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    Premier League star faces High Court showdown over claims he owes an agent £650k in unpaid fees

    A PREM star faces a High Court showdown over claims he owes an agent £650,000 in unpaid fees.Crystal Palace ace Daniel Muñoz is facing a legal battle over an intermediary involved in his £6.5m transfer to Selhurst Park.Crystal Palace full-back Daniel Muñoz, 28, is ­facing a legal battle over his £6.5million transfer to Selhurst ParkThe full-back, already a summer target of Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester City and Barcelona, has been written to by lawyers.In paperwork seen by The Sun, the Colombian 28-year-old is accused of not paying an invoice sent by agent Ruben Caicedo.The agent insists he was promised 10% commission on the £6.5m deal which took Munoz to Palace from Belgian side Genk.Colombian Mr Caicedo says he tracked his countryman’s career and proved pivotal in bringing the player to England.Read more on footballHe could also claim a cut of a deal which is likely this summer when the much lauded player is set to leave Palace for a bigger club if his £25m release fee is met as expected.Palace have told Mr Caicedo that an agent’s fee was paid as part of the Munoz signing – but they were sent to another agent.Mr Caicedo, who has worked alongside some of the game’s biggest figureheads, including Pep Guardiola, Jose Mourinho and Sir Alex Ferguson, is understood to have paperwork and recordings to support his legal claim against Daniel Munoz.Munoz, who played for Aguilas Doradas and Atletico Nacional in Colombia before a 2020 switch to Belgium, is represented by former Aston Villa legend Juan Pablo Ángel.Most read in FootballBut a source close to proceedings told The Sun: “Ruben Caicedo was the individual responsible for getting Daniel to Crystal Palace.“Ruben initiated the negotiations, and he gave the player his partner’s number, and the process continued. It led to a positive outcome in January last year.“But neither Ruben or his partner have received the commission due to them.“Daniel has gone from being in touch with Ruben and incredibly grateful to not answering his phone or letters.“The player is now on notice he is facing legal action. Daniel is heading to the High Court in what is a very unlikely legal showdown involving a Premier League millionaire.”Munoz – who has scored three goals in 42 impressive appearances for the Eagles, earning him 36 Colombia caps – did not comment. Crystal Palace also chose not to provide a statement. More

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    Prince William reveals superstitious match day rituals when watching Villa & how he lurks on fan forums with random name

    PRINCE William has spoken of falling in love with Aston Villa after being taken to a match by friends as a boy.The heir, 42, said he was gripped by the “sense of belonging” and the passion of his fellow football fans.Prince William has revealed his ‘passion’ for Aston Villa and shares his superstitions, including moving the kids around during gamesCredit: Dan CharityGeorge, Charlotte and Louis better not get comfortable if their dad is watching Aston Villa losingCredit: GettyPrince William enjoys a matchday at Villa Park – where he enjoys mixing with the other fansCredit: GettyWills also revealed he visits fan forums anonymously online — and moves his kids around when watching at home to bring the team luck.We sat down with the heir to the throne for a chat at Villa’s training ground on the eve of their Champions League win over Club Brugge.They now have a glamour tie with PSG in the last eight to look forward to — and their fans can maybe dream of the glory days when they lifted the European Cup.Wills said: “Yep they won it, 1982, the year I was born. There’s a nice connection with them straight away.”READ MORE ON FOOTBALLBut how did he become a Villa fan, seeing as he had no obvious connection with the Midlands?William, now 42, concedes it was relatively late when he got the bug but he was gripped by the camaraderie, and his interest intensified when Villa got relegated in 2016.He said: “There were a few moments that happened. I had some family friends who took me to my first Villa game when I was younger because they are big Villa fans.“It was against Bolton and I sat in the stands with my Villa beanie hat on and I remember Paul Merson was playing for Villa at the time. With the camaraderie among the fans and the chanting and the singing, I just felt like I belonged there.Most read in Football“I kept an eye on Villa from then on but didn’t get too involved initially. But Villa being relegated to the Championship in 2016 got me even more interested, strangely.“A few years earlier, we’d finished sixth under Martin O’Neill and now we weren’t even in the Premier League. Prince William on recreating Ronaldo’s goal celebration in his garden as he builds ‘Perfect Footballer'”I’m not certain why I became much more interested then but it might have been due to the rise of the smartphone.“I’d grown up looking at Ceefax on the television or the back pages of newspapers and if you didn’t have those to hand you were a bit out of the loop.“But now you can get so much data and follow how your team is doing all the time and there’s so much more discussion and debate. That’s how my passion really increased.“I’m incredibly proud of the club and the journey it’s been on. It’s hard to put into words and a lot of Villa fans are still pinching themselves a bit that we’re here and we’ve done this.”’The atmosphere was electric’William poured praise on manager Unai Emery, and said he can learn from his exceptional eye for detail and man-management skills. “He went on: “Last season was very tense and we were wondering if we’d get over the line to get in the Champions League and when we did it was a big deal.“When I came up here to see the team, the atmosphere was electric.“We are all so proud and pleased with what they’ve done and you can see the difference with a manager like Unai, who brings people together and works hard on the little details. “He’s a really good man-manager with a great support staff around him and the players enjoy playing for him.I’m kind of hoping they’ll all find their own teams in time. They don’t all have to be Villa fans. I’m trying not to be biased but obviously they see how passionate I am about it and they watch the matches with me.Prince William“There have been lots of good managers in Villa’s time but I’d say Unai is a step up on some of them in terms of his formations, and the length of detail he goes into with his videos. “He spends hours debriefing the previous match to get them ready for the next one.“He lives, eats, breathes and sleeps football and it gives you a bit of a lesson in life that if you really want to do something right, you’ve got to throw everything at it and give your time. “Unai is that dedicated, a completely obsessed man of football and that rubs off on the players.“If you’re doing what you love and speaking so well about how you love it then they’ll follow you. It’s quite a good leadership point.”William has often taken son George to games but is not forcing his eldest, or their siblings Charlotte or Louis, into supporting Villa.He said: “I’m kind of hoping they’ll all find their own teams in time. They don’t all have to be Villa fans. I’m trying not to be biased but obviously they see how passionate I am about it and they watch the matches with me. I’m trying to spread the love a little bit.“They do have Villa shirts, and ask to come to games with me, but they have other shirts as well. There’s been a bit of courting going on by other managers too.”William also revealed his irritation over the TV blackout, which bans Premier League games from being broadcast in England at 3pm on a Saturday.He said: “Getting up to Villa Park isn’t the easiest thing for me but I like to watch as many games as I possibly can either by being there or on TV. “I’ve tried to really make an effort to get there for all the Champions League games because it feels like that’s something you’ve got to make the most of when you’re in it. “The biggest thing at home is trying to find it on TV sometimes because obviously you’ve got the Saturday 3pm blackout which is irritating.”Illegal firestickHe puts the shutters up when it is suggested he could use an illegal firestick. He laughs: “Haha, no comment on that one. I’m a paid-up member of Villa TV though so I keep up to date through that. “But it’s really annoying that we still can’t watch our own team’s Premier League match in this country but you can go abroad and watch any game any time.”So when he watches Villa on TV, does he get into the matchday spirit as if he was in the ground?I like mixing with the fans. Anything Villa I love and they all love their Villa. It’s a family within a family and I do feel part of the Villa family.Prince WilliamHe replied: “If I’m home alone with the children, I probably don’t have the pre-match pint but I do have a bit of superstition about where I sit when I’m watching them. “If we’re not doing very well, I start moving round the house quite quickly and I put the children in different positions hoping that’s going to change our luck.” William recently popped into a Birmingham Wetherspoons to join Villa fans for a beer before a game at Everton.He said: “I like mixing with the fans. Anything Villa I love and they all love their Villa.“It’s a family within a family and I do feel part of the Villa family. This club does an awful lot — and I know lots of clubs do it too — but I particularly feel it with Villa in my life that I’m very included.“The morals and the vision and the general atmosphere and the culture of the club really matters.“For me, it’s always been very welcoming, very diverse, and all-encompassing.” He unhesitatingly names Irish stalwart defender of the 90s, Paul McGrath, as the greatest Villa player ever, while he also has a particular soft spot for Norwegian striker John Carew.He said: “Yeah it has to be McGrath, doesn’t it? I really liked Carew as well, he was a serious all-round player. There’s been quite a few good ones, but they are two who I would pick out.”He also loves to chip in with his opinions on fans’ internet forums, posting anonymously of course.He revealed: “I like going on the forums, I can be on there for ages. I listen to what other fans have to say and give them my opinions. I get quite into it, definitely. It’s important to have that debate.”However, he added: “Having said that, while I may be an armchair fan, I wouldn’t presume to tell Unai if he’s doing anything wrong.“I’m fascinated by what Unai is doing and how he tweaks his system and what he sees. “I’d love to know more about how he goes about managing the team better and how do you see those little details which no one else does.”READ MORE SUN STORIESUnlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club.Wills chats with Villa fave Morgan RogersCredit: Andrew Parsons / Kensington PalaceThe prince is full of praise for Villa’s Spanish manager Unai EmeryCredit: ReutersWills sits down for an exclusive chat with The Sun’s head of sport, Shaun CustisCredit: Dan Charity More

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    Major Stuart Pearce health update after England legend’s terrifying health scare at 30,000 feet

    THREE Lions great Stuart Pearce left hospital yesterday following his transatlantic health scare at 30,000ft.The former England ace turned pundit was discharged by doctors in Canada after an eight-day stay and is planning his homecoming.The Three Lions legend was taken to hospital after the plane made an emergency landing in CanadaCredit: PA:Press AssociationFans had been rooting for the hardman defender, nicknamed Psycho, since we told how he became ill during a Virgin Atlantic flight from Las Vegas to Heathrow.The father-of-two, 62, was hooked up to a monitor as he began sweating profusely and struggling with acute pain on Flight VS156.First aiders treated Pearce whose partner watched helplessly as the drama unfolded.The decision was made to divert the flight to St John’s on Newfoundland where the star was helped off the plane.read more on Stuart PearceThe former full-back, who played for Nottingham Forest, West Ham and Man City, received 24/7 care.During Saturday’s Premier League game between Forest and City, supporters stood for a round of applause in the third minute. Pearce wore the number ‘3’.Sam Matterface, a talkSPORT colleague, told listeners: “I spoke to him yesterday and he was in great spirits. “He isn’t 100 per cent — that is definitely the case. Most read in Football”But he’s in the right place in the hospital.”Pearce, who won 78 England caps, had been flying home after watching Warrington Wolves play Wigan Warriors in Vegas in the first rugby league Super league match in the US. Tony Cascarino & Stuart Pearce recall hilarious memories during Irish Sun’s Goals Live eventFans had been rooting for the hardman defender since we broke the news of him falling illCredit: GettyThe talkSPORT pundit was hooked up to a monitor by the cabin crew as shocked passengers looked onCredit: TWITTER @talksportUnlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club. More

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    Mum of Thibaut Courtois’ love-child reveals fear they will be made homeless over unpaid mortgage despite his huge salary

    THE mother of football star Thibaut Courtois’ love child fears they will be made homeless as she cannot afford to pay for her damp-ridden house.Elsa Izac, 50, fears the £3million property could be repossessed as she owes £63,000 in mortgage payments, while severe mould eats away at its ceilings.The mum of Thibaut Courtois’ lovechild fears they will be made homeless as she cannot afford to pay for her damp-ridden houseCredit: GettyElsa Izac fears her home could be repossessed as she owes £63,000 in unmet mortgage paymentsCredit: Peter JordanSevere mould eats away at the ceilings in the propertyCredit: Peter JordanMeanwhile, £35million Real Madrid goalie Courtois, 32, lives a life of luxury in the Spanish capital on pay of £240,000 a week.Elsa, mother to seven-year-old Enzo, said: “Our house is falling apart. We simply can’t continue to live like this.”The former Versace fashion designer had a fling with the Belgian international after he moved in next-door when he joined Chelsea in 2014. They had Enzo three years later.Elsa says that in 2020 Courtois was told to pay her maintenance. Read More on SportBut Elsa, of Wimbledon, South West ­London, said it is not enough.She added: “I’m scared the bank will repossess our home and worry whenever someone knocks on the door. I don’t want to find us homeless suddenly.“It is not acceptable for me to see Thibaut travelling on private jets, partying in yachts, then leaving his child here in this environment.“Surely he can spare a bit more to look after his son?”Most read in FootballCourtois also has an 11-month-old daughter with his wife, and two other children from a previous relationship. He has been approached for comment.Thibaut Courtois’ honeymoon doesn’t go to plan for stunning wife as she shares what it’s like to marry an athleteElsa, mum to Enzo, seven, said: ‘Our house is falling apart. We simply can’t continue to live like this’Credit: Peter Jordan More

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    Fresh twist in Kyle Walker’s troubled marriage as estranged wife Annie makes major change in new business venture

    KYLE Walker’s estranged wife Annie Kilner has used his name professionally for the first time.The model, 31, referred to herself as Annie Walker to plug her jewellery range.Kyle Walker’s estranged wife Annie Kilner has used his name for the first time professionallyCredit: SplashThe 31-year-old referred to herself as Annie Walker to plug her jewellery rangeCredit: Paul Edwards – Commissioned by The SunHer Instagram post reads: ‘Demure. Founded by Annie Walker & Sophie Haynes’Credit: InstagramHer Instagram post, shared on Saturday, showed her wearing a diamond bracelet, and read: “Demure. Founded by Annie Walker & Sophie Haynes.”Sources said the move is a significant thawing in relations between her and the England and Manchester City love rat, 34.But tensions remain after we told how AC Milan loanee Kyle was pictured with two models, a day after Annie and their four boys visited him in Italy. A source said: “Annie was far from happy and made her feelings clear. Kyle denies anything went on and says he was asked to give the girls a lift.“He’s clearly put himself in a difficult situation given his reputation.”It’s the lack of thought for Annie and how it might look that’s caused the upset.”Despite the pictures, he and Annie are said to be working through their issues and are “in the best position” they have ever been. There is even talk they are intent on establishing themselves as a brand.They met when Annie was 15 and wed in November 2021.The marriage fell apart last January after Kyle was exposed for fathering a second child with Lauryn Goodman.Kyle Walker party girls revealed as globe-trotting models – and lift lid on how star is enjoying his new life in MilanAnnie filed for divorce last August. But insiders claim the divorce is purely financial and will see her take a large share of his estimated £27million fortune. It is possible they will remain in the same home beyond the formalities.A source added: “Kyle’s move to Italy has given the family time to take stock. Absence makes the heart grow fonder and it’ll either bring them closer together or confirm what many around them have thought for a long time.”The marriage fell apart last January after Kyle was exposed for fathering a second child with Lauryn GoodmanLove rat Walker is on loan with Italian giants AC MilanCredit: GettyWalker fathered two children with his ex LaurynCredit: Alamy More

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    Kyle Walker party girls revealed as globe-trotting models – and lift lid on how star is enjoying his new life in Milan

    TWO women pictured partying into the early hours with footie star Kyle Walker are Serbian models — who said he was buzzing about his new life.Marijana Vidovic and Dragana Draca are also globe-trotting fashion bosses who live the high life.Kyle Walker is said to be buzzing about his new life in MilanCredit: GettyMarijana Vidovic, who parted with the England star, is a model from SerbiaFellow Serbian model Dragana Draca also partied with WalkerThey frequently post sultry snaps in figure-hugging dresses, swimwear and gym gear from exotic locations including Dubai and Mexico.The girls drank with England ace Kyle, 34, just 24 hours after his long-suffering wife Annie Kilner visited him in Italy.Marijana told a friend: “Kyle is a lovely, charming guy who was buzzing to talk about his new life in Milan.”The Sun on Sunday last week published exclusive snaps of Kyle on a night out with the pair shortly after spending time with Annie, 32, and their four sons.Read More on SportRight-back Kyle, on loan to Italian giants AC Milan from Man City, met the women — who both bear a striking resemblance to Annie — in a private members’ bar.They were seen inside the Living Room at the swish Casa Cipriani Milano hotel until about 2am last Wednesday.After leaving there, £150,000-a-week Kyle — who was wearing his wedding ring — appeared to touch Marijana’s hair as she flicked it flirtatiously, before they all got into an electric BMW iX7.They then headed to join other pals at the star-studded Tocqueville 13 nightclub, where the group splashed out £2,474 to secure a table, plus £1,200 on a magnum of Dom Perignon champagne and £1,600 for a bottle of Clase Azul Reposado tequila.Most read in FootballKyle was said to have left before the rest of his pals, who stayed until 4am.Black-haired Marijana and Dragana are understood to be friends of Kyle’s Italian football agent, Dario Ristori, and both live in Milan.Inside Kyle Walker’s night with 2 party girls in Milan day after wife Annie flew home – & his whopping bar bill revealedMarijana, aged in her 30s, is the boss of 9am — a sustainable luxury fitwear brand which has deals flogging its clothes to companies in her Balkans country.Her business also ships its clothes worldwide and she is frequently seen modelling its goods on her Instagram page.She has 13,800 followers and has been travelling around Europe in recent days for major fashion events.Marijana, pictured in a burgundy coat while out with Kyle, then flew to France for Paris Fashion Week, where she was seen on Friday. While there, she posted snaps of the Eiffel Tower from afar and spent time at the five-star Hotel Costes.Meanwhile, Serbia-born Dragana — seen in a white fur coat when with Kyle — is the founder of a fashion brand called Maison D’Vie.Marijana was pictured in a burgundy coat while out with Kyle during Milan Fashion WeekCredit: BackGridDragana — seen in a white fur coat with Kyle — is the founder of a fashion brand called Maison D’VieCredit: BackGridAmong the items on sale on the brand’s website are a Vero rope navy dress for £1,047 and a Quinn navy velvet jacket costing £923.A source told The Sun on Sunday: “Marijana and Dragana are lovely women with good taste.“They are very successful women who enjoy the finer things in life.”It’s no wonder they mix in the same circles as wealthy high-profile footballers.”Sources stressed Kyle partied with the girls as friends of his agent and as part of a group. They also insisted Kyle did not drink alcohol on his night out in Milan.Marijana shared a picture of herself with Hollywood actor and musician Jared Leto, 53, on her Instagram on Thursday.In one of her sultry snaps online, globe-trotting Marijana is seen wearing a purple two-piece outfit during a night out in Tulum, Mexico, in January.And she often models garments from her company, posing in a white and black swimsuit in a swimming pool in another January post.On Dragana’s profile, she regularly flaunts her designer gear, including a black and silver dress which she wore on the red carpet at the Cannes premiere of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.Kyle and Annie were reported to be going through a divorce after his affair with influencer Lauryn GoodmanCredit: BackGridShe captioned it: “Thank you Mr Harrison Ford.”Dragana also showed off her toned body on the beaches of Dubai — where she is based — wearing bikinis from her summer range Summervie.Kyle and Annie were reported to be going through a divorce after his affair with influencer Lauryn Goodman, with whom he fathered two children.He was booted out of his marital home after confessing in 2023 to having a second child with Lauryn, 34.Kyle, who played in Milan’s 3-2 win over Lecce yesterday, pleaded for forgiveness in an exclusive Sun interview in January last year, vowing to change his ways.READ MORE SUN STORIESBut Annie — who no longer wears her wedding ring — served Kyle with divorce papers in October.Marijana and Dragana did not respond to a request for comment yesterday. 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    Why Geri wasn’t ‘blindly standing by’ Christian Horner as pal reveals how she REALLY dealt with his F1 text scandal

    DRIVING along happily through the idyllic Oxfordshire countryside in their 4×4 Geri Horner turns to hubby Christian and says: “You never know what life’s going to bring.”The former Spice Girl couldn’t have been more prophetic.Geri and Christian Horner went through a year from hell in 2024Credit: GettyThe couple are pictured before the bombshell news on Drive to SurviveCredit: NETFLIXChristian is captured the moment a slew of alleged private texts messages is anonymously leakedCredit: NETFLIXThe ironic moment – caught on camera for Netflix’s Drive to Survive show last year – reveals how the couple were blissfully unaware that the coming Formula 1 season would threaten to turn their whole lives upside down.Soon after the clip was filmed, Horner, 51, was accused of alleged “coercive behaviour” towards an anonymous employee, sparking two independent investigations over the following year, which ultimately cleared him.But just a day after the allegations were first chucked out, a tranche of text messages and photographs were sent from an anonymous email to dozens of journalists and key F1 figures.Some of the messages were allegedly of a sexual nature – including requests for selfies – and the bombshell leak, which had been timed to coincide with the first race of the season last March, soon became the talk of the circuit.”It was a shock to both of them when the allegations blew up – they never saw it coming,” one friend told The Sun.Red Bull star driver Max Verstappen’s dad Jos called for Horner’s head saying the team would “explode” if he stayed on as the allegations threatened to derail both his job and his marriage.“There is tension here while he remains in position, Verstappen Snr said back in March”The team is in danger of being torn apart. It can’t go on the way it is. It will explode.”The 51-year-old known as “Jos the Boss” during his racing days was even forced to deny being the source of the leak after he and Christian reportedly had a blazing row in Horner’s paddock office.Meanwhile there were reports Geri was distraught and in “floods of tears” after reading the messages and that the fairytale couple were heading for divorce.Moment Toto Wolff gets set to break Lewis Hamilton promise in behind-the-scenes clip on Netflix’s Drive to SurviveBut despite the furore, loyal Geri flew to Bahrain to be at her husband’s side and was pictured hand in hand with him at the paddock.Dressed in her signature all-white outfit, she posed at the podium ceremony, all smiles as they celebrated a 1-2 victory for Verstappen and fellow Red Bell driver Sergio Perez.  The couple even shared a kiss in full view of the cameras just before lights out at the track.It was a show of unity and defiance by the pair – although some criticised Horner for parading Geri around the paddock so shortly after the news broke.Geri and Christian appeared hand in hand at the Bahrain Grand Prix after the scandal brokeCredit: GettyThe couple embrace despite the drama unfolding off the trackCredit: PAThe couple share a kiss after Red Bull win the raceCredit: BackGridMax Verstappen’s dad Jos hit out at Horner after the texts were leakedCredit: GettyOne outspoken F1 pundit, former driver Christijan Albers, called the move “a farce and an absolute nonsense”.A body language expert told The Sun at the time Geri appeared “awkward” and as if she was on a “denial mission” as she posed for cameras alongside her hubby.Others wondered how she could back her man so soon after that shock leak.But while some might have thought Geri was burying her head in the sand and standing by her man friends say she is absolutely no pushover and had lots of questions for Christian, who was cleared once again of wrongdoing in August after an appeal to the original findings was dismissed.’Secret to their marriage’“People think Geri was just blindly standing by her man through the whole thing but it’s not like that at all,” a friend said.“She’s been in the spotlight for the majority of her life, so she knows what it’s like to be at the top of your game and the pressures that brings, and it takes a lot to faze her. She is a strong and intelligent woman. “When the allegations first came out, she of course had questions.“They talked through it and since then he has been cleared twice following two independent investigations by two separate KCs (King’s Counsels).“Good communication is one of the secrets to their marriage.”It was a shock to both of them when the allegations blew up – they never saw it coming and a lot of people were spreading hurtful rumours, but it was all untrue, they are in a really good place right now.”When Horner was cleared of wrongdoing back in August, he said he was “relieved” to put the whole saga behind him.Behind the scenes But the new Netflix show captures some of his candid behind-the-scenes reaction to his the texting allegations.The excruciating moment he first faces the world’s media and other team bosses after the texts had been leaked is caught on camera on the new show.McLaren boss Zak Brown addresses a press conference with the cutting remark: “These are not the type of headlines Formula 1 wants or needs.”Cameras cut to defiant Christian walking through the corridors saying “You find out who your friends are” before quipping: “Zak is a p***k.” Christian and Geri showed another united front at the Saudi Arabia Gran Prix last MarchCredit: EPAHorner celebrating the Red Bull Racing Team’s win in JapanCredit: GettyLater, after the second practice session at Bahrain, cameras catch the exact moment the text bombshell drops – with phone alerts pinging and Horner holding his head in his hands in disbelief.It sends the world of Formula 1 into a frenzy. However, despite the controversy off the track, Horner has the last laugh as Red Bull wins the Bahrain Grand Prix in dramatic scenes.”That’s the best way to f*** all of them. Shut the f*** up,” he’s filmed saying to another Red Bull Racing team member.As Red Bull continues to dominate the season Horner says: “In Formula 1 there’s winners and w*****s and you don’t want to be in the “w****r category”.Rivals plot In other parts of the show, he says that the motive behind the leaks was obvious – his rivals wanted him ousted.”The higher you rise, the sharper the knives,” he says.”I’ve reached the top of my game and I never thought in a million years I’d have a challenge like this in my career.”It was obvious that the end goal was for me to leave Red Bull.”It’s a crucial time of year, in a job that I do, you’re the front face of the organisation.”You can either hide away or you can get out there and face it.”It was a dramatic year from hell for the couple – although it ended on a high with Horner picking up a CBE from Prince Charles for his services to motor sports.Horner also reportedly built bridges with Verstoppen’s dad. Happy families And the couple put on a loved up display at the 2024 FIA awards in December in Kigali, Rwanda.And while the new season of Drive to Survive might contain some uncomfortable memories for the pair, the insider said they are not interested in reliving the past at all and are focused firmly on the future and their blended family which includes Bluebell, 18, Olivia, 11 and Monty, eight.Christian and Geri on their wedding day in 2015Credit: Doug Seeburg – The SunChristian and Geri Horner with their children Bluebell, Monty and OliviaCredit: Getty Images – GettyTheir marriage has weathered the storm – and they and the F1 team are “stronger than ever”. “Geri and Christian just want to put this whole episode behind them,” the pal said. “Their marriage is stronger than ever, they just got back from a trip to the States together and had a great time.  “Their priority is their family and they are fiercely protective over their kids and the time that they have to be a family despite their busy schedules. “The [Red Bull] team are stronger than ever too – everything is good.”They are not fazed at all about the new Netflix show and are just focused on the future.  “Yes it was a difficult time for them but they are both very resilient.”A rep for Red Bull declined to comment. 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    England great Stuart Pearce suffers health scare on trans-Atlantic jet forcing it to make emergency landing in Canada

    ENGLAND football legend Stuart Pearce suffered a medical emergency on a plane at 30,000ft.Crew hooked up the Three Lions hero and talkSPORT pundit, 62, to a monitor as shocked passengers looked on. Stuart Pearce suffered a medical emergency on a plane at 30,000ftCredit: The SunThe talkSPORT pundit was hooked up to a monitor by the cabin crew as shocked passengers looked onCredit: TWITTER @talksportThe Three Lions legend was taken to hospital after the plane made an emergency landing in CanadaCredit: PA:Press AssociationThe Virgin Atlantic flight from Las Vegas to Heathrow was diverted to Canada where Pearce is said to be recovering in hospital.A source said: “He was clearly in a lot of pain.”The star’s worried partner and passengers spotted him wincing in pain several hours into the flight.Staff on the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner checked him constantly and decided to change course to land at St John’s in Canada early on Monday.Read More on SportMedics rushed on board and took the former Nottingham Forest defender to hospital where he is recovering.He and his partner had been in the economy section of Flight VS156 that left the US at 8.45pm last Sunday.A source said: “Stuart’s pains appeared to be getting worse as the flight continued.“He was constantly shifting position in his seat to try and find some comfort. Most read in Football“It was very clear the situation was serious.“The crew and other passengers trained in first aid were marvellous. Tony Cascarino & Stuart Pearce recall hilarious memories during Irish Sun’s Goals Live event“He received the best available care in the circumstances and was so grateful to everyone involved, and for the plane diverting to Canada.”The remaining 225 passengers were later flown to Heathrow, arriving at 6.15pm on Monday — six hours later than scheduled.Pearce had flown to Vegas to watch his rugby league team Warrington Wolves play Wigan Warriors. He has been a fan since striking up a friendship with ex-Wolves coach Tony Smith.Pearce had been due to speak at Christ The King Parish Centre in Coventry last night.But the venue said that “due to unforeseen circumstances” he had been replaced by ex-England teammate John Barnes.Dad Pearce was an England favourite, earning the nickname Psycho for his ferocious tackling.He missed a penalty in the 1990 World Cup semi-final shootout with West Germany and left the pitch in tears.But at the 1996 Euros he smashed home his spot-kick in the quarter-final penalties win over Spain and roared in delight.He won 78 England caps and was briefly caretaker boss. He coached the U21s from 2007-13.He began his playing career at Wealdstone then Coventry, later signing for Forest, Newcastle, West Ham and Manchester City.READ MORE SUN STORIESA Virgin Atlantic spokesperson said last night: “Due to an unwell customer on board, the VS156 on March 2 flying from Las Vegas to London Heathrow diverted to St John’s International Airport, Canada, and was met by the medical services. “The safety and well-being of our customers and crew is always our number one priority and we apologise for the delay to our customers’ journey.”The Virgin Atlantic flight from Las Vegas to Heathrow was diverted to CanadaCredit: Getty More