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    Marcus Rashford splits from childhood sweetheart of eight years after lockdown strain

    MARCUS Rashford has split from school sweetheart Lucia Loi after eight years together.She was with him as he made his name with Manchester United and England.
    Marcus Rashford has split from his childhood sweetheart girlfriend after eight yearsCredit: Getty
    Marcus is said to be devastated following his split from PR executive Lucia Loi
    Sources say the pair, both 23, broke up amid lockdown pressures but still have a “mutual love and respect”.
    Anti-child poverty campaigner Marcus is said to be devastated following his split from PR executive Lucia.
    Lucia has moved out of the Manchester United forward’s plush pad.
    But pals say the split — which did not involve anyone else — was amicable.
    The pair are still keeping in touch and there are even hopes they might get back together if they can work through their issues.
    Friends blamed the breakdown on the pandemic forcing Marcus and Lucia, both 23, to spend too much time together.
    Marcus and Lucia, pictured in 2018, are said to have split due to the strain of being cooped up during lockdownCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
    The couple jetted to Barbados and were pictured on a jet-ski together after the 2018 World Cup in RussiaCredit: Mega
    Lucia has moved out of the Manchester United forward’s plush padCredit: Getty
    A source close to the football hero said last night: “After eight years together, Marcus and Lucia have made the mutual decision to part ways.
    “It is a result of the pressures and strains of the Covid pandemic and lockdowns, and the confinement that has brought with it over the last 12 months.
    “There is a strong mutual love and respect for one another, having met at school, and there is a continued dialogue with the hope of a reconciliation in the future.”
    They first fell for each other at Ashton on Mersey School in Sale, Greater Manchester.
    Marcus — made an MBE in the Queen’s Honours list last year — has recently devoted much of his time to charity work on behalf of underprivileged children.
    Last year, he helped raise £20million for kids to receive free school meals during the pandemic.
    TOUGH UPBRINGING
    His campaign resulted in the Government providing summer vouchers for 1.3million children eligible for free school meals.
    Then he prompted Boris Johnson to agree to provide £400million of support to poor children and their families in a winter grant scheme.
    Marcus — who relied on free school meals during his tough upbringing in Wythenshawe, Manchester — said it would improve the lives of 1.7million.
    He has spoken to the PM about child poverty issues on several occasions.
    And in February he led attacks on a company providing measly school meal parcels.
    The source said: “Marcus has had so much going on, with his football and campaigning and people wonder whether that contributed to the situation with Lucia.
    Pals say the split — which did not involve anyone else — was amicable
    The pair are still keeping in touch and there are even hopes they might get back together
    “She has supported everything he has done on child poverty but it has added to his workload.
    “Maybe, after a break, they will be able to work things out and get back together.”
    Marcus broke into Manchester United’s first team in 2016 when he was just 18.
    He celebrated scoring two goals on his debut by playing pool in the common room of his and Lucia’s former school.
    Two years later, Lucia was seen supporting Marcus and his England teammates at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
    Sporting a Three Lions shirt with Rashford printed the back, she watched from the stands as England beat Sweden in the quarter-finals, in a match where Marcus came on as a sub.
    Last July Lucia graduated in Advertising and Brand Management with first-class honoursCredit: Refer to Caption
    And she posted a selfie — again in an England shirt — from the stands as the team lost to Croatia in the semis, with Marcus again coming on from the bench.
    After the tournament, the couple jetted to Barbados and were pictured on a jet-ski together off the west coast of the Caribbean island.
    Last July Lucia, who worked for Manchester-based PR company Sugar, graduated in Advertising and Brand Management with first-class honours.
    She has also carried out charity work in Zambia, helping to host educational and sports classes for impoverished children. And she has previously done charity work in Sri Lanka.
    Lucia and Marcus did not talk about their relationship publicly. And she removed an Instagram snap of Marcus taken to celebrate his birthday in 2016.
    In online biographies, Lucia says she loves “fitness, art and cooking” and also enjoys travelling.
    ‘MASSIVE DIFFERENCE’
    Marcus has scored 19 times for United this season, including in their 4-2 defeat to Liverpool on Thursday.
    He has helped the Red Devils qualify for next season’s Champions League and reach the final of the Europa League in Poland on May 26.
    He is also likely to play for England in this summer’s delayed Euro 2020 tournament, which will see some games — including the final — played in the UK.
    The pair are said to have split three months ago.
    Speaking about his food campaigning last month, Marcus said help during the summer holidays would have made a “massive difference” to his family.
    He added: “Is it fair if people go hungry? No, it’s not.”
    Marcus has recently devoted much of his time to charity work on behalf of underprivileged childrenCredit: marcusrashford
    Last year, Marcus helped raise £20million for kids to receive free school meals during the pandemic
    Marcus has scored 19 times for United this seasonCredit: Getty
    Marcus — the youngest of five siblings brought up by single mum Melanie — then received a special award at last December’s BBC Sports Personality of the Year for his tireless campaigning.
    He has also set up his own book club, with publisher Macmillan Children’s Books.
    In an interview with The Sun, he said: “I wasn’t to know that it was a normal thing for somebody to be read a bedtime story.
    “I only started reading books when I was 17 and it completely changed my outlook and mentality.”
    Friends say that Lucia loves travelling and is passionate about helping others.
    A source added: “She’s very good at her PR job because she’s got a great personality so things like networking and events organising come naturally to her.
    “She gets on really well with all of her colleagues.”
    Marcus received a special award at last December’s BBC Sports Personality of the Year for his tireless campaigningCredit: PA

    She is said to have been “very supportive” of Marcus’s school meals campaigning but has kept out of the spotlight and tried to keep their relationship private over the years.
    A separate source said: “Marcus may want to get back with Lucia.
    “But if that does not happen, I am sure neither will stay on the shelf for long.”
    Marcus Rashford to teach kids how to cook cheap dinners as part of food poverty campaign More

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    Spurs star Dele Alli spotted snogging Man City manager Pep Guardiola’s daughter

    DELE ALLI has been spotted snogging the daughter of Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola.The Spurs and England midfielder — who has not scored in the Premier League all season — cosied up with Maria, 20, at a rooftop bar.
    Dele Alli was spotted snogging Maria Guardiola
    Maria and Dele enjoyed a cosy night together at a rooftop bar in London
    The Spurs star recently became single after splitting with his long-term girlfriendCredit: Getty
    Dele, 25, was closely marking her as dozens of other drinkers looked on in London.
    Fittingly for a player who has spent most of the season as a sub, he made his move on Maria as they sat together on a bench.
    It appeared that he had put his bitter split from model Ruby Mae, 23, behind him.
    He leaned in for a smooch after he and Maria chatted for hours at the capital’s trendy Cloud 9 bar.
    Dele, in a white T-shirt and green baseball cap over his newly dreadlocked hair, hugged and kissed Maria, who was wearing a white hoodie.
    It is understood that Dele first met Maria last month.
    An onlooker told The Sun: “Dele and Maria didn’t seem to have a care in the world.
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    Maria, 20, is the daughter of Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola
    It’s understood Dele first met Maria last monthCredit: Getty
    “They didn’t mind who saw them as they smooched in front of the DJ booth.
    “It was packed with hundreds of revellers watching on. All the tables had been booked and were completely full.
    “Strangers were wandering past and Dele and Maria didn’t blink an eye.
    “They were in a group together and it was very cosy. They looked so cute and could have been honeymooners.”
    Dele and Maria’s public smooch came last Sunday — a day after Tottenham’s 3-1 Premier League defeat at Leeds United.
    It was very cosy. Dele and Maria looked so cute and could have been honeymooners.
    Maria’s Spanish dad’s Man City side had also suffered a defeat a day earlier against Chelsea — but went on to be declared this season’s Premier League champions.
    A friend told The Sun: “Dele looked smitten and finally over being dumped by his long-term lover Ruby Mae.
    “Dele and Maria are young, free and single. Who knows where it will go from here?”
    Maria has become something of a style icon thanks to her impressive online following
    The student is the eldest of Pep’s three children with Cristine Serra
    Pep and his children have repeatedly posed together at his end-of-season trophy celebrationsCredit: PA:Press Association
    Maria has told pals about the rooftop encounter with Dele but says they are “just friends”.
    The Sun told how Ruby ended her relationship with Dele after growing tired of his behaviour — including spending hours playing online game Fortnite.
    She has shared repeated public posts with her followers alluding to her joy at finally being free from the footballer.
    Dele has struggled for form this season — prompting speculation that he could be sold to a rival team, possibly Manchester City.
    Meanwhile student Maria, who lives in London, has won an army of online fans. She is a Spanish style icon with snaps of her jetset lifestyle shared on social media.
    She is the eldest of Pep’s three children with businesswoman Cristina Serra.
    The couple met in a shop and dated for 20 years before marrying in 2014 in Matadepera — after their children were born.
    Model Ruby Mae ended her relationship with Dele after growing tired of him spending so much time on FortniteCredit: Getty

    Maria is close to her brother Marius, 18, and sister Valentina, 13, and the family have repeatedly posed together publicly at Pep’s end-of-season trophy celebrations.
    The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss has proudly beamed in front of cameras with his arm around Maria.
    Last night, a spokesman for Dele declined to comment.
    Dele Alli has split from model girlfriend Ruby Mae ‘because he spent too long playing Fortnite’ More

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    Tyson Fury quits booze for good after admitting drinking up to 12 pints a DAY

    TYSON Fury has gone teetotal as he bids to keep his mental health demons at bay.The boxing champ, 32 — who confessed to drinking 12 pints a day — has vowed to family and friends he will stay off booze.
    Boxer Tyson Fury has gone teetotal in a bid to keep his mental health demons at bayCredit: Getty
    Champ Tyson confessed to drinking 12 pints a day but has vowed to family and friends he will stay off boozeCredit: Xposure
    “Gypsy King” Fury has spoken openly about his drink, drugs, and mental health issues in the past.
    He was spotted this week with his boxer half-brother Tommy, 22, relaxing by a pool in Miami — with Fury sipping from a bottle of alcohol-free lager.
    A source said: “Tyson has kicked the booze on the head for good.
    “It is not because of the boxing, because he can always get in shape for fights and obviously doesn’t drink during training camps.
    “Tyson is doing this for himself and his family — especially his wife Paris.
    “And he reckons it is the best way to be a great dad and stay in shape physically and mentally.”
    Undefeated heavyweight Fury said in March he was drinking up to a dozen beers a day and had quit training as he was fed up with fights collapsing.
    The 6ft 9in star said: “I have stopped training at the moment, I am on holiday.
    “I am drinking between eight, ten, 12 pints of lager a day.”
    Sources said he could have been joking in a bid to speed up big-fight negotiations.
    And he is set to fight Anthony Joshua in Saudi Arabia, in August, in a unification bout worth up to £100million each.
    ‘Gypsy King’ Fury has spoken openly about his drink, drugs, and mental health issues in the pastCredit: Getty
    A source said: ‘Tyson has kicked the booze on the head for good’Credit: Getty

    Paris, 31, is pregnant with the couple’s sixth child.
    She sparked fears by posing without her wedding ring on Instagram.
    But our source insisted: “They are rock-solid.”
    Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua likely to start at 9pm UK time More

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    Spurs star Dele Alli spotted snogging Man City boss Pep Guardiola’s daughter

    FOOTBALL star Dele Alli has been spotted snogging the daughter of Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola.The Spurs and England midfielder — who has not scored in the Premier League all season — cosied up with Maria, 20, at a rooftop bar.
    Dele Alli was spotted snogging Maria Guardiola
    Maria and Dele enjoyed a cosy night together at a rooftop bar in London
    The Spurs star recently became single after splitting with his long-term girlfriendCredit: Getty
    Dele, 25, was closely marking her as dozens of other drinkers looked on in London.
    Fittingly for a player who has spent most of the season as a sub, he made his move on Maria as they sat together on a bench.
    It appeared that he had put his bitter split from model Ruby Mae, 23, behind him.
    He leaned in for a smooch after he and Maria chatted for hours at the capital’s trendy Cloud 9 bar.
    Dele, in a white T-shirt and green baseball cap over his newly dreadlocked hair, hugged and kissed Maria, who was wearing a white hoodie.
    It is understood that Dele first met Maria last month.
    An onlooker told The Sun: “Dele and Maria didn’t seem to have a care in the world.
    Maria, 20, is the daughter of Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola
    It’s understood Dele first met Maria last monthCredit: Getty
    “They didn’t mind who saw them as they smooched in front of the DJ booth.
    “It was packed with hundreds of revellers watching on. All the tables had been booked and were completely full.
    “Strangers were wandering past and Dele and Maria didn’t blink an eye.
    “They were in a group together and it was very cosy. They looked so cute and could have been honeymooners.”
    Dele and Maria’s public smooch came last Sunday — a day after Tottenham’s 3-1 Premier League defeat at Leeds United.
    It was very cosy. Dele and Maria looked so cute and could have been honeymooners.
    Maria’s Spanish dad’s Man City side had also suffered a defeat a day earlier against Chelsea — but went on to be declared this season’s Premier League champions.
    A friend told The Sun: “Dele looked smitten and finally over being dumped by his long-term lover Ruby Mae.
    “Dele and Maria are young, free and single. Who knows where it will go from here?”
    Maria has become something of a style icon thanks to her impressive online following
    The student is the eldest of Pep’s three children with Cristine Serra
    Pep and his children have repeatedly posed together at his end-of-season trophy celebrationsCredit: PA:Press Association
    Maria has told pals about the rooftop encounter with Dele but says they are “just friends”.
    The Sun told how Ruby ended her relationship with Dele after growing tired of his behaviour — including spending hours playing online game Fortnite.
    She has shared repeated public posts with her followers alluding to her joy at finally being free from the footballer.
    Dele has struggled for form this season — prompting speculation that he could be sold to a rival team, possibly Manchester City.
    Meanwhile student Maria, who lives in London, has won an army of online fans. She is a Spanish style icon with snaps of her jetset lifestyle shared on social media.
    She is the eldest of Pep’s three children with businesswoman Cristina Serra.
    The couple met in a shop and dated for 20 years before marrying in 2014 in Matadepera — after their children were born.
    Model Ruby Mae ended her relationship with Dele after growing tired of him spending so much time on FortniteCredit: Getty

    Maria is close to her brother Marius, 18, and sister Valentina, 13, and the family have repeatedly posed together publicly at Pep’s end-of-season trophy celebrations.
    The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss has proudly beamed in front of cameras with his arm around Maria.
    Last night, a spokesman for Dele declined to comment.
    Dele Alli has split from model girlfriend Ruby Mae ‘because he spent too long playing Fortnite’ More

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    Everton star Abdoulaye Doucoure burgled sparking fears club is being targeted by criminals

    A THIRD Everton star has been burgled — sparking fears the Premier League club is being targeted by criminals.Midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure, 28, had his luxury mansion broken into last month while his team were playing away at Arsenal.
    Abdoulaye Doucoure’s luxury mansion was broken into last monthCredit: PA
    The gang forced their way inside his home and stole a safe containing several watches plus a set of car keys.
    They then returned to the rented property in Hale Barns, Gtr Manchester, and made off with a luxury motor.
    Frenchman Doucoure did not play in the Blues’ team at Arsenal but it is understood he was not at home when the break-ins occurred — some time between 2pm on April 23 and 8pm on April 25.
    The raid came just weeks after masked men broke into Toffees manager Carlo Ancelotti’s home in Formby, Merseyside.
    In March, goalkeeper Robin Olsen was at home with his wife and two young children when a gang smashed their way in and demanded valuables, including cash, jewellery and designer watches.
    A source said: “The club have told players and staff to beef up security amid fears the players are being followed home from training.”
    Robin Olsen was at home with his wife and two young children when a gang smashed their way inCredit: Getty
    Masked men also broke into Carlo Ancelotti’s homeCredit: Getty
    Doucoure, who signed for Everton from Watford last September for £20million, played on Thursday against Aston Villa after returning from injury.
    Last year he had his £170,000 Lamborghini Urus seized by police in London for driving with no insurance.

    On another occasion, he was caught speeding at 102mph while at the wheel of an Audi.
    A Greater Manchester Police spokesman said of the raid: “No arrests have been made and enquiries are ongoing.”
    His club and agent did not respond to repeated requests for comment.
    Everton agree £22m Abdoulaye Doucoure transfer with Watford after beating Wolves and Fulham to midfielder More

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    Goalkeeper scored three times in a semi-final but still ended up on the losing team

    GOALKEEPER Jordan Holt scored an incredible three times in a cup semi-final — and still ended up on the losing team.His football side was 2-0 down in stoppage time at the end of the game when he went for up a corner and headed the ball into the net.
    Goalkeeper Jordan Holt, 27, ended up on the losing team during a cup semi-final despite scoring an incredible three times
    Jordan was playing for York-based Wigginton Grasshoppers against Teesside’s Yarm and Eaglescliffe FC
    Moments later, he repeated the feat to send the tie into extra time and then penalties.
    Builder Jordan, 27, scored a spot kick and saved one for his team in the shootout.
    But their opponents won after it went to sudden death — and a teammate’s penalty was saved.
    Jordan said: “It was one of those games where I thought ‘today is my day’.
    “I was gutted to end up on the losing side.”
    He was playing for York-based Wigginton Grasshoppers in last weekend’s North Riding County Cup semi against Teesside’s Yarm and Eaglescliffe FC.
    The 6ft stopper soared above the opposition defence to score in the 91st and 93rd minutes.
    Jordan, of York, said: “I’ve never scored before as a goalie.
    His team was 2-0 down with just minutes left when he went for up a corner and headed the ball into the net
    Jordan, who had previously never scored as a goalie, repeated the feat to send the tie into extra time and then penalties
    The goalie said ‘I was gutted to end up on the losing side’

    “To get two in injury time was unbelievable. I saved their fourth pen then took our fifth and put that away.”
    Jordan, a former centre half, added: “I just hope the lads aren’t expecting that from me every week.”
    A Yarm and Eaglescliffe spokesman said: “Their keeper made it one of the most exciting and stressful games we’ve had.”
    A Yarm and Eaglescliffe spokesman said ‘Their keeper made it one of the most exciting and stressful games we’ve had’
    Boy rushed to hospital with serious injuries after being struck by lightning while playing football in Blackpool More

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    England football coach who worked with Harry Kane axed by FA after boozy car smash

    AN England footie coach has been axed by the FA after being involved in a boozy car smash.Goals guru Allan Russell, 40, who worked with Harry Kane in the 2018 World Cup, was a passenger in his Audi RS6 when it rammed a Vauxhall injuring its driver.
    Allan Russell was a passenger in his Audi RS6 when it rammed a Vauxhall injuring its driver
    He was fined £2,000 after admitting letting his brother Simon drive who was twice the limit and had no insurance.
    Vauxhall Corsa motorist Danny Moss, 43 — an off-duty ambulance driver — suffered life-changing injuries in the smash in Shirburn, Oxon, last year, county magistrates heard.
    A friend said: “He was a happy-go-lucky guy. He’ll never be the same.”
    Allan, a coach at Aberdeen, masterminded England’s successful set-piece goals in 2018.
    Allan worked with Harry Kane in the 2018 World CupCredit: Getty

    The FA said last night: “We’ve agreed with Allan it’s in the best interests of all for him to leave his consultancy position.”
    Allan’s spokesman said: “He doesn’t want to be a distraction to England going into the Euros.”
    Simon, 39, admits causing serious injury by dangerous driving and will be sentenced in July.
    Harry Kane will be stuck at Tottenham unless Pep Guardiola demands him over Erling Haaland in £150m Man City transfer More

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    Wayne Rooney splashing £500k – including £300k on handmade cabinets – on his new mansion’s kitchen

    WAYNE Rooney is spending £500,000 on his new mansion’s kitchen.The ex-Manchester United and England ace and wife Coleen, both 35, want it to be the main entertaining space in the £20million, six-bed home.
    Wayne Rooney is spending £500,000 on a top-of-the-range kitchenCredit: Rex
    They have chosen £300,000 handmade cabinets and a £100,000 top-of-the-range cooker.
    With another £100,000 spent on double ovens, worktops and American-style fridge freezers, the total is expected to end up double that of the average UK home.
    A source said: “Wayne and Coleen have spared no expense on their mansion as it’s going to be there forever home.
    Wayne and Coleen want the space to become the house’s party hubCredit: instagram.com/waynerooney
    The star has spent millions upgrading his family’s Cheshire propertyCredit: The Mega Agency

    “The attention to detail is incredible throughout, and it’s no surprise they have splashed the cash on the kitchen as it’s the focal point of any home.
    “He’s been joking to Coleen that he will surprise their mates by knocking out a cracking dinner party.”
    Their pad is being built on a 40-acre plot in the Cheshire countryside.
    Wayne even added a huge football pitchCredit: Google More