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      No referees have EVER been tested for drugs as David Coote faces end of Premier League career after ‘cocaine shame’

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      NO referees or match officials have ever been tested for drugs – as David Coote’s apparent “cocaine shame” is set to end his career.Premier League referee David Coote has found himself embroiled in a storm of controversy over a number of videos.Video shows Premier League referee David Coote sniffing a white powder during Euro 2024Premier League referees are not tested for drugsCredit: ReutersCoote was suspended by the PGMOL earlier this week after video emerged showing him refer to Liverpool as “s***” and extraordinarily describe ex-Reds boss Jurgen Klopp as a “c***”.While The Sun have since exclusively revealed video of the Prem official seemingly snorting coke during Euro 2024 last summer.Incredibly, match officials are not drug tested despite the gravity of their role in football.While all players and other athletes in British sport are subject to drug testing rules, including post-match and out of competition action, the regulations do not apply to match officials.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThat is the case globally across not just football and throughout the world rather than only in the UK.All sports follow the World Anti-Doping Authority code, aimed at preventing athletes gaining an advantage by using performance-enhancing substances.The Wada banned list also includes recreational drugs.But the Wada provisions, also followed by UK Anti Doping, which conducts tests across British sport, makes no reference to match officials.Most read in FootballUKAD explains: “Any UK athlete subject to the anti-doping rules of their sport and non-UK athlete staying, training, residing, entering a competition,”Or named as a member of a team participating in a competition at any level within the UK is eligible for testing as part of UKAD’s national anti-doping programme.Premier League referee David Coote SUSPENDED as video appears to show him calling Klopp a ‘c***’ in anti-Liverpool rant“Any athlete eligible for testing can be tested anytime, anywhere.”But the regulations do not apply to match officials – because of the “performance enhancing” provision of the world code.The PGMOL have revealed they are aware of the video of him sniffing a white powder.They told The Sun: “We aware of the allegations and are taking them very seriously. David Coote remains suspended pending a full investigation.”David’s welfare continues to be of utmost importance to us and we are committed to providing him with the ongoing necessary support he needs through this period.”We are not in a position to comment further at this stage.”David Coote appeared in another video in which he labelled Liverpool as ‘s***’Credit: XCoote also called former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp a ‘German C***’Credit: Reuters More

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      Serial burglar who forced Raheem Sterling to quit World Cup after robbing his mansion is jailed for 13 years

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      A BURGLAR who broke into Raheem Sterling’s mansion forcing him to fly home from the World Cup has been jailed.Emiliano Krosi, 24, carried out 33 burglaries, including the raid on the England star’s home on December 3, 2022.Emiliano Krosi who carried out 33 burglaries has been jailedCredit: Hyde News & PicturesKrosi broke into Raheem Sterling’s mansion forcing him to fly home from the World CupCredit: GettyHe was part of a gang that used a ladder in the rear garden to climb through Arsenal ace Sterling’s bedroom window and steal ten of his Rolex watches.An estimated £300,000 of designer gear was taken from the footballer’s £7million home in Oxshott, Surrey.Albanian Krosi, who travelled illegally to the UK in the back of a lorry, previously admitted to being involved in 15 of the burglaries. But yesterday at Guilford crown court Judge Catherine Hartley ruled he was involved in the remaining 18 break-ins.read more on footballShe sentenced him to a total of 12 years and ten months in prison.She said: “You are a dishonest and greedy man who willingly and enthusiastically took part in what was a familial, criminal gang.“Your greed and your criminality has resulted in a huge toll of human misery.”His offending took place while on bail after being caught with cocaine and cannabis on a train from London Euston to Coventry.Most read in FootballKrosi, from Southend, Essex, was sentenced to 19 months for possession with intent to supply which will run consecutively to the ­sentence for burglary.Surrey Police continue to hunt for his dad Alfred Isufi, 48, uncle Henri Osman, 44, and 22-year-old cousin ­Gerard Kalaja, who are all believed to have fled the UK.Newcastle’s £100m striker Alexander Isak’s mansion hit by gang of robbers in latest raid on Prem aces’ homesThey are suspected of being part of the gang which raided houses across the Home Counties from November 2022 to March 2023.Other victims included ex-Crystal Palace player Scott Dann and Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella, whose home was targeted days before his then team-mate Sterling’s.PC Katherine Stevens, from Surrey Police, said: “Krosi was extremely methodical and organised in his targeting of homes, with the sole aim to make as much money as possible off the back of other people.”Ex-Crystal Palace player Scott Dann was also targetedCredit: Getty More

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      Moment scandal-hit Premier League ref David Coote snorts white powder in shocking video during Euro 2024

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      SUSPENDED Premier League ref David Coote snorts white powder in a shocking video taken while he was officiating at this summer’s Euros.In the eight second Whatsapp film the under-fire VAR specialist is wide-eyed as he uses a rolled up US bank note to snort a four inch line of what appears to be cocaine.David Coote was filmed snorting the white powderCoote is expected to quit as a referee before he’s sackedCredit: ReutersThe video was filmed during Euro 2024Coote, 42, was suspended by the PGMOL, governing body for professional referees, this week after a separate video emerged of him, again wide-eyed,  calling former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp a “German c**t”.The Sun’s exclusive new video was taken on July 6 – a day after the Euro 2024 quarter final clash between France and Portugal, where he acted  as a support VAR official.On the bedside table alongside the white powder are scattered packets of prescription drugs, a credit card, and the Terry Hayes novel The Year of The Locust.He sent the clip to a pal and it’s believed he filmed himself in his Uefa-funded hotel room he used during the tournament.Read More David CooteThe ref sent another photo from Frankfurt on July 1.  It showed his credit cards on a saucer either side of six chopped-up lines of suspicious white powder. He was staying in hotel rooms appointed by tournament organiser UEFA.The pal, who wishes to remain anonymous, also reveals that the referee made other derogatory remarks about Everton football club and Liverpool player Andy Robertson.Coote’s previous comments about Klopp are now at the centre of both a PGMOL and FA investigation into his conduct.As the scandal grew this week, Uefa also took him off their roster for games during this weekend’s international break.Most read in FootballOther videos were sent over the summer from France, where Coote officiated at three football matches at the Paris Olympics. They included the Israel versus Japan clash on July 30, where he was in charge of VAR.His pal has told how Coote said in video chats that table toppers Liverpool “will not win the Premier League” this season.Shocking David Coote Klopp video in fullFirst man: “What did you think of the Liverpool game earlier when you were fourth official?”Second man (allegedly Coote): “Erm Liverpool were s***.”First man: “What did you think of Jurgen Klopp?”Second man (allegedly Coote): “C***, absolute c***.”First man: “Why would you say that Jurgen Klopp is a c***?”Second man (allegedly Coote): “Erm, aside from having a right pop at me when I reffed them against Burnley in lockdown.“Then, he accused me of lying and then just had a right f***ing pop at me – and I’ve got no interest in speaking to somebody whose f***ing arrogant.“So I do my best not to speak to him. [James] Milner is alright, I get on with Milner.”First man: “James Milner, he gets on with James Milner.”Second man (allegedly Coote): “You can see me there with mask on.”First man: “Mask on, obviously.”Second man (allegedly Coote): “Yea Covid, got to be done. Social distancing right? We’re two meters apart.”First man: “We have to social distance.”Second man (allegedly Coote): “Yep, so but [exhales] my God. German c***, f*** me.”First man: “Long story short, Jurgen Klopp’s a c***, Liverpool are all f***ing b******s, we hate Scousers.”Second videoSecond man (allegedly Coote): “Right just to be clear, that f***ing last video cant go anywhere, seriously.”First man: He’s a Premier League referee, let’s not f***ing ruin his career.“Like let’s face we’re good blokes but we can’t ruin a bloke’s career. We’re not that bad. Also he’s a f***ing legend.”Second man (allegedly Coote): “So, yeah.”First man: “So lets not ruin his career.”Coote also branded Goodison Park – the ground of Liverpool’s rivals Everton – as the worst place to referee due to the fans “shouting abuse so close to the pitch”.He hates officiating at Bournemouth games because it’s “too far away” and moaned he was “too big” to have to ref at Coventry’s Ricoh Arena for their Championship clash against Oxford United on August 16.The pal is speaking out to highlight Coote apparently bragging of taking drugs repeatedly during tournaments and big Prem matches.They told The Sun: “I believe that the FA and the governing body of the referees have to make sure that the sport we all love is protected and being officiated by the right people. My message to David Coote is…there’s help out there.”The pal added: “The video of him bad-mouthing Klopp didn’t surprise me at all.“He said to me Liverpool would definitely not win the Premier League. It just makes me question the kind of people running the Prem. He also described Andy Robertson as a ‘Scottish prick’.“He did say that the worst place to referee was Goodison Park due to the young Scousers screaming, shouting, swearing at him and calling every name under the sun before the games had even started. And he mentioned he hated going to Bournemouth because it was just such a long way away.“He did mention about Coventry City versus Oxford United on a Friday night on Sky Sports. He couldn’t really be a**** with this game…the fact that he had to go and referee in front of an empty Ricoh Arena. He said ‘I’m a bit too big for this’.”A PGMOL spokesperson told The Sun: “We aware of the allegations and are taking them very seriously. David Coote remains suspended pending a full investigation. “David’s welfare continues to be of utmost importance to us and we are committed to providing him with the ongoing necessary support he needs through this period. “We are not in a position to comment further at this stage.”Coote was suspended by PGMOL bosses earlier this week after a leaked video showed the ref abusing Liverpool and their ex manager Jurgen Klopp.The footage was said to have been taken during the Covid-19 pandemic.An investigation is now taking place and the FA are also initiating their own probe, as Coote could be charged with an aggravated breach of FA rules after mentioning Klopp’s nationality in the initial leaked video.Outside of England, UEFA has also taken action against the Prem ref by removing him from their list of officials for the upcoming international fixtures.READ MORE SUN STORIESIf Coote decides to quit, or is sacked, he is set to lose over £1m over the next few years.Referee David Coote was caught in an earlier video labelling ex-Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp a ‘German c***’Credit: XCoote unleashed an astonishing rant at ex-Liverpool boss KloppCredit: AP More

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      Mike Tyson’s biggest fight is battle with addictions to sex and drugs, but one woman has helped turn his life around

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      MIKE TYSON might be fighting Jake Paul on Friday night but the biggest battle of his life has come outside the ring.The legendary heavyweight, 58, who became the youngest world champion in the division’s history at the age of just 20, suffered years of addiction to sex and drug addiction.Mike Tyson holds the record as the youngest ever world heavyweight championCredit: GettyTyson and actress Robin Givens had a one-year marriage in the late 1980sCredit: GettyThe boxer battled sex and drug addiction for yearsCredit: AP:Associated PressTyson has hailed third wife Lakiha Spicer for turning his life aroundCredit: GettyNowadays he has a calmer persona, largely thanks to the influence of his third wife, Lakiha Spicer.He does still regularly smoke cannabis – although he has claimed he has given it up while training for the showdown with YouTuber Paul.But his current dabbling in recreational drugs pales in comparison with stories of his various addictions from years ago – which stretches all the way back to him taking acid at the age of just 11.Many of Tyson’s sexual exploits took place during the height of his boxing fame in the 1980s.READ MORE ON PAUL VS TYSONSex with groupies before fightsHis former bodyguard and chauffeur, Rudy Gonzalez, recalled back in 2021 that Tyson would have sex with “groupies” in the dressing room before fights to avoid “killing” his opponents.Gonzalez explained: “One of the greatest secrets with Mike was that he needed to have sex in the dressing room before fights.”I would have to find a groupie, it did not matter who it was. He’d say ‘if I do not get laid I will kill this guy right now’.”Mike had to get laid to disengage some of the strength he had. So I had girls tucked away in bathrooms and changing rooms.Most read in BoxingJAKE PAUL VS MIKE TYSON: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF HUGE BOUTTyson and Givens married when the boxer was in his early 20sCredit: GettyThey swiftly separated but carried on dating, before Tyson caught Givens in bed with actor Brad PittCredit: Getty”Sometimes he’d go in with them for a minute, bang the s*** out of them, snap his neck and say: ‘Okay this guy is going to live tonight’.”His biggest fear was that he would kill someone in that ring. He knew he could do it.UFC chief Dana White reveals chat with Mike Tyson’s wife ahead of Jake Paul fight”I still see some of the guys he fought. I was there at ringside seeing these huge men crying, bones shattering or their blood flying everywhere.”It is no exaggeration to say Mike was like a train hitting these guys. Having sex was his way of disengaging that power and loosening up a bit.”‘Pure hell’ living with TysonTyson had a whirlwind 12-month marriage to his first wife, actress Robin Givens, in the late 80s.Prior to their official separation, Givens described her husband as a “manic depressive” and labelled living with him as “torture, pure hell”.They continued seeing each other after their divorce, before Tyson walked in on Givens sleeping with Hollywood actor Brad Pitt.Tyson went to prison for three years in 1992 for the rape of Desiree Washington.But being locked up did not curb his sex addiction as he claimed he slept with a prison counsellor in the hope of having his sentence reduced.After being released, he tied the knot with second wife, Monica Turner, in 1997 – a marriage that lasted six years.Tyson married second wife Monica Turner in 1997Credit: ReutersThey split in 2003 after Turner filed for divorce claiming Tyson had cheated on herCredit: EPAThey ended up having two children together – Rayna and Amir – but the relationship did not last as Turner filed for divorce after claiming adultery.Many of the years which could have been Tyson’s best in the ring were curtailed by addiction issues.While heavily addicted to cocaine he walked his pet white tigers around wearing only his pants, tried to fight a gorilla in a zoo, and hosted orgies with scores of women, including mothers and daughters.He even claims to have cheated boxing drugs tests by using a fake penis and urine from his ex-wife and daughter.Speaking about that period of his life, he said: “Cocaine was a hell of a drug and back then I was out of my mind living crazy.”I was not being responsible or being present. But that is what my life is all about now.”The little bullied kid I was growing up is always inside me but now I know how to protect him.”I didn’t know how to do that before, that’s why I was doing such crazy stuff and getting in trouble.”Tyson was jailed for assaulting two men in 1999 – having served three years for rape between 1992 and 1995Credit: AFPTyson admits he was drunk and high when meeting The Hangover cast in 2007Credit: GettyTyson’s addiction to drugs went on for a number of years while his run-ins with the law also continued as he was jailed for assaulting two men in 1999.In 2003, he filed for bankruptcy after blowing his £330million fortune.He has also admitted to being drunk and high when meeting the cast of the 2007 film The Hangover in which the boxing icon plays a cameo role.In 2012, when discussing the filming of the movie, he told The Planet: “I was a mess. I was overweight. I was a pig, high on cocaine.”The woman who tamed himThings began to take a turn for the better in 2009 when he married third wife, Spicer, 43.The pair were first introduced by promoter Don King who introduced Spicer to Tyson when she was 18 years of age.They finally began dating in the mid-2000s and married two weeks after the tragic death of Tyson’s daughter, Exodus – one of his seven children.They tied the knot shortly after Spicer served six months in federal jail for defrauding £60,000 from a company owned by her father.Tyson has spoken glowingly about the positive impact third wife Spicer has had on himCredit: GettyThe couple have now been married for 15 yearsCredit: RexYet despite being locked up herself for a short period, Tyson insists Spicer has had a hugely positive effect on him.She left prison carrying Tyson’s baby and found the ex-boxer hopelessly addicted to drugs.While he still smokes weed – and now owns a cannabis business – he has stopped taking hard drugs thanks to the support of his partner.He told US magazine People: “I’m very happy me and my wife got together, because I don’t know how I would have survived out there.”It is true, Tyson is not a completely changed man, admitting on rapper T.I.’s ExpediTIously podcast as recently as 2021 that he had only been faithful to Spicer for the last two years.But he is an improved person heading into his boxing return against Paul.And he puts that positive change down to the impact of Spicer who he has two children with – daughter Milan and son Morocco Elijah.READ MORE SUN STORIESTyson added: “I’m a soldier. I can’t think for myself. I need someone to do it.”I know myself. Without my wife, I’m a wild animal.” More

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      Craziest Mike Tyson stories of all time, like trying to fight a gorilla, using ‘fake penis’ and taking acid aged 11

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      MIKE TYSON will write yet another crazy chapter into his life story when he returns to the ring this weekend following a near TWO-DECADE hiatus.The formerundisputed heavyweight champion will make the walk to the squared circle early on Saturday morning for the unlikeliest of showdowns.Boxing legend Mike Tyson returns to the ring early on Saturday morning at the ripe old age of 58Credit: GETTYIron Mike will take on YouTube sensation Jake Paul in a crazy crossover clashCredit: GETTYThe fight with Paul is the latest chapter in Tyson’s crazy lifeCredit: NEWS GROUP NEWSPAPERS LTDCraziness and controversy have courted Tyson throughout his careerCredit: AFPIron Mike will make his first professional outing since quitting on the stool in his 2005 money grab against Kevin McBride against social media sensation Jake Paul – at the ripe old age of 58.The booking of a near-pensioner-aged Tyson, who looks to be in phenomenal shape, against the heavy-handed YouTuber has sparked outrage.All parties involved have been blasted, with fighters and fans alike branding the boxing legend “crazy” for stepping into the ring as he approaches the golden years of his life.Craziness and controversy, however, are two things New York native Tyson is all too familiar with as they have followed him around since he reached the pinnacle of the sport back in 1986.READ MORE ON TYSON VS PAULSo with that in mind, SunSport thought it’d only be right to recap some of the craziest moments of Tyson’s life.Taking acid as a child – 1977The streets of Brooklyn, in particular the notoriously rough neighbourhood of Brownsville, exposed a lot to a young Tyson – including drugs.Tyson succumbed to peer pressure and knocked back whatever was passed around to him, including acid at the tender age of eleven.During an appearance on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast, he admitted: “[I started doing drugs] as a kid, nine, ten years old.Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSJAKE PAUL VS MIKE TYSON: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF HUGE BOUT“Smoking and drinking. And as I got older, I tried acid. I was probably 11. Yeah, real young.”Mike Tyson tried acid at the tender age of 11Credit: GETTYFighting with Trevor Berbick with an STI – 1986TYSON FEUD Mike Tyson discusses street fight with Mitch Green before Donald Trump saved his careerThroughout thehistory of boxing, fighters have been compromised going in world title fights.But few can claim to have been dealing with a severe gonorrhoea flare-up as Tyson did before his history-making stoppage of Trevor Berbick in 1986.”I looked at my underpants a day before the fight and I noticed a discharge,” he wrote in his 2013 autobiography. “I had the clap.”I didn’t know if I had contracted it from a prostitute or a filthy young lady. I was given an antibiotic shot by a doctor.”Because of the antibiotic shot, I was dripping like a Good Humor bar [ice cream] in July. But I didn’t care; I was there to nail Berbick.”Mike Tyson fought Trevor Berbick while dealing with a gonorrhoea flare-upCredit: GETTYTrying to fight a Gorilla – 1989Tyson was at the peak of his powers in the late 80’s and felt like King Kong having blown through all comers with complete ease.And during a private trip to New York zoo with ex-wife Robin Givens, he offered a zoo-keeper £7,759 ($10,000) to let him fight a silverback gorilla.He said: “I paid a worker at New York’s zoo to re-open it just for me and Robin.”When we got to the gorilla cage there was one big silverback gorilla there just bullying all the other gorillas.“They were so powerful but their eyes were like an innocent infant.“I offered the attendant $10,000 to open the cage and let me smash that silverback’s snotbox! He declined.”Mike Tyson tried to fight a gorilla at a New York zoo in 1989Credit: GETTYImpregnating a prison guard – 1992-1995Tyson served just under three years in prison from 1992-1995 after being found guilty of rape, a conviction which saw him handed a six-year custodial sentence.And he struck up a relationship with a female prison guard, who he claims to have impregnated after having sex with her multiple times a day.”I had a girlfriend and I got a girl pregnant in prison,” he revealed in an episode of his podcast. “I was living a life in prison.”It was just meant to be. I was Mike Tyson and everybody gave me what I wanted.”Everyone talking like I was some tough guy or some cool guy. I was just a pig.”Mike Tyson had a sexual relationship with a prison guard while he was in prisonCredit: AFPBiting Evander Holyfield’s ear – 1997The most infamous moment of Tyson’s career is undoubtedly his biting of Evander Holyfield’s ear in their 1997 rematch in Las Vegas.Incensed by a number of head clashes with his rival, which he believed were intentional, Tyson twice tried to take a chunk out of Holyfield’s ears.He was successful at the second time of asking, so much so he was forced to spit out the top of Holyfield’s helix after tearing it clean off in the third round.Tyson was disqualified for the barbaric act, which initially earned him a lifetime ban and a £2.3million ($2m) fine. The ban, however, was rescinded 16 months later.”I bit him because I wanted to kill him,” Tyson said of the most famous in-ring incident. “I was really mad about my head being bumped and everything,” Tyson said.”I really lost consciousness of the whole fight. It took me out of my fight plan and everything.”Mike Tyson bit Evander Holyfield’s ear in their iconic 1997 rematchCredit: AFPTyson took a chunk out of his rival’s left earCredit: GETTYFighting while high – 2000Drugs and alcohol, as they had been for most of his life, were well and truly present in Tyson’s daily routine during his two-fight stint in the UK in the year 2000.And in his 2013 autobiography, he admitted to taking lines of “blow” and puffing on marijuana just moments before his brutal first-round knockout of Lou Savarese at Hampden Park.Mike Tyson obliterated Lou Savarese while high on cocaine and marijuanaCredit: AFPUsing a fake penis to pass a drug test – 2000Passing a drug test was, unsurprisingly, hard for Tyson to do when he was taking narcotics in the build-up to fights.And to ensure he passed the mandatory pre and post-fight tests, he made use of a whizzinator – which is a fake penis that can be worn and filled with clean urine – to fool drug testers.After admitting to being high during his beatdown of Savarese, Tyson wrote in his autobiography: “I had to use my whizzer, which was a fake penis where you put in someone else’s urine to pass your drug test.”Ahead of his exhibition with Roy Jones Jr in November 2020, he said of the device: “It was awesome, man, I put my baby’s urine in it.”One time I was using my wife’s and my wife was like ‘Baby you better not hope that it comes back pregnant or something’.”And I said, ‘We ain’t going to use you any more, we’re going to use the kid’, because I got scared that the p**s might come back pregnant.”Mike Tyson opened up on his use of a whizzinator to pass drug testsPress conference brawl with Lennox Lewis – 2002Tensions between Tyson and former sparring partner Lennox Lewis were well and truly high before their infamous pre-fight press conference in New York.And Tyson ignited a mass brawl seconds after the pair took to their respective podiums, punching one of Lewis’ bodyguards after he blocked him from getting to the Brit.Mike Tyson immediately confronted Lennox Lewis at their 2002 press conference in New YorkCredit: APIron Mike sparked a mass brawl by punching Lennox’s bodyguardCredit: APThe American bit Lewis’ leg during the brawl, which he received a whopping £260,000 fine forCredit: REUTERSThe pair rolled on the floor as members from both camps tried to intervene.READ MORE SUN STORIESThey were eventually separated, but not before Tyson managed to bite a chunk out of Lewis’ thigh.Tyson was slapped with a whopping £260,000 fine ($335,000) for the melee, after which he went on a foul-mouthed and homophobic tirade. More

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      I had two choices – either pick up the phone and ask for help or die, admits ex-Man City midfielder Jeff Whitley

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      JEFF WHITLEY has bravely opened up about his battle with addiction and recovery from the depths of despair.The 45-year-old starred for Manchester City and Sunderland and earned 20 caps for Northern Ireland between 1997-2005.Jeff Whitley has shared details about his recoveryCredit: Dave Pinegar – The SunWhitley’s cocaine use began during his addiction to alcoholBut behind the scenes, battles with alcohol and drugs led to problems off the pitch, including bankruptcy and a spell in rehab.Now in a position to help others, Whitley, who is the PFA’S player welfare executive, wants to raise awareness of the dangers behind addiction.He told the BBC: “Nearly every club had moved me on because of the off the pitch antics. Not being able to keep it together or say no to some of the times I went out.”I didn’t know how to keep it under control or even understand what the problem was.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS”Eventually the drink and the drugs really started to escalate.”I had two choices. I either keep doing what I’m doing and maybe die, or I pick up the phone and ask for help.”After getting to the point of where he was “sick of feeling this way”, Whitley knew he had to make a change.He phoned the Professional Footballers’ Association for help and, in a time frame that left him “amazed”, he was assessed by Sporting Chance before going through treatment and rehab for 26 days.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSHe exclusively revealed to The Sun in 2019: “I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror and thought, ‘I don’t know who that guy is.’ I’d completely lost myself.”When you’re young and you’ve got a few quid in your pocket, it can be quite exciting and highly addictive.”But you go from being super confident and chatty to wanting to be on your own in complete isolation.”Whitley has been sober since entering rehab, but still continues to attend AA meetings and therapy.Former Man City midfielder Whitley now devotes his time to helping othersAnd after years of drug taking drove one of his brothers, Jack, to suicide in 2017, Whitley knows just how brutal substance abuse can be.In 2019, he backed The Sun’s End of The Line campaign to help raise awareness of the devastating dangers of cocaine and its impact on mental health.He explained: “You’re almost chasing that high from when you first took it, thinking that next line is going to be like the first one you took.”The insane paranoia is mind-blowing. Call it curtan-twitching- any siren, any noise, you think they’re after you. It’s a proper frightening place to be. “Whitley was shipped out on loan to Wrexham and Notts County during the final three years of his City contract, before joining Sunderland in 2003.He explained that the Black Cats, and later Cardiff, then “moved him on” for his off-field antics.His growing addictions ultimately led to his international career coming to a premature end after scoring two goals.Northern Ireland’s 1-0 win over England at Windsor Park in 2005 is one of the most famous nights in the country’s history.However, Whitley had to watch it from home after being sent away from the camp by manager Lawrie Sanchez for going out with team-mate Philip Mulryne.I was sick of being on this hamster wheel of living that way. You’re not living, you’re just existing.Whitley was still playing at a high level for Cardiff, but the damage was done. He would never play for Northern Ireland again.After being left jobless at the end his football career, he briefly worked in car sales before turning his attentions to using his experiences to help others.Jeff Whitley’s PFA WorkJEFF WHITLEY is part of the PFA’s Wellbeing department which provides support to more than 50,000 members.They offer a 24/7 helpline, a national network of counsellors, and a residential rehab at Sporting Chance Clinic.Fellowships, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Cocaine Anonymous (CA), are available as well with 12-step sponsored programme.The programme provides a solution and 12 steps of how to live life and implement those principles into daily life.The PFA Wellbeing team provide individual action plans for members on issues ranging from anxiety, depression, alcohol, drug use and gambling.They also go into all 92 clubs to assess players and educate Under-18s, U23s, first-team, women’s teams and staff on the dangers of alcohol and drug use.Any current and former PFA members can contact the Wellbeing team with emotional issues on its email address: wellbeing@thepfa.co.ukWhitley added that he understands that some players may not want to pick up the phone or ask for help.”I know how difficult it was for me to reach out. I was sick of being on this hamster wheel of living that way. You’re not living, you’re just existing.READ MORE SUN STORIES”When you are abusing your body with alcohol and drugs, and stuff like that, then you are going to go one of two ways.”Some of the people are not at that point. Just don’t hesitate to reach out, that’s what I would say.”Help for mental healthIf you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support.The following are free to contact and confidential:Mind, www.mind.org, provide information about types of mental health problems and where to get help for them. Email info@mind.org.uk or call the infoline on 0300 123 3393 (UK landline calls are charged at local rates, and charges from mobile phones will vary).YoungMinds run a free, confidential parents helpline on 0808 802 5544 for parents or carers worried about how a child or young person is feeling or behaving. The website has a chat option too.Rethink Mental Illness, www.rethink.org, gives advice and information service offers practical advice on a wide range of topics such as The Mental Health Act, social care, welfare benefits, and carers rights. Use its website or call 0300 5000 927 (calls are charged at your local rate).Heads Together, www.headstogether.org.uk, is the a mental health initiative spearheaded by The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales. More

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      British boxer, 21, found dead in hotel room with ‘drug paraphernalia’ next to unconscious Australian star

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      A BRITISH boxer has been found dead in a Thai hotel room reportedly next to drug paraphernalia.The 21-year-old was with Australian Muay Thai star Jayson Tonkin in a room on the fourth floor in the coastal resort city of Pattaya.Muay Thai fighter Jayson Tonkin is in intensive care after being found with ‘drug paraphernalia’Credit: Asia Pacific Press via ViralPressJayson was found with a dead Brit in his hotel roomCredit: Asia Pacific Press via ViralPressCops said the two men were found just after midnight Wednesday with “drug paraphernalia” on the table after staff heard a commotion in the room.On arriving they found Jayson panicking “in a state of severe intoxication” about why the other person was “lying still”, local media reported.The Brit was dead and was shirtless, wearing just black shorts and a waist bag.A police spokesman said: “We have taken photos of the scene and collected all evidence. Read more on boxing”We believe he may have died from a drug overdose based on what we found in the room. “We will question his friend further when he is conscious.”Jayson was later taken to hospital and is currently in the ICU unconscious.Despite that, Thai cops, who take a hard line on drugs, could charge him with consumption or possession leading to up to five years in prison, the Daily Mail reports.Most read in BoxingJayson, originally from Manly in Sydney, moved to Thailand as a teen and had begun fight in Muay Thai bouts.A middleweight Muay Thai fighter nicknamed The Dingo, Jayson opened up about his struggles with drugs – and in particular methamphetamine – in a podcast about mental health made earlier this year.One fight planned for October 20 against WBC Muay Thai world number one middleweight champion, Tengnueng Sitjaesairoong had been cancelled after Monsoon rains had hit the area.The Foreign Office said: “We are supporting the family of a British man who has died in Thailand and are in contact with the local authorities.”Jayson was in Thailand for Muay Thai fightingCredit: Asia Pacific Press via ViralPress More

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      Inside the weird world of Mike Tyson from smoking toad venom, blowing $300million and staring death in the face

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      MIKE TYSON’S world has included smoking psychedelics, running a cannabis empire and perhaps most surprisingly of all, now boxing again.The heavyweight icon is on the verge of returning to the ring 15 years after retiring on his stool. Mike Tyson runs a cannabis empire after his retirement from boxingCredit: Refer to CaptionTyson recouped his wealth through cannabisCredit: Social Media – Refer to SourceNow he is back in boxing once moreCredit: GettyTyson faces YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul on November 15 in Texas in a controversial clash slammed by many for the 30-year age gap.The youngest heavyweight champion of all time, aged just 20 when he won the belt, did have an exhibition with Roy Jones Jr in 2020. That was just a year after he first smoked TOAD VENOM in a bid to treat his substance addiction.The practise involves venom being extracted from the glands of the Sonoran Desert toad, dried into a crystalline substance and smoked in a pipe.READ MORE IN BOXINGEffects range from easing depression and post-traumatic stress disorder to panic, dysphoria and the complete loss of one’s sense of self.Tyson’s first toad venom smoking ceremony lasted 20 minutes and left him fearing for his life.Gerardo Sandoval, a pioneer for the practise, told The Times: “At the beginning he thought he was actually dying. He was demanding that I make it stop. “He launched himself towards me. He tried to give me a punch, then the toad fully grabbed him and he fell. It gave him a knockout. Most read in BoxingWhat is toad venom? By Jude EphsonToad venom is an extremely powerful natural psychedelic that is secreted in the glands of Colorado River toads. These toads are also referred to as the Sonoran Desert toad.In the 1980s, people used to lick these Colorado River toads to experience a hallucinogenic effect from the toad’s venom, which contained 5-MEO-DMT.Subsequently, people have now moved on from licking toads for their venom to smoking toad venom, in order to experience the widely-acclaimed psychedelic or hallucinogenic effect associated with the toad venom.The effects of this powerful venom begin within 30 seconds of ingestion and take full effect within 5 minutes.After this period, the user gets physically incapacitated for about 30 minutes.The effects of the fast-acting psychedelic substance take place within five minutes after ingestion.CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS“What Mike went through was almost like a rebirth. He stoppedtaking antipsychotic and sleeping pills because he wasn’t sad or angryany more. “He started to lose weight, he changed his diet, he shiftedinto a healthier mode of living.”Mike Tyson looks ripped at 58 as former heavyweight champ shows off impressive physique before Jake Paul fightTyson has now smoked the toad over 50 times since his frightening first experience.Iron Mike has also made fortunes from a cannabis empire of his own.There was once a time he filed for bankruptcy having blown through $300MILLION (£230m) during his prizefighting career. But he recouped his wealth in retirement as a pop culture icon, featuring in films like comedy classic The Hangover. He then ventured into the marijuana business and his company’s chief executive claimed they did nine figures in revenue last year.And his wealth is set to rocket up another $40m (£30m) when he shares the ring with 10-1 Paul over eight two-minute rounds. They were initially due to fight on July 20 but Tyson was forced to pull out after suffering a stomach ulcer flare up during a flight.Tyson is boxing’s youngest heavyweight world championCredit: GettyHe blew through $300m in his boxing careerCredit: GettyTyson spent three years in prisonCredit: HandoutIt was also just two years ago that the reformed Baddest Man on The Planet was pictured leaving Miami airport in a wheelchair due to sciatica. But Tyson has been passed medically fit to resume training, which he does six days a week in Las Vegas. He has three fledgling professional heavyweight sparring partners living in a shared house with coach Rafael Cordeiro.Billy White, a childhood friend who was also trained by D’Amato, recently reunited with Tyson.And White said: “Cus always taught us that age was nothing but a number, and Mike has looked 25 years old in that ring.”Tyson – who spent three years in prison from 1992 for a rape conviction – is happily married to third wife Lakiha Spicer. And she is described as as the mastermind behind Tyson’s business ventures, also helping run his current training camp. READ MORE SUN STORIESFlorida-based coach White, who witnessed Tyson’s rise, fall and reincarnation, compared him to a phoenix.White said: “He rises from the ashes, no matter what. There is noobstacle he can’t overcome.”Lakiha Spicer and Mike Tyson pictured togetherCredit: SplashTyson and Jake Paul are set to fight on November 15Credit: Getty More