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    Saudi Arabia ready to suspend its alcohol ban to boost its bid to host 2034 World Cup

    SAUDI Arabia is ready to suspend its alcohol ban to boost its unpopular bid to stage the 2034 World Cup.Fearing thousands of fans would shun a dry tournament, a compromise deal could see booze sold in hotels and restricted fan zones.
    Saudi Arabia is ready to suspend its alcohol ban to boost its bid to stage the 2034 World CupCredit: Reuters
    The Arab nation became the controversial favourite to host 2034 after Fifa handed the 2030 tournament to Spain, Portugal, Morocco — plus opening games in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay.
    Critics accused football chiefs of grabbing “dirty money” from a state guilty of appalling human right abuses and the gruesome murder of a dissident journalist.
    The Muslim country outlaws alcohol sale and consumption — and foreigners caught drinking face public flogging, huge fines, lengthy imprisonment and deportation.
    But a Saudi source told The Sun: “Football fans will be allowed to drink if Saudi Arabia stages the World Cup.
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    “It has not been publicly discussed but it is an accepted fact.
    “We acknowledge very serious mistakes have been made in the past and want the world to understand that we are changing.”
    Last year, Qatar broke its promise to allow beer sales at matches just two days before kick-off — banning sponsor Budweiser’s lager until after the evening call to prayer. More

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    Alex Scott is dating HUGE record breaking female pop star – and they’ve secretly been together for months

    FOOTIE pundit and telly presenter Alex Scott is dating pop star Jess Glynne, The Sun can today reveal.The ex-England and Arsenal footballer has been quietly seeing the superstar singer for the past two months.
    Alex Scott is dating Jess Glynne – and they’ve secretly been together for monthsCredit: Rex
    Jess, 33, and Alex, 38, were pictured watching the tennis at Wimbledon and have grown closer since thenCredit: Getty
    The pair enjoyed a series of dates before and after the Women’s World Cup.
    And on Tuesday night, the couple partied alongside David and Victoria Beckham at their exclusive Netflix documentary premiere after-party at The Twenty Two in West London.
    A friend said: “Alex and Jess have been a slow burn and they didn’t want to rush things or go public too soon.
    “But they’re officially an item now and seem really happy. They are both strong, independent women with a shared passion and respect of their respective careers, supporting one another from the sidelines.
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    “It’s still early days for them, but they’ve met one another’s mates and everyone is super-happy for them.”
    Jess, 33, and Alex, 38, were pictured together side-by-side back in July watching the tennis at Wimbledon and have grown closer since then.
    They were later seen enjoying a boozy pub lunch in North West London just before the Women’s World Cup in August.
    The pair then stayed in contact as Alex travelled to Australia to cover the tournament for the BBC — before they met up again in London on her return.
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    Jess is the only British female solo artist to achieve seven UK No 1 singles, while former Lioness Alex is host of the BBC’s Football Focus.
    Alex previously wrote in her memoir of her romance with former team-mate Kelly Smith.
    She said Smith was her first love and she spoke of her “heartbreak” at their split.
    And Jess, whose hits include Hold My Hand, talked in a 2015 interview of “not putting a label” on her sexuality.
    She said: “I’ve only ever been with one girl and that’s the girl from my album [2015’s I Cry When I Laugh]. I’m never going to put a label on my sexuality.
    “People should never feel uncomfortable about who they love.”
    The couple’s representatives declined to comment.
    The pair enjoyed a series of dates before and after the Women’s World CupCredit: Getty
    Jess is the only British female solo artist to achieve seven UK No 1 singlesCredit: Getty
    Alex previously wrote in her memoir of her romance with former team-mate Kelly Smith.Credit: Getty More

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    Victoria Beckham breaks silence on ‘nightmare’ of David’s alleged 2003 affair and admits ‘I resented him’

    VICTORIA Beckham has opened up for the first time about the pain she felt in the wake of husband David’s alleged affair.The England football hero also revealed how their marriage was placed under enormous pressure after he was accused of a fling while playing in Spain in 2003.
    Victoria Beckham has broken her silence on the ‘nightmare’ of David’s alleged 2003 affairCredit: Getty
    The couple, who always kept up a united front, have now also spoken candidly about battling to save their relationshipCredit: AP:Associated Press
    Victoria tells new Netflix documentary Beckham it was the hardest time of her life and she was “the most unhappy I’ve ever been”.
    Tonight they were joined at its premiere by their four kids Brooklyn, Romeo, Cruz and Harper. Romeo’s girlfriend Mia Regan and Brooklyn’s wife Nicola Peltz were also at the central London screening, along with a string of celebrities.
    The Beckhams have always denied claims of an affair while David was playing for Real Madrid in 2003. But they have now spoken candidly about battling to save their relationship.
    An emotional Victoria, 49, told the documentary: “It was the hardest period because it felt like the world was against us. Here’s the thing — we were against each other if I’m being completely honest.
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    “You know, up until Madrid sometimes it felt like us against everybody else but we were together, we were connected, we had each other.
    “But when we were in Spain, it didn’t really feel like we had each other either.
    “And that’s sad. I can’t even begin to tell you how hard it was and how it affected me. It was a nightmare.
    “It was an absolute circus — and everyone loves it when the circus comes to town right? Unless you’re in it.”
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    Asked if she “resented” her husband, the former Spice Girl replied: “If I’m being totally honest, yes I did. It was the most unhappy I have ever been in my entire life.”
    Posh added that she “internalised” the trauma in order to support her husband in his career, adding: “It wasn’t that I felt unheard because I was always mindful of the focus that he needed.”
    The woman David was accused of having an affair with is not named during the four-part documentary, which is available to stream from today.
    However, newspaper headlines from the time are shown, including one which read: “Sex with Becks.”
    News bulletins about the former Manchester United midfielder’s alleged affair are also played.
    Becks, 48, wells up as he describes the toll the reports had on his beloved wife, who he married four years previously in 1999.
    Up until Madrid sometimes it felt like us against everybody else but we were together, revealed VictoriaCredit: PA
    Asked if she ‘resented’ David, the designer replied: ‘If I’m being totally honest, yes I did’Credit: Eroteme
    He recalled: “There was some horrible stories which were difficult to deal with.
    “It was the first time that me and Victoria had been put under that kind of pressure in our marriage.”
    Asked by director Fisher Stevens how the couple “survived”, he said: “Every time that we woke up we felt, you know, there was something else and you know we felt that, we both felt at the time that we were not losing each other but drowning.
    “But ultimately it’s our private life. There were some days I thought, ‘How am I going to go to work? How am I going to go on that training pitch and look as if nothing is wrong?’ I felt physically sick every day when I opened my eyes. How am I going to do this?”
    David admitted he found it difficult adapting to Spanish life after leaving his boyhood club Manchester United — and cites Victoria staying in London early on in his move as a factor in his loneliness.
    The pair also detail the trauma of the paparazzi intrusion, and the possible effect it may have had on first-born son Brooklyn.
    In another fascinating insight, fashion designer Posh recalls being in labour with third son Cruz in 2005 — and David not being there as he had a celebrity photoshoot.
    A newspaper cutting flashed up with a photo of David flanked by glamorous A-listers Jennifer Lopez and Beyoncé.
    Victoria said: “I was like, ‘Seriously, I’m about to burst, I’m on bed rest. Are you kidding me?! You’ve got a damn photoshoot with Jennifer Lopez who is gorgeous and not about to have a baby.
    “So I had my C-section and I remember lying there, I don’t feel at my most gorgeous, let’s just say, and I remember someone showing me the front page of the newspaper which was a gorgeous picture of David between Jennifer Lopez and Beyoncé and the headline was ‘What would Posh say?’
    “Let me tell you what Posh would say. Posh was p****d off!”
    A host of stars joined the Beckhams for the premiere, including TV host James Corden, sports presenter Alex Scott and US Vogue editor Anna Wintour.
    In the documentary, David praised his wife for putting up with his career “selfishness”, which included a move to LA Galaxy in 2007.
    Victoria said she loved their time in LA while Becks admitted he struggled to cope with the standard of football at the MLS side.
    The couple — clearly loved-up as they filmed later scenes of the doc ­— also describe filming earlier parts of the show as like “therapy”.
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    Victoria smiled and said: “I let go of a lot of pain. Someone once said to me LA is like rehab for famous people — that’s why we always see people walking around Malibu in Ugg boots and tracksuits!
    “I probably didn’t realise until I started this, shall we call it, ‘therapy’, I feel at peace with a lot of what maybe in our first session (of Netflix interviews) was still a lot of pent-up anger, frustration . . . I understand it now.”
    The whole family came out to support David for his documentary premiereCredit: ©Karwai Tang More

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    David Beckham reveals real reason ‘fuming’ Sir Alex Ferguson kicked boot at him during sensational Netflix doc

    EX-MAN United star David Beckham says former boss Sir Alex Ferguson kicked a boot at him after he told him to “f*** off”. And Becks revealed his heartbreak at being let go by the fiery Scot from the club he considered his home.
    David Beckham pictured with a cut above his eye after being hit by a boot kicked by Sir Alex FergusonCredit: Eamon and James Clarke
    Ferguson kicked a boot at him after the superstar told him to ‘f*** off’, says BecksCredit: Bradley Ormesher – The Times
    In another revelation, former teammate Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said it was his boot that did the damage — an eye injury Sir Alex claims was “stage managed”.
    In new Netflix documentary Beckham — out today — David recalls begging with Sir Alex to let him stay at United instead of leaving for Spanish giants Real Madrid.
    The boot incident — which prompted The Sun’s famous Fergie Decks Becks front page — occurred following an FA Cup fifth round tie against Arsenal on February 15, 2003.
    United lost 2-0 to their main rivals, with hopes of a domestic Double or Treble ended.
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    Beckham tells the documentary makers: “We walked in the changing room and the boss is fuming. I can see it by his face.
    “And when you see the boss’s face like this, you don’t want to be anywhere near him. It is a face that no one can do, trust me.
    “[He was f’ing and blinding] and I went back at the boss and said ‘no’ and then I swore. I said the f- word. And then I saw him change, and I was like, ‘S***, I really shouldn’t have said that’. I think I said the f-word too many times.”
    Talking to camera, Sir Alex explains: “I kicked the boot at his head. I mean, honestly, it was an absolute freak.”
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    He then accuses the resulting media fall-out — featuring pictures of David’s reported stitches — as being “stage managed”.
    Asked about the photos, he shoots back: “Yeah I’m not going to talk about that. The only thing I will say is that I think that was stage managed. It wasn’t even worth a stitch.”
    Elsewhere in the four-part documentary, ex-England captain Beckham reveals his heartache at being released by his boyhood club.
    And he claims Sir Alex refused to take his calls. He recalls phoning the Manchester United offices and asking, “Can I speak to the boss?” and being told, “No, he doesn’t want to talk to you.”
    Becks explains: “And I said, ‘I need to speak to the boss, I need to know this is really what he wants’ and I pleaded to not go. I couldn’t get in contact with the boss. Did I ever want to leave Man United? No, never.
    “It was my home. My relationship with the boss was always special. We had our moments, but I still loved him.”
    Sir Alex adds: “I think the relationship was at a stalemate.
    “There was not going to be any point in me saying to David, ‘I’m selling you’. The decision was made, it was better he went. He didn’t need to go. He could have stayed if he wanted. I think he knew it was the right time.”
    David also recalled clashing with Sir Alex over his rising celebrity status — and his relationship with Victoria, who he married in 1999.
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    He said: “I knew my career was going to come to an end at some point and I wanted a career after football — that ate away at the manager.
    “He just wanted me to be the best footballer that I could be and be married to a local girl that wasn’t a superstar.”
    Sir Alex recalls the controversial incident in the Netflix docCredit: Netflix/BECKHAM
    The legendary Man Utd manager said: ‘I think the relationship was at a stalemate’Credit: Getty Images – Getty More

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    Three men wanted over £300k burglary of Raheem Sterling’s home were arrested by cops – and then let go

    THREE suspects wanted over a £300,000 raid on England star Raheem Sterling’s home were arrested by police — and then let go.The Albanian trio were held in a raid two months after the football star’s mansion was targeted.
    The raid forced Raheem Sterling to return from the World Cup in Qatar last DecemberCredit: Getty
    Kent Crime Squad, investigating 33 big-money burglaries, stormed a house in Harlow, Essex, in January.
    Henri Osmani, 44, Alfred Isufi, 48, and Gerard Kalaja, 22, were arrested and held for two days, then released — only to be named six months later as suspects in the same burglaries.
    These included the heist which forced Raheem to return from the World Cup in Qatar last December.
    Kent Police said the trio were released as the Crown Prosecution Service had ruled there was insufficient evidence to charge them.
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    They were freed on conditional bail although it was unclear whether their passports were confiscated.
    Osmani returned to Albania on July 18.
    His two alleged accomplices are believed to be elsewhere in Europe.
    One of their dads told The Sun: “They ended up spending two days in custody then were allowed to go free — but now police say they are wanted men. It’s ridiculous.”
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    Albanian Emiliano Krosi, 23, of Southend, has already been charged with conspiracy to commit the 33 burglaries.
    Gerard Kalaja, 22, is wanted by police after a number of burglariesCredit: PA
    Henri Osmani, 44, was also named by Surrey Police as a wanted manCredit: PA
    Alfred Isufi, 48, is also being sought by copsCredit: PA More

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    Southampton fans fighting to switch lights on bridge by ground — as it’s lit up in rival Portsmouth’s colours

    FOOTIE fans are fighting to switch blue lights on a bridge by their ground — as they are the colour of their bitter rivals.Southampton FC supporters are campaigning to get the colour scheme changed to red.
    Southampton FC supporters have been left furious after a nearby bridge was lit up in blue, the colour of their rivals PortsmouthCredit: Solent
    Perry McMillan is leading a campaign to have the bridge’s colours changed to redCredit: Solent
    Their team, nicknamed Saints, play in red and white while south coast neighbours Portsmouth play in blue.
    Campaign leader Perry McMillan is invoking a medieval court process — known as a Court Leet hearing — to try to secure the change on the Itchen Bridge.
    The taxi driver, 64, said: “I’ve been a Saints fan since the 1960s and it’s hard to believe the lights are blue.
    “Saints fans have to put up with mickey-taking from Pompey fans over it.”
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    The bridge was fitted with blue LED lights in 2011 — despite being within yards of Saints’ St Mary’s Stadium.
    Mr McMillan will appeal before the Court Leet tomorrow.
    He said: “We found out that through Court Leet the Sheriff can grant requests so I’m hoping they will see sense.”
    Southampton City Council said blue lights were installed as red was a problem for mariners and air pilots.
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    Southampton FC, nicknamed Saints, play in red and white
    Portsmouth play in blue More

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    Crystal Palace eye Portuguese boss to take over from Roy Hodgson after snubbing him for flop Patrick Vieira in 2021

    CRYSTAL PALACE have put Portuguese coach Paulo Fonseca on their radar as the long-term successor to Roy Hodgson.The Eagles will wait for the right time to move for the highly-rated Lille boss, who was on their hit list before they picked Patrick Vieira in July 2021.
    Crystal Palace are looking at Paulo Fonseca as their next bossCredit: Rex
    Roy Hodgson agreed to stay on this season but Palace are preparing for when he leavesCredit: Getty
    Hodgson, 76, agreed to stay on for this season but Palace are already working out a plan for when he finally leaves.
    Fonseca, 50, is keen to come to the Prem.
    Ipswich chief Kieran McKenna is also on the shortlist at Selhurst Park.
    Former England boss Hodgson made history by becoming the first opposition manager to go unbeaten in five consecutive games at Old Trafford.
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    His Crystal Palace team claimed all three points in a smash-and-grab 1-0 over against Manchester United.
    Joachim Andersen’s first-half strike proved to be the difference between the two sides as the Eagles got revenge for the 3-0 defeat they suffered against United in their midweek League Cup match.
    Hodgson had been forced to miss Palace’s clash with Aston Villa earlier this season after being taken unwell but was “feeling better” soon after.
    Fonseca’s Lille team currently sit in 11th in the Ligue 1 table after losing their last match against Will Still’s Reims.
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    He has been in charge of the French outfit since June 2022, with Lille finishing fifth in his first full season in charge.
    In McKenna’s case, he has led Ipswich to the top of League One after winning seven of the opening nine games.
    He took over the club in the summer after departing his role as assistant manager at Man Utd.
    Kieran McKenna is also being considered for the roleCredit: Reuters More

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    Premier League star ‘chased by debt collectors after refusing to pay for a £25,000 set of veneers’

    A PREMIER League star was chased by debt collectors after refusing to pay for a £25,000 set of dental veneers, it has been claimed.The “playboy” top flight star walked out of a posh Harley Street dental studio with gleaming gnashers honed from custom-made porcelain moulds.
    A Premier League star was chased by debt collectors after refusing to pay for a £25,000 set of dental veneers, it has been claimedCredit: Getty
    But the well-known player – who has not been identified – believed he would be receiving the treatment free thanks to his fame and ignored pleas to pay up.
    The top London dentist was left with no option but to call in specialist debt collectors to chase up the bill and the star paid up only after court action was launched.
    His case was revealed yesterday as the most extreme of a raft of dental bill dodging cases reported amid Britain’s snowballing theft epidemic.
    A national debt collection agency revealed yesterday that requests to chase up dental customers who refuse to pay has rocketed 20 per cent in recent months.
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    Chris Spencer, from Frontline Collections, said of the case: “He was a Premier League footballer but it ended up going through the court process and eventually we got him to pay.
    “He was kind of all over the place and it was well known he was a bit of a playboy.
    “I think he has calmed down now.”
    DO you know the name of the bill dodging star? Call us on 020 7782 4100 or email exclusive@the-sun.co.uk
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