More stories

  • in

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

    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.
    read more on dani alves
    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.
    Most read in Football
    “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.
    Read More on The Sun
    The football ace reportedly made his debut for a prison football team earlier this month. More

  • in

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

    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.
    Read more on Ramsdale
    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.
    Most read in Football
    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.”
    Read More on The Sun
    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

  • in

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

    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.
    READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
    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.
    Most read in Football
    HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
    “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

  • in

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

    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.
    READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
    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.
    Most read in Football
    “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

  • in

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

    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.
    read more on man city
    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.
    Most read in Football
    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.
    Read More on The Sun
    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

  • in

    Premier League’s case against Man City over 115 FFP breaches could take FOUR YEARS for verdict, says top sports lawyer

    THE Premier League’s case against Manchester City’s could take as many as FOUR YEARS to resolve, according to top sports lawyers. Man City were charged with 115 breaches of financial rules earlier this week in bombshell accusations launched by the Premier League.
    It’s been a long week for City boss Pep GuardiolaCredit: Getty
    The outcomes could be severe for Pep Guardiola’s side with the stripping of titles and points deductions potential punishments on the table.
    Whatever happens, respected sports lawyer Nick De Marco KC said it could take quite a while to play out.
    De Marco, who has represented Mike Ashley at Newcastle and been involved in Derby and Sheffield Wednesday’s financial fair play cases, believes the whole situation could drag out on until 2027.
    He added to The Times: “I worked on the Derby County and Sheffield Wednesday financial fair play cases, both of which involved two charges over about two years and took about a year and a half from charges to the end.
    READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
    “I would not be surprised if these proceedings took considerably longer given there are apparently 115 charges covering a period of 14 years.”
    Meanwhile, Stefan Borson, chief executive and general counsel of Watchstone Group plc, told the same publication he also doubted the case would be speedily addressed.
    He said: “These allegations appear to be about as serious as they get for a company and its board of directors.
    “The seriousness of these allegations is likely to mean it will be a long time before the disciplinary process can be completed — I would not be at all surprised if it took in excess of two years.”
    Most read in Football
    FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
    City will have to defend themselves against numerous charges
    City are under investigation for alleged breaches between 2009 and 2018, a period in which the club won the league three times.
    They have repeatedly denied the charges and said they were “surprised” by the Premier League’s findings in a brief statement.
    The club has hired Boris Johnson’s Partygate lawyer as they look to beef up their legal team for what will likely be an extraordinary battle in the courts.
    Following a long and difficult week off the pitch, Man City host Unai Emery’s Aston Villa on Sunday. More

  • in

    Dani Alves ‘given VIP treatment behind bars’ as lags claim ‘rapist’ star has lunch in private area & gets daily visits

    FOOTBALL ace Dani Alves is allegedly receiving special treatment in prison after being arrested over a nightclub rape charge.The former Brazil and Barcelona defender has lunch in a private room and is allowed daily visits, claims Spanish TV station TVE.
    Dani Alves is reported to be receiving special treatment in prison
    He is being held in Brians 2 Prison in Catalonia, Spain after being accused of rapeCredit: Solarpix
    Another inmate’s relative, Valeria, told the channel: “He is really well there. He has new friends.
    “Yesterday his wife went to visit him in the afternoon, apparently she hadn’t requested the visit but she managed to speak with him because she left prison really late.
    “The privileges they are giving him are superior to what he deserves”.
    The Brazilian international Alves was accused of sexual assault in a nightclub in Barcelona on December 30.
    READ MORE ON DANI ALVES
    He is being held at the Brians 2 Prison in Catalonia, Spain, where he has reportedly made his prison football debut.
    Alves is also allegedly allowed to have lunch in private areas as well as have access to daily family visits due to his profile.
    Valeria added: “I can only see my family member once every 15 days. Dani Alves has had lots of visits, I think one visit everyday.
    “My husband is not Dani Alves, so he has no privilege.
    Most read in Football
    “Usually, prisoners have to ask for a doctor’s appointment and wait until the next day, however, Dani Alves doesn’t have to wait.
    “All prisoners are saying that he has a lot of privileges in prison”.
    Another prisoner’s relative, who was not named, added: “He sometimes goes to the canteen, but he doesn’t have lunch.
    “He gets what he wants by signing an autograph.
    “He goes to the garden always with a prison officer, he’s never alone.
    “Dani plays football and has made a lot of friends, my husband has a more strict timetable than him”.
    Reports from Spain’s national daily sport newspaper, Marca, state that the football ace can go outside alone and is accompanied to the courtyard by four officials who keep him separated from other inmates.
    One person who visited another inmate at the prison said: “From what heard when I came to visit, Dani Alves is accompanied to the courtyard by four officials who have him escorted and who keep him apart, alone”
    “I don’t know if he communicates with the other prisoners, but for the moment what I know is that he is apart because it is an exclusive case, as he is a well-known sportsman”.
    The former Barcelona and Sevilla player has been able to see his wife Joana Sanz, following her visit to the prison.
    Read More on The Sun
    This comes after we reported how Joana has vowed to stick by the Brazil star just days after she had demanded a divorce following the rape allegations.
    Reports in Spain claimed that Alves had initially refused to see Joana in jail, but she has rubbished some of the claims and stayed silent on the divorce issue.
    Joana Sanz was seen leaving the prison after spending 50 minutes there
    Joana was reportedly allowed to visit Alves without making a request
    Alves has reportedly made his prison football debut at Brians 2 PrisonCredit: Solarpix More

  • in

    Major update after Everton footballer arrested on suspicion of child sex offences

    PROSECUTORS are now probing the case of an Everton star arrested on suspicion of child sex offences.The Premier League player, who can’t legally be named, was held by police in July 2021 before being released on bail.
    The footballer was held on suspicion of child sex offencesCredit: Getty
    The Crown Prosecution Service has now confirmed a file of evidence has been passed to them by police, the Mirror reports.
    A spokesperson said: “We received a file of evidence from Greater Manchester Police on 31 January 2023 following an investigation into allegations of multiple sexual offences.
    “We are considering this material in line with our legal test.”
    The CPS will now examine the evidence to decide whether to charge or not to charge the player.
    Read more news
    Police were scrambled to the star’s home in July 2021 where “several items were seized”.
    The international player was suspended from Everton while police investigated the allegations.
    A statement from the team at the time said: “Everton can confirm it has suspended a player pending a police investigation.
    “The Club will continue to support the authorities with their inquiries and will not be making any further statement at this time.”
    Most read in Football
    The alleged offences have been described as “very serious” with a probe led by Greater Manchester Police’s Major Incident Team.
    In a statement, the force said: “Officers arrested a man on Friday 16 July 2021 on suspicion of child sex offences.
    “He is on police bail pending further enquiries.”
    Everton said a player had been suspended pending a police probe More