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      in Soccer

      London Sunday league footballer enjoys taste of the professional game….in Kazakhstan

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      A SUNDAY league footballer has enjoyed a taste of the professional game — in Kazakhstan.Isima Musa, 24, was once on Wycombe Wanderers’ books but was released at 18 and feared his dreams were over.
      Isima Musa was once on Wycombe Wanderer’s books but was released at 18Credit: SWNS
      Now Isima has gone from parks football to the elite level — turning out for FC Kyzylzhar.
      He was invited to play for the Kazakhstan Premier League side in a pre-season game after impressing in training.
      Isima, from Farringdon, Central London, said: “I played the second half and got an assist.
      “We lost 4-1. But I was just happy to be on a professional pitch getting minutes.
      READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS
      “I’m excited for the opportunities now.”
      Isima, who also got a surprise call-up to the Rwanda under-23 squad in 2021, is looking for a team back in the UK.
      Isima trained for a month-and-a-half before being given 45 minutes in a game earlier this month.
      He said: “I was out there for pre-season.
      Most read in Football
      “I played one game, against a Romanian team.
      “My agent’s connections sorted it out.
      “The club was looking for a forward.
      “I was out there for a month and everything was all paid for – travel, food and accommodation.
      “I couldn’t stay as there was an issue with the visa.
      “But, for my own journey, just being on the pitch – it was a blessing.
      “I’m excited for the opportunities now.”
      Kazakhstan, the home country of the fictional Borat Sagdiyev, adopted Sacha Baron Cohen’s brash, moustachioed character’s catchphrase – “Very nice!” – for a new tourism campaign.
      But Isima, now back in the UK and on the hunt for another team, loves the country. More

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      in Boxing

      Former world boxing champion Kell Brook filmed snorting line of white powder at party in his home

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      BOXER Kell Brook has been filmed snorting a line of white powder at a party in his home.Footage shows the former world champion bending over a glass-topped coffee table.
      Boxer Kell Brook has been filmed snorting a line of white powder in a party at his home
      Footage shows him snorting the substance through a roll-up from a glass coffee table
      Kell then appears worse for wears as he shadow boxes in front of a framed picture of him on the wall
      More white powder is heaped next to a plastic “wrap” and the star — nicknamed Special K — mumbles “nice”.
      The 36-year-old appears the worse for wear as he shadow boxes in front of a framed portrait of him having won the IBF welterweight title in 2014.
      Last night his manager Terry Thompson insisted it was “a joke”.
      Brook wore a T-shirt featuring boxing legend Joe Louis at the Sheffield party.
      Read More on Kell Brook
      A source said: “He had a bit of a gathering at his house where people were drinking spirits and smoking.
      “He was snorting white powder.”
      Wife Lindsey, 35, who was often seen in the ring after his fights, and their three children were believed to be away.
      Brook’s last bout was almost a year ago when he beat bitter rival Amir Khan — who in 2012 wrote on Twitter: “I’ve heard things about Kell Brook.
      Most read in Boxing
      “He’s been seen taking cocaine.
      “Boxing is a professional sport for those who have discipline and respect.”
      Brook announced his retirement in May after winning 40 of 43 professional fights.
      But he said recently he would return to the ring for the right offer.
      He has been touted as an opponent for light-middleweight Liam Smith who beat Chris Eubank Junior last weekend.
      Our source added: “Kell seems a bit lost without boxing, and it seems like it would be better for him if he made a comeback.
      “He seems to be surrounded by the wrong people, who are not a good influence on him.”
      Brook, who is pals with England and Manchester City footballer Kyle Walker, was brought up in a council house in Sheffield.
      He began boxing aged 12 and turned professional at 18 — quickly winning title belts.
      But he had problems outside the ring.
      In 2007 he was stabbed in the buttocks outside a nightclub in Sheffield.
      In 2014 he beat Shawn Porter in California to become IBF World Welterweight champion.
      But two weeks later he was slashed three times with a machete in Tenerife and needed 32 metal staples.
      In 2016 he lost a fight while suffering a broken eye socket.
      In 2020 he admitted suffering depression afterwards, recalling: “It ruined me.
      “It was a very dark time.
      “I needed counsellors, the lot.
      “Words can’t describe how low I’ve been.”
      Manager Mr Thompson said of the party clip: “This is a thing that has sort of got out of hand.
      “They were at his house, they were having a laugh.
      “They were joking about things.
      Read More on The Sun
      “He said to them, ‘Film me having a laugh’.”
      Asked if the powder was cocaine, he replied: “No.”
      Kell became the IBF World Welterweight champion in 2009Credit: Getty More

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      in Soccer

      Man Utd ace Marcus Rashford set to become even richer with clever business move

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      MAN United star Marcus Rashford is using his head and trying to trademark his goal celebration.The striker, 25, has been pointing to his bonce each time he scores.
      Marcus Rashford has kicked off a footballing trend which has since gone global with fans and fellow professionalsCredit: Alamy
      Rashford has coined a celebration where he points to his head each time he scoresCredit: Getty
      His finger salute is a nod to boss Erik ten Hag, who has instilled a positive mental attitude in Rashford — who has nine
      Premier League goals so far this season.
      Other stars including Brighton’s Danny Welbeck, Newcastle United’s Joelinton and Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka have all imitated the celebration.
      Now Rashford has applied to the UK’s Intellectual Property Office to trademark a silhouette design.
      READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS
      If passed, the patent would protect against bootlegs for ten years on everything from computer games and digital images to sports gear, clothing, shoes, phone cases, books educational and motivational services.
      An intellectual property lawyer said: “This will give Marcus and his advisors the ability to take action against third parties who may be using the relevant image in the course of trade without consent.”
      Explaining the motivation behind the new celebration, England ace Rashford said: “It’s a completely different energy around the club. That puts me in a better headspace and I just feel really motivated now. That’s the area I was struggling in.”
      Marcus has applied to the UK’s Intellectual Property Office to trademark a silhouette design of his celebration More

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      in Soccer

      Bury back from the dead as Shakers formally apply to play in non-league next season and plot EFL return

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      BURY could finally be back up and running next season after the expelled EFL club yesterday formally submitted an application to play non-league.The Shakers — who were formed in 1885 — have submitted a business plan to the FA setting a target of returning to the EFL by 2031 and are likely to be placed in the North West Counties League.
      SunSport can reveal Bury have applied to rejoin the football pyramidCredit: PA
      The club were booted out of the Football League in 2019Credit: PA:Empics Sport
      SunSport’s Justin Allen visited Gigg Lane and is pictured with the club’s applicationCredit: The Sun
      A friendly against a Premier League or EFL club has been pencilled in for July 1Credit: PA:Empics Sport
      Bury’s last season in football saw them clinch promotion to League One at Tranmere
      Club sources have revealed to SunSport that they already have experienced and successful non-league managers who have applied to build a team with a friendly at Gigg Lane against either a Premier League or EFL club pencilled in for July 1.
      Bury have not kicked a ball at their spiritual home since 2019 when the then League One team were controversially booted out after previous owner Steve Dale failed to show proof of funds and a subsequent takeover bid collapsed — ending their proud 125-year EFL membership.
      But in October 2021 the Bury Football Club Supporters Society successfully purchased the Bury FC name, intellectual property, history, memorabilia and, crucially, their Gigg Lane stadium from the club’s administrators.
      In that time since, the stadium, which suffered vandalism and decay while it sat dormant, has been slowly but surely spruced up, mostly thanks to the help of volunteers and local businesses offering their services, hardware and equipment for free. As well as benefactors donating funds to the project.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      SunSport has seen the impressive 230-page application that has left virtually no stone unturned as the club detail how they plan to grow steadily from a non-league team to eventually restoring their EFL status.
      The North West Counties League are tiers nine and 10 of English football’s pyramid so the club would need to win a minimum of five promotions to return to the EFL.
      Already the club are renting space inside the stadium with plans in place to install more office space to hire out.
      The ground has been opened up for community use and already 39,000 people have passed through the doors — whether it be playing football, using the community hub, watching legends games, local league cup finals and women’s football. The ground has also hosted kids’ soccer camps in the summer.
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      Bury will be installing a new pitch in March and April before hoping to host local cup finals before final preparations are made for the new season.
      The club is making its application under the name Bury Community United Football Club but are hopeful the FA will ratify its bid to be called Bury FC from the onset.
      The club, however, will be able to rebrand itself to Bury FC in 18 months anyway.
      Bury Football Club Supporters Society were handed a £1million government grant from its levelling-up fund to purchase Gigg Lane and develop the stadium for community use.
      So far, despite no first-team fixtures, they have turned over £133,000 with £50,000 in the bank.The community club will use the German model of being 51 per cent fan owned with 49 per cent made up of investors. This is to safeguard it from being taken over by rogue owners. More

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      in Soccer

      Tottenham willing to pay Pedro Porro’s £39.9m transfer release clause after weeks of talks with Sporting Lisbon

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      TOTTENHAM are willing to match Pedro Porro’s release clause – but Sporting Lisbon are currently dragging their heels over the deal.Right wing-back Porro, 23, has been Spurs’ main transfer target this window.
      Pedro Porro’s move to Tottenham is being delayed by SportingCredit: Getty
      Porro impressed in the Champions League this season, and featured twice against Spurs in the group stage
      The North Londoners have been in negotiations all month and are willing to pay the £39.9million release clause.
      It is understood though that Sporting want to keep Porro until at least after Saturday, when they play Porto in the Taca da Liga final – Portugal’s equivalent of the League Cup.
      There remains a confidence the transfer will eventually go through but the delay is no doubt frustrating Spurs fans.
      Tottenham signed winger Arnaut Danjuma on loan on Wednesday after pinching him from Everton in the 11th hour.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      Danjuma netted six goals in 11 appearances in Europe while also scoring a further 10 goals in 23 LaLiga matches for Villarreal.
      Elsewhere, SunSport understands a potential loan move for Djed Spence is being delayed due to the club’s refusal to include an option-to-buy in a deal.
      A host of clubs, including Leicester, Brentford, Crystal Palace and Ligue 1 side Lyon are all keen on a short-term deal this month.
      However, with the club not entertaining any permanent buy offers, negotiations are dragging.
      Most read in Football
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      Prior to their victory over Fulham on Monday, which came courtesy of Manchester United-linked ace Harry Kane, Spurs had won just one of their five Premier League games since the World Cup.
      But victory over the Cottagers allowed Antonio Conte’s side to close the gap to the top four to just three points. More

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      in Soccer

      Ex-Manchester United starlet John Cofie who bagged £1m deal in court accused of rape

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      A FORMER Manchester United wonderkid appeared in court yesterday accused of rape.John Cofie, 29, was the youngest footballer to bag a £1million deal when Sir Alex Ferguson signed him for the youth team aged just 14.
      Cofie is charged with raping a woman in Trafford, Gtr Manchester, in 2019, alongside co-accused Nathan StuartCredit: CHRIS NEILL
      Cofie is charged with raping a woman in Trafford, Gtr Manchester, in 2019, alongside co-accused Nathan Stuart.
      Cofie, who is still close pals with ex-Red Devils Paul Pogba and Jesse Lingard, signed in 2007 for the huge sum.
      But the Ghanaian-born player failed to make a single appearance for United and left in 2013.
      He retired two years ago and has since worked as a mentor for kids enrolled in a footie programme in Lancashire.
      Read More on Manchester United
      Cofie denies the charge.
      The trial at Manchester Minshull Street crown court continues. More

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      in Soccer

      Cristiano Ronaldo and Will.i.am dragged into legal battle involving Italian restaurant

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      SPORTS legends and celebrity icons including Cristiano Ronaldo, Tyson Fury and Molly-Mae Hague have been dragged into a legal battle involving one of their favourite Italian restaurants.They are among high-profile names that appear in court papers lodged at the High Court by dining hotspot Cibo in a bid to stop a rival trading under its name.
      Cibo is a regular haunt for sports stars and celebrities – who have been named in legal papers issued by the restaurantCredit: Zenpix
      Former Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo is said to have attended the dinerCredit: AFP
      Other stars mentioned include Will.I.Am, Sir Alex Ferguson, Manchester United legends Ryan Giggs, Patrice Evra and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Liverpool stars Mohammed Salah, Alison Becker and Darwin Nunez.
      They are all regulars at Cibo Hale and Cibo Wilmslow which raked in £4.25million last year.
      The luxury restaurants have featured in ITV2’s Real Housewives of Cheshire and was where Solskjaer and Manchester United’s then chief Ed Woodward met to thrash out a permanent managerial deal over a £10.50 spaghetti bolognese.
      But furious bosses are locked in a bitter feud with three other nearby restaurants who they accuse of using its name without consent.
      READ MORE CRISTIANO RONALDO
      They are suing Cibo Manchester, Cibo Liverpool Road, and Cibo Great Northern, along with four of its directors, over claims they have been trading off its celebrity credentials and reputation.
      In a highly unusual move the bosses of Cibo named some of their celebrity clients in court papers submitted to the High Court and obtained by the Sun on Sunday.
      They read: “The Claimants’ exceptional level of service, stylish décor and reputation has helped to attract high profile and celebrity customers to their restaurant.
      “The Claimants’ customers include a range of high profile individuals and celebrities from across the UK, many of whom are known worldwide.”
      Most read in Football
      But they claim their reputation is being damaged by the use of their name at eateries just 11 miles away.
      Baffled customers have also left bad reviews including one which read: “Not as good as the Cibo in Wilmslow.”
      It went on: “We expected the same good food but unfortunately not.
      “My starter came out very quickly but was somehow cold. In the future we will use the Wilmslow restaurant or try somewhere else in Manchester.”
      One Tripadvisor review stated: “Waitress was miserable. Food was basic. One toilet working…nothing like Cibo in Wilmslow…. Disappointing.”
      Another fumed: “I love CIBO in Wilmslow and hoped for the same…. The lasagne was a poor standard. It had barely any meat in it at all… the fries were undercooked and hard. Not somewhere I would look to go back to.”
      Other customers tried to present discount vouchers – including Groupons and Meerkat Meals – to pay for their meals.
      The court papers continue: “The Claimants have suffered and continue to suffer loss and damage.
      “The goodwill, and the associated reputation, of the Claimants is likely to be damaged by wrongly being associated with provision of the Defendants’ services.
      “The defendants have made misrepresentations to the public that are calculated to lead, have led, and/or likely to lead to the public being deceived.”
      Read More on The Sun
      They even claim that their rivals pinched their signs and changed their interior to look similar in “a deliberate campaign” to confuse customers.
      Cibo is seeking damages and an injunction to stop the other restaurants from using the name.
      US music star Will.i.am is also named as a visitor to Cibo restuarantCredit: Getty More

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      in Soccer

      Jermain Defoe ditched girlfriend Donna and their dog for his now estranged wife who is also called Donna

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      FOOTIE ace Jermain Defoe ditched a woman called Donna-Louise with a dog called Defoe before moving  on to date wife Donna.Donna-Louise Boyle, 34, was left heartbroken when the former Spurs and England striker, 40, brushed her off.
      Jermain Defoe ditched a woman called Donna-Louise with a dog called Defoe before moving on to date wife DonnaCredit: instagram
      Donna-Louise Boyle was left heartbroken when the former striker brushed her off, having shared a pet Chow Chow dog together
      The pair were so close they even shared a pet Chow Chow dog called Kai Lion Defoe, which has its own Instagram account.
      Snaps of telly pundit ­Defoe with the dog can still be seen on his public social media profile.
      They include one of him petting Kai outside in May 2021, three months before he proposed to  now estranged wife Donna Tierney.
      Both women are from Glasgow where Defoe played for Rangers at the time.
      READ MORE SUN EXCLUSIVES
      Defoe and mum-of-one Donna, 40, married in a lavish £200,000 ceremony paid for by OK! magazine last summer.
      They hooked up after he messaged on social media and met when she asked him for a signed Rangers shirt for a charity event.
      A source said of Defoe’s split from Donna-Louise: “It was a really bad time in her life. She loved Jermain and it hit her for six.
      “It was a bitter pill for Donna-Louise to swallow, but she’s moved on from Jermain now.”
      Most read in Football
      Scot Donna-Louise is the boss of Cocoberry chocolate shop in Glasgow and is still believed to live with Kai.
      Snaps of telly pundit Defoe with the dog can still be seen on his public social media profile
      The Sun on Sunday told last week how Defoe had shacked up with influencer Alisha LeMay, 31, following his split from “wife” Donna.
      There is no record of Defoe’s marriage to her at the local register office.
      OK! splashed the wedding across 14 pages and front cover, but did not have a reporter or snapper there, using pics the couple gave.
      No images of anyone marrying them were published.
      We told in October how Defoe had messaged a nurse begging for sex just weeks after his wedding.
      The former West Ham, Portsmouth and Sunderland ace, who scored 227 career goals, tried to lure her for a romp in his Range Rover.
      Donna-Louise declined to talk when contacted.
      The Sun on Sunday told last week how Defoe had shacked up with influencer Alisha LeMay after his split from wife DonnaCredit: Instagram/@alishalemayx
      We told in October how Defoe had messaged a nurse begging for sex just weeks after his weddingCredit: Getty More