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      Former England star, 43, made guest of honour for Greece clash and will finally get long-awaited cap after mix-up

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      A ONE-CAP England star has been made the guest of honour for England’s clash with Greece on Thursday.The now 43-year-old made his one and only cap for the Three Lions at the age of 25 as a second half substitute in a 4-0 friendly win against Greece in August 2006.Ex-Prem star Chris Kirkland has been made the guest of honour for England’s match against GreeceCredit: PA:Empics SportKirkland made his one and only England appearance against Greece in 2006Credit: News Group Newspapers LtdBut the former Liverpool star never received his commemorative capCredit: GettyHowever, Chris Kirkland – once the most expensive goalkeeper in Britain after a £6million transfer to Liverpool – oddly never received the traditional cap commemorating his appearance.This oversight was only brought to the attention of the FA in recent months, who, following a flurry of apologies, promised to rectify the situation.And 18 years after Kirkland’s debut, he will now receive that cap as England once again play Greece.That appearance made good on a famous bet made by his father, Eddie, and some family friends for him to play for the national team.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe 100/1 bet of £98.10 bagged the group £10,000 each.Reflecting on that bet, Kirkland told The Athletic: “If I’d gone into the bookies’ with my dad, and they’d seen me, I’m sure he would have got a lot better odds than 100/1.”I was very gangly. I wasn’t in the best shape. I must have done OK.”My dad must have seen something. I went from playing my first game in goal at nearly 14 to making my Premier League debut (for Coventry City) at 18. It was a rapid rise.”Most read in FootballKirkland starred in the top flight of English football from 2000 to 2011, starring for Coventry, Liverpool, West Brom and Wigan, before later turning out for Leicester, Doncaster, Sheffield Wednesday and Preston in the Championship.However, Kirkland was plagued with injuries throughout his career, with a back problem proving the most detrimental.Premier League fathers and sonsAfter signing for The Owls in 2012, a back spasm two days before their opening game of the season prompted him to desperately rely on painkilling tablet Tramadol as anxiety over his past knocks haunted him.He said: “I started leaving at 5:45am and getting to the training ground hours before everyone else.”I got really anxious about it, so I started taking more tablets for the anxiety. I was on a slippery slope.”Tramadol is meant to be a maximum of 400mg a day. I got to the point where I was taking 2,500mg a day. “I was taking them out onto the pitch in my goalie bag. It wasn’t for the pain. It was because I was addicted. “They were the first thing I thought about when I woke up and the last thing I thought about at night.”Tramadol was placed on the banned substance list of the World Anti-Doping Agency nine months ago.Kirkland opened up on his struggles with addiction to the substance, which went so far to making him not want to play football.He said: “I was well into the addiction. I couldn’t reverse my mindset, couldn’t reverse my addiction. GETTING HELP:If you think that you have a drug addiction then please contact your GP.You can also visit FRANK for honest information about drugs and to find local treatment services.If you are having trouble finding the right help, call the FRANK drugs helpline on 03001236600Or click here to visit the NHS website for more advice and support”I got worse and worse. I didn’t want to do anything when I got home, didn’t want to socialise, didn’t want to go out. Eventually, I didn’t want to play football.”The Covid-19 pandemic set Kirkland back on his road to kicking his addiction before he went to rehab in early 2022.Kirkland, who has proudly been clean for two and a half years, has revealed that players have privately contacted him asking for help to wean themselves off painkillers.He added: “I’m not saying it’s every other player, but it’s more than you would think.”It’s on the banned list now, but I wouldn’t be surprised if someone gets caught with them.”They’re not performance-enhancing. They’re not going to turn you into Superman or make you save every shot that comes in. “They’re dangerous. That’s the issue. I was fainting, heart palpitations, hallucinations, violently ill. They can kill you. They should have killed me. They nearly did.”Since hanging up his gloves, Kirkland moved into coaching.He started out at Port Vale in 2017, before moving to Liverpool as a women’s team coach before becoming caretaker manager.Kirkland reverted back to goalkeeper coach and assistant manager before leaving the club in 2019 to focus on the Chris Kirkland goalkeeper academy which he had founded in 2017.READ MORE SUN STORIESIn June 2020 he was appointed goalkeeping coach at Colne.He has also embarked on charitable work by going on a series of fundraising walks alongside the LFC Foundation, PFA and various other bodies.Kirkland was once the most expensive goalkeeper in BritainCredit: RexHe opened up on his mental health struggles and addiction to painkillersCredit: GettyIf you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123. More

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      Ex-Celtic star Anthony Stokes JAILED then BAILED after 100mph car chase with thousands of pounds worth of cocaine

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      FORMER Celtic and Hibs star Anthony Stokes has been handed a 15-month jail sentence over a seizure of almost £3,300 worth of cocaine and a high-speed car chase in Dublin.The ex-Celtic and Sunderland player, who was over the alcohol limit, drove at 100mph and nearly collided with another motorist shortly after midnight on January 6, 2023.Former footballer Anthony Stokes who was sentenced to 15 monthsCredit: CollinsAnthony StokesCredit: Kenny Ramsay – The Sun GlasgowHe was sentenced by Judge Grainne Malone at Dublin District Court today after it emerged that he failed a recent drug test.The former footballer also entered an additional guilty plea to possessing 86 illegal street tablets in Cabinteely, south Co Dublin, about ten days after the traffic pursuit, which the judge regarded to be an aggravating factor, and she refused to suspend any of the sentence.Stokes, supported in court by his girlfriend and mother, showed no emotion as the judge jailed him and imposed a five-year driving ban.However, he lodged £840 and was released on appeal bail shortly after the judge imposed the sentence.Last month, Judge Malone had adjourned sentencing Stokes, 36, until today for a treatment report to prove he is off drugs, but it found he still had traces of cocaine in his system.Defence solicitor Lorraine Stephens said her client was young, fit, and healthy and asked the judge to consider a community service order.Ms Stephens said father-of-three Stokes had been in denial about his problems, “is trying to battle his demons,” and could need intensive psychological assistance and “proper residential treatment”.Judge Malone said Stokes could have faced up to two years’ imprisonment. Most read in FootballHowever, she gave him credit for his guilty pleas and imposed sentences totalling one year and three months.Finalising the case, she noted the evidence about the nature of his driving, the speed and length of the chase, the fact that he was uninsured, and the low alcohol reading, and she added that the drug offences were very serious.Ex-Arsenal star Jay Emmanuel-Thomas charged with importing drugs after £600,000 worth of cannabis seized at airportHe pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of cocaine hidden in a sock, and having the drug for sale or supply. At his previous hearing, the judge heard how his drink issues spiralled into cocaine addiction when his football career ended.Stokes admitted driving while over the alcohol limit and four counts of dangerous driving during the pursuit from the Naas Road to the Phoenix Park.The ex-Premier League star also admitted not producing a driving licence and not having motor insurance.Garda Radoslaw Konczewski recalled observing the ex-footballer speeding on Walkinstown Avenue at around 12.20 am. The officer activated his patrol car lights, but Stokes failed to stop and continued to the Long Mile Road junction, “which he entered at speed, breaking a red light”.Anthony Stokes in action for HibsCredit: Kenny Ramsay – The Sun GlasgowStokes drove to the Naas Road, broke another red light at a major junction and continued to Ballyfermot Road, breaking two pedestrian red lights and one at a junction.He continued to Kennelsfort Road Upper, broke a red light, and “almost collided with a car on the Chapelizod bypass”.The accused, who had a passenger in the car, went to Knockmaroon Road and stopped at the closed gates of Phoenix Park. Stokes abandoned the vehicle but was caught following a short foot pursuit.The car chase lasted about 10 minutes.Garda Konczewski estimated that Stokes reached a speed of 160km/h at some stages and around 140km/h when he drove through Ballyfermot village.Gardai brought his car to Crumlin station. Cocaine worth €3,700 was found in wraps inside a sock, kept in the air vent on the driver’s side. His DNA was also found on the sock.The court heard he also provided a urine sample, which was over the alcohol limit, but he was “fully cooperative” and “he was a pleasure to deal with”.Stokes had one prior conviction in this jurisdiction for assault causing harm in 2013, which resulted in a suspended sentence and a £25,000 compensation order. The judge noted he also had a record of failing to turn up to court and has spent time in custody in another jurisdiction, but details about that were not available.In the mitigation plea, Ms Stephens said he had been a talented footballer scouted at 14 from Cherry Orchard Football Club in Dublin by Arsenal in London. He began playing for Sunderland when he was 17 and went on to more success with Celtic in the Scottish league.However, he had laboured under addiction from a young age.His adoptive parents moved over with him to help their son pursue his dreams, but after he turned 16, he began abusing alcohol. That problem progressed at the end of his career to cocaine abuse, which he was “heavily using at the time of this incident”.The court also heard that he reacted badly to the end of his career.The defence said Stokes also developed gambling problems but was featured in a documentary highlighting difficulties and mental health difficulties for up-and-coming footballers without parental supervision at a very young age.Appeal bail was set at €1,000 if he intends to challenge the jail sentence. A second male is also before the courts in relation to the drug seizure.Stokes had just been jailed in Scotland for five months after breaching strict court orders against contacting his ex-girlfriend and her family.He repeatedly messaged Eilidh Scott and her parents in defiance of a ban.He appeared from custody in handcuffs at Hamilton Sheriff Court after causing repeated delays to the case.He was also banned from contacting Scott for five years and her parents for a year.READ MORE SUN STORIESOur New YouTube ChannelSubscribe to our new Scottish Sun Sport YouTube channel for all the latest football news, views and amazing moments.We’ve got every major development covered from Celtic, Rangers, Hearts, Hibs, Aberdeen and the rest of the Scottish Premiership.Plus we have TWO brilliant new podcasts to watch every week…MONDAYGo Ballistic with Roger Hannah and special guest Kris Boyd will dissect all the weekend action and deliver their no-holds-barred reaction.WEDNESDAYRobert Grieve and Bill Leckie chew over the tastiest topics in Scottish football and offer their unique takes in their Coffee Club.FRIDAYGo Ballistic is back with Roger Hannah and top tipster Jim Delahunt looking ahead to the weekend games and analysing the biggest talking points.Subscribe now and don’t miss a thing. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page More

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      Ex-Arsenal star Jay Emmanuel-Thomas charged with importing drugs after £600,000 worth of cannabis seized at airport

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      AN EX-ARSENAL star has been charged with importing drugs.Striker Jay Emmanuel-Thomas was arrested on Wednesday morning after £600,000 of cannabis was seized at Stansted Airport.Jay Emmanuel-Thomas has been charged with importing drugsCredit: Getty£600,000 of cannabis was seized at Stansted AirportCredit: National Crime AgencyEmmanuel-Thomas has previously flaunted his lifestyle on InstagramCredit: InstagramThe striker will appear at Carlisle Magistrates’ court todayCredit: GettySuitcases, used to smuggle the drugs in, were discovered by UK Border Force after a flight arrived from Bangkok, Thailand, on September 2.The 33-year-old was detained by National Crime Agency (NCA) officers yesterday and has since been charged.Emmanuel-Thomas appeared at Carlisle Magistrates’ Court today.The charge sheet states he is accused of “being concerned in the fraudulent evasion of a prohibition on the importation of a class B drug — cannabis — on 2nd September, 2024, at London”.read more football newsHe was remanded into custody to appear at Carlisle Crown Court on October 18.Two women aged 28 and 32 were also arrested in connection with the drugs bust.They have both been charged with drug importation offences.The maximum sentence for smuggling cannabis into the UK is 14 years behind bars.Most read in FootballNCA senior investigating officer David Phillips said: “The NCA continues to work with partners like Border Force to target those involved in drug smuggling – that includes both the couriers and the organisers.”We would appeal to anyone who is approached to engage in any kind of smuggling to think very carefully about the likely consequences of their actions and the potentially life-changing risks they will be taking.”Emmanuel-Thomas joined Arsenal at the age of eight, signing a professional contract with the Gunners in 2008.He played a major role in the club’s youth team – scoring in every round of the 2008-9 FA Youth Cup.But the striker struggled to make a break-through into the first team and after a series of loan spells signed for Ipswich Town in 2011 for an undisclosed fee. He went on to play for Greenock Morton in the Scottish Championship, and has also played for Aberdeen, Bristol City, Queens Park Rangers and Thai side PTT Rayong. More

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      Ex-Premier League star on trial accused of smuggling TWO TONS of cocaine as he’s called ‘major player in drugs world’

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      FORMER Premier League star Ronnie Stam has gone on trial – accused of smuggling TWO TONS of cocaine.And the former Wigan defender is also being investigated for alleged money laundering, together with four family members.Ronnie Stam is on trial accused of smuggling two tons of cocaineCredit: GettyStam was part of Wigan’s FA Cup-winning run in 2013Credit: Action Images – ReutersStam, 40, spent three top-flight seasons with the Latics.  He took part in their FA Cup-winning run in 2013, although missed their 1-0 final win over Manchester City.But Dutch police arrested him in June on suspicion of drug offences in 2021 and 2022.  He has been on remand since then.And a court in Breda on Thursday heard that Stam had been involved in trafficking 2,217 kilos of cocaine.A prosecutor told the hearing: “This case concerns hundreds of kilos of cocaine each time.Read More on Football”I contend that Stam was a major player in the drugs world.”Stam was not in court to hear the accusations.  He must appear before a judge on November 28.The player’s parents, brother and girlfriend were arrested alongside him in June under suspicion of the same offences after police reportedly cracked an encrypted messaging service.Cops later raided six homes and a camper van, finding €100,000 (£85,000) in cash.Most read in FootballThey seized the money, three properties, a yacht, three cars, six luxury watches and jewellery.Stam is the only family member still in custody.  His lawyer asked the court to provisionally release the ex-player.Dream Team Transfer Suggestions for Gameweek 4However the judge refused, voicing fears that Stam will flee to join his brother in Dubai.The footballer won the Dutch Eredivisie title with Twente under ex-England boss Steve McClaren in 2010.That helped him land a £2million move to the Premier League, where he made 73 appearances before leaving Wigan for Belgian side Standard Liege in 2013. More

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      Amir Khan, 37, in secret talks with Manny Pacquiao, 45, over fight and taunts rival for ‘looking s***’ in last bout

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      AMIR KHAN revealed he is secretly trying to arrange an exhibition with Manny Pacquiao – who he claimed ” looked s*** in his last fight”.Khan was sent into a painful retirement in 2022 after losing his bitter grudge match against Kell Brook. Amir Khan revealed he is secretly trying to arrange an exhibition with Manny PacquiaoCredit: GettyPacquiao has teased a boxing comebackCredit: GettyHe has since served a two-year drugs ban for testing positive for a banned substance before the Brook loss. But Khan, 37, maintained he did not knowingly take the prohibited substance. Pacquiao, 45, retired in 2021 following defeat to Yordenis Ugas, 38, to focus on a presidential campaign in the Philippines.But after that failed, the eight-division champion has talked up a comeback and has taken exhibition bouts to prepare. READ MORE IN BOXINGHis last was in Japan against 6ft kickboxing champion Rukiya Anpo over three rounds which produced no winner. Khan – who is also eyeing Floyd Mayweather – took a swipe at Pacquiao as the pair exchange messages behind the scenes. He told Action Network: “Manny looked s*** in his last fight, really bad. Manny won’t want to fight me, and I like him. “We speak on WhatsApp. They’re looking for a big pay cheque from Saudi, Qatar or Dubai but it’s going to be hard because obviously Saudi and Turki Alalshikh will never do an exhibition fight.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”If it happens and I’m ever going to consider doing an exhibition, then it will have to be in the next 12 months otherwise I am done from the sport. “I’m 90 per cent done from the sport anyways, I don’t have the love for boxing anymore. Floyd Mayweather among SIX names in line to fight KSI on boxing return… with YouTuber out for ‘revenge'”To motivate myself it would only have to be Manny or Floyd Mayweather.” Mayweather, 47, is another who officially hung up the gloves but continues to box in exhibitions in retirement. The unbeaten American has been called out by the likes of YouTuber-turned-boxer KSI, 31, who also wants to fight Khan. But Khan said: “I don’t think I will unless a Floyd Mayweather fight was there. The only two fighters I would make a comeback for is Floyd or Manny Pacquiao. “Other than that, no I’m not interested at all. I won’t fight KSI. The thing is I’ve done it at the highest level and don’t have the fire in my belly anymore. “God has been kind, I’m financially strong, going into other things like property and am living half of my time in Dubai and the UK as well as going the States a lot. I’m keeping busy with lots of things.”Pacquiao with former coach Freddie Roach and KhanCredit: PA:Press AssociationFloyd Mayweather continues to box in exhibitionsCredit: Reuters More

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      Ex-Crystal Palace star banned from football for life for match fixing admits supplying crystal meth

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      A FORMER pro footballer banned for life for match fixing has admitted supplying crystal meth.Michael Boateng, 33, once a youth player at Crystal Palace, was arrested when 19.6kg of the drug was found at his flat.Former pro footballer Michael Boateng, who was banned for life for match fixing, has admitted supplying crystal methCredit: Wikipedia/@OneovaFormer Crystal Palace and Bristol Rovers ace Boateng, seen leaving an earlier hearing, admitted possessing crystal meth, cocaine and MDMA with intent to supplyCredit: AlamyThe raid in Croydon, South London, on February 14 was one of the biggest ever seizures in the UK.The class A drugs were worth up to £1.5million on the streets, Croydon crown court was told. Boateng’s senior career included spells with Bristol Rovers, Sutton United and Newport County.In December 2013, he was sacked by non-league Whitehawk after being charged following a match-fixing probe.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSThe right-back was sentenced to 16 months in prison in June 2014 and the following January got a lifetime ban from football. He was jailed again in June 2015 for drug dealing.Yesterday, Boateng — a personal trainer with clients reportedly including footie ace Jadon Sancho — admitted possessing crystal meth, cocaine and MDMA with intent to supply.He was remanded in custody ahead of a hearing on October 18 when a judge is expected to hear evidence about his role in a drug dealing ring. He will then be sentenced in November.Most read in Football More

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      Mike Tyson reveals the boxer even he would be ‘afraid’ to fight and says ‘nobody has a chance’

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      MIKE TYSON admitted there is an unbeaten boxing star even he would be afraid to fight. Tyson well and truly lived up to his Baddest Man on The Planet moniker throughout his frightening prime. David Benavidez with Mike TysonCredit: @benavidez300But admittedly he would have been wary of fighting David Benavidez if he was a super-middleweight of today. He told ES NEWS: “He’s so underrated but so over-polarised here.”Listen, I’d be afraid to fight him too if I was in that division. No one even has a chance against him, and I’m talking facts.”Benavidez, 27, has twice reigned as 168lb champion but lost the belt for missing weight and failing a drug test for cocaine use. READ MORE IN BOXINGHe has since moved up to light-heavyweight and defeated Oleksandr Gvozdyk, 37, for the WBC interim title. It followed failed attempts to fight Canelo Alvarez, 34, at super-middleweight after the Mexican publicly demanded a huge £160million purse. Benavidez is renowend for is blistering hand speed, knockout power and huge frame. Tyson, 58, meanwhile is set for a controversial clash against YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, 27, on November 15 in Texas. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSIron Mike was initially forced to pull out of the July 20 date after suffering an ulcer flare up in his stomach. But he has been passed medically fit to fight although he will be subjected to drug testing as well as additional heart and brain exams. Tyson retired in 2005 but did come back in 2020 for an exhibition over eight rounds with Roy Jones Jr. But his bout with Paul is to be professionally sanctioned with professional records on the line and knockouts permitted. Jake Paul’s team hit back at Eddie Hearn after boxing promoter labels Mike Tyson fight ‘freak show’ More

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      ‘Is there a hidden camera?’ – Norway team baffled as drug testers ‘ask for Erling Haaland and striker who died in 1962’

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      NORWAY’S manager asked his country’s Anti-Doping Agency: “Is there a hidden camera?”This came after the Norwegian anti-doping agency selected two players who have been DEAD for more than 41 years.Norway’s Anti-Doping Agency surprised the squad at training this weekMan City duo Erling Haaland and Oscar Bobb were called up for testingNorway boss Stale Solbakken had his say after the agency recalled two players who have long since passed awayNorway’s boss Stale Solbakken and his squad had a surprise visit by drug-testers before their Nations League fixtures kick-off this week.The agency selected Manchester City duo Erling Haaland and Oscar Bobb for a urine sample, and to the surprise of everybody present – two players who sadly died many years ago.Testers called for Jorgen Juve and Einar Gundersen to be examined, according to The Times.But Juve, Norway’s all-time top goalscorer, died in 1983 and Gundersen, often regarded as the first Norwegian superstar, passed away in 1962.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSSolbakken, 56, told reporters that he started looking around for a hidden camera, believing his team were victims of a possible prank.It turned out that an agency official had simply picked players from Norway’s all-time top goalscorers’ list with a couple more added on.Solbakken told a news conference: “We had a visit from Anti-Doping Norway yesterday.”The following players were selected for testing: Haaland, Jorgen Strand Larsen, Antonio Nusa, Bobb, Gundersen and Juve.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS”Then I start to wonder. These were the names that were read out, and it was serious. So we had to call Anti-Doping Norway and ask, ‘Is there a hidden camera?'”To add the ever growing list of gaffes, Man City’s Bobb could not be tested because he was not in the squad after fracturing his leg before the start of the Premier League season.Top 10 highest-paid Premier League starsJuve, who scored 33 goals for Norway, was born in 1906 and died aged 76 in 1983.While Gundersen, who scored 26 national goals, was born in 1896 and died in 1962 at 66 years old.The inevitable Haaland is second on the list at the moment with 31, meaning his next three goals will see him surpass Juve’s record.Anti-Doping Norway said it was working to clarify how Juve and Gundersen ended up on the list of players to be tested.Bobb, 21, will miss Norway’s Nations League games against Kazakhstan and Ralf Rangnick’s Austria. More