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      in Soccer

      City ace Gundogan’s wife Sara Arfaoui slammed for blasting Manchester’s ‘horrible frozen food’ in cost of living crisis

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      THE wife of Manchester City ace Ilkay Gundogan has dished up a storm — by rubbishing the local restaurants.Italian Sara Arfaoui, 27, moaned there were no good places to eat out in the city, and was fed up with “horrible frozen food”.
      Italian Sara Arfaoui, 27, wife of Manchester City ace Ilkay Gundogan has whipped up a storm — by rubbishing the local restaurants
      Sara, Ilkay Gundogan, claimed there were no good restaurants there, despite one of them being owned by her hubby’s City boss Pep Guardiola
      Sara’s Instagram post, which food experts labelled ‘preposterous’
      She added: “Maybe in London but in Manchester nothing.”
      Italian Sara Arfaoui claimed there were no good restaurants there, despite one of them being owned by her hubby’s City boss Pep Guardiola.
      Food experts labelled her comments “preposterous” and said Manchester was an “absolute gem of a place to eat”.
      One restaurant owner contacted her directly, only for Sara — who married City midfielder Ilkay, 31, in May — to double down on her remarks.
      READ MORE ABOUT FOOTBALL
      Asked to name her favourite Manchester restaurant, she posted online: “Sorry, I’m sad to be honest but nothing. I tried so bad to find a good restaurant but horrible food everywhere.
      “Can’t find a real Italian or good sushi or just fresh food . . . everywhere frozen.” 
      She said restaurants are “focusing on making money with drinks”, instead of “quality food”.
      The model concluded: “Maybe in London but in Manchester nothing. I’m sorry.”
      Last night, foodies united to pan her views. Critic Jay Rayner said: “This is a ludicrous point of view. Manchester’s packed full of brilliant, independent restaurants.
      I tried so bad to find a good restaurant but horrible food everywhere. Sara Arfaoui
      “It’s an absolute gem of a place to eat and comments like this during difficult economic times are not helpful to businesses struggling to make ends meet.”
      One local restaurant owner told Sara in a message: “There’s so many great restaurants in Manchester. I suggest you do research before you speak.”
      They added: “And only because your husband is a footballer and you have money and you have everything probably paid for and a great life given to you here in Manchester.
      “You should be grateful for that instead of slagging restaurants.”
      But Sara — whose German hubby, left, was appointed City skipper by Guardiola this season — hit back: “So because we are successful people we can’t give an honest opinion?
      Most read in Football
      “I tried all the best restaurants here but for me it’s a no. I can’t lie.
      Unfortunately I’m used to Italy so you can imagine it’s hard to compare.”
      She added: “It’s a great city, great people but not for restaurants.”
      Among the local eateries is Spanish restaurant Tast, co-owned by Guardiola, and Mana, given a Michelin star in 2019, the first in the city for over 40 years.
      MasterChef winner Simon Wood owns Wood Manchester, while Great British Menu champ Adam Reid runs The French inside The Midland Hotel.
      The Bombay Cuisine in Prestwich has also just scooped National Take-away of The Year.
      Mana head chef and owner Simon Martin told The Sun: “The idea that restaurants here only serve frozen food is obviously preposterous. 
      Read More on The Sun
      “In addition, the restaurant industry is far too difficult a trade to warrant only doing it for money.”
      Sara is not the first Wag to slam Manchester. Jorgelina Cardoso, wife of ex-United star Angel Di Maria, said in 2020: “It was horrible — a s***hole.”
      Food experts slammed Sara’s comments and said Manchester was an ‘absolute gem of a place to eat’
      Ilkay was appointed City skipper by manager Pep Guardiola this seasonCredit: Getty
      Spanish restaurant Tast, co-owned by Guardiola
      Mana, given a Michelin star in 2019, the first in the city for over 40 years More

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      in Soccer

      Steven Gerrard’s daughter Lilly, 18, finds love with son of villain linked to crime cartel

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      STEVEN Gerrard’s daughter Lilly has found love with the son of a villain linked to a notorious crime cartel.Influencer Lilly, 18, has been seeing Lee Byrne, 23, since around April.
      Lilly Gerrard has recently returned from a holiday to Ibiza with her boyfriend
      Influencer Lilly Gerrard has been seeing Lee Byrne for the last few monthsCredit:
      Lilly is said to be a frequent visitor to Lee’s apartment in Formby
      The pair enjoyed a sun-soaked holiday in Ibiza this summer, said to be there at the same time with friends, and have shared photos online including one of Lee kissing her on the head.
      Another snap shows Lee relaxing on a private jet as he and Lilly — who has nearly 200,000 followers on Instagram — returned home to the UK in style last week from a trip.
      There is no suggestion either are involved with the gang or any criminality.
      Lilly’s former England and Liverpool star dad Steven, 42, was last week pictured alongside Lee’s dad Liam, 41, on a video call.
      READ MORE ON STEVEN GERRARD
      Byrne Snr is a close associate of Irish businessman Daniel Kinahan, who has been linked to killings in the UK, money laundering and a multi-million pound drug smuggling racket.
      Byrne Snr’s links to the Kinahan cartel emerged in Ireland’s High Court in 2018 when it was claimed that he was at “the very top tier” of organised crime.
      Lawyers told the court Byrne was a “close and trusted associate and lieutenant” of Kinahan.
      Lee had his own brush with the law in January when he was given a warning by Merseyside Police for crashing his £80,000 BMW M3 on the M62.
      Most read in The Sun
      Friends say he and Lilly enjoy going on dates and she has been a frequent visitor to his apartment in Formby.
      The pair have also been spotted at a coffee bar.
      In one image she shared online, Lilly showed off Lee’s initials on one of her fingernails, while in snaps of them together she has covered his face with a love heart emoji.
      The pair were also spotted taking the Gerrard family’s two dogs Barney and Blondie for a walk in Formby.
      Last week, a video emerged of Aston Villa manager Gerrard with Byrne Snr sat together in a bar in Ibiza.
      It is not known how the pair met but during the video call, Gerrard offered to take a Liverpool fan to “see the Reds” as Byrne sits next to him and smiles.
      Read More on The Sun
      Byrne then offered to arrange a dinner with Gerrard and the fan at Byrne’s home in the UK.
      Gerrard’s reps were contacted for comment.
      Lilly celebrated as dad Steven led Rangers to win the Scottish Premiership title in 2021Credit: INSTAGRAM/ LILLY.GERRARDD
      Lilly Gerrard has more than 200,000 followers on InstagramCredit: Instagram
      Lilly’s dad Steven played football for Liverpool and EnglandCredit: instagram
      Lilly and Lee enjoyed a sun-soaked holiday in Ibiza this summerCredit: Instagram
      Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard has recently had contact with Byrne SrCredit: Getty More

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      Ex-England ace Jermain Defoe begged nurse for sex – just one month after £200K wedding to wife Donna Tierney

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      EX-ENGLAND footie star Jermain Defoe messaged a nurse begging for sex just days after marrying Donna Tierney.Defoe, 39, now a TV pundit, tried to lure the woman for a romp in his Range Rover.
      Jermain Defoe is accused of attempting to arrange a hook-up weeks after getting married to Donna TierneyCredit: instagram
      Former England striker Defoe contacted the woman via InstagramCredit: Getty
      Jermain asked the 40-year-old mum for a romp in his Range RoverCredit: instagram
      Now a youth academy coach and ambassador for Spurs, the former Three Lions ace began contacting the 40-year-old mum in July.
      On June 4, Spurs hero Defoe, 39, wed Donna Tierney, 40, at stately home Cliveden House, Berks, in a £200,000 ceremony ­featured on the front page of OK! magazine.
      In the glossy magazine, he said: “This is my future, this is forever, this is the person I want to spend the rest of my life with.”
      The event, attended by a clutch of former England stars including Ledley King and Shaun Wright-Phillips, was featured across 14 pages of the June 27 issue.
      READ MORE JERMAIN DEFOE
      But on July 14, Defoe began messaging the woman, who we are not naming, via ­Instagram and later tried to arrange a meet-up.
       She said: “I’d met ­Jermain years ago in a bar, but nothing happened.
      “We stayed in touch a bit over WhatsApp but I hadn’t spoken to him for ages.
      “Then he started messaging me on Instagram in July. He was desperate to meet me and we flirted a lot.
      Most read in The Sun
      “But ultimately, he wasn’t very charming — he clearly only had one thing in his mind.
      “Then, when I realised he was married, I didn’t want it to go any further.
      “It wouldn’t have been fair on his wife. Who on Earth does that so soon after vowing to spend the rest of their life with someone?
      “I suppose I felt he was the powerful one, the famous and wealthy former footballer.
      “Our messages were a bit of fun at the time, but there was no point in carrying it on.
      “I felt like I was wasting my time and once I realised he had a wife, I didn’t want to continue speaking to him.
      “It’s not right. I feel really bad about it all.”
      On June 21, Defoe gleefully declared on Instagram how ­“dedicating my whole life” to Donna was “one of the easiest things I’ve ever done”.
      Jermain Defoe’s wedding to Donna Tierney was the front page of OK! magazine
      He shared a mock-up of the cover of OK! showing the couple at their luxury Cliveden House wedding — scene of the Profumo sex scandal and where Meghan stayed on the eve of marrying Prince Harry.
      Defoe thanked the glossy mag for “showcasing our special day” and excitedly told his 563,000 followers the “full copy is out now”.
      In his chat with the magazine Defoe told how he had finally found “the right one” in his new partner.
      Beauty therapist Donna spoke of pals talking about “how special” Defoe’s wedding speech was, and that it “showed how much he appreciates me”.
      Ironically, he first “met” Donna several years ago by ‘liking’ her pictures on social media — in a similar way to his latest pursuit.
      After the wedding, the couple went on honeymoon to the Maldives.
      Jermain Defoe and new wife Donna Defoe posed at Wimbledon after their honeymoonCredit: instagram
      On July 6, the newlyweds posed outside Wimbledon’s Centre Court, with the ace boasting on Instagram: “Really enjoyed watching the tennis today at ­Wimbledon with my wife @Donna_Defoe.”
      But in his messages with the woman, which began eight days later, he called her “babe” in voice notes and asked to meet up.
      On August 19, he told her he wanted to romp with her in the back of his Range Rover.
      Defoe met wife Donna in January 2021 when she asked him for a signed football shirt for a charity do.
      The pair hit it off and Defoe proposed at a top Glasgow hotel seven months later.
      He spelled out “Marry Me” with lights in their penthouse suite, which he decorated with heart-shaped balloons and rose petals, and got down on one knee.
      The pair chose the swanky 376-acre Cliveden House for a three-day wedding extravaganza, after Defoe read Meghan had stayed there.
      He wore a three-piece off-white suit, black trousers and a bow tie, and said his “eyes just started welling up” when he saw Donna approaching the altar.
      Among their 360 guests were Defoe’s pals Ledley King, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Carlton Cole.
      Their first dance was to Luther Vandross’s Always And Forever. The celebrations lasted until 7am and included fire-eaters, flamethrowers, a Caribbean buffet and a makeshift nightclub.
      Last Wednesday, Defoe — who scored 20 goals in his 50 caps for England — was at Wembley for Channel 4’s coverage of the Three Lions,  alongside host Jules Breach, and ex-players Joe Cole and Thomas Hitzlsperger.
      Defoe, known for his charity work, has previously been dogged by cheating rumours — including on his singer ex Alexandra Burke.
      He was also accused in 2017 of causing the break-up of radio presenter Ben Weston’s marriage, months after he bought a hot tub from his saleswoman wife Sally.
      Read More on The Sun
      Defoe denied any wrongdoing.
      His agents were approached for comment on the latest claims.
      Jermain Defoe was a TV pundit for the England v Germany game this past weekCredit: Channel 4Goalden career of OBE aceJERMAIN Defoe scored 227 goals in 624 club matches in a 23-year career.

      The prolific striker also found the net 20 times in 57 England matches.
      One of his goals for the Three Lions was at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa against Slovenia.
      Defoe played for seven clubs — West Ham, Tottenham Hotspur, Portsmouth, Toronto FC, Sunderland, Bournemouth and Rangers.He finally hung up his boots in March of this year.
      Defoe had his most fruitful days during two spells at Spurs — scoring 143 goals.
      He was awarded an OBE in 2018 for his charitable work with the Jermain Defoe Foundation. More

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      in Boxing

      Joe Joyce loved cheerleading and springboard diving before becoming fearsome heavyweight boxer

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      JOE JOYCE has professed his love for extreme sports – while also revealing he has a nimble side.The Brit heavyweight used to enjoy springboard diving and cheerleading because, despite being 6ft 6in, he can “twist and flip” through the air.
      Joe Joyce used to enjoy springboard diving and cheerleadingCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      Joyce jokingly teased a collaboration with Team GB diver Tom DaleyCredit: PA
      As a youngster Joyce, 37, dreamt of Olympic glory in athletics.
      But the multitalented Juggernaut also tried his luck with other sports before turning to boxing.
      When asked what he’d do if he wasn’t a boxer, Joyce told SunSport: “I was even considering doing springboard diving because I grew up by Putney Leisure Centre and did a lot of stuff on the boards.
      “I could do a lot of somersaults and different things, so I was interested in doing that.
      Read More In Boxing
      “Maybe I could have done a thing with Tom Daley, what is it the duo thing? But maybe not I don’t know… I’m a tall guy.
      “But I can twist and I can flip as well and I enjoyed cheerleading for example, and doing the somersaults and stuff.”
      Joyce was a latecomer to boxing, taking up the sport in his early twenties and not turning pro until after his 31st birthday.
      But as soon as he laced up the gloves and stepped out onto the canvas, he knew it was the sport for him.
      Most read in Boxing
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      The Juggernaut added: “When I started boxing, I knew that this was the sport I wanted to be in.
      “I had the enjoyment factor, and I could see with each fight that I was getting closer and closer to where I wanted to be.
      “And all I needed to do was keep winning my fights and I could see the route to the top. It was very clear I was in the right place.”
      Joyce did achieve his Olympic dream, not in athletics but in boxing, controversially being denied gold but winning silver at Rio 2016.
      Joe Joyce won silver at Rio 2016Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Six years later and Joyce now has heavyweight title glory in his sights after brutally knocking out Joseph Parker last weekend.
      As interim champion he is in line for a shot at Oleksandr Usyk’s WBO belt, while WBC champ Tyson Fury has even suggested he could LOSE to Joyce if the two Brits were to fight.
      Both Usyk and Fury, as well as Anthony Joshua, are on Joyce’s wishlist for when he returns to the ring in spring 2023.
      With one of the division’s elite eyed for his next fight, it’s a good thing the Juggernaut doesn’t mind taking the punishment that comes with being a pro boxer.
      Joyce concluded: “I like extreme sports… and boxing for me is an extreme sport.
      Read More on The Sun
      “It has the adrenaline, the excitement, there’s a lot of fans.
      “It’s good fun to punch someone in the face… and I don’t mind getting punched in the face either as you can tell.”
      Joyce is in line for a shot at Oleksandr Usyk’s WBO heavyweight titleCredit: Reuters More

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      in Soccer

      Footballer Ched Evans secretly marries his girlfriend Natasha – who stood by him during rape trial

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      FOOTBALLER Ched Evans has secretly married his girlfriend Natasha Massey – the woman who stood by him during his rape trial.The Welsh striker, 33, tied the knot in a lavish ceremony this summer to the beauty therapist, 32.
      Ched Evans and Natasha Massey have tied the knot in a lavish ceremonyCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Natasha and Ched couldn’t stop smiling on their wedding day, a source revealedCredit: Neil Jones – The Sun
      He was found guilty of raping a 19-year-old woman in 2012 – a verdict which was later overturned before he was found not guilty in a retrial.
      Natasha had been dating the ex-Sheffield United player for almost three years when he cheated on her with the teenager at a Premier Inn in Rhyl, North Wales, which left her heartbroken.
      The daughter of wealthy businessman Karl Massey wore a lace bodice dress for her wedding day and beamed as she posed with her footballer husband who was pictured in a tuxedo.
      A source said: “Natasha has stood by Ched through thick and thin and their wedding day showed that they have firmly put the past behind them.
      Read More on The Sun
      “The couple couldn’t wipe the smile off their faces as they said ‘I Do’ in front of their closest family and friends.“
      Natasha was heartbroken when Ched cheated on her but is hoping the ring on his finger will ensure he doesn’t do the same again.”
      Evans, who always admitted having sex with the accuser but insisted that it was consensual, was convicted in 2012 of rape and was sentenced to five years in jail after the woman was deemed “too drunk to consent”.
      Speaking on This Morning in 2014, Natasha said: “As soon as I found out he’d been questioned over rape, my instinct was kind of protective and I thought I had to stand by him.
      Most read in The Sun
      “So my thoughts and feelings over the cheating were put to one side and I stepped in to help him through this terrible time.”
      Evans served two-and-a-half years in jail where he worked as a painter and decorator and accepted an out-of-court settlement of around £800,000 with his original lawyers who defended him in his first rape trial.
      Natasha had been dating the ex-Sheffield United player for almost three years when he cheated on herCredit: PA:Press Association
      Evans was found guilty of raping a 19-year-old woman in 2012 – a verdict which was later overturnedCredit: PA:Press Association More

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      in Soccer

      Manchester City hooligan fined for throwing flare onto pitch which landed close to goalie Ederson

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      A MANCHESTER City hooligan has been fined for throwing a flare onto the pitch during the Champions League semi-final – which landed close to goalie Ederson.Bradley Holden, 24, celebrated when his team went 2-0 up against Real Madrid at the Etihad.
      Bradley Holden has been fined for throwing a flare onto the pitch at the EtihadCredit: STEVE ALLEN
      The flare landed close to goalkeepr EdersonCredit: Getty
      He was caught on CCTV later removing his top in a bid to avoid detection but was arrested at the game.
      Holden, a season ticket holder, tried to claim that he threw the flare in “panic” because he was so concerned about a fellow fan having an asthma attack.
      Miss Emily Potter, prosecuting at Manchester Magistrates’ Court, said his actions had shown “disregard” for the safety of his fellow supporters and the police sought to impose a football banning order against him.
      Holden told the court that he hadn’t lit the flare and only became aware of it after another fan pointed at it on the floor.
      Read More on Man City
      He said: “I looked down and heard an elderly male say, ‘What the…I’ve got asthma.”
      “I had a blind panic and wanted to get it away as quickly as possible.”
      He said that he had a friend who’d died from an asthma attack six years ago and he was also aware of the dangers from discussions with his primary school teacher partner
      CCTV footage revealed the flare landed near City goalie Ederson.
      Most read in Football
      Holden, who pleaded guilty to charges of throwing a missile onto a football pitch and possession of a flare at an earlier hearing, also denied trying to disguise his identity by removing his top.
      Mark Kelllett, defending, said Holden was a man of good character who had never been involved in any other incidents at football matches, and a football banning order was unnecessary.
      Read More on The Sun
      District judge Joanne Hirst agreed and said she had “taken into account the unusual circumstances” and believed Holden had shown an “instinctive reaction” on seeing the lit flare and it was clear he hadn’t brought it into the stadium.
      She handed Holden, of Hyde, Gtr Manchester, a £500 fine and ordered him to pay £85 costs and a £50 surcharge. More

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      in Soccer

      Female football fans risk jail or flogging at World Cup if they are raped in Qatar

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      FEMALE England fans risk jail or flogging at the World Cup if they are raped in Qatar.Women at the tournament in November face prosecution if they report offences in the Muslim country.
      Female England fans risk jail or flogging at the World Cup if they are raped in QatarCredit: Reuters
      Qatar’s strict Islamic code outlaws all sexual contact between unmarried couples — and there are 100 prosecutions a year.
      Even rape victims have been hauled into court and handed sentences ranging from seven years in jail to flogging.
      May Romanos, a Middle East expert at Amnesty International, said: “You go to the police, and instead of being the victim, you become the accused.”
      The Detained in Dubai legal aid group has an app to help World Cup fans in trouble.
      READ MORE ON QATAR
      Director Radha Stirling said: “The UAE has a long history of penalising rape victims.”
      Figures show football stadiums in the past have become sex assault hotspots at tournaments.
      There were 72 sex attacks reported in Brent, North London, when the Euro 2020 semis and finals were played at Wembley in July last year — while there were 39 cases at the same tournament in Seville, Spain.
      A Qatar spokesman said the country “promotes the rights of women, and this extends to all women visiting”.
      Most read in The Sun
      Fifa said: “Any fan who reports a sexual assault will have access to Qatar’s ­high-quality healthcare system irrespective of marital status.” More

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      in Soccer

      Chelsea star Ben Chilwell signs up to celeb dating app Raya after split from Too Hot To Handle star Holly Scarfone

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      ENGLAND and Chelsea defender Ben Chilwell is back on the market again and using A-list dating app Raya to meet potential sweethearts.In June the footie ace was snapped in LA with star of Netflix show Too Hot To Handle Holly Scarfone but since then the pair have gone their separate ways.
      Ben had been pictured in LA with stunning model Holly ScarfoneCredit: @hollyscarfone
      Chelsea and England defender Ben Chilwell is looking for love on RayaCredit: Getty
      This week Ben’s profile popped up in Birmingham.
      He said he was “visiting from London” and shared a series of snaps with his famous footie pals, including Dele Alli and Mason Mount, set to a Burna Boy soundtrack.
      Get swiping, ladies.
      READ MORE BEN CHILWELL
      Most read in The Sun More