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      Benjamin Mendy’s cleaner told rape trial his house was a ‘catastrophe’ following a party

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      FOOTIE ace Benjamin Mendy’s cleaner yesterday told his rape trial that his house was a “catastrophe” following a party.Yvonne Shea said there were “bottles everywhere”, adding: “The glass tabletop had been broken. It was like windscreen glass so that was all over.”
      Footie ace Benjamin Mendy’s cleaner yesterday told his rape trial that his house was a ‘catastrophe’ following a partyCredit: Andy Kelvin / Kelvinmedia
      She had visited the Man City defender’s home in Prestbury, Cheshire, after a bash in August 2021 at which a woman was allegedly raped.
      Of the accusations against Mendy, she added: “I’m shocked. He’s not that kind of person.”
      The jury heard from ten character witnesses for Mendy, including three former lovers.
      And in a statement, his sister Marie called him a “good person” but added he “doesn’t talk a lot about his feelings”.
      READ MORE ON BENJAMIN MENDY
      Mendy denies charges including seven counts of rape.
      The Chester crown court trial was adjourned.
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      Benjamin Mendy claims he asked ‘rape victims’ directly if they wanted to have sex ‘to avoid dates or conversation’

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      BENJAMIN Mendy claimed he asked his alleged rape victims if they wanted to have sex to avoid dates or conversation, a court heard. The Manchester City footballer, 28, was asked about his attitude towards sex at the time the offences are said to have taken place.
      Benjamin Mendy was asked about his attitude to women todayCredit: Andy Kelvin / Kelvinmedia
      Mendy said: ‘I was trying to be more direct’Credit: Andy Kelvin / Kelvinmedia
      Mendy said: “I was trying to be more direct to avoid conversation or go on dates.
      “That’s why I was quick and direct if they wanted to have sex, to avoid all that.”
      Timothy Kray KC, prosecuting, during a second day of cross-examination at Chester Crown Court, put it to the Premier League player that he does not see women as individual people and thinks normal rules do not apply to him so he gets it “terribly wrong” in believing they are consenting to sex.
      Mendy admitted he regrets his partying lifestyle and told jurors he is “crazy” and that his life was like being on a “fast train” that kept “going and going” until he was arrested and had time to think in jail.
      READ MORE ON SPORT
      The 28-year-old French international is accused of being a “predator” who turned the pursuit of women for sex into a game, regularly going clubbing in Manchester before holding “after-parties” where young women were invited back to a city centre apartment or his Cheshire mansion and sexually assaulted.
      He denies rape and sexual assaults on six women and told the jury any sexual contact was always consensual.
      One rape complainant has claimed Mendy told her having sex with him was a “privilege” and he had had sex with 10,000 women.
      Mr Kray asked Mendy: “You didn’t really see them as people, just things to be used for sex.
      Most read in The Sun
      “That’s how you did see them and how you would get it terribly wrong about whether they were consenting or not?”
      Mendy replied: “No.”
      The jury heard that, during the pandemic, the flat Mendy rented in Manchester and his home, The Spinney, in Mottram St Andrew, Cheshire, were used for lockdown-busting parties, to prey on young women.
      Mr Kray continued: “Did you think the rules did not apply to you? You had parties because you had this lust for sex?”
      Mendy said: “No. At the time I was just partying. I was not thinking that well.”
      Mr Kray said: “You were a danger to women, weren’t you? Because you did not see any consequences of breaking really important rules?”
      Mendy said: “No, never. Having a social life, I did lots of things.”
      The jurors were shown a CCTV clip of Mendy in a nightclub, dancing with women and holding his crotch.
      Mr Kray said: “That’s what you thought about at the time – what’s in your pants – and you had sex with them no matter what they thought.”
      Mendy denies seven counts of rape, one count of attempted rape and one count of sexual assault against six young women.
      Read More on The Sun
      His co-accused, Louis Saha Matturie, 41, of Eccles, Salford, denies six counts of rape and three counts of sexual assault relating to seven young women.
      The trial continues. More

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      Benjamin Mendy admits telling ‘rape victim’ he’d ‘kidnap’ her before ‘confronting her in shower’

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      BENJAMIN Mendy told his rape trial today he whispered to an alleged victim “I’m going to kidnap you” as she danced with her boyfriend in a club.The Manchester City star also said “we can have what we wanted” – meaning sex – after he discovered her showering at his home.
      Benjamin Mendy’s evidence is continuingCredit: Andy Kelvin / Kelvinmedia
      Mendy, 28, told jurors he met the complainant, named Woman One in court, while recovering from an injury in Barcelona in 2017.
      Around a year later, she joined him on a night out in Manchester where the footballer claims they “flirted” and “danced together”.
      He claimed they were “both smiling” when he whispered “I am going to kidnap you” her as she danced with her boyfriend, who was one of Mendy’s pals.
      The group all headed back to his mansion where Woman One claims he grabbed her and attempted to rape her on a bed.
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      But the footballer said today she flirted with him and they began touching each other after he saw her coming from the shower looking “sexy”.
      He told Chester Crown Court the woman then turned him down for sex as she had a boyfriend.
      Mendy told her boyfriend was “fine with that” – causing her to become “upset”.
      He said: “I realise it is disrespectful and bad, I asked him if it was OK if I tried to have sex with her. He told me yes.”
      Most read in The Sun
      The left-back said he later arranged for his driver to take her to the train station.
      He was also asked about a second alleged victim, woman Two, who claims he raped her three times at his home.
      Mendy told the court they did not have sex but he was left feeling “confused and shocked” when she texted his co-accused Louis Saha Matturie about what she thought happened.
      His second day of evidence comes after Mendy yesterday told it was “honestly, so easy” for him to meet up with women and have sex “because of the status”.
      The French international said the attention became “10 times more” when he began playing for Man City and admitted he is “no Brad Pitt.
      He also told jurors he would often sleep with different women on the same night, admitting: “For me it was normal, I realised just now it sounds bad.”
      Mendy has been described as a “predator” who “turned the pursuit of women for sex into a game”.
      He is accused of seven counts of rape, one count of attempted rape and one count of sexual assault against six young women.
      The star allegedly locked women in “panic rooms” at his isolated mansion in Cheshire while hosting parties.
      Some of his alleged victims claim their phones were taken away from them on arrival, which the prosecution say left them unable to call for help.
      Mendy is on trial with co-defendant Matturie, 41, who was an alleged “fixer” in charge of finding women for sex.
      He denies six counts of rape and three counts of sexual assault relating to seven young women.
      Read More on The Sun
      Both men say if any sex did take place with women or girls it was consensual.
      The trial continues.
      Mendy is accused of raping women at his mansionCredit: Andy Kelvin / Kelvinmedia
      The footballer denies the chargesCredit: AP:Associated Press More

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      Former Premier League star arrested for ‘drink driving’ after ‘ploughing Land Rover into front of village shop’

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      A FORMER Premier League footballer has been arrested for drink-driving after ploughing his car through the front of a shop, it was reported.Pictures from the scene show the front of the Land Rover wedged into the front of the County Durham shop.
      The Land Rover lodged inside the shop in County DurhamCredit: NNP
      The occupants of the flat above the shop had to be evacuatedCredit: North News & Pictures Ltd nort
      The 37-year-old has been bailed by Cleveland Police pending further enquiries, the Daily Mail reports.
      The shop suffered substantial damage and the occupants of the flat above had to be evacuated.
      The store remained closed over the weekend and the fire brigade were called out following the crash at 9.30pm on Friday.
      It comes after a separate incident earlier this year when Burnley Midfielder Dale Stephens was banned from the roads after he was caught behind wheel at almost twice the legal limit. 
      READ MORE ON FOOTBALL
      The 32-year-old was pulled over in his £40k Range Rover Sport after going for dinner and ‘having a few beers’.
      The £15,000-a-week player was stopped in Cheshire’s poshest village by police during a routine check as cops investigated a string of luxury car thefts. 
      Officers are understood to have first let Stephens go but then noticed a smell of alcohol. 
      A roadside breath test showed the Premier League star was almost twice the drink drive limit, Stockport Magistrates heard.  More

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      Inside brutal alliance policing Qatar World Cup from French tear gas cops to Turkish special forces ready to batter fans

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      TEAMS of special forces from around the world will descend upon the Qatar World Cup in a bid to crack down on football hooligans. Qatar has pulled in extra police from every corner of the globe to help at the sporting event with the tiny Gulf nation expecting an unprecedented influx of 1.2million visitors.
      Some of the hardest police units including Turkey’s special operations unit, known as the Polis-Özel-Harekat, will be sent to QatarCredit: Getty
      French cops struggled to control violent clashes between fans at the Euros in 2016Credit: Reuters
      Troops from Pakistan’s army will also be deployed to bolster numbers for the World CupCredit: Twitter
      Officers from the US, Britain, Turkey, South Korea, France, Italy and Pakistan will make up a patchwork police force drafted in to keep order at the month-long football extravaganza.
      The extra cops will provide security at the eight stadiums in Doha and hotels where the 32 national football squads are staying as part of “Operation World Cup Shield”.
      Some of the hardest police units including Turkey’s special operations unit, known as the Polis-Özel-Harekat, and French riot cops behind the tear-gassing of Liverpool fans, will be beefing up security.
      The team of terrifying Turkish cops are mostly used to fight terrorism in their home country but has previously been criticised for human rights violations – particularly against those in Kurdish areas.
      Read more on the World Cup
      Armed with rifles, handguns and with its own attack helicopter and numerous armoured vehicles the POH is armed to the teeth.
      The squad also has its own fierce female unit – one of a handful of security forces in the world to do so.
      Along with 3,000 riot police, Turkey has offered its own warship to bolster security at the World Cup for six months.
      The TCG Burgazad, along with 250 troops, has already been deployed to Doha in the last month.
      Most read in Football
      According to a report by Nordic Monitor, an NGO that detects terrorist activity, the special forces unit will not be held responsible for its action or any damages in the Gulf state.
      During a debate over the security protocol, opposition lawmakers criticised the use of Turkish cops as ‘mercenaries’.
      French officers specialised in anti-drone policing will also make up the bulk of their own 191-strong force.
      Bomb-disposal experts, sniffer dogs, an anti-terror unit and cops specialised in tackling football hooliganism will all be deployed.
      The French riot cops came under scrutiny just months ago after shocking footage showed Liverpool fans being tear-gassed outside the Stade De France in Paris at the Champions League Final.
      Kids as young as nine, pregnant women and disabled people were among those pepper-sprayed at the match against Real Madrid.
      Crowds grew restless after paying fans were delayed from entering the stadium in time for the game.
      Liverpool legends Jamie Carragher and Robbie Fowler blasted the French government at the time as “liars” who refused to accept any responsibility for the chaos.
      Boris Johnson, who was PM at the time, said the violent scenes were “deeply upsetting and disturbing”.
      Popular French football magazine So Foot even mocked riot cops and asked: “Did anyone think to show the Qataris footage of the Champions League final?”
      The deployment of French forces to the World Cup in Qatar falls under a security partnership signed last year and passed through French parliament in August after a fierce debate.
      Opposition lawmakers flagged the ethical implications of sending French officers to protect the country’s “air-conditioned cemeteries” – referring to the tournament’s brand-new facilities.  
      And they also raised concerns about the treatment of female cops in Qatar – a country known for its strict Islamic code and hard-line attitude towards women.
      France’s interior ministry confirmed to France 24 that their force in Qatar would include female officers.
      The ministry said the decision to deploy French security personnel followed a “request by Qatari authorities” and would help ensure the security of fans – including French nationals.
      During the Euros in 2016, French riot cops struggled to handle violent clashes between Russian Ultras and England fans in Marseille.
      Horror footage showed Russian fans brutally attacking English crowds with chairs and metal bars before French police sprayed rioters with tear-gas and water cannons.
      Brits Andrew Bache, 51, and Stewart Gray, 47, were both left in a coma after being attacked by Russian thugs.
      PATCHWORK POLICE FORCE
      Turkey is set to send 100 special operations police, 50 bomb specialists and 80 sniffer dogs and riot dogs to monitor any terrorist activity.
      It will also be taking charge of the chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear defence operations at the tournament.
      The country’s cops are being taught English and given guidance about what to expect when they arrive in Qatar, a Turkish source told Reuters.
      They said: “During the tournament, Turkish police will only take orders from their Turkish superiors who are serving temporarily in Qatar.”
      “The Qatari side will not be able to give direct orders to the Turkish police.
      “All expenses of the personnel deployed… will be covered by the state of Qatar.”
      Fans clashing with French cops in Marseille in riots that saw two Brits seriously injuredCredit: Reuters
      The police unit is trained to carry out counter-terrorism operations in Turkey and is armed to the teethCredit: Getty
      French police watching over Liverpool fans during the Champions League final between Liverpool and Real Madrid in MayCredit: AP
      Nearly 800 Qataris have also been trained by Turkey on issues ranging from “sports safety” to “intervention in social events”.
      Meanwhile, Pakistan’s cabinet approved a draft agreement last month to allow the government to offer troops for the tournament – although numbers have not been confirmed.
      Morocco has also backed sending officers to Qatar, with local media reporting that several thousand could be deployed.
      And South Korea has sent military police officers with experience in counter-terror and maintaining public order to help train Qatari cops.
      According to Yonhap, the contingent is made up of “veteran soldiers with experience in overseas military units, anti-terror special task force, arrests of violent military criminals, presidential office guards, and various national events guards”.
      Spain had been considering sending 115 officers – but ultimately refused.
      COUNTER-TERROR OPERATIONS
      As the first Middle East country to host a World Cup – and the smallest nation to do so – Qatar has no previous experience of hosting events on such a scale.
      Members of Qatar’s police forces already met with cops in New York in January to exchange tips for security during major events.
      And in July, the US signed agreements with Qatar to “identify air passengers linked to terrorism, trafficking, detecting watchlisted travellers, and monitoring potential security risks at Hamad International Airport”.
      The UK, whose forces regularly carry out drills with their Qatari counterparts, has also said it will be sending units from the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force to support counterterrorism efforts. 
      A unit of Brit cops set to be deployed will act as a buffer between fans and potentially over-zealous local forces to “de-escalate” issues at the tournament.
      Fifteen special UK police “engagement officers” have been roped in to “calm things down if needed”.
      Cheshire Chief Constable Mark Roberts, the UK’s top football cop, said: “Our officers will be there to try to engage and calm things down if needed.
      “We’re not morality police and we are not going to tell people not to protest.
      “That’s a local enforcement issue. We just want to look after the supporters.
      “The last thing we want is someone inadvertently causing offence, so if we see there’s something that may cause a problem we can go and try to de-escalate the situation.”
      The last thing we want is someone inadvertently causing offence, so if we see there’s something that may cause a problem we can go and try to de-escalate the situationCheshire Chief Constable Mark Roberts
      Mr Roberts said the “potential for a misunderstanding is probably greater” in Qatar.
      “We know that England fans have often gone to a square and drunk but that’s not really an option because you don’t have the off-sales in Qatar in the same way.
      “If you have 2,000 fans in one place, even in the UK, you’d get the police come in and sometimes when England have played abroad our fans have played up to it a bit.
      “We just want to avoid that.”
      Hundreds of Qatari nationals have also been called up to man security checkpoints at the stadiums.
      The conscripts will manage security queues, and check fans for drugs or weapons concealed in ponytails, jacket linings or even false bellies, according to training materials seen by Reuters.
      In early September the civilians were ordered to report for pre-dawn duty at the national service camp north of the Qatari capital Doha.
      A source said civilians were told it was their “patriotic duty” to help out with the World Cup.
      “Most people are there because they have to be – they don’t want to get in trouble,” the source said.
      The current group of civilians are on four months paid leave from their jobs at key Qatari institutions such as state-owned QatarEnergy and the foreign ministry, the source said.
      Conscripts report to the national service camp five days a week, where they attend training sessions – and are taught to approach fans with “positive body language, focus and a smile”.
      Read More on The Sun
      Training also includes hour-long marching drills on the parade ground.
      A Qatari government official said: “Recruits will provide additional support during the tournament as part of the regular program, just as they do every year at major public events, such as the National Day celebration.”
      French riots cops have also been out in forced during the yellow vest protestsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Police spray tear gas at Liverpool fans outside the Stade de FranceCredit: Getty
      Turkey’s TCG Burgazad was deployed to Doha last month to join the massive security operationCredit: Twitter More

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      Watch as Celtic fans clash with Spanish riot police ahead of the Hoops’ Euro match against Real Madrid

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      THIS is the shocking moment a group of Celtic fans clash with riot police in Madrid. Hoops fans are currently out in the Spanish capital to watch their team take on Real Madrid tomorrow night.
      Fans could be seen locked in a tense confrontation with Spanish policeCredit: TWITTER
      The group had been drinking at a bar in the city ahead of tomorrow night’s clashCredit: TWITTER
      Things escalated quickly as a pint was flung at officersCredit: TWITTER
      And videos on social media appear to show fans getting confrontational with a number of riot police outside a city bar.
      Around six Spanish cops with helmets and riot shields can be seen trying to push a number of fans backwards.
      It’s not long before things escalate and a pint of beer is thrown hitting one of the cops’ helmet.
      A number of other pints and glasses are thrown before cops charge forward into the group.
      The cops are then seen chasing punters with their batons as chairs, tables and drinks are knocked over.
      Some Celtic fans can also be seen being pushed to the ground.
      And the end of the video shows a number of fans fleeing while riot cops chase after them.
      The Hoops are due to take on Los Blancos tomorrow night at the Santiago Bernabeau stadium.
      Most read in Football
      The Scots side were comfortably beaten by Carlo Ancelotti’s side 3-0 back in September and are hoping to put their best boots forward despite crashing out of their European campaign.

      But the side have some hope with Jota back in the fold and on the scoresheet against Livingston.
      He’s declared himself ready to face Real having not started since going off at half-time of the 2-1 win over St Johnstone back on October 8.
      Kick-off is at 5.45pm UK time with coverage on BT Sport form 5pm.
      Riot police then charged on some fans after being hit by drinksCredit: TWITTER
      Police could be seen pushing fans to the groundCredit: TWITTER
      We pay for your stories and videos! Do you have a story or video for The Scottish Sun? Email us at scoop@thesun.co.uk or call 0141 420 5200 More

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      in Boxing

      Heavyweight boxer arrested for ‘trafficking 22 TONS of cocaine worth $1BILLION into US’

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      GORAN GOGIC has been charged with trafficking over $1billion worth of cocaine via the United States of America.The Montenegrin former boxer was arrested while trying to board a flight from Miami to Zurich on Sunday night.
      Goran Gogic boxed professionally between 2001 and 2012Credit: Getty
      The 2019 drugs bust was one of the biggest in US historyCredit: Getty
      Gogic, 43, was indicted by a grand jury in New York after one of the biggest drug busts in US history.
      He has been charged with three counts of breaching the Maritime Drug Law Enforcement Act – as well as a further count of conspiracy.
      The four counts each carry with them a minimum 10-year jail term.
      And Gogic could even receive a life sentence after being charged with trafficking over 22 tons worth of cocaine from commercial cargo ships in Philadelphia three years ago.
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      The prosecution claimed that the cocaine was transported from Europe to Colombia via US ports.
      It is also alleged that Gogic looked after logistics of the scheme – coordinating with all sides on behalf of his cartels back in Europe.
      Following Gogic’s arrest and indictment, US attorney Breon Pearce said: “The arrest and indictment of Gogic, a former boxer allegedly responsible for trafficking a staggering amount of cocaine, more than 20 tons, which he attempted to move through US ports, is a resounding victory for law enforcement.
      “The meticulous planning by the defendant and his co-conspirators failed to take into account the federal agents whose hard work resulted in this body blow to the organisation and individuals responsible for distributing massive quantities of cocaine.”
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      DEA Special Agent-in-Charge Frank Tarantino III added: “A billion dollars’ (£870million) worth of cocaine seized was a heavy hit for Gogic’s criminal network, but nothing heavier than his arrest last night.
      “As evident in this case, criminal organisations will go to various extremes to make a profit off the sale of poison.
      “Due to the hard work by local, state and federal law enforcement, 20 tons of poison was intercepted en route from Colombia to Europe.
      “Gogic’s arrest underscores law enforcement’s commitment to bringing to justice those responsible for causing the most harm to our communities.”
      Gogic boxed professionally 27 times as a heavyweight between 2001 and 2012.
      Read More on The Sun
      He hung up his gloves with a record of 21 wins, four defeats and two draws.
      The former fighter last took to the ring in July 2012, when he defeated little-known 2-17 Romanian Liviu Ungureanu in Germany.
      Over 22 tons of cocaine was seizedCredit: Getty More

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      Joey Barton’s assault trial dismissed after he’s accused of ‘kicking wife and leaving golf ball sized lump on her head’

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      A JUDGE has today thrown out Joey Barton’s assault case after he was accused of attacking his wife two days before their anniversary.The Bristol Rovers boss was accused of leaving Georgia Barton, 35, with a lump the size of a “golf ball” after hitting her at home in Kew, South West London.
      Joey Barton has arrived at court with wife GeorgiaCredit: Doug Seeburg/News Group Newspapers Ltd
      But the assault by beating case has now been dropped on the grounds of abuse of process.
      It comes after Georgia wrote a letter to the CPS saying she got the details wrong after drinking all day and did not want to press charges against Barton, 40.
      The prosecution did not take a statement after this and refused to call her as a witness – causing District Judge Andrew Sweet to rule that Barton would not receive a fair trial.
      Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court was told Georgia had phoned police on June 2 last year telling them: “My husband has just hit me in the house”.
      When questioned by an officer at the scene, she added: “I’ve been pushed down and kicked about and stuff”.
      Read more news
      But prosecutor Daniel Donoghue told the court Georgia became “evasive” the following day and has since retracted the allegation against her husband.
      She was not going to be called to be a witness against her husband at his trial, which started today.
      Bodycam footage played to Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court earlier showed Barton sleeping heavily in his bedroom when police arrived at the couple’s home.
      The manager was eventually woken up when the duvet was lifted from him while he was still in his pants.
      Most read in The Sun
      Barton could be seen asking for his trousers before he was handcuffed and arrested.
      He was detained and gave a “no comment” interview when quizzed by cops, it was said.
      The court was told Georgia later sent a letter to the CPS on February 17 which is in “stark contrast” to her first account.
      The letter explained the couple, who are still together, were having dinner with pals and had sunk up to five bottles of wine each.
      Georgia suggested the injury was caused “accidentally” when friends intervened, the court heard.
      Barton married his childhood sweetheart in a lavish ceremony in 2019 at a country house in Oxfordshire.
      The couple have two children together – a son born in 2011 and a daughter born in 2014.
      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 then began his management career with Fleetwood Town in June 2018 after a stint at Rangers.
      Read More on The Sun
      He moved to current club Bristol Rovers in February last year.
      Barton, of Widnes, Cheshire, denied assault by beating.
      Barton’s trial has twice been delayedCredit: Doug Seeburg/News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Barton denies assault by beatingCredit: Getty – Contributor
      The pair married in a lavish ceremony in 2019Credit: Instagram / Georgia Mcneil
      They have two children togetherCredit: Instagram
      Barton played for QPR, Man City and Newcastle during his careerCredit: PA More