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      Ex-Premier League prodigy Causso Darame, 24, dealt drugs as he was ‘too proud’ to claim benefits when club dropped him

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      AN EX-FOOTBALL professional dealt drugs because he was “too proud” to claim state benefits after being dropped by his club.Causso Darame, 24, dreamed of the big time after moving from Portugal to be signed by club Swansea City in the Premier League at the age of just 16.
      Ex-Swansea City star Causso Darame dealt drugs as he was ‘too proud’ to claim benefitsCredit: WNS
      The speedy winger compared himself to superstars Cristiano Ronaldo and NeymarCredit: Getty
      The speedy winger compared himself to superstars Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar – but failed to make it.
      A court heard he then turned to drug-dealing to make money because he refused to accept unemployment benefits.
      He was chased by police and discovered hiding underneath a car with £1,000 worth of heroin and cocaine.
      Recorder Paul Lewis KC said: “You told the probation officer you were living off the proceeds of crime because you were too proud to claim benefits.”
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      Prosecutor Steven Donoghue said further drugs were found at his home with a street value between £740 and £1,000.
      Defence barrister Martha Smith-Higgins said her client was signed to Swansea City FC as a teenager after being provided with a scholarship and sponsorship.
      When he was in the Swansea City set-up he told their website: “I try to play like Ronaldo or Neymar – they are the players I have grown-up watching.
      “Ronaldo is my hero though. His hard-work ethic is a great example for young players like me – I would like to be like him.
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      “I always try to be skilful and fast to cause as much trouble as possible on the wing.”
      But at the age of 19, he was released from his contract and was unable to find another club.
      Cardiff Crown court heard Darame’s life began to “spiral out of control” and he turned to using drugs.
      He ended up racking up a debt and began dealing drugs in order to pay off that debt.
      Since his remand in custody, the defendant has joined the prison football team – and wants to restart his career.
      Darame, of Llanrumney, Cardiff, pleaded guilty to two counts of possession with intent to supply class A drugs.
      He was sentenced to a total of 28 months imprisonment. More

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      My doping ban is a stain on my name… but now I’m playing again I want to be a legend at Man Utd, says Andre Onana

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      ANDRE ONANA claims there is still a huge “stain” on his name following a 12-month doping ban.Manchester United’s new £47.2million keeper wants to create his own “legacy” at Old Trafford after boss Erik ten Hag signed him from Inter Milan to replace David de Gea.
      Andre Onana is one of few players on the planet to be found guilty of dopingCredit: Getty
      But in February 2021, Onana, now 27, was barred from all football for a year by Uefa after testing positive for banned drug furosemide while at former club Ajax.
      The Court of Arbitration for Sport later reduced his suspension to nine months after he insisted he accidentally took one of girlfriend Melanie’s pregnancy medicine pills instead of a headache tablet.
      But he is still one of very few footballers on the planet to be found guilty of doping.
      And he admitted: “Everything I’d worked for had been taken away.

      “Andre Onana banned for taking drugs. Like some addict. How do you explain that to your family?
      “I get it. The law is the law. You f*** up, you pay the price. I paid. But sometimes you wonder, are they punishing you to teach you a lesson, or are they doing it to hurt you?
      “The sanction meant I couldn’t go to matches, train with the team, or attend the title celebration at the end of the season — even though I’d played every match until the ban!
      “How is that fair? People around me changed. Some disappeared altogether.”
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      Onana tested positive for banned drug furosemide while at former club AjaxCredit: Getty
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      Onana had become a Cameroon international at 20, a Europa League finalist at 21 and a Champions League semi-finalist at 23.
      Born in the tiny village of Nkol Ngok, he joined LaLiga giants Barcelona at 14 before moving to Ajax at 18. But his world fell apart because of a 40mg pill.
      In an interview with The Players’ Tribune he added: “A lot of people saw the headlines. ‘Onana? Oh, he got banned for taking drugs. He’s a cheat, an addict’.
      “Even after everything that came out — the CAS statement and the rest — it’s a stain on my name.”
      In October 2020, Onana received a call from the Ajax doctor, who told him he had tested positive for furosemide. The keeper thought it was a joke. He added: “I don’t drink, don’t smoke, never touched drugs.
      “I’d never even heard of furosemide. The only pills I’d put in my body were ones the club or national team doctors prescribed.
      “After I spoke with Ajax, I called Melanie. I was sure it was a mistake. She said, ‘Andre, furosemide, that’s in the pregnancy medicine the doctors gave me’.
      “Then it hit me. It wasn’t some admin error. I must have gone for a headache pill and got the boxes mixed up.
      “Still, Uefa could see it was just human error. They investigated and I thought they would show me a yellow card. But, nah, they went straight for the red.
      “Twelve months’ ban. No football. Gone, just like that.
      “In the summer, when CAS reduced the ban to nine months, I celebrated like I’d won the Champions League!
      “They even said there was no significant fault on my part. That was something. They can’t take the stain away but they cleaned it a little.”
      Read More on The Sun
      Onana added: “Now I’m playing again, I want to become a legend — the best goalie in the world.” More

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      Dillian Whyte breaks silence on failed drugs test after Anthony Joshua fight axed as frontrunner replacement emerges

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      DILLIAN WHYTE insists he’s no drug cheat after a THIRD career-failed test scuppered his rematch with Anthony Joshua.The Brixton Body Snatcher’s domestic dust-up with his long-time rival was cancelled on Saturday after it emerged that a voluntary drugs test had come back positive.
      Dillian Whyte’s rematch with Anthony Joshua was axed this weekendCredit: REUTERS
      A career-third failed drug test for the Brixton Body Snatcher scuppered the fightCredit: GETTY
      The former WBC heavyweight title challenger insists he didn’t intentionally dopeCredit: GETTY
      Whyte denied intentionally doping in a social media statementCredit: TWITTER@DILLIANWHYTE
      The substance Whyte, 35, tested positive for has not yet been released.
      But the former WBC heavyweight title challenger is adamant he didn’t intentionally ingest any performance enhancers to boost his chances of avenging his 2015 defeat to AJ.
      He said in a statement: “I am shocked and devastated to learn of a report by VADA of adverse findings relating to me.
      “I only learned of it this morning and am still reacting to it.
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      “I have also just seen the fight is being cancelled without having any chance to demonstrate my innocence before the decision was taken.
      “I can confirm without a shadow of a doubt that I have not take the reported substance, in this camp or at any point in my life.
      “I am completely innocent and ask to be given the time to go through the process of proving this without anybody jumping to conclusions or a trial by media.”
      Whyte stumped up a hefty amount of cash to have VADA randomly test him during the final weeks of his training camp.
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      And he’s adamant he wouldn’t look to try to get an extra edge with one of the most stringent anti-doping organisations hot on his heels.
      He said: “I insisted on 24/7 VADA testing for this fight, as I have done voluntarily and at my own expense for all my fights for many, many years.”
      Brit fan favourite Whyte has now failed three drug tests in his career.
      He served a two-year suspension for his first anti-doping violation in 2012 but was cleared of the second in 2019 – which occurred ahead of his interim WBC title fight with Oscar Rivas.
      UKAD cleared Whyte of intentionally doping due to “extremely low” levels of anabolic steroid Dianabol discovered in his system.
      And he’s confident of being exonerated of any wrongdoing in this latest drugs saga.
      He said: “This is not the first time that I have been reported as having an adverse finding for a substance which I have not taken, and as I did last time, I will again prove that I am completely innocent.
      “In the meantime, all I can do is express my extreme disappointment to boxing fans, who will miss out on what was sure to be a great event.”
      Read More on The Sun
      Matchroom Boxing are working hard to find a short-notice replacement for Whyte in order to keep AJ active.
      SunSport understands Gerald Washington – who is slated to face Derek Chisora on the undercard of the event – is the frontrunner to replace Whyte.
      Dillian Whyte has vowed to clear his nameCredit: THE SUN More

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      Eddie Hearn in desperate scramble for Anthony Joshua opponent after Whyte FAILS drugs test as frontrunner emerges

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      ANTHONY JOSHUA could still fight next weekend – despite his rematch with Dillian Whyte falling through.The Watford warrior’s second professional showdown with his long-time rival was axed today due to a failed drug test for the Brixton bad boy.
      Anthony Joshua’s rematch with Dillian Whyte fell through this weekendCredit: REUTERS
      A failed drug test for Whyte scuppered the eagerly-anticipated grudge matchCredit: PA
      Eddie Hearn is frantically trying to find a short-notice replacement for WhyteCredit: Alamy
      Whyte, 35, failed voluntary drug tests but the substance or substances found in his system has yet to be revealed.
      Matchroom Boxing are eager for their poster boy to stay active ahead of a Saudi showdown with Deontay Wilder next year.
      And SunSport understands they’re frantically trying to find a last-minute replacement for Whyte – whose career is well and truly up in the air following a third career-failed drug test.
      American Gerald Washington is the current frontrunner to win the lucrative AJ sweepstakes.
      The tall and rangy Yank – who is currently slated to fight Brit Derek Chisora on the undercard – would be the ideal replacement.
      The 41-year-old veteran is perfectly capable of replicating The Bronze Bomber’s hard-hitting style as he’s part of his team.
      Brit fan favourite Chisora is highly unlikely to be drafted in as he’s a long-time pal of Joshua’s.
      Joshua’s third showdown with Whyte – who he first locked horns with as a fresh-faced amateur in 2009 – was supposed to be a pay-per-view offering on DAZN.
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      But it’s understood the international broadcaster will make any last-minute fight- should one come to fruition – available to their regular subscribers.
      Neither Joshua nor Whyte have commented on the collapse of their eagerly-anticipated rematch.
      But AJ promoter Eddie Hearn has twice taken to Twitter since the news broke.
      In response to a fan sharing a video of him dropping an F-bomb, he tweeted: “This one made me smile.
      American Gerald Washington is the frontrunner to replace WhyteCredit: GETTY
      “Time to go to work!”
      Joshua, 33, returned to the win column in April with a scrappy points victory over Jermaine Franklin at The O2.
      The win snapped a two-fight skid for the Brit, who was twice turned over by former pound-for-pound king Oleksandr Usyk.
      Whyte, meanwhile, eked out a controversial split-decision win over Franklin last November. More

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      Dillian Whyte FAILS drug test with huge Anthony Joshua fight AXED after shock result

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      DILLIAN WHYTE’s rematch with Anthony Joshua is OFF following a THIRD career-failed drug test.The long-time rivals were due to renew their 14-year-long feud in a tasty domestic dust-up at the O2 Arena next Saturday.
      Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte were due to renew their rivalry next weekendCredit: GETTY
      But a third career failed drug test from Whyte has scuppered the fightCredit: GETTY
      It’s currently unknown what substance Whyte tested positive forCredit: PA
      But an “adverse analytical finding” in one of Whyte’s recent voluntary drug tests has laid waste to the fight.
      A Matchroom Boxing statement read: “Today, the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) informed Matchroom, the Association of Boxing Commissions and the British Boxing Board of Control that Dillian Whyte had returned adverse analytical findings as part of a random anti-doping protocol.
      “In light of this news, the fight will be cancelled, and a full investigation will be conducted.
      “Further information on the event will follow.”
      Promoter Eddie Hearn quickly took to Twitter after news of Whyte’s potential doping violation became public.
      The Matchroom chief tweeted: “BREAKING..more updates to follow shortly.”
      The substance Whyte tested positive for is currently unknown.
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      But SunSport understands TWO failed tests came back from Vada.
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      If they haven’t already, the B-samples for both failed tests will also be examined by VADA.
      Fan favourite Whyte has vowed to clear his name, saying: “I am shocked and devastated to learn of a report by VADA of adverse findings relating to me.
      “I only learned of it this morning and am still reacting to it.
      “I have also just seen the fight is being cancelled without having any chance to demonstrate my innocence before the decision was taken.
      “I can confirm without a shadow of a doubt that I have not take the reported substance, in this camp or at any point in my life.
      “I am completely innocent and ask to be given the time to go through the process of proving this without anybody jumping to conclusions or a trial by media.”
      Former WBC heavyweight title challenger Whyte is no stranger to anti-doping controversies.
      Whyte, 35, tested positive for the banned stimulant Methylhexaneamine after his 2012 victory over Sandor Balogh.
      Matchroom are hoping to keep Anthony Joshua on the cardCredit: RICHARD PELHAM
      Dillian Whyte has vowed to prove his innocenceCredit: Reuters
      The substance found its way into Whyte’s system through a banned and since discontinued pre-workout supplement, which landed him a two-year suspension.
      His second anti-doping violation occurred ahead of his interim WBC heavyweight title fight with Oscar Rivas in 2019.
      One of his pre-fight tests returned traces of the banned anabolic steroid Dianabol.
      But he was cleared by UKAD of intentionally taking the performance-enhancing drug due to the “extremely low” levels of the substance found in his system.
      Former unified heavyweight champion Joshua was looking to use Whyte as a stepping stone for a long-awaited grudge match with Deontay Wider.
      And SunSport understands Matchroom will try to draft in a late replacement to keep their poster boy on the card.
      Read More on The Sun
      It’s understood DAZN will make the fight a non-pay-per-view bout if a last-minute replacement is successfully found.
      SunSport has reached out to Dillian Whyte’s team for further comment. More

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      Former Holland star jailed for seven years as he’s found guilty of being behind plot to smuggle over a TON of cocaine

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      FORMER Holland star David Mendes da Silva has been jailed for seven years for his involvement in a cocaine trafficking plot. Mendes da Silva, 40, was sentenced by a court in Rotterdam for importing two batches of cocaine weighing 74 and 105 kilos.
      David Mendes da Silva has been jailed for seven yearsCredit: Getty
      Mendes da Silva played for the Dutch national team on seven ocassionsCredit: Getty
      He was then found guilty of preparing the import of another 1300 kilos of cocaine but was acquitted on suspicion of aiding and abetting the import.
      In addition to aiding the importation of drugs, he was found guilty of selling them.
      Mendes da Silva was also found to have bribed a shipping employee.
      The court heard he paid the worker 100,000 euros (£86,000) – while he received 50,000 euros (£43,000) – to report to the location of the container of drugs.
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      He was altogether found guilty on two counts of bribery and the selling and importing of cocaine, having been arrested last August.
      During his time as a player, Mendes da Silva played for the likes of Sparta Rotterdam, AZ Alkmaar and RB Salzburg.
      He won five trophies including the Eredivisie at AZ and the Greek Cup at Panathinaikos.
      The defensive midfielder’s international career in the Holland national team spanned just two years between 2007 and 2009.
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      In that time he won seven caps for the Oranje.
      Mendes da Silva hung up his playing boots in 2017 after making just nine appearances for Rotterdam after returning to the club. More

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      I was a drug addict – now I’m a tattoo artist and charge celebs £3,000 per inking…how I turned my life around

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      A DRUG addict who turned his life around now makes up to £3,000 per inking from celebrity clients – here’s how he did it.Dan Rossetter, from Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex had delved so deeply into the crippling world of addiction, he knew he’d end up dead or in prison if he didn’t stop.
      The 40-year-old travels up to 600 miles away to tattoo celebrity clientsCredit: mediadrumimages
      At the age of 30 he had reached a breaking point after dealing with years of painful trauma from being sexually abused throughout his childhood.
      Battling with PTSD, Dan soon lost his job as a BOC gasman – but tried to find some sense of justice in 2013.
      He bravely spoke out about what had been done to him from the age of six to 11, and three years later the survivor saw his abuser sentenced to 13 years in jail.
      However, this did not put an end to Dan’s addiction, and by March 2019 he knew it would either kill him or land him in prison.

      Dan, 40, who now lives in London, told MediaDrumWorld: “My addiction was getting worse, I got to the point where my mental health was deteriorating rapidly and I was feeling very suicidal.
      “With a lot of hard work and help from some very good lifestyle coaches I managed to get myself clean and sober and then my obsession became work and being the best version of myself.”
      Now four years sober, Dan travels to tattoo pro-footballer clients who live up to 600 miles away, and has amassed nearly 200,000 TikTok followers.
      “I’ve tattooed the most footballers out of any other tattoo artist in the world; I’ve documented a lot of this on TikTok which then blew up so my demand for general public clients has also increased massively,” Dan explained.
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      “I have clients travelling from all over the UK and also from abroad.
      “Recently I flew over to Spain to tattoo Real Madrid’s Eden Hazard, he wanted a scroll with his five kids’ names in it.”
      The TikTok sensation recounted his biggest work of art was for Chelsea Football Club’s Victor Moses.
      It took the talented artist more than eight hours to complete the black and grey tiger back tattoo.
      HUMBLE BEGINNINGS
      Dan is not new to the industry and kick started his career back in 2010.
      He opened a studio in Gatwick but struggled to manage the business for five years, amid his declining mental health.
      “We made the decision to close the doors in 2015 I partnered up with my business partner Ahmed Alsanawi, AKA A Star Barber,” the tattoo artist said.
      “He is one of the biggest barbers in the world for haircuts for celebrities.
      “I have now been in the game for the last 13 years so I’ve gained a lot of snowball effect returning clients that had kept me busy over the years but what I am most recognised for is tattooing professional footballers.”
      He said clients can fork out anything ranging from £700 to £3,000 depending on the session.
      In his bid to stay at the top of his game, the dedicated artist puts in 12-hour shifts busy days.
      ‘SACRIFICES’
      Despite Dan’s gratitude for the success and fortune he’s found in his dream career – it does come at a cost.
      Being on the road and heavy shift hours has seen the TikTok star “burning out mentally and physically” at times.
      Although he has come a long way since turning his life around in 2019, Dan admitted he does still “struggle” to manage the “demanding” business.
      “Also my neck and back has taken a big hit which to this day still causes me a lot of problems,” he added.
      I’ve tattooed the most footballers out of any other tattoo artist in the world.”Dan Rossetta
      However, none of this keeps Dan away from his studio.
      He said: “But I get to have fun at work too, I have a great memory of when I let four Chelsea players tattoo random things on my leg from a emoji poop to a disabled badge, also the Adidas logo is on there.
      “It was a funny afternoon.”
      KEY TO SUCCESS
      After a difficult start to his career journey, Dan wants to educate other people who want to join him.
      One piece of golden advice he offered was to find ways of expanding your portfolio.
      He said: “Create yourself a portfolio of your artwork and keep knocking at the doors of local studios.
      “Become a pest and keep asking until you get an opportunity.”
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      The 40-year-old reminded young artists to stay “relentless” despite it being such a hard industry to break into.
      “If you want it enough you will get your opportunity,” said Dan.
      Dan worked as a BOC gasman before falling into addiction and struggle with his mental healthCredit: mediadrumimages
      He is now four years sober and working in the top circles within the industryCredit: mediadrumimages
      The tattoo artist pictures with Arsenal’s Emile Smith RoweCredit: mediadrumimages More

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      Brave Dele Alli pictured in Everton training for first time since heartbreaking interview about abuse and pill addiction

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      DELE ALLI has returned to Everton training for the first time since his brave tell-all interview.The England midfielder, 27, revealed his sleeping pill addiction and says a huge number of players are suffering with the issue.
      Dele Alli has retuned to training with Everton during pre-seasonCredit: Getty
      Dele returned to training for the first time after his powerful interviewCredit: Getty
      He made the admission in a hard-hitting interview with Gary Neville in which he also revealed he was sexually abused as a child.
      The star, who spent part of last season on loan at Besiktas, also opened up on his difficult childhood during which he sold drugs at eight and was hung off a bridge at 11.
      Today Dele was pictured working with Toffees staff in Evian, France as he takes his first steps to returning to the game.
      With Dele watching on, Sean Dyche’s men began their pre-season  with a 2-1 win over Stade Nyonnais.
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      A leading sleep expert agrees with the Everton ace that the addiction to prescription drugs is ‘rife’ in English football.
      James Wilson, who has worked with several sides in England, said: “You hear stories from players and staff that say: ‘You should go and work with this club because every first-team player is taking sleeping pills every night.
      “They are not generally good for your sleep and they are not good for recovery so that is why they are not a good idea in football.
      “The fact they are addictive is the cherry on the cake. The use is rife in football because the job itself contributes to poor sleep.
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      “They can be addictive but also the sleeping tablet doesn’t give you sleep, it knocks you out. Sleeping pills impact on REM sleep.
      “Without that  REM sleep, the sleeping pill without him knowing will have contributed to him not being able to deal with the mental health issues that he was living with.”
      Wilson does not blame club doctors for prescribing sleeping pills but has urged further training and education to ensure a severe change  in the attitude towards them.
      He added: “We need to be educating players younger about sleep and we need to support players around their mental health.
      “Often poor sleep can be caused by things going on in the players’ lives.
      “We are not great at supporting men’s feelings. There needs to be more done there.
      Dele opened up about his battle with a sleeping pill addictionCredit: Getty
      Dele also revealed he suffered abuse when he was a childCredit: Getty
      “There needs to be better-trained staff. It is more about nutritionists, physios or sports therapists having a better understanding of sleep so they can advise better.
      “There also needs to be a cultural change. If senior and successful players are taking them then younger players look up to them and it becomes a myth.
      “The problem in football is we approach sleep like we approach training: ‘The harder I try the better I get. If I put X, Y, Z in, I’ll get X, Y, Z out’ but sleep is not like that.”
      Former Oxford United psychotherapist Gary Bloom added: “Football clubs are only just waking up to the realisation that when people have off-field issues, these inevitably end up on the field.
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      “More clubs should be employing psychotherapists who are able to mix and  mingle freely with players and warn them of the consequences if they don’t clean up their personal problems.”
      If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123. More