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    Gary Lineker’s brutal snub of BBC boss days before he quit revealed as he leaves channel for good in antisemitism row

    GARY Lineker ended his Match of the Day career last night — as details emerged of his parting shot at his BBC boss.The former England football captain, 64, began his final show with a quip about his telly departureGary Lineker was emotional as he said goodbye to the MOTD audienceGary Lineker arrives to present his final Match of the DayCredit: MCPIXLineker was seen to snub his boss Alex Kay-Jelski and made remarks about him in earshot of staff, it was claimedCredit: BBCIt came after he recently left colleagues in no doubt about his feelings on BBC director of sport Alex Kay-Jelski.He was seen to snub his boss and made remarks about him which were described as “blunt”.Once cameras began rolling on his final MOTD appearance, Gary used his opening line to aim a cheeky dig at the Beeb.He said: “It wasn’t meant to end this way.”Read More on SportThe legendary striker then continued: “But with the title race over and the relegation places confirmed, the Champions League was all we had left to talk about.”TV frontman Gary then became emotional as he said goodbye to the MOTD audience after a host of former teammates and colleagues paid tribute in a video package.He said: “Let me thank for all the people I’ve had the pleasure of working with over the 25 years…”Thank you for all the people on the show you don’t see.. Thank you all.Most read in Football”Rather like my football career, everyone else did the hard work.”He began his role on the highlights show in 1999 alongside Alan Hansen and Mark Lawrenson and had been due to anchor the BBC’s World Cup coverage next year.But he took the decision to quit the corporation altogether after he was blasted for reposting a video on social media which criticised Zionism with a picture of a rat — used as an insult to Jews by the Nazis.He has repeatedly apologised. Co-stars and close pals Micah Richards and Alan Shearer were also seen arriving at the MediaCity studios in Salford.Insiders said there was no love lost between Gary and his boss Alex, who took over the top job at BBC Sport from Barbara Slater last April.A source said: “By the end of Gary’s tenure at BBC Sport he didn’t have much time for Alex.“When he was working on the FA Cup final, just two days before he quit, Alex came over to where Gary was and he just walked off without a word.Read More on The Sun“He made a couple of remarks about Alex in earshot of people working around them. It’s clear there’s no love lost. “Gary is really well liked and there are plenty of people who joked that they agreed with what he said.”Gary Lineker apologises for antisemitic post and confirms he’s quitting BBC next weekGary tried to hold back tears as he signed off for the last timeCredit: BBCLineker with Alan Hansen and Mark LawrensonCredit: BBCAlan Shearer was snapped as he arrived at the studiosCredit: ZenpixMicah Richards arrives for the showCredit: Zenpix More

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    Bungling masked robbers targeted Man Utd star Alejandro Garnacho’s £4m mansion – but fled after making HUGE mistake

    BURGLARS targeted footie star Alejandro Garnacho’s home — but got the wrong house.Two balaclava-clad thugs arrived on the Man United star’s road just as he kicked off at Old Trafford.Two balaclava-clad thugs targeted footie star Alejandro Garnacho’s home — but got the wrong houseCredit: GettyThey buzzed on a door in a bid to work out if anyone was there — but were at one of his neighbours. A dog walker then saw and challenged them, before private security guards arrived.It came as United hosted Real Sociedad on March 13, with the Reds winning 4-1.One neighbour in Altrincham said: “They were targeting Garnacho — but they got the wrong home. “They were after his house as it was 8pm and they would have known he was playing at Old Trafford.” READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAnother local who witnessed the attempt said: “I was about to take the dog out but I saw two men walk past so I waited.“They were wearing dark clothes and balaclavas so I wondered what they were up to. When I went into the street I saw one had climbed on to the wall and fence on either side. “I then shouted, ‘What are you up to?’. Security guards came out and they jumped back over a fence and ran off.”They added: “I think the security was enough to scare them away. They saw the measures that are in this street — and have not been back.”Most read in FootballArgentine winger Garnacho, 20, has since put his family’s £3.85million mansion up for sale — and hinted he could leave United. A club source said his security team were “aware of an incident at an adjacent property”.Dramatic video of Paul Pogba fleeing Old Trafford after learning raiders had targeted mansion as children slept in bedA string of United stars have been burgled while they were away, including Victor Lindelof and Paul Pogba.      Since the attempted robbery, Garnacho put his family’s £3.85million mansion up for sale and hinted he could leave UnitedCredit: Getty More

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    Premier League wage bill hits record £4bn – with hapless Man Utd’s bloated budget revealed…where does your club rank?

    PREMIER League wages hit a record £4billion last season, a new study has discovered.It means the 500 stars who make up Britain’s top league pocketed an average of £8million a year during 2023/24.Erling Haaland is city’s top earner after negotiating a deal worth £500,000 a week in JanuaryCredit: GettyMo Salah has pledged his future to Liverpool in a new dealCredit: GettyAnd Manchester City players were the Prem’s top earners, taking home a combined £413million.The figures have been collated by football blogger Kieron O’Connor, who runs The Swiss Ramble football finance blog.He says striker Erling Haaland is city’s top earner after negotiating a deal worth £500,000 a week in January.Liverpool came runners-up in the pay stakes, with the Anfield squad taking home £377million.Read More on SportMo Salah is the club’s top earner and recently banked a pay rise after committing his future to Anfield, taking him to £400,000 a week.All Premier League clubs have revealed their accounts from the 2023/24 season, with the figures showing the post-Covid pay bubble continues to climb.The clubs’ combined wage bill has jumped from £2.9billion in just six years, the equivalent of 38 per cent.The wage bills also show the Big Six became the Big Five, with a huge gap opening up between the highest-paying sides.Most read in FootballKieron reveals City and Liverpool are joined by Man Utd (£365million), Chelsea (£338million) and Arsenal (£328million) in the huge pay stakes.Aston Villa had the sixth-largest wage bill, which came in at £252million — a gap of £76million to Arsenal.Arsenal wages 2024-25 revealedTottenham and Newcastle also paid out more than £200million.This year’s FA Cup winners Crystal Palace were the league’s highest achievers last season, finishing tenth despite only four clubs having a smaller wage bill.Man Utd underachieved, finishing eighth, despite having the third- largest wage bill. The three clubs with the lowest wage bills were relegated last season — Luton Town, Sheffield Utd and Burnley.Luton’s wage bill was the lowest in the league, paying out £57million to its squad.The figures were released before today’s final round of games, with Liverpool already crowned champions.’A bit crazy’While Haaland himself admitted his salary was “a bit crazy” when his new ten-year deal was announced in January, wages of the best Prem stars are well below that of other sporting stars around the globe. A study by Forbes magazine put Haaland 27th on the list of top earners when comparing him with greats such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe. And his money pales into insignificance when compared to NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who signed a £410million deal in 2021.And last December the New York Mets baseball team agreed to pay slugger Juan Soto £628million for a 15-year deal.Clubs must remain vigilant as there is still much work to be done to restore pre-pandemic profitabilityAleksander Ceferin Haaland’s outgoing teammate Kevin De Bruyne has previously told how he believes top footballers are underpaid, despite earning £400,000 a week.When asked in 2022 if he got paid too much, the Belgian linked with a move to Serie A winners Napoli, responded: “No. I compare it to a singer at a concert and 60,000 people come. I look at it logically.“There are millions of people watching the football on TV, there’s 60,000 watching the games, the income of a club is £500million to £600million. Yeah, it’s a lot of money, but is it too much?“If the club can afford it, it’s not too much.”In March, figures revealed player wages across Europe had reached £15.1billion in 2023/24, up by 6.5 per cent on the previous year.Following the release of the latest Uefa Club Licensing Benchmarking Report, the governing body’s president Aleksander Ceferin warned teams about paying excessive amounts to their players.‘Players are the stars’He said: “While most clubs appear to be managing player wage increases responsibly, other costs are rising rapidly, putting greater pressure on operating margins than ever before. Clubs must remain vigilant as there is still much work to be done to restore pre-pandemic profitability.”Premier League clubs have to pay within Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) each year or face punishment. Everton and Nottingham Forest faced points deductions for breaching the rules.In February, it was reported the Professional Footballers’ Association, which acts for players, threatened the Premier League with legal action if it brought in a salary cap.Clubs voted last year to explore the introduction of a spending cap from the start of the 2025/26 season as part of a new system of financial controls.It will limit clubs to spending 85 per cent of their total revenue on wages, transfer payments and agent fees.Sponsorship consultant Nigel Currie said: “The players are the stars, they are the talent and the reason millions tune in every week and buy the kits.Read More on The Sun“The Premier League is hugely successful, the wealthiest football league in the world, and that will continue.“There will continue to be massive financial implications for players. Sponsorships will go through the roof in terms of value.”SAUDIS UP SALARIES DESPITE earning a fortune, the salaries of Premier League stars are nowhere near what is on offer in the Saudi Pro League.Here is what the big names earn each week at their clubs there.Cristiano Ronaldo,£3.2million, Al-NassrKarim Benzema, £1.6million, Al-IttihadRiyad Mahrez, £850,000, Al-AhliSadio Mane, £650,000, Al-NassrIvan Toney, £490,000, Al-AhliN’Golo Kante, £400,000, Al-Ittihad More

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    Victorious Spurs stars party until 4am shouting ‘F*** you Maguire’ after 1-0 Europa League Final win

    TOTTENHAM stars partied until 4am after their 1-0 Europa League Final win, chanting: “F*** you Maguire.”  Spurs’ Cristian Romero had clashed with Man United’s Harry Maguire during the game and at full-time in Bilbao, Spain.  Tottenham players partied until 4am after their 1-0 Europa League Final win, chanting: ‘F*** you Maguire’Credit: AlamyFans also joined in and celebrated all night to mark the club’s first trophy in 17 yearsCredit: Shutterstock EditorialManchester United defender Harry Maguire was the target of ridicule by the Spurs playersCredit: Shutterstock EditorialJames Maddison and Lucas Bergvall led the victorious team in a raucous celebration.And the Spurs players changed the lyrics to Gala 1997 hit ‘Freed From Desire’ to taunt the England centre back. The partying started with the players wildly celebrating in the changing room.Crates of beer were delivered to the Spurs dressing room for the players to enjoy.READ MORE ON SPURS’ WINAs were bottles of champagne, several of which ended up being sprayed as captain Son Heung-min re-enacted the trophy lift.While Yves Bissouma, who was Spurs’ star man on the night, went live on social media, showing stars toasting their first trophy in 17 years with boatload of pizza too – while listening to Natasha Bedingfield’s ‘Unwritten’ being blasted over the speakers.Fans celebrated all night to mark the club’s first trophy in 17 years.  Rod Jones, from St Albans, Herts, said: “We did a bar crawl from the stadium to town then the airport.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS“We’re so buzzing that sleep can wait.”  The bleary-eyed team flew back to Stansted yesterday, with an open-top bus parade today.  Richarlison bangs on drum and celebrates with Tottenham fans following Spurs Europa League triumph Ange Postecoglou’s troops celebrated wildly in the dressing roomCredit: InstagramCrates of beer and pizza galore were delivered to the north Londoners’ dressing room after the matchCredit: InstagramDestiny Udogie showed off his winners’ medal on InstagramCredit: InstagramSeveral players took to social media to show off their winners’ medalsCredit: InstagramThe squad will need to recover quickly, as Spurs play Brighton in their last Premier League fixture on Sunday Around 70,000 fans of both teams travelled to Bilbao, with seven arrests.  Newspaper El Correo said: “The main objective was to try to avoid large-scale serious fighting, which the authorities consider they achieved.”  Pedro Porro celebrates the victoryCredit: GettyThe bleary-eyed team flew back to Stansted on Thursday, with an open-top bus parade taking place on FridayCredit: Getty More

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    Jarrod Bowen’s Vegas stag do revealed as West Ham ace set to take a massive risk

    WEST Ham’s Jarrod Bowen will party in Las Vegas on his stag do — with fiancée Dani Dyer’s dad Danny drafted in to keep him under control.The Hammers ace, 28, will marry the EastEnders hardman’s daughter next Saturday in Essex.Jarrod Bowen will party in Las Vegas on his stag do and is only giving himself two days to recover ahead of his wedding to Dani DyerCredit: GettyDani’s dad Danny has been drafted in to keep him under controlCredit: InstagramBut he is only giving himself two days to recover, as he will jet out to Sin City with his closest pals on Monday before returning after four days on the Thursday.A source said: “Jarrod plays his final game of the season for West Ham on Sunday and will then fly to Vegas with the boys the following morning.“It’s going to be a typical lads trip but Danny will be on hand to keep an eye on things so they don’t get out of hand — but he’s such a wild one himself, it’s more likely Jarrod will be keeping an eye on him.“Dani has already warned she doesn’t want to hear of any strippers being involved.”read more on jarrod bowenWhile England ace Jarrod and Dani have lots of famous pals, their wedding day is set to be a traditional affair.The lavish event has been inspired by one of Dani’s favourite TV shows, Bridgerton, with the couple even splashing out on fancy violinists.’EMOTIONAL WRECK’Dani said: “Jarrod’s little brother and my little Santi will be page boys.”My brother Arty is going to be a groomsman.Most read in Football“Then I’ve got six bridesmaids. “Knowing Dad, he will be an emotional wreck.”Dani, 28, is flying out for a lavish hen-do on Ibiza this weekend with 17 girls including her little sister Sunnie. Inside Dani Dyer’s lavish hen do with sister Sunny and Love Island’s Georgia Steel ahead of wedding to Jarrod BowenShe is set to jet back into the UK on Monday.Last month Dani hosted her first hen-do as she threw a party with friends and family including her Love Island best pal Georgia Steel.During the raucous evening the girls were treated to a male stripper but rather than have the buff lad dance for them they had to draw him.The couple will have to wait for their honeymoon though, as Jarrod is tipped to be called up for England’s next game on June 7.The squad will take on Andorra at Wembley Stadium.West Ham’s Jarrod is tipped to be called up for England’s next game on June 7Credit: AlamyUnlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club. More

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    Declan Rice & Lauren Fryer’s pals reveal toll of online abuse on relationship & truth about THOSE X-Factor star rumours

    IT started out as an innocent TikTok video – posted on a fan account – showing Declan Rice canoodling with his long-term partner Lauren Fryer.But days later, unfounded accusations linking Rice to an X Factor popstar began appearing in the suggested search bar below it – vicious rumours fuelled by a greedy social media algorithm.Midfielder Declan Rice and girlfriend Lauren Fryer have been together since 2017Credit: Instagram @laurenfryer_Declan pictured on a luxury yacht with girlfriend Lauren while holidaying in Formentera in 2021Credit: BackGridLauren, the mother of Declan’s toddler son, has rarely been seen in public since being bullied off social mediaVicious, unfounded accusations linking Rice to an X Factor popstar began appearing on TikTokCredit: GettyWhile many of the bonkers headlines that appear on the app – including ‘Tom Cruise dead’ and ‘Katie Price confirms pregnancy’ – are obviously fabricated by clickbait-hungry AI machines built to increase engagement on the Chinese social media site, this one gained unwanted – and unwarranted – traction.A year has passed since Lauren was forced off social media after being fat-shamed by vile online trolls who cruelly told the Arsenal star to dump her in favour of an “upgrade”.Lauren, the mother of Declan’s toddler son, has rarely been seen in public since.Perhaps bots – knowing the furore that ensued following the horrific incident last year – are smart enough to know spinning a web of lies about her clearly besotted partner would get football fans clicking.Lauren was briefly seen in the stands at the Euros in Germany last year, when Declan ran to hug her after England’s victory over Switzerland in the quarter-finals.It was a rare occurrence, as friends say Lauren will never put herself in a position where she can be hung out to dry in the court of public opinion.Meanwhile, Declan has been seen letting his hair down following the Euros at Wayne Lineker’s Ocean Beach in Ibiza – and contacts tell me he mingled with the A list at You Me Bum Bum Train in February.These two outings were enough to fuel the fires amongst the cesspit of social media bullies.“The torment Lauren endured because of those pathetic people was horrific,” one confidante tells me.“She had never lived a public life, so to be torn apart on social media felt even more unfair.Inside Declan Rice and Lauren Fryer’s romance“Lauren wasn’t the kind of WAG you saw out and about, or going to big events or fashion shows. That wasn’t her style.“She virtually lived in the shadows anyway. To then be attacked so viciously and with such fury left a lasting mark.”Lauren is expected to be among the guests at Dani Dyer and Jarrod Bowen’s huge wedding later this month – but it’s unlikely she’ll be pictured on the WAG social channels afterwards.“Lauren has managed to carefully navigate life now where she is present at events but isn’t seen,” the friend continues.“Those close to her know she doesn’t want to be shared in pictures unless they are on totally private accounts.“She has her own private account which is just for her friends and family but she’d never share things publicly again.“It’s not because she’s scared, it’s because she just wants a quiet life doing what she loves with Declan and their family.”Relationship timelineRice and Lauren have been together for eight years:2016 – Rice and childhood sweetheart Lauren get together as teenagersMay, 2017 – Rice makes his West Ham debut in a clash with BurnleyMarch, 2019 – The Hammers ace makes his England debut after switching allegiances from the Republic of IrelandAugust, 2022 – Rice confirms the birth of his son, JudeNovember, 2022 – Lauren heads to Qatar to support her man at the World CupJuly, 2023 – Rice leaves West Ham to join Arsenal, with Lauren regularly supporting him at games at the EmiratesApril, 2024 – Lauren wipes her Instagram account after vile bullying by trollsA quick glance at social media this morning shows the trolls have still not abated when it comes to stirring up egregious and unsubstantiated rumours about Lauren and her relationship with Declan – who she started dating as a teenager in 2017.On TikTok, the completely false allegations he “cheated” with a former X Factor star are rife, while the no-marks who use gossip cesspit Tattle Life continue to stir up rubbish about their nine-year relationship.“It’s pathetic,” a friend says. “But it’s all nonsense.“Don’t these people have something better to do? Get a life and stop typing out b*****ks on your iPhone.”Lauren’s private Instagram account has 295 followers, showing just how tightly she keeps her inner circle.Arsenal star Bukayo Saka’s girlfriend Tolami Benson is among those who keep up to date with the account, along with Kennedy Alexa – the partner of Spurs star James Madison – and, of course, Jarrod’s fiancée Dani.By contrast, Lauren’s old public account has almost 100,000 followers, but features no photographs.Previously, Lauren liked to share posts – glamorous selfies and snaps of her and Declan with their beloved cockapoo Raffa covered her grid.Previously Lauren liked to share posts, glamorous selfies and snaps of her and Declan with their beloved cockapoo RaffaCredit: Instagram @laurenfryer_Declan would regularly comment underneath her photographs with love heart emojisCredit: Instagram @laurenfryer_Declan would regularly comment underneath her photographs with fire and love heart emojis.Underneath one picture, he wrote: “Your support has been incredible, couldn’t ask for better.”But a year ago, Lauren deleted all the photographs and memories she had shared.The decision was a reaction to the brutal and downright disgusting barrage of hate aimed at her after snaps of her and Declan on holiday four months prior.The comments on Instagram were far worse, and from behind their anonymous usernames, the lowlife keyboard warriors went on the attack.But while Lauren and Declan ignored the barrage of hate, it changed after quotes – purporting to be from Declan – started to circulate online with ferocity.The hate and the awful comments was one thing. But this whole saga meant the conversation just kept rolling on and people started picking apart Lauren and Declan’s relationship.At the time, thousands believed the quotes – allegedly given by Declan at a press conference – were real.During the work of fictional nonsense, an internet idiot claimed Declan had hit back and said: “My woman is the love of my life, and there is no upgrade that exists for me.”In truth, the press conference never happened. Declan never addressed what was being said and everything shared or written about it is completely false.It didn’t stop the quotes from being shared thousands of times online – fuelling what had already become a painful and incessant barrage of nonsense.Just three days after this rumour first started, Lauren deleted her entire account.INCESSANT BARRAGE“It all got too much,” a friend explains.“The hate and the awful comments was one thing. But this whole saga meant the conversation just kept rolling on and people started picking apart Lauren and Declan’s relationship.“Bloggers started picking up the quotes as fact which meant it was being shared even more widely, even though the wider media ignored it because it was totally untrue.“The sheer scale of it all became too ridiculous for words.”The deletion saw an outpouring of love and support for Lauren, from the tens of thousands of people who genuinely took an interest in Lauren’s life and her posts.“Lauren Fryer you are a beautiful young woman,” one wrote online. “Stay strong.”Arsenal’s Declan Rice has had a good woman behind him in Lauren throughout his careerCredit: PALauren’s private Instagram account has 295 followers, showing just how tightly she keeps her inner circleCredit: Lauren Fryer InstagramAnother added: “Appreciation post for this beautiful woman Lauren Fryer.“We’re sorry to see that in 2024 women are still subject to so many disgusting comments.”It was so hard for her [Lauren], the trolling, as she doesn’t put herself out there.Dani DyerThe damage was done however, and while Lauren is still occasionally active on the account – she only comments and posts within her private domain.Her good friend Dani, who bonded with Lauren at last year’s Euros, spoke out in her defence after the competition and told us: “It was so hard for her, the trolling, as she doesn’t put herself out there.“I think it’s harder when you are not in [the celebrity world] and you are being personally attacked. I found that hard.“She is a really good mum, who keeps to herself. No one deserves to be criticised like that.“It was so cruel.“Attacking a girl because of what she looks like, in this day and age, I don’t agree with it.“She got a lot of support from all of us, which she definitely needed.”Those close to Lauren say she has no interest in ever putting herself into the public domain again – and after all of this, who could blame her? More

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    Mystery as boxing Frank Bruno still hasn’t received top award two MONTHS after ceremony he missed due to serious illness

    FRANK Bruno has yet to receive a top boxing award — two months on from the ceremony.He could not collect his lifetime achievement gong as he was seriously ill.British boxing legend Frank in his heydayCredit: GettyPal Ricky Hatton read out his acceptance speech at the British Boxing Awards on March 28.But former heavyweight champ Bruno, 63, has yet to receive the gong.He told The Sun: “I was delighted I had won.“I did an acceptance speech which Ricky Hatton read out for me and as yet I have still not received the award.READ MORE ON FRANK BRUNO“I am bemused not to have received the actual award which I want to show off to the world.“My office asked a few times but had no joy.”But he penned a speech which Hatton, who co-hosted the awards with former fighter Nicola Adams, delivered on his behalf at the Langham Hotel in London.It said: “I am sorry I cannot be with you tonight. Trust me – I would far rather be with you than in Hospital having daily tests.Most read in Boxing”Thank you to the organisers of this event and all the people that voted for me to get this prestigious award.”Bruno was taken ill on a long-haul flight and spent weeks in hospitals in Qatar and London.Exclusive interview with British boxing legend Frank Bruno after his health scareAgent Dave Davies said: “I have never known somebody be announced as a winner then never receive the actual award.”BBA organisers were contacted for a comment.Frank Bruno has yet to receive his lifetime achievement gong two months on from the ceremony as he fell seriously illCredit: PA More

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    Ex-England footie star, 42, banned from driving for speeding for FOURTH time

    FORMER England striker Jermain Defoe has been hit with a fourth driving ban for speeding.The ex-Premier League star, 42, was barred for a year after being clocked at 82mph in a 70mph zone last October.Former England star Jermaine Defoe was barred from driving for a year after being clocked at 82mph in a 70mph zone last OctoberCredit: GettyThe former Spurs and Sunderland striker was fined £660 plus £90 costs and a £266 victim surchargeCredit: AlamyDefoe, who played 57 times for England, was driving a Land Rover in Wormley, Herts, JPs in St Albans were told.His barrister said the ex-Spurs ace deserved credit for pleading guilty.Defoe, who was not in court, was fined £660 plus £90 costs and a £266 victim surcharge.He also got three points to add to the nine already on his licence.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLDefoe was previously banned from the road for six months in July 2008 for speeding.He received another six-month ban for the same offence the following year.He later admitted driving at 45mph in a 30mph zone in Portsmouth in May 2008. He was given an additional four points on his license.Most read in FootballThe star ended up in court again in October 2010 after being caught with a phone behind the wheel while driving in Loughton.He was handed three points – narrowly avoiding another ban – and fined £800.Defoe was then slapped with his third six-month ban two years ago when he was clocked doing 56mph in a 30mph zone in Rutherglen, South Lanarkshire in December 2020.SUN Jermain Defoe’s Mysterious Encounter in Car Park More