And its purpose is to stop clubs going out of business by spending beyond their means.
      In short, if you haven’t got a pot to p**s in, you can’t buy Kylian Mbappe.
      It’s pretty straightforward.
      But it’s not straightforward the way Manchester City have been doing it, allegedly.
      And if they’ve not been honest about their income and expenditure, it means they have been given a huge advantage over clubs that have abided by the rules.
      There is a suggestion Manchester City could be kicked out of the league.
      Well, that would be a start, if they’re guilty. But don’t hold your breath.
      CLEAR OFF
      Because no matter how seriously the authorities say they take Financial Fair Play, the truth is that the big clubs always seem to get away with it.
      Already, Manchester City’s bosses are marshalling a whole army of expensive lawyers.
      They say they will fight the Premier League every step of the way.
      These legal battles could go on for years and years.
      They will probably still be in court when Alf-Inge Haaland is collecting his free bus pass.
      In the meantime, City will carry on just the way they’ve always carried on.
      This, surely, is wrong. If City disagree with the Premier League’s rules, they are perfectly at liberty to clear off out of the league.
      But while in it, they must abide.
      That means, at the least, a complete embargo on transfers until this business is sorted out.
      That should concentrate the minds a little at the Etihad Stadium.
      I don’t say any of this because I hate Manchester City.
      I mean, obviously I do hate Manchester City, but no more than I hate, say, Arsenal or Leeds United.
      I’m a Millwall fan. We hate everyone.
      No, I say it because for too long now, under the league’s rules, teams that do the right thing are penalised, and somehow the big guns always wriggle out of accusations of rule-breaking.
      Which makes a mockery of the whole thing.
      The Premier League should act tough with City.
      No spending at all until the charges are heard in court, which they will be.
      And if the verdict is guilty as charged? Out of the league.
      Well done, Your Worship
      ATTENDANCES at Church of England services continue to plummet.
      More and more people who would call themselves Christian find the Church of England an utter irrelevance.
      But at last the bishops are doing something about it.
      Yes, they are reviewing the Bible for its gender-biased language.
      Well done, Your Worship.
      That’ll bring them flooding back.

      AID BY ENEMY
      THE footage of those earthquakes on the Syria/Turkey border is heart-breaking.
      As if that area hasn’t been through enough turmoil and misery . . . 
      Israel has so far dispatched 380 men from the Israel Defense Forces to help after the Turkey/Syria earthquakeCredit: Reuters
      The first country to respond to the disaster, by sending hundreds of expert helpers?
      Israel, which has so far dispatched 380 men from the Israel Defense Forces.
      Never mind that the Turkish government hates Israel, and Syria is still at war with it.
      DID POLLY HIT A NERVE BY WADING INTO WATERS?
      POLLY SAMSON, the wife of Pink Floyd star David Gilmour, has tweeted her observations on the band’s former member Roger Waters.
      She said: “You are anti-Semitic to your rotten core.
      Dave Gilmour’s wife Polly Samson has tweeted her observations on the band’s former member Roger WatersCredit: Getty
      Polly said of Roger: ‘You are anti-Semitic to your rotten core’Credit: Getty
      “Also a Putin apologist and a lying, thieving, hypocritical, tax-avoiding, lip-synching,misogynistic, sick-with-envy, megalomaniac.
      “Enough of your nonsense.”
      Mr Waters, of course, begs to differ and denies all charges.
      Maybe Polly hit a nerve. Incidentally, with the possible exceptions of U2 and Coldplay, has there ever been a more overrated band in the history of rock music than Pink Floyd?
      WELSH SHOW SENSE
      HUGE respect to the Welsh rugby fans.
      Their team may be utterly useless, but the supporters did their country proud.
      The Welsh Rugby Union has banned the song Delilah but Tom Jones is going to sing itCredit: WNS
      The Welsh Rugby Union people banned the song Delilah.
      Because it is about a bloke who kills his lover. Can’t have songs about that.
      But the Welsh fans belted it out in a magnificent show of defiance.
      And now Tom Jones is going to sing Delilah for the first time in 20 years at a show in Wales.
      That’s the way to treat these stupid, po-faced author-ities. Iechyd da!
      Rishi’s reshuffle
      THEY have been moving the deck-chairs around on the Titanic again.
      This is Rishi Sunak’s Cabinet reshuffle.
      OK, I like the idea of Michelle Donelan heading a beefed-up Science and Technology department.
      It’s good to see the excellent Kemi Bad-enoch promoted.
      But for as long as Jeremy Hunt is the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Tories are going to lose the next election.
      Heavily.

      SAM IS RECIPE FOR JOY
      APPARENTLY, 42 per cent of us can’t remember the last time we laughed.
      What a depressing statistic. I have no such problem.
      Sam Smith’s latest music video made Rod laughCredit: YOUTUBE
      I laughed like a drain when I saw Sam Smith’s last video.
      I also laughed when I saw a gobby, annoying child in a restaurant fall over flat on his face.
      And I laugh every time Nicola Sturgeon opens her mouth.
      It may be a dry, bitter, mirthless cackle – but it’s still a laugh, isn’t it?
      We all need to rediscover the joy of revelling in other people’s misfortunes.
      Put the smile back on to the face of Great Britain.
      ACTION IF IZZY WINS
      HEROINE of the week is South London mum Izzy Montague.
      She is suing the school attended by her young son because she claims they forced him to go on a LGBT march.
      The kid was FOUR YEARS OLD.
      The headteacher of Heavers Farm Primary also banned Izzy from visiting the school, saying that the staff did not feel safe when she was there.
      Scores of parents objected to their kids being taken on the march, incidentally.
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      That’s because they think children not much older than toddlers were being force-fed propaganda.
      If Izzy wins her battle, the head of the school should be sacked.  More