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      in Soccer

      Luxury liner dubbed HMS Wag carrying England stars’ partners heading to World Cup but players aren’t allowed on board

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      A LUXURY liner to be used as England’s Wags’ World Cup base was tonight steaming towards Qatar — but no players will be allowed on board.Ace Jack Grealish, 27, and girlfriend Sasha Att­wood, 25, and others will be kept apart as the Three Lions live in a strict hotel Covid bubble away from MSC World Europa.
      MSC World Europa, which will be used as England’s Wags’ World Cup base, is on its way to QatarCredit: 2013
      Sasha Att­wood will be kept away from boyfriend Jack Grealish as the Three Lions live in a strict Covid bubbleCredit: Instagram @sasha__rebecca
      Anna Modler is the partner of England ace Eric Dier
      MSC World Europa’s maiden voyage saw it inching through the Suez Canal yesterday.
      The £1billion 205,700-tonne floating palace boasts six swimming pools, a 643ft promenade, 14 ocean-view whirlpools, 13 dining venues and more than 30 bars and cafes.
      There is also an 11-deck high helter skelter called The Venom Drop — the tallest slide on any ship in the world.
      The liner left a French shipyard nine days ago, where 2,000 workers put finishing touches to its posh interior.
      READ MORE ON THE WORLD CUP
      Footballers’ wives and girlfriends are expected to be among 6,762 guests in 2,633 cabins. Five-star packages to stay on board while the vessel is docked off the coast of Doha cost up to £6,000.
      But no players will be allowed on board. On arrival the England squad will be immediately placed in a strict Covid bubble at Doha’s Souq Al Wakra hotel.
      Boss Gareth Southgate is determined to stop the virus from wrecking his side’s hopes.
      Football Association sources confirm that the restrictions will be in place for the three opening group games — and almost certainly as long as England are in the tournament.
      Most read in The Sun
      Qatar axed the requirement for visitors to provide a negative Covid test before flying in for matches — sparking fears the virus could be rife across the Gulf State.
      Organisers have said any player testing positive will have to isolate for five days and wear a mask for a further five. They will also be barred from training sessions.
      Southgate is set to name his provisional squad next week.
      But Wags who seem certain to be heading to Qatar include model Anna Modler, 24, who is dating defender Eric Dier, Jack Grealish’s girlfriend Sasha Attwood, 25, and Harry Maguire’s wife Fern, 27.
      Players, including Jack Grealish, will not be allowed on board the luxury linerCredit: Getty
      Harry Maguire’s wife Fern is excepted to stay on MSC World Europa
      Players who test positive for Covid have to isolate for five days and wear a mask for a further five (pictured Harry Maguire)Credit: Getty
      The women will have plenty to keep them busy on board, with a spa and wellness centre, thermal baths, beauty salon and a gym.
      And if they are feeling homesick they can pop into British pub Masters of the Sea for a glass of bubbly.
      A source said: “Due to the fact the boat is off-shore, guests can have a drink and enjoy themselves without having to worry about falling foul of Qatar’s strict laws.
      “The boat’s an amazing place to stay, which is why many of the players’ wives and families snapped up packages that the FA arranged.
      Read More on The Sun
      “If England do go all the way, it’s likely to become like a carnival on board.”
      The FA declined to comment. More

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      in Boxing

      Boxer David Haye pictured chomping on chicken wings despite becoming a vegan in 2014

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      BOXING star David Haye landed a knockout blow to his vegan diet by chomping on a chicken wing.The former heavyweight and cruiserweight world champ, 42, savoured every bite of a £21 hotel platter of them.
      David Haye landed a knockout blow to his vegan diet by chomping on a chicken wingCredit: Greg Brennan
      David became a vegan in 2014 and has spoken about his meat-free dietCredit: Getty
      An onlooker said: “I couldn’t believe my eyes.
      “David has told the world about his veganism and talked of his meat-free diet while flogging his vegan protein brand.
      “His meat-free diet credentials have hit the canvas.”
      The popular big-hitter, who formerly starred in a promo video for animal rights group Peta, was spotted tucking in on the terrace restaurant at central London’s Blake­more Hyde Park Hotel.
      Haye — wearing a baseball cap and a hoodie — had left his £100,000 Rolls-Royce outside.
      Haye, who appeared on I’m A Celebrity in 2012, became a vegan in 2014.
      In 2017 he told The Sun: “I’ve had a plant-based diet for three years.
      “I have a full-time chef and a good nutritionist who makes sure I get all the minerals and nutrients required, which isn’t easy in a plant-based diet.
      “I feel better than ever, I look and feel younger.
      “People say, ‘Where do you get your strength from?’. I say, where does an ape get his strength from?
      “He’s 20 times stronger than a human and doesn’t have a meat-based diet.
      “They eat plants all day long. It’s a myth that you need meat for strength.
      Read More on The Sun
      “But I don’t like to ram it down people’s throats.
      “People say, ‘How do you know if someone is a vegan – because they never stop talking about being a vegan!’”
      Last night representatives of Haye were asked for comment. More

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      in Soccer

      I wear the poppy to salute my World War II hero grandad – it makes me proud, says Gareth Southgate

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      ENGLAND footie boss Gareth Southgate says he is proud to wear a poppy — to salute his World War Two hero grandad.He explained Arthur Toll, who served with the Royal Marines, instilled in him the importance of remembering those who serve.
      Gareth Southgate’s war hero grandad Arthur, instilled in him the importance of remembering those who serve or have servedCredit: Rex
      Gareth, who will lead the Three Lions in this month’s World Cup, said: “The poppy is a symbol that leads people to remember.
      “It keeps humility in the group because it means you’re not just thinking about yourselves.
      “The freedoms that we have are because of the commitment and sacrifice the people that came before us made.
      “My grandad was in the Royal Marines so since I was a kid there’s been that connection and appreciation of what people went through.”
      READ MORE ON WORLD CUP
      Gareth, 52, was launching this year’s football shirt auction in which fans can bid for stars’ kit embroidered with the poppy to raise money for the annual British Legion appeal.
      His grandad Arthur was a meat wholesaler in 1939 when war broke out.
      He died in Watford, Herts, in 1994, age 87.
      To bid in the auction go to matchwornshirt.co.uk/poppy
      Most read in The Sun More

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      in Soccer

      Newcastle hires Mr Fix-It to help star players with daily chores such as paying bills

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      NEWCASTLE United has taken on a Mr Fix-It to help its star players with daily chores — such as paying their TV licences.The Saudi-owned club appointed Jamie Morren as a liaison officer.
      Newcastle appointed Jamie Morren, pictured on the right, as a liaison officer to help its star players with choresCredit: NUFC.TV
      He is helping big-bucks signings, such as Brazilian Bruno Guimaraes and Dutchman Sven Botman, settle in on Tyneside.
      His job is to take care of tasks such as paying bills and setting up direct debits so they can concentrate on playing.
      The lifelong United fan said: “The whole point of my job is to take away any kind of distraction for the players so that football is the only focus.
      “It could be things like setting up direct debits, paying bills, finding houses, cars, transport.
      READ MORE ON NEWCASTLE UNITED
      “Imagine you’re 22, you’re moving to a country you’ve never been to before and someone says, ‘By the way, have you paid your TV licence?’
      “In the summer, it took a good 10 minutes of convincing Sven that TV licences were a real thing.
      “If I moved to Brazil at 24 years old, for example, I wouldn’t know how to set up a direct debit or pay council tax or whatever.
      “I think some people look at it and think, ‘you’ll just do everything for them’, but it’s a case of making sure they’re adjusted so they don’t have worries of ‘I don’t understand what this means’ or ‘what on earth is a TV Licence’ and making sure they’re completely comfortable and settled in that sense.
      Most read in The Sun
      “They’re moving to a new environment, a new country, often with no family with them, and they’re having to learn all of these new things on top of perhaps learning a new language.
      “It’s not just about ‘my boiler’s gone off, can you show me how to get it back on?’ It is about making sure you’re there if a player does have an issue.
      Read More on The Sun
      “We’re a family, and player care is part of that.”
      And the mollycoddling seems to be working — with the Magpies fourth in the Premier League. More

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      in Soccer

      Wayne Rooney’s head was cut open on night out by flying plate thrown by his youngest son

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      WAYNE Rooney’s head was cut open on a night out by a flying plate thrown by his youngest son.Cass, four, launched it like a frisbee and accidentally hit his dad as the former footie ace enjoyed a boozy meal at a restaurant.
      Wayne Rooney suffered a cut on his forehead during a boozy night out with pals in Dubai
      Wayne was hit by a plate thrown by his youngest son
      Cass, pictured left, launched it like a frisbee and accidentally hit his dad
      We reported his wound last week and Cass has been revealed as the culprit — after he got over-excited during traditional Greek plate smashing.
      A witness said: “Wayne took it very well. His poor lad was very sorry.”
      Wayne, 37, wife Coleen, 36, and pals were partying on holiday in Dubai when Cass scored his direct hit.
      But the England and Man Utd legend laughed it off despite his gashed forehead.
      READ MORE ON WAYNE ROONEY
      The couple were with kids Kai, 12, Klay, nine, Kit, six, and Cass plus pals including ex-Red Devils team-mate Phil Bardsley and his wife Tanya, who shared footage online.
      It included Coleen balancing a plate and shot glass on her head as a waiter poured at the restaurant, where ex-boxing champ Amir Khan was also eating and posed for a picture.
      The onlooker said: “The group were having a whale of a time and the drinks were flowing.
      “At one point, guests are invited to smash plates on the floor.
      Most read in The Sun
      “It is always a highlight and the crowd are usually well inebriated at this point.
      “It was no different this time and, amid the chaos, the youngest Rooney kid threw a plate across the table frisbee-style and caught him right between the eyes.
      Coleen Rooney was also seen smashing plates and enjoying herself at the restaurant
      Ex-boxing champ Amir Khan was also eating and posed for a picture with Wayne at the restaurant
      “There was no malice but it caught Wayne smack in the middle of his forehead.”
      Roo was seen using a napkin to dab the blood in footage taken seconds after he was hit.
      Read More on The Sun
      The witness added: “It must have hurt like hell but it was a complete accident. He didn’t want little Cass to see his upset, and they had a cuddle.
      “As soon as it emerged he wasn’t seriously hurt, the entire table exploded in laughter.” More

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      in Soccer

      I was beaten unconscious by Iranian government henchmen for listening to music – Fifa must kick my country out World Cup

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      AN IRANIAN schoolgirl beaten unconscious by government henchmen for listening to music has urged Fifa to kick her country out of the World Cup.Mahnaz, 17, was walking home with two friends when the brutes from the Basij morals militia began interrogating them.
      Fifa has been urged to kick Iran out of the World Cup after a teen girl was beaten by government henchmenCredit: AFP
      Iranian Mahsa Amini, 22, died in custody following her arrest for not wearing her hijab correctlyCredit: Newsflash
      When Mahnaz — whose true ID we are concealing — questioned why they were stopped, one responded by punching her in the head, knocking her out.
      She has written about her ordeal for thesun.co.uk — and wants Fifa to act ahead of Iran’s cup opener against England in less than three weeks.
      Mahnaz said: “Ever since it happened I jump up in horror when someone rings our doorbell.
      “I am convinced that every siren I hear on the streets is meant for me or my family. This is normal life in Iran now but I don’t think the rest of the world realises how bad it has become.
      READ MORE ON IRAN
      “Hopefully, the attention of the World Cup will change that.
      “People love football here and have a huge pride in the national team.
      “But the protests have changed everything. People now feel the team represents not the nation of Iran but the regime and all of its aggression.”
      Mahnaz also demanded action over Iran’s support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The country has supplied kamikaze drones and deployed experts.
      Most read in The Sun
      She said: “How can Fifa support that?”
      At least 270 people have been killed and 14,000 arrested in the Iranian regime’s crackdown on protests.
      Read More on The Sun
      The uprising began when student Mahsa Amini, 22, died in custody following her arrest for not wearing her hijab correctly.
      Fifa declined to comment.
      Mahnaz’s plea
      WHEN I was younger I loved my life in Iran playing with my friends and going to school.
      I thought the life we had here was the same as for every other young girl in the world – but now I know different.
      Two weeks ago, I was walking home from school with two friends.
      We were gossiping about things at school and listening to music, just like teenage girls everywhere.
      But what happened next doesn’t happen in most other places.
      Three men in Basij uniforms stopped us and began asking us questions about the music and what we had in our bags.
      They pushed us and were very aggressive so I asked: “Who are you?”
      The answer came instantly – a fist to my eye.
      I fell to the ground in agony and then everything went black.
      The next thing I knew was when I was back at home. When I woke I couldn’t see very well and the light sent strokes of pain through my eyes into my head.
      My family was afraid to call a doctor so we contacted a nurse who lives in our block.
      It might sound crazy but my family was terrified that being hit by the Basij would be considered a sign of guilt.
      Ever since it happened I jump up in horror when someone rings our doorbell, terrified it is the Basij again.
      I am convinced that every siren I hear on the streets is meant for me or my family.
      I don’t know what I have done wrong, so I don’t know what they will punish me for.
      It wasn’t as if we were not wearing the hijab correctly, like some of the brave women in the recent protests.
      We were just walking home from school listening to music.
      I never thought this could happen here. My three brothers have a good business, my father is a well-respected war veteran and my mother educated many children as a school teacher.
      We are a good family and have never done anything wrong.
      But since the protests in Tehran everything changed and the Basij now roam the streets looking for people to challenge to enforce their rules – even teenage girls.
      This is normal life in Iran now, but I don’t think the rest of the world realises how bad it has become.
      Hopefully the attention of the World Cup will change that.
      People love football here and have a huge pride in the national team.
      We all celebrated when the team qualified for Qatar and we were really hoping they would do well – we even thought they might beat England!
      But the protests have changed everything. People now feel the team represents not the nation of Iran, but the regime and all of its aggression against its own people.
      How can we support the national team when the Basij are attacking people like me on the street on for no reason?
      And how can Fifa allow a country that acts like Iran to compete in the World Cup?
      Russia was banned for invading Ukraine but our government is now helping Russia fight in Ukraine.
      How can Fifa support that – and how can the rest of the world let it happen?
      Fifa must take a stand and ban Iran from the World Cup.
      But however bad it feels for us at the moment, there is still hope.
      As the regime tries to force the population to live in a certain way the weakest link naturally suffers the most.
      In Iran, the regime considers that women are the weakest link – but they are wrong.
      In an Iranian household, the mother calls the shots.
      It is from our mothers that we get our strength and determination – and our hope that one day change will happen in Iran.
      We have no idea when that change will come – but it will happen eventually, of that we are certain.
      And when it does girls will be able to listen to music on their way home from school once more – and we will all support our team at the World Cup again. More

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      in Soccer

      Reece James racist troll tracked down in Middle East just three weeks before World Cup in Qatar

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      A RACIST troll who abused England ace Reece James has been tracked down to the Middle East just three weeks before the World Cup starts in Qatar.An arrest is imminent after the Chelsea defender, 22, gave statements to Instagram, police and officials abroad.
      A racist troll who abused England ace Reece James has been tracked down to the Middle EastCredit: Simon Jones
      An arrest is imminent after Chelsea ace Reece gave statements to Instagram, police and officials abroadCredit: Simon Jones
      Reece told The Sun:’ I get (racist) messages here and there, but I’ve never really had it face to face’Credit: Getty
      Reece told The Sun: “It’s tough.”
      Trolling victim Reece has told how he is determined to fight back against the online menace saying: “Whenever I see it I report it.”
      The England ace spoke out as the net was closing on a racist tormentor who targeted him.
      The vile troll has been tracked down to the Middle East — just three weeks before the World Cup in Qatar.
      Read More on Reece James
      An arrest is imminent.
      Chelsea star Reece told The Sun: “I get (racist) messages here and there, but I’ve never really had it face to face.
      “It’s always the way (that trolls hide behind the keyboard); whenever I see it I report it.
      “It’s one of those things that is hard to control. Most of the time they are fake accounts.”
      Most read in The Sun
      He reported a chain of racist abuse from a mysterious account.
      Starting in February of last year, Reece gave statements to Instagram, the Met Police and officials abroad — and now the culprit is finally on the verge of being nicked.
      Reece admitted: “It’s tough, when you have to take so much time on interviews and statements, and then it doesn’t lead to anything.
      “I had this one last season, monkey emojis and stuff.
      “Before I didn’t really open my messages, but one day I managed to see it, and reported it.”
      After posting a photo of him training, a man — using an account name of mhmd.awada — also wrote: “How can you f live with dirty black skin?”, plus other vile racist slurs.
      He followed this up with several monkey emojis and vomiting faces.
      Reece reported the abuse to Instagram and alerted support staff at Chelsea.
      Chain of racist abuse
      The club acted decisively, and in an unprecedented move, then owner Roman Abramovich wrote to every player telling them he was “appalled” at the abuse suffered by their talented right-back.
      The billionaire tycoon pledged to provide additional funding for the club’s anti-racism efforts.
      As a result, the Met Police’s ­specialist football unit began investigating and located the account.
      They have since been liaising with cops in the Middle East.
      Last night a source said: “There’s been a lot of conversation between police from both regions — everyone has been taking this case seriously.
      “It’s vital players feel supported and listened to, and know that all efforts are being made to clamp down on racism within the game.
      “Of course, there are fears that this account — and others like it — are linked to a racist group in Qatar, a country which has been found to have a poor track record for racist abuse against non-nationals.
      “We’ve already seen England players being horrifically racially abused after the Euro 2020 final — the last thing anyone needs is a repeat.”
      I think everyone has an equal right to play, no matter your sex, skin colour, or anything like that.Reece James
      Last September the Met confirmed it had recruited a specialist officer to focus on hate crime in football.
      In April of last year the world of football came together to initiate a boycott of social media in a protest against online racism.
      Reece — who still hopes to make it to the World Cup despite being on crutches as a result of a knee injury — believes education, or a lack of it, is the root cause of racism.
      At the Chelsea’s training ground in Cobham, Surrey, he said: “I think everyone has an equal right to play, no matter your sex, skin colour, or anything like that.”
      He waded in on the decision to award the World Cup to Qatar — a country renowned for human rights abuses and strict anti-gay laws.
      Reece said: “I think most of the countries I know that are participating are trying to stand up for human rights there, and help people that can’t be themselves. I think everyone is working together to raise awareness and trying to show people that they can be who they are.”
      This month it was announced that England captain Harry Kane plans to wear a “OneLove” rainbow armband during the tournament in support of the LGBT community.
      Two years ago, the United Nations raised “serious concerns of structural racial discrimination against non- nationals” in Qatar.
      ‘Mysterious account’
      The report revealed that low-wage workers suffered severe discrimination and exploitation — almost ten years after global football’s governing body Fifa controversially awarded the World Cup to the Arab nation.
      The report claimed there was a “de facto caste system based on national origin,” in Qatar.
      It suggested that “European, North American, Australian and Arab nationalities systematically enjoy greater human rights protections than South Asian and sub-Saharan African nationalities”.
      Read More on The Sun
      Reece, whose sister is England Lioness and Chelsea player Lauren, believes the time is right for a top-flight player to come out as gay.
      He added: “I don’t see why it hasn’t happened yet, In the women’s game it’s quite open and there’s a lot of relationships.”
      Reece, pictured with Marcus Rashford, said: ‘It’s always the way (that trolls hide behind the keyboard); whenever I see it I report it’Credit: AP
      Reece added: ‘It’s one of those things that is hard to control. Most of the time they are fake accounts’Credit: Simon Jones More

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      in Soccer

      Spurs bosses looking for lackey to help stars like Harry Kane pay their bills

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      SPURS bosses are looking for a lackey to help stars like Harry Kane and Hugo Lloris pay their gas bills.And the employee will assist their wives and girlfriends in navigating the stadium car park on match days.
      Tottenham Hotspur are advertising for a ‘player care officer’ to help footballer pay their billsCredit: Rex
      The applicant is asked to speak French like star goalkeeper Hugo LlorisCredit: Getty
      The Premier League giants want a player care officer to help the pampered stars buy or rent cars, source houses, and even set up bank accounts and manage their utility and mortgage bills.
      An ad for the post reveals: “Assist players with managing aspects of their personal life such as payment & management of utility bills, mortgage payments, travel documents, banking.
      “Support in organising vehicle rental or purchases, when required. Attend home fixtures to assist in the Player Family and Guest Lounge, assist in movements to and from car parks, conduct player escort, guest escort, and liaise with ticket office for player complimentary ticket issues and amendments
      “Manage injured player requests for matchdays. Support First Team Coaches with ad hoc requests relating to assistance with utility bills, signposting to rental or leasing companies for housing, cars and other matters.”
      READ MORE TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
      The worker should speak a foreign language like French or Spanish and the “position will involve working irregular hours including evenings, weekends, and bank holidays, so a flexible candidate is sought”.
      And the ad continues: “Liaise with players’ families and help to acclimatise to transfers and relocations, including arranging tours, property visits, airport collections, overnight stays if required.”
      The successful candidate will be someone who “gets things done, delivers to highest of standards, takes responsibility” and has a “respect for player confidentiality”, plus being “empathetic and compassionate”.
      Most read in The Sun More