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      in Boxing

      Update on Carl Froch’s cop quiz over former pal’s car tyres being slashed

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      BOXING legend Carl Froch faces no further action over claims he slashed two tyres on a former pal’s £80,000 car.Ex-unified super-middle­weight world champion Froch was quizzed after the attack on a Range Rover Sport in Cotgrave, Notts.
      Carl Froch faces no further action after a former pal had two tyres slashed on his £80,000 Range Rover SportCredit: Splash News
      A helmeted biker on a £24,000 Ducati was seen to pull up and cut into the tyres with a knife before riding off.
      Police suspected Froch, 45, but witnesses at the scene, a golf club car park, refused to help.
      The Nottingham-born dad of two denied he was the culprit.
      Froch was said to have been handed a brand new red Ducati to test drive as part of his deal with the motor firm.
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      And he was spotted riding a similar bike.
      He was accused of owning leathers and a helmet similar to those used in the knife attack on the motor.
      Officers shelved the probe after he was spoken to further at a Notts police station.
      Froch retired in 2015 after winning 33 of his 35 fights.
      Most read in Boxing
      He was floored just twice, recovering to beat Jermain Taylor and George Groves.
      Flat-earther Froch has claimed in the past that the moon landing in July 1969 was faked. More

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      in Soccer

      I hated it at first when I joined Inter from Man Utd, my wife was upset the second we landed, England legend reveals

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      PAUL INCE is a flag-waving, patriotic Englishman who always backs Premier League teams in Europe.Yet Saturday’s Champions League final will be difficult. He is completely torn over who to support.
      Paul Ince played for Inter Milan for two yearsCredit: Allsport – Getty
      Ince has fond memories of his time at the San SiroCredit: Getty

      CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL – MAN CITY VS INTER MILAN: All you need to know including kick-off time and TV details
      Because as he watches Manchester City take on Inter Milan, the memories will come flooding back to Ince, who remains one of this country’s most successful exports to Italy.
      He said: “It is a difficult one for me. As an Englishman, I will always want English teams to do well but Inter has a massive place in my heart so I am divided.”
      Ince, 55, followed in the footsteps of stars like Paul Gascoigne, Trevor Francis and David Platt when he headed to Italy in 1995.
      The midfielder, who came up through the ranks at West Ham, had two strong seasons at Inter and the San Siro club were desperate for him to stay when he left in 1997.
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      But it was not all a bed of roses at the start.
      Ince, speaking to SunSport from the Bahamas where he has been celebrating his 33rd wedding anniversary with wife Claire, said: “The move came as a bit of a shock as I had already been at Manchester United for six years.
      “I was negotiating a contract for another four years. Then the club accepted a £7.5million bid from Inter Milan. It wasn’t the move I wanted.
      “When we landed there were loads of press, fans.
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      “This bloke came up and said, ‘Mr Ince, are you married? A lot of players often return home with an Italian woman as they are all so beautiful’.
      “My wife Claire was with me and was upset as soon as we arrived at the airport — so it was not a good start!
      “We could not find a place to stay, either. They showed us a couple of terrible apartments and then I started to have second thoughts about the whole move.
      “Then, they put us in a beautiful hotel on Lake Como and we stayed there two or three months.
      “For the first few weeks it was a struggle. The manager Ottavio Bianchi was playing me on the left wing.
      “We went to Torino for a game, we had not started the season well, and were 2-0 down at half-time.
      “Massimo Moratti, the Inter president, came down at half-time and went bananas.
      “I told my team-mate Massimo Paganin, who spoke good English, ‘Can you tell the president I had six years at Manchester United in central midfield and you are not getting the best out of me’.
      “The president listened, told the manager to put me in midfield and we drew the game 2-2.
      “By Monday, the president had fired the manager and brought in Roy Hodgson, that is when things changed and improved for me.”

      Inter came seventh but improved in his — and Hodgson’s — second campaign. Ince added: “It was probably the best move I ever made.
      “The culture, lifestyle and language all scared me at first. But I got on so well with the fans and they loved me. I loved the Milan derby.
      “I have played in some derbies but this one was sensational. You would get the flares and the game would have to be delayed because it was so smoky — you could not see the player next to you.
      “The second season with Inter was better and we finished third in Serie A and reached the final of the Uefa Cup but ended up losing on penalties.”
      Ultimately, though, Ince had to leave for family reasons.
      He explained: “Claire had Bell’s Palsy when she was in Italy and was also pregnant with my second son, Daniel, so we decided to go back and I signed for Liverpool.
      “It made it hard because things were going so well at Inter.
      “Moratti was really upset and said, ‘We are signing Ronaldo next season, you cannot go’.
      “When I look back, I understand the decision I made. It was just not a decision I wanted to make.
      “I was watching an Inter game the other day and saw Javier Zanetti on TV. We signed on the same day. He is now one of the greats at Inter, and vice-president.
      “I sort of say to myself, ‘You never know, it could have been me if I had stayed there!’
      “The most important thing is I fitted in and made my mark.”
      So who does Ince think will taste glory in Istanbul tonight?
      He said: “It will be an intriguing final. Manchester City are the overwhelming favourites but that brings pressure.
      Read more on The Sun
      “Inter struggle against lesser teams and show up against the big sides.
      “Everyone will have to be a ten out of ten for Inter, though, if they are to beat City.” More

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      Major Mason Greenwood update as it’s revealed Man Utd manager Erik ten Hag wants him back in the squad

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      MANCHESTER United boss Erik ten Hag is willing to bring Mason Greenwood back into his squad.He has made it clear he is happy for the suspended striker, 21, to play again after charges of attempted rape, assault and controlling and coercive behaviour were dropped earlier this year.
      Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag is willing to bring Mason Greenwood back into his squad, pictured above in action for United in 2021Credit: PA
      The suspended striker, 21, had charges of attempted rape, assault and controlling and coercive behaviour dropped this year, pictured Mason out with his girlfriendCredit: Raw Image Ltd
      However a final decision is expected to be made by United’s owners, the Glazer family, within the next week after the conclusion of a club probe.
      A reinstatement would trigger a wave of controversy, with United’s women players calling for Greenwood to go earlier this year.
      The Sun understands most of his team-mates at Old Trafford would welcome him back into the dressing room if the club agrees.
      But Old Trafford executives who deal with sponsors and commercial deals remain concerned about the effect on the club if he plays for them again.
      READ MORE ON Mason Greenwood
      United bosses began an investigation into the circumstances which led to his arrest in January 2022 after a woman made a series of allegations against him.
      Greenwood, who is expecting a child with his partner, has spent 18 weeks waiting for a decision after key witnesses withdrew their evidence, leading to charges being dropped in February.
      A source said: “Mason was delighted to hear that the manager and most of his team-mates would welcome him back.
      “He firmly believes he is an innocent man and is very frustrated he’s not been able to play.
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      “He understands that the club have had to carry out an investigation, but he feels like his career is slipping by.
      “He and his team have made clear to United that they now want to know what is happening.
      “They have basically said, ‘sack him or back him’.
      “If they want to reintegrate him, then do so. If they want to sell him, then tell him.
      “And if they want to loan him out, then tell them so his team can find the best club for him.”
      Any return by Greenwood would spark major controversy.
      Earlier this year it was revealed that the Manchester United women’s team did not want him back.
      The feeling was said to be “strong” that he should be let go.
      Only three months ago, Natalie Burrell, founder of United Women’s Supporters’ Club, said she never wants to see him play for them again.
      She added: “United need to make a statement and letting him back would be the worst thing they could do.
      “It would set back our club in terms of what we’re trying to do with our women’s team and campaigns like Her Game Too, which aim to encourage women to play and watch football.
      “I don’t want to see him training, in a kit, or coming out at Old Trafford again. And I’m confident they won’t (let him).”
      Manchester United have already had contact with three Italian teams — Juventus, AC Milan and Inter Milan — about a possible loan move.
      It would see Greenwood retain his £75,000-a-week salary, with a possible option for the loan club to buy.
      Greenwood, who has one full cap for England, last kicked a ball for United in January 2022.
      He was arrested the same month after a woman made allegations of physical and sexual abuse on social media. United immediately suspended him on full pay.
      He was charged in October last year and was due to stand trial in November this year.
      Fans with shirts bearing his name were told they could exchange them for free and the club removed all Greenwood-related merchandise from its website and megastore.
      Nike also ended its multi-million pound sponsorship deal with him while EA Sports removed the player from its FIFA 22 video game.
      But the Crown Prosecution Service withdrew the case on February 2 after Greenwood’s alleged victim and a dozen more witnesses refused to co-operate.
      Greenwood hoped the move would leave him clear to start playing for United again. But the club instead immediately launched its own investigation.
      Read more on The Sun
      Meanwhile, United are in the middle of a potential sale.
      The owners want £6billion and are currently weighing up two bids, from British billionaire businessman Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Qatari Sheikh Jassim.
      Erik Ten Hag has made it clear he is happy for Greenwood to play againCredit: PA
      But a final decision is expected to be made by United’s owners, the Glazer family, pictured above Joel Glazer with brothers Avram and Bryan in 2005Credit: Getty
      Timeline of twists and turns
      JAN 30 2022: Greenwood arrested on suspicion of rape and GBH after a woman posts videos of bruises and cuts on social media. He is suspended by Man U “until further notice”.
      JAN 31 2022: Striker is further arrested on suspicion of sexual assault.
      FEB 1 2022: Man U issue a “strong condemnation of violence of any kind”, adding £75,000-a-week Greenwood still suspended.
      FEB 2 2022: Ace freed on bail after three nights in custody.
      FEB 6 2022: Nike terminates multi-million-pound deal with him as video games axe him.
      OCT 15 2022: Greenwood is charged with attempted rape, coercive control and ABH.
      NOV 27, 2022: We reveal cops probing claims star broke bail terms by buying designer clothing for alleged victim.
      FEB 2 2023: All charges dropped after a dozen witnesses, including alleged victim, refuse to co-operate with CPS probe.
      MAR 17 2023: Ace reveals he is to marry his pregnant university student partner.
      APRIL 28 2023: We reveal ace has told pals he will “never play for Man United again” as internal probe continues. More

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      in Soccer

      I’ll be beaming with Brummie pride as Grealish plays in Champions League final… and Bellingham may be next

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      THERE will be a great deal of Brummie pride for me in seeing Jack Grealish playing in a Champions League final.Even though Jack is an Aston Villa man — and their former captain to boot — and I’m a lifelong Birmingham City fan, it’s great to see him thriving at the very highest level.
      Jack Grealish is on the verge of winning the TrebleCredit: Getty
      Jude Bellingham could be next as he nears a transfer to Real MadridCredit: AP
      In Grealish and Jude Bellingham — ‘one of our own’ for us Bluenoses — my home city has two genuine world-class players and that is wonderful to see.
      Jack has really come alive in his second season at Manchester City.
      I kept hearing about him being overpriced last season. His £100million price tag was repeatedly used as a stick to bash him with — but that has all gone quiet now.
      It looks as if Jack feels he belongs at City now and I can see him being a regular starter for the club and England for three or four years at least.
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      At Villa, he was the main man. Everything went through him but now he has learned how to be a real team player.
      He makes goals, scores goals and tracks back to put in a defensive shift too.
      You can see when he celebrates goals how much he is a part of it, how he has bought into that team ethic.
      I know Jack well, he’s a cracking kid from a nice family and he has worked hard to get to the top of the game.
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      You used to hear about him getting into scrapes off the field but, at 27, he’s grown up and learned lessons. You don’t hear those stories about him any more.
      He is clearly a lad who still likes to enjoy himself — but he is doing that in the right way and at the right times now.
      City chief Pep Guardiola has really developed him — much like he has done with other English talents, like John Stones and Kyle Walker.
      They have all improved and become so adaptable under him.
      Phil Foden is the one who is missing out on starts now.
      A few months ago, at the World Cup, the nation was crying out for Phil to start but now he can’t get a regular game for City and that is largely because Jack’s form has been so good, he’s become undroppable.
      I can’t see any other outcome other than a City win against Inter in Istanbul — it would be a massive shock if Guardiola’s men do not complete the Treble.
      Inter are a decent team but they are simply not at the same level and their route to the final was a bit freakish, they haven’t beaten any of the really major teams.
      I’d love to see Grealish play a starring role in the biggest game of his life so far.
      He’s got the sort of crowd-pleasing quality where you can imagine him playing for Real Madrid one day.
      And 19-year-old starlet Bellingham is likely to be heading just there this summer. Can you imagine two Brummies at the Bernabeu?
      Read more on The Sun
      For now, though, there is nowhere better to be than City.
      They’re the best team in the world and I expect them to prove it in Istanbul. More

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      in Soccer

      West Ham to demand Prem record for Declan Rice as starting price in bidding war for Arsenal and Man Utd target revealed

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      WEST HAM will start a £110million bidding war for Declan Rice after owner David Sullivan finally confirmed their captain can leave.The Hammers will demand a Premier League record fee — in excess of the £106m Chelsea paid Benfica for Argentine World Cup winner Enzo Fernandez.
      Declan Rice has been told he can leave West HamCredit: PA
      Rice helped West Ham win their first European trophy in 58 years, but David Moyes will have to live without him next seasonCredit: Getty
      Rice, 24, led the Irons to their first major European trophy since 1965 on Wednesday.
      More than 70,000 fans lined the streets of East London to hail their heroes on their open-top bus victory parade.  
      Arsenal are expected to bid for England midfielder Rice in the coming days, while both Manchester clubs and Bayern Munich could soon follow.
      Asked if Rice had played his last game for West Ham, Sullivan said: “It has to be. We promised him he could go. He set his heart on going.
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      “You can’t ask for a man who has committed more to us this season.
      “In due course, he has to get on and we have to get a replacement — or several replacements.
      “It’s not something we want to happen. We offered him £200,000 a week 18 months ago. He turned it down.
      “It’s cost him £10m to stay at West Ham in that time [in lost wages].
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      “He wants to go. You can’t keep a player who doesn’t want to be there.”
      Rice emulated legendary skipper Bobby Moore by lifting a major European trophy, thanks to Jarrod Bowen’s last-gasp Europa Conference League winner to beat Fiorentina 2-1.
      Yesterday, Rice posted a photo on Instagram of himself holding the trophy in his Prague hotel bed with the caption: “Good morning”.
      He has a year left on his current deal and West Ham have the option to extend it until 2025.
      Rice has consistently expressed his desire to play in the Champions League and compete for major honours.
      On whether any bids had already been made, Sullivan told talkSPORT: “No. But I think the offers will start to come.

      “There are three or four clubs who have shown interest but out of respect to West Ham, while we’re still playing, you don’t make offers for players.”
      Following Wednesday’s historic win, Rice refused to confirm whether his 245th appearance for the club would be his last.
      Read more on The Sun
      He said: “It’s flattering to be wanted but the badge on my chest is West Ham and ultimately it’s up to the people above.”
      Manager David Moyes’ future is also up in the air but he is now expected to stay on at the London Stadium to lead the search for Rice’s replacement. More

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      in Soccer

      West Ham fans clash with cops in riot gear and set off flare as celebrations get out of control after team’s Europa win

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      WEST Ham fans clashed with riot cops and set off a flare as celebrations over their side’s Europa win got out of hand last night.There were jubilant scenes inside the ground as the East London side lifted their first major trophy in 43 years with a 2-1 win over Italy’s Fiorentina.
      A West Ham fan lit a flareCredit: The Sun
      Cops moved in to remove the lad with the flareCredit: The Sun
      One witness told The Sun ‘all hell broke loose’Credit: The Sun
      As the celebrations spilled out onto the Prague streets, Hammers fans lined up against police dressed in riot gear.
      A flare was let off in the crowd with one witness saying “all hell broke loose”.
      Jurre Uijtendaal, 22, told The Sun: “Someone let a flare off – we were singing and it all got a bit too much for the police.
      “They decided to let off a strike to cool it down. They tried to take down the guy with the flare.
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      “All hell broke loose and the police noticed they were outnumbered so they formed a circle.”
      The Prague cops resorted to using pepper spray after they moved in to cart off the lad with the flare.
      Jake Masterton, 23, from Kent, said: “There was a lad holding a flare – nothing more. Nobody kicking off or anything.
      “Police just stormed through and grabbed him and wheeled him off. He was a young guy too.
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      “Then they just formed a little unit in the middle and all the fans started fighting back – then the pepper spray came out.  
      “It’s a shambolic showing from the police. We’re all just enjoying this win. We can light off a flare of two if we want.”
      Riot police in the Old Town area of the city stormed the group, with fans responding by pelting the officers with bottles and missiles.
      Earlier in the day Czech police said they had detained at least 16 Italian fans after they attacked West Ham supporters outside a bar, with videos shared on social media showing chairs and fireworks being thrown.
      Celebrations were overall good-natured after the match, with revellers hugging and kissing each other and dancing on tables in bars.
      Chants of “2-1 to the cockney boys” and “Irons” also broke out as the Londoners celebrated the win.
      The final took place at the Fortuna Arena, which has a capacity of around 19,300, with West Ham receiving an official ticket allocation of 5,000, although many more travelled from the UK to be in the city during the game.
      Supporters watched in bars around the city, including a group who went wild at McCarthy’s Pub in the Old Town area from the moment Jarrod Bowen gave the team the lead in the final minute of the second half.
      West Ham fan Aaron, 18, said it felt “unreal” to win.
      “(I’ve) never felt like it in my life,” he said.
      He said his plan for the rest of the night was to “stumble back to the hotel”.
      “How we get there I don’t care,” he added.
      It came hours after West Ham fans were ambushed by Fiorentina ultras armed with chairs and metal bars in what was called an unprovoked brawl.
      Czech police said three people were injured during the incident, with one police officer being attacked.
      One witness said fans of the Italian side were armed with “chains and belt buckles”.
      There was also controversy during the match as Cristiano Biraghi of Fiorentina was seen bleeding from the back of the head after he appeared to have been hit by an object thrown from the West Ham stand.
      Read more on The Sun
      Shortly before the game ended, the English club put out a statement condemning the behaviour of a “small number of individuals”, adding: “These actions have no place in football, and do not in any way represent the values of our football club and the overwhelming majority of our supporters, who have behaved impeccably in Prague this week and throughout our last two seasons in European competition.”
      The club said it would work with police to review the incident and take action against offenders, including implementing lifetime bans.
      Celebrations were initially good-natured after the matchCredit: The Sun
      West Ham has condemned the actions of a ‘small number of individuals’Credit: The Sun
      Cops are said to have used pepper spray to stop the disturbanceCredit: The Sun
      Trouble flared in the Old Town area of the cityCredit: The Sun More

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      in Soccer

      Tickets for West Ham’s European final being sold for 50% more than those for Man City’s Champions League clash

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      TICKETS for West Ham’s European final were last night being sold for 50 per cent more than those for Manchester City’s Champions League clash.Hammers supporters hoping to see their team win the Europa Conference League on Wednesday face paying at least £1,500 online for a seat in their side’s end.
      West Ham fans heading to the final in Prague face paying at least £1,500 online for a seat in their side’s endCredit: PA
      Even West Ham superfan Chesney Hawkes, who was invited by the club to perform at the live fan zone in the Czech Republic’s capital, is having to barter for a final seat
      City fans — whose team could complete the Treble — can get a ticket for their final for £925 from the same website, Livefootballtickets.com.
       West Ham take on Italian side Fiorentina at Prague’s Fortuna Arena, which has a capacity of just 19,370.
      Even West Ham superfan Chesney Hawkes, who was invited by the club to perform at the live fan zone in the Czech Republic’s capital, is having to barter for a final seat.
      The One and Only singer, 51, said: “We still don’t even have tickets yet. We are hoping the club are able to help us out but if we have to pay, we will pay.
      READ MORE ON WEST HAM
      “A friend of ours paid four-and-a-half grand for some tickets — it’s getting crazy.
      “I spoke to another guy who has paid a couple of thousand. There will probably be more people in the fan zone than in the stadium at this rate.”
      Manchester City face Italian side Inter in their big final in Istanbul, Turkey on Saturday.
      Pep Guardiola’s men are set to become only the second English club in history to scoop the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League titles in one season — matching the 1999 feat of rivals Manchester United.
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      in Soccer

      Much maligned Man Utd centre-back set to be rewarded with new deal after impressing Ten Hag

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      ERIK TEN HAG wants to keep Victor Lindelof at Manchester United.The Swedish centre-half is set to be offered fresh terms after an excellent end to the campaign.
      Victor Lindelof has impressed towards the end of the seasonCredit: Jamie McPhilimey
      Erik ten Hag now wants to keep the defenderCredit: Getty
      His Old Trafford deal expires next summer but United are keen to trigger a one-year extension.
      Lindelof started the last 12 games of the season following Lisandro Martinez’s injury, having overtaken Harry Maguire in the pecking order.
      The 28-year-old who was signed from Benfica for £31million in 2017, looked to be heading for the exit until impressing Ten Hag in recent months.
      With United ready to offload Maguire, they want another centre-half, with Napoli’s Kim Min-jae top of boss Ten Hag’s wishlist.
      READ MORE ON MAN UTD
      The FA and police are looking for the fan who hit Lindelof in the face with a lighter during Saturday’s FA Cup final.
      Many United fans issued apologies to Lindelof following his string of impressive displays, having confessed to “blaming him for Maguire’s mistakes”.
      Indeed, the games United lost in that run came from errors from other players.
      Errors from Maguire and David de Gea saw the Red Devils crash out of the Europa League.
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      In the Premier League, a late Luke Shaw handball against Brighton was followed up by another De Gea error against West Ham as United lost back-to-back games 1-0.
      And there was little he could do in the FA Cup final when he saw his defensive header land at the feet of Ilkay Gundogan before he made it 1-0 after just 12 seconds. More