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      in Soccer

      Chesney Hawkes aiming to give England’s World Cup rivals France the hump — by belting out The One and Only on a camel

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      LUCKY mascot Chesney Hawkes aims to give World Cup rivals France the hump — by belting out The One and Only on a camel.And the One and Only singer went further by declaring: “I’m going to stick my neck out and say that England are going to win.
      England’s lucky mascot Chesney Hawkes aims to give World Cup rivals France the hump — by belting out The One and Only on a camelCredit: Dan Charity
      Chesney was adopted by the England players as their lucky mascot after performing his 1991 hit during half-time of the final Group B clash with WalesCredit: The Sun
      As well as entertaining locals outside Qatar capital Doha, 51-year-old Chesney showed off his football skills on top of 200ft-high sand dunesCredit: Dan Charity
      “It won’t be easy as the French are a very good team, but so are we. Come on England!”
      As well as entertaining locals outside Qatar capital Doha, 51-year-old Chesney showed off his football skills on top of 200ft-high sand dunes.
      Camel owner Ali Hussein, 32, said: “Chesney is a great guy. He can come and ride my camel again any time he wants.
      “I hope England win on Saturday and go on to win the whole tournament.”
      READ MORE ON EGLAND
      Chesney was adopted by the England players as their lucky mascot after performing a rousing rendition of his 1991 hit during half-time of the final Group B clash with Wales — heralding a 3-0 second-half thrashing.
      The Sun then ensured he got to the Senegal game.
      Now he wants tournament bosses to allow him a repeat performance against France.
      Fifa insist a French singer would have to be found too.
      Most read in Football More

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      in Soccer

      Raheem Sterling still deciding if he will return to World Cup as cops probe if same gang robbed three of his teammates

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      RAHEEM Sterling was yesterday still deciding if he will return to Qatar – as cops were probing if the same gang behind his break in also robbed three of his teammates.The Three Lions ace was left distraught when his fiance Paige, 27, returned home with their three children on Saturday night and found his mansion in Oxshott, Surrey, had been broken into and £300K of watches and jewellery stolen.
      Raheem, seen here with his fiancée Paige, is still deciding whether to return to Qatar for the World CupCredit: Getty – Contributor
      The horrific raid took place on Saturday night – less than 24 hours before England’s clash against Senegal – pictured Sterling with Bukayo SakaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      The 27-year-old winger wants to return to the tournament to help manager Gareth Southgate but he and his family are still shaken up following the burglary, The Sun understands.
      Now Surrey Police are examining whether the same gang are responsible for other raids in the last two years on Chelsea stars who all live within a five mile radius of each other.
      Defender Reece James – who would have been in Qatar but for injury – was raided by a gang who targeted his home in Cobham, Surrey, in September 2021.
      They stole his safe containing his Champions League, Super Cup and Euro 2020 medals.
      READ MORE ON RAHEEM STERLING
      Two other teammates have also suffered similar crimes in recent months, with cops looking into any potential links.
      A source said: “Whenever high value raids take place, police officers will also look to see if there are any similarities.
      “Did they break in the same way? Did they use the same car to getaway? Did they steal similar items in each robbery? These are all questions they will ask.”
      Yesterday security was being beefed up outside the homes of all England stars playing in the World Cup, at the request of manager Gareth Southgate.
      Most read in Football
      A source said: “Gareth has asked the FA to do whatever it takes to make the players feel safe. He wants them to be confident their families are looked after so they can fully focus on the quarter final against France.”
      Leicester ace James Maddison is among those who have improved security.
      Speaking from Qatar, the England midfielder said: “Raheem’s a brilliant guy and a brilliant character in the group. We’ve all sent him a message to make sure he’s okay at this time.
      A security patrol is seen at Raheem Sterling’s home in SurreyCredit: LNP
      “It’s obviously difficult. It’s not nice and something I wouldn’t wish upon anyone. As a young man with a family of my own, it’s horrible to see stuff like that happen, but it does happen. You do have to take those measures. It’s just the world we live in, unfortunately.”
      England play France in the quarter-finals on Saturday. More

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      in Soccer

      Raheem Sterling vows ‘I won’t go back to the World Cup until my family is safe’ after terrifying raid on his mansion

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      DISTRAUGHT Raheem Sterling has vowed he will only return to England’s World Cup campaign when his family are “safe”.The Three Lions ace’s mansion was targeted by a gang who stole £300,000 worth of watches and designer jewellery — he is said to be the fourth Chelsea FC player hit by them in recent months.
      England ace Raheem Sterling has vowed he will only return to England’s World Cup campaign when his family are ‘safe’ – pictured here with fiancée PaigeCredit: Getty – Contributor
      A security patrol is seen at the home of couple, in SurreyCredit: LNP
      The horrific raid took place on Saturday night – less than 24 hours before England’s clash against Senegal – pictured Sterling with Bukayo SakaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Police understand his fiancee Paige, 27, discovered the raid on Saturday night, less than 24 hours before England’s clash with Senegal on Sunday.
      Raheem, also 27, pulled out of Gareth Southgate’s squad and dashed home after learning of the terror raid. He is hoping to return to Qatar for Saturday’s quarter final against France — but only if he thinks his home is secured and his family are not at risk.
      A source said: “Raheem has told everyone, ‘There is no way I’m going anywhere unless I’m 100 per cent sure that my family can be kept safe’. He is security conscious and part of the reason they moved into the property was that it is on a very exclusive estate, with regular security patrols.
      “Despite this, he has still managed to be targeted, which is very upsetting for Raheem and Paige. They have just moved back to London and want to feel safe.”
      READ MORE ON STERLING
      The family moved into the property in Oxshott, Surrey, after Chelsea paid Man City £47.5 million for the winger this summer.
      ‘Patrol night and day’
      It is understood Paige returned to the UK from Qatar with his three young children after cheering on Raheem in the group stages.
      She had a work commitment related to her property firm. Yesterday, Raheem met with detectives from Surrey Police who are investigating the crime.
      One of the other Chelsea victims defender Reece James, 22, was raided by a gang who targeted his home in Cobham, Surrey, in September 2021. They stole his safe containing his Champions League, Super Cup and Euro 2020 medals.
      Most read in Football
      Two other teammates have also suffered similar crimes in recent months, with cops now looking into potential links.
      It is feared a highly organised criminal gang has the club’s wealthy players in its sights. Yesterday, England ace Harry Maguire blasted the thugs who targeted Raheem.
      Man United star Harry, 29, said: “It’s extremely disappointing to hear that when we are out here playing for our country and giving everything there are people back home targeting us.
      “The game could have gone different and we might have needed Raheem.”
      And England skipper Harry Kane, also 29, was yesterday helping to calm his teammates worried by the raid.
      A Three Lions source said: “Harry knows the players’ families are really shaken up by what has happened and that is a worry for the players themselves.
      “He sees it as his job as skipper to keep the morale of the team up and to focus everyone on the France match.”
      England manager Gareth Southgate said he and the FA had discussed security arrangements with the squad prior to leaving for Qatar.
      Harry knows the players’ families are really shaken up by what has happened and that is a worry for the players themselves. A Three Lions source
      When asked if the FA had offered to increase security, he said: “We had offered that to players. I think there’s a little bit [for Raheem] in the midst of moving house that played a part in that.”
      And other Wags have offered Paige their support. Meanwhile, Raheem plans to beef up security at his home once the police have finished their investigations.
      A source said: “He has got a firm on standby to go straight in to install 24/7 security with enhanced infra red night vision. He’s looking to get dozens of cameras installed.
      “And he’s going to employ a security firm to patrol his house night and day, and will keep them in place until the World Cup is over. All the jewellery of value has since been removed from the house to a safe deposit place.”
      Read More on The Sun
      Last night, a security guard ­provided by Chelsea FC stood watch outside the house.
      Police said no arrests had yet been made. More

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      in Soccer

      Chesney Hawkes celebrated in Qatar after last-gasp sprint to the England match & roared: ‘It’s coming home’

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      LUCKY charm Chesney Hawkes celebrated in Qatar last night after a last-gasp sprint to the match as he roared: “It’s coming home.”The One And Only singer made kick-off with minutes to spare thanks to The Sun’s military-style operation to get him from Skegness to cheer on the Three Lions.
      Chesney Hawkes celebrated in Qatar after a last-gasp sprint to the match
      Chesney at The Sun’s HQ where he had a singalong with boxing champ Tyson FuryCredit: Simon Jones
      Chesney returned to the UK after the Wales game for a pre-arranged gig at Butlin’sCredit: Doug Seeburg
      We launched Operation Sun And Only to get Chesney back to Qatar after his rousing half-time performance
      The 3,400-mile, 23-hour dash saw him sweep into the desert state with just his hand luggage and a guitar — and an excess baggage-sized goodwill message for England’s heroes.
      And together with 8,000 jubilant Lionhearts Chesney, 51, was punching the air in delight at the final whistle in the Al Bayt stadium as Gareth Southgate’s men roared into the quarter finals.
      He said: “England were amazing tonight. I was delighted to make it back and it was all down to The Sun. I’ll have to stay on in Qatar now. With the Three Lions playing out of their skin I reckon we can go all the way.”
      We launched Operation Sun And Only to get Chesney back to Qatar after his rousing half-time rendition of his 1991 hit helped inspire England to a thumping 3-0 win over Wales.
      Read More on Chesney Hawkes
      The players were also keen for him to return with West Ham’s Declan Rice declaring: “We’re pals now and we’ve got to get him to the games. We’ll get him singing The One And Only at every half-time. Hopefully we’ll get him back to No1 as well.”
      Chesney had to return to the UK after the final Group B game against Wales for a pre-arranged gig at Butlin’s in Skegness, Lincs.
      He went there via a stop-off at The Sun’s HQ, where he had a singalong with boxing champ Tyson Fury.
      Chesney went down a storm in Skegness as part of a 90s Reloaded show with DJ Judge Jules and S Club 7’s Jo O’Meara.
      Most read in Football
      As soon as he was off stage Berkshire-born Chesney raced to the Sun’s car to hot foot it back to his London base for three hours’ sleep.
      He then leapt into another Sun car to Heathrow for the 8.35am flight to Doha and had another nap on the plane.
      The Qatar Airways Boeing 777-300 touched down at 17.50 local time and Chesney raced through customs and to yet another waiting Sun car for the last leg of the journey, the 69,000-seater Al Bayt Stadium.
      The Sun’s Special Ops team had to weave our way through the traffic to deliver Chesney to the stadium shortly before kick-off — to the delight of England fans.
      He whipped out his guitar and performed a quick rendition of his best-known song to huge cheers from the fans, who hope he’ll be our lucky mascot all the way to the final.
      PE teacher Stef Carte, 37, of Leeds, said: “I knew he’d be our lucky mascot once again.”
      And Matt Harris, 40, of Warrington, Cheshire, added: “We love Ches and couldn’t believe it when we bumped into him at the stadium.”
      Chesney, who now lives in LA with model wife Kristina, 47, and their three children, said: “I am ecstatic. I’m a massive Three Lions fan and it means so much to me.
      Read More on The Sun
      “I’m also a big West Ham fan and spent quite a bit of time chatting to Declan Rice at the Wales match.
      “I will be here to cheer on the boys in the quarter final and beyond. I am delighted that I have been adopted by the team as their lucky mascot.”
      Chesney went down a storm in Skegness as part of a 90s Reloaded show with DJ Judge Jules and S Club 7’s Jo O’MearaCredit: Doug Seeburg
      Chesney raced to the Sun’s car to hot foot it back to his London base for three hours’ sleepCredit: Gary Stone
      Chesney leapt into another Sun car to Heathrow for the 8.35am flight to Doha and had another nap on the plane
      Chesney raced through customs in Qatar and on to the 69,000-seater Al Bayt StadiumCredit: Dan Charity
      Chesney said: ‘I am ecstatic. I’m a massive Three Lions fan and it means so much to me’ More

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      in Soccer

      Raheem Sterling’s terrified family inside home when armed thugs broke in & stole £300k of watches while he was in Qatar

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      ENGLAND’S Raheem Sterling raced back from the World Cup yesterday after an armed raid at his mansion.Terrified fiancée Paige Milian, 27 — at home with their two kids — raised the alarm when the gang took watches worth £300,000.
      Sterling, 27, raced back from the World Cup after an armed raid at his mansionCredit: Tim Stewart
      Terrified fiancée Paige Milian, 27, was at home with their two kidsCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Raheem Sterling may return to Qatar for Saturday’s quarter-final against France despite having lost £300,000 of watches in the horrific break-inCredit: Rex
      Sterling told FA chiefs he had to go home. News that he’d left the squad broke shortly before the last-16 clash with Senegal.
      Sterling, 27, may return to Qatar for Saturday’s quarter-final against France.
      Boss Gareth Southgate said: “He is dealing with a family matter. I had quite a bit of time with him this morning but I have had to pass that on to other people to help him with that.
      “He will go and deal with that matter and we will have to take it from there.”
      READ MORE ON STERLING
      The raid at Sterling’s home, less than 15 minutes from Chelsea’s training ground in Cobham, Surrey, happened on Saturday night.
      It is not known if property developer Paige confronted the raiders or whether they fled when they realised someone was in.
      The gang may have thought she and the couple’s sons, aged five and three, were still in Qatar.
      Before England’s first game she posted pictures of the two boys on a cruise ship in Doha, and she was tagged in social media images with cocktails.
      Most read in Football
      A family source said: “This was terrifying for her and obviously traumatic for all the family.
      “Raheem will have been beside himself with worry when he heard.
      “To be away when your partner and children are at home when an armed gang breaks in is beyond words.
      “It looks like about £300,000 of watches have been taken. The police were there several hours.”
      The boss of a national intelligence unit focused on serious organised crime has warned of a rise in raids on stars due to gangs scouring social media feeds.
      Supt Carl Williams, of Operation Opal, said: “In today’s world where many wealthy individuals are active on social media their significant public profile can help make them targets.
      “Their high-value possessions are often on display as well as information about their plans.”
      The FA said last night: “Raheem is not available for selection for the Three Lions tonight as he is dealing with a family matter.”

      ADDITIONAL reporting by Thomas Godfrey More

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      in Boxing

      Tyson Fury reveals biggest fear after enjoying post-fight burgers with beaten rival Derek Chisora

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      TYSON Fury chewed the fat with beaten Derek Chisora — and revealed he is scared of spiders.The world heavyweight champion had a burger with Chisora after battering him on Saturday night.
      Tyson Fury took on Derek Chisora last night, winning the fight
      Fury now has fellow champ Oleksandr Usyk in his sights before he hangs up his gloves
      On fight night, Fury wore the England shirt The Sun gave him the day beforeCredit: Simon Jones
      Fury, 34, also pondered the future — which does not include a stint on I’m a Celebrity.
      Asked if he would do the ITV1 show, he said: “I turned it down because I don’t like bugs, creepy crawlies, snakes, rats, lizards. Anything that moves on the floor I turn into a boy. It’s not for me.”
      On fight night, Fury wore the England shirt The Sun gave him the day before when he paid a visit.
      He now has fellow champ Oleksandr Usyk in his sights before he hangs up his gloves.
      READ MORE BOXING NEWS
      He said: “I think I’ve got one more year and then I’ll become a used car salesman.”
      He also revealed he wants to hang out with King Charles.
      Fury said: “I’ve not met the King yet. I’m sure I’ll get an invite to this coming New Year’s Eve party!” More

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      Arsenal star Gabriel Jesus on flight back to London to find out extent of injury amid fears he could miss THREE MONTHS

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      GABRIEL JESUS is on a flight back to London after being ruled out of the World Cup.And SunSport understands the Arsenal striker will find out how serious his knee injury is TOMORROW following a consultation with club doctors.
      Gabriel Jesus in action for Brazil against CameroonCredit: AP
      Jesus looks on with an ice pack on his knee after being subbed offCredit: EPA
      The 25-year-old picked up the knock in the 64th minute of the Samba Boys’ final World Cup group stage clash – a 1-0 defeat to Cameroon – having come off the bench.
      And following a scan, Brazil medics confirmed his Qatar journey was over ahead of their Last 16 tie with South Korea.
      There remain doubts over whether Jesus will need surgery, or for how long he will be out of action for, with some reports suggesting THREE months.
      That picture will become clearer when the ex-Manchester City forward reports to London Colney on Monday morning, where his knee will be assessed further.
      READ MORE ON ARSENAL
      What is for certain is that he will miss Arsenal’s Boxing Day clash with West Ham as well as their New Years’ Eve trip to Brighton and potentially a January 3 game versus Newcastle.
      He will then be in a race against time to get back into Mikel Arteta’s squad for two crucial back-to-back fixtures away at rivals Tottenham and then at home to Manchester United later that month.
      Arsenal are currently five points clear at the top of the Premier League, having lost just once.
      But they will now be reliant on back-up striker Eddie Nketiah to produce the goals that have seen the north London club so far romp the Prem.
      Most read in Football
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      Jesus is the second Arsenal player to leave the World Cup early, with defender Ben White departing the England camp due to personal reasons.
      Following news of his injury, Jesus tweeted: “If there was a timeline and I could see you and tell you something, I would say ‘Gabriel, you are a winner’.
      “Thank you to everyone who sent messages of support and affection.”
      Brazil boss Tite also hit back at claims which suggested he knew Jesus had an injury BEFORE he played against Cameroon.
      He said: “I don’t like evil lies, and at no time whatsoever did we play for a victory at the risk of a peril to a player.
      “The liars, the haters out there – go and do something else and stop giving fake news.
      “Arsenal have a great medical department, Brazil has a great medical department and we are personally responsible and ethical.
      “I am very sorry for Gabriel and yesterday we had Thiago Silva, Marquinhos, Neymar and (assistant) Cesar Sampiao – who has lived with the experience of being removed from the team – talking with him.
      “Not to take the pain away because obviously we can’t, but just to make them feel better, strengthen them, and take part as much as possible.” More

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      in Soccer

      Sun mascot Harry Mane steals the show ­during a dance-off with Senegal fans ahead of World Cup knockout game

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      SUN mascot Harry Mane stole the show yesterday ­during a dance-off with Senegal fans.The Senegalese supporters have been entertaining the crowds at Doha’s main souk with traditional dance and music.
      Sun mascot Harry Mane stole the show yesterday ­during a dance-off with Senegal fansCredit: Dan Charity
      Jewellery worker Coumba told Sun girl Eleanor Sharples she hought Senegal would winCredit: Louis Wood
      But the biggest cheer came when Harry joined them.
      Alhadji Diedhiou, 39, danced with Harry and said: “I love your lion. Our team are known as the Lions of Teranga so it is fitting we play the Three Lions next.”
      Meanwhile, The Sun on Sunday flew the St George’s flag over Africa’s tallest statue, the 52m Africa­n Renaissance monument in Dakar, the capital of Senegal.
      But jewellery worker Coumba told Sun girl Eleanor Sharples it would not stop Senegal winning.
      READ MORE SUN EXCLUSIVES
      Only a few hundred fans have made the trip from West Africa to Qatar but they have been making plenty of noise each night with their routines.
      Sidy Sagna, 47, said: “We are famous for our atmosphere before, during and after the match. We will create an ambiance in the stadium and we will win.”
      Given the limited numbers of their fans at the World Cup, the team has called on all Africans to support them in the last 16 clash with England at the Al Bayt stadium tomorrow night.
      Chelsea defender Kalidou Koulibaly, 31, Senegal’s captain, said earlier: “I’m calling on all Africans to come together, because that’s how we’re going to move forward.
      Most read in The Sun
      “We support all the African teams and I think they support us too. That’s really nice. We heard the fans throughout the match – we’re going to need them for the upcoming games.” More