Exclusives

Subterms

    More stories

    • 263 Shares169 Views

      in Soccer

      Defiant Gary Lineker refuses to back down in migrant Twitter row with BBC after day of chaos for its football coverage

      by

      BBC boss Tim Davie was last night locked in a personal shootout with Gary Lineker after a day of chaos for the Beeb’s sports coverage.Davie insisted he would not quit while Lineker refuses to back down amid a row over his controversial tweets.
      BBC boss Tim Davie was last night locked in a personal shootout with Gary Lineker after a day of chaos for the Beeb’s sports coverageCredit: Getty
      Bosses have demanded that the Match of the Day host agree a deal to stop posting political messages
      The saga saw Match of the Day cut from 80 minutes to just 20 and several other football shows axed as other stars walked out in support.
      BBC bosses have demanded Lineker agree to stop posting political messages online after he commented on the Government’s small boats policies.
      But a source close to the £1.35million-a-year England legend insisted he would carry on.
      BBC director-general Tim Davie admitted it had been a “difficult day” — but said of quitting: “My job is to serve licence fee- ­payers and I look forward to resolving this situation.”
      READ MORE SUN EXCLUSIVES
      PM Rishi Sunak said he hopes the row ends “in a timely manner”.
      Lineker is set for crisis talks but former BBC Director General Greg Dyke feared the fallout could spell the end of his career at the Beeb.
      In a dramatic 24 hours:

      FOOTBALL Focus and Final Score were cancelled after Alex Scott, Kelly Somers and Jason Mohammad refused to go in front of the camera;
      FIGHTING Talk and the 606 show on Radio 5 Live were pulled;
      BBC Director General Tim Davie apologised but insisted he would not resign;
      PAL and follow presenter Ian Wright threatened to quit if the BBC got rid of Lineker;
      IT emerged Lineker confided in TV pal Andrew Castle that he had gone “too far” in his tweets.

      Most read in Football
      Fury erupted among fellow BBC stars when Lineker, 62, was kicked off air on Friday after comparing the Government’s migrants crackdown to that of 1930s Germany.
      Sources say Lineker was left stunned by the BBC’s move but has been thrilled with the show of support from stars and the public.
      He is now set for crisis talks with Mr Davie, who admitted last night in Washington that it had been “a difficult day”.
      But he insisted he was keen for the broadcaster to return. He said: “Success for me is Gary getting back on air. We’ve got the best sports broadcaster in the world. We want to make sure that he can come back.”
      He said he planned to “calmly resolve the situation”.
      PM Rishi Sunak said he hopes the row ends ‘in a timely manner’Credit: PA
      For the first time Football Focus was not broadcast
      Asked in a BBC News interview if he should resign, he replied: “Absolutely not.”
      He also declined to say if he had spoken to Lineker in the last 24 hours. It was reported last night that ITV and BT were looking to poach the veteran presenter.
      Ex-Arsenal striker and Match of the Day co-host Wright — who with fellow pundit Alan Shearer was among the first to pull out in support — yesterday launched a scathing attack on the BBC.
      He said: “I’ll tell you something. If they do – the BBC get rid of Gary Lineker – I’m out, I’m gone. I’m not staying there. On his own platform he should be able to say what he wants to say.”
      The BBC’s decision caused outrage on social media – where #IStandWithGaryLineker trended with celebs showing their support.
      Aston Villa captain Tyrone Mings, 29, was understood to be the first current Premier League star to speak out on the issue. He tweeted: “Big up Gary Lineker, Ian Wright and Alan Shearer.”
      The 606 phone-in show with Robbie Savage and Chris Sutton was also pulled, replaced by a Eurovision podcast
      Colin Murray pulled out of Fighting Talk
      A day of scheduling chaos saw Football Focus replaced with an old episode of Bargain Hunt while The Repair Shop was shown instead of Final Score.
      Radio 5 Live’s traditional Saturday football coverage was also ripped to shreds, with Colin Murray pulling out of Fighting Talk and Mark Chapman standing down from presenting duties.
      The 606 phone-in show with Robbie Savage and Chris Sutton was also pulled, replaced by a Eurovision podcast.
      Pundit Dion Dublin tweeted: “In solidarity with my BBC Sport colleagues NO 5live for me today!”
      Ex-footballer Glenn Murray also pulled out of Football Focus and Final Score duties.
      He tweeted: “I was meant to be up in Media City today but reflecting last night I felt it was the right thing to do to step away from Focus and Score today. Hoping normal service resumes next week.”
      The BBC yesterday apologised and said it was “working hard to resolve the situation and hope to do so soon”.
      The scheduling mayhem is also set to continue into today, as former Spurs star Jermain Defoe pulled out of punditry duties on Match of the Day 2 tonight.
      Meanwhile, it emerged that Lineker confided to a friend that his controversial tweets about migrants were a “step too far”.
      Former tennis star Andrew Castle said on his LBC show yesterday: “I was with Gary Lineker for half a day, plus, on Thursday, I was working with him. His phone was going absolutely mad.
      Final Score was cancelled as Jason Mohammad refused to go in front of the camera
      Meanwhile Match of the Day 2 host Mark Chapman stood down from presenting duties
      “I said to him, that I thought to draw the parallels between, you know, the rise of Nazisim in the 30s and early 30s government and the immigration policy of a serving Conservative Party was a step too far and he agreed. And he said so.
      “He’s alluded to that. If he was to apologise, then fine I suspect he could go back on air but it’s gone a little bit too far for that.”
      Lineker has been told by the BBC to re-think his social media use — but ex-BBC boss Mr Dyke said yesterday he was entitled to express controversial views.
      He told Radio 4’s Today programme: “There is a long-established precedent in the BBC that is that if you’re an entertainment presenter or you’re a football presenter, then you are not bound by those same rules.”
      However he added it was “quite clear” he did not intend to give the BBC any assurances about his future conduct and that “therefore I suspect this is the end of Gary Lineker as a BBC presenter as we’ve known him”.
      PM Sunak also waded into the row last night – insisting he is right to take “tough decisions” to fix the migration crisis. He added: “It is important that we maintain perspective, particularly given the seriousness of the issue at hand.”
      He and son Angus saw The Foxes lose 3-1 to Chelsea after travelling up from LondonCredit: Reuters
      Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said the BBC is not acting impartially and was “caving in” to Tory MPs by telling Lineker to step back from Match of the Day.
      He accused the government of blaming “anybody else” rather than “accepting that they’ve broken the asylum system”.
      Some BBC commentators did take to the airwaves yesterday, though they admitted it was a tough decision.
      Ian Dennis worked on the Leeds v Brighton game for Radio 5 Live at 3pm, while Alistair Bruce-Ball was set to follow suit for the late game between Crystal Palace and Manchester City.
      Ex-footballer Chris Sutton also decided he was going to work on 606 before BBC bosses scrapped the show anyway.
      Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said the BBC is not acting impartially and was ‘caving in’ to Tory MPsCredit: Getty
      A source said a number of staff see a distinction between BBC radio and television. They added: “Some feel they have been backed into a corner by the raft of withdrawals and have been placed into a very difficult position.”
      The situation has also affected freelancers, who rely on BBC contracts. Lineker posted his tweet criticising the Home Office last Tuesday, and the BBC finally caved into pressure on Friday evening.
      It said in a statement: “The BBC has been in extensive discussions with Gary and his team in recent days. We have said that we consider his recent social media activity to be a breach of our guidelines.
      “The BBC has decided that he will step back from presenting Match of the Day until we’ve got an agreed and clear position on his use of social media.”
      Pic-me-ups with fans
      Lineker brushed off his suspension by snapping selfies with fans at his hometown club LeicesterCredit: Rex
      A Man City fan at the Crystal Palace match held a sign, right, saying, ‘Gary Lineker for Prime Minister’Credit: Reuters
      LINEKER brushed off his suspension by snapping selfies with fans at his hometown club Leicester.
      He and son Angus, 25, saw The Foxes lose 3-1 to Chelsea after travelling up from London.
      Back in the capital, a Man City fan at the Crystal Palace match held a sign, right, saying, “Gary Lineker for Prime Minister”.
      TV rivals moving in
      LINEKER could triple his £1.35million earnings by jumping ship to ITV. 
      Insiders say the station have long been keen to poach the star who, if he went, would be free to share his political views.
      BT Sport, which is to rebrand as TNT Sports, are also said to be interested in Lineker. A source said: “He’s in demand.”

      Slim love for Gary
      FATBOY Slim used a projection of Gary Lineker last night during a gig in Manchester to show his support.
      Fatboy Slim used a projection of Gary Lineker last night during a gig in Manchester to show his supportCredit: Twitter / @FatboySlim
      The DJ, real name Norman Cook, later tweeted: “I’m with Gary”.
      Read More on The Sun
      Meanwhile, social media jokers put up brutal memes to mock the BBC row.
      One parody had PM Rishi Sunak on a bus asking an OAP to host Match of the Day.
      One parody had PM Rishi Sunak on a bus asking an OAP to host Match of the Day More

    • 275 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Match of the Day plunged into meltdown as hosts stage mutiny after BBC pull Gary Lineker off air over Nazi tweet row

      by

      MATCH of the Day hosts staged a mutiny tonight after the BBC yanked Gary Lineker off air over the Nazi tweet row — plunging the flagship show into chaos.Ian Wright and Alan Shearer walked out in “solidarity” with Lineker, 62, who had compared the Government’s language around its small boats crackdown to that of 1930s Germany.
      Pals said Lineker had been blindsided by the statement and was being benched against his willCredit: Getty
      Ian Wright and Alan Shearer have walked out in ‘solidarity’ with LinekerCredit: BBC
      The walkout has left Match of the Day 2 presenter Mark Chapman as the favourite to step inCredit: BBC
      The BBC was left scrambling to find a panel for the show, as other stars ruled themselves out.
      Gary wept when told how his mates had publicly backed him. 
      On a day of chaos, the corporation claimed its £1.3million-a-year star had agreed to step back from presenting tonight’s flagship highlights show.
      But friends said Lineker had been blindsided by the statement and was being benched against his will. 
      READ MORE ON MOTD MUTINY
      It left Match of the Day 2 presenter Mark Chapman as favourite to step in.
      The Beeb could not say when ex-England ace Lineker will return.
      Tonight it appeared there was no way back for the star at the BBC.
      He was ordered to issue a “humiliating apology” by execs or face being “rested” from the show. 
      Most read in Football
      A source said: “This has been a tumultuous 24 hours. Gary is in shock and had no idea this was coming. He wanted to go on air, make no bones about it, this was not his decision.
      “Privately, everyone at the Beeb is in meltdown too. They genuinely don’t know how they will get a show out because no one wants to touch it.
      “Everyone in the industry is appalled at how Gary has been hung out to dry, and the general BBC inconsistency. 
      “Gary wept when he found out his mates had all publicly backed him. 
      “The support has been overwhelming which, essentially, is a massive pie in the face for the BBC. 
      “Gary wasn’t willing to pretend to support something he vehemently doesn’t agree with.
      “He doesn’t need the cash and, frankly, it seems hard to imagine a way back for either party from here.”
      The ex-striker had compared language around the Government’s small boats crackdown to that used by Nazi Germany in the 1930s.
      The BBC initially said Lineker would be spoken to, then appeared to take no action against him. 
      That triggered a backlash from Tory MPs furious about a perceived breach of BBC impartiality rules.
      Jermaine Jenas confirmed he would not stand inCredit: PA
      Micah Richards has also ruled himself out of stepping in to cover LinekerCredit: Getty
      Alex Scott is another high-profile presenter showing solidarity with LinekerCredit: Getty
      Yesterday afternoon, the BBC issued its botched statement stating Lineker had stepped back from presenting MoTD.
      Pal Wright then tweeted that he will step away, saying: “Everybody knows what Match of the Day means to me, but I’ve told the BBC I won’t be doing it tomorrow. Solidarity.” 
      Shearer soon followed, saying: “I have informed the BBC I wont be appearing on MoTD.”
      And Football Focus host Alex Scott appeared to rule herself out, posting a meme which read “Nah, not me”.
      Piers Morgan said of the Beeb last night: “This is a ridiculous decision. If the BBC really believes its presenters shouldn’t have political opinions then I look forward to them suspending David Attenborough and Alan Sugar and everyone else who has presented BBC shows but makes public their opinions.”
      Broadcasters Jeff Stelling and Laura Woods also backed Lineker. 
      Earlier the BBC said in its statement: “We have said we consider his recent social media activity to be a breach of our guidelines. The BBC has decided that he will step back from presenting MoTD until we’ve got an agreed and clear position on his use of social media.
      “We have never said that Gary should be an opinion-free zone, or that he can’t have a view on issues that matter to him, but we have said that he should keep well away from taking sides on political issues or political controversies.”
      A TV insider added: “This is typical of the BBC being unable to handle a crisis which involves itself — they almost implode in confusion over what to do. They haven’t disciplined him, and have been briefing the media saying he won’t step down, but have now decided to take him off air to review their own policies. It’s all a bit bewildering.
      Linker’s co-hosts tweet their support after the BBC announces he will be stepping back from the show
      “No wonder nobody knows what they can and can’t say.”
      Lineker appeared to have ridden out the row until yesterday, and had tweeted: “Well, it’s been an interesting couple of days. Happy this ridiculously out of proportion story seems to be abating and very much looking forward to presenting Match of the Day on Saturday.”
      PM Rishi Sunak said he hoped critics such as Lineker would eventually see why they were wrong about his immigration plan.
       Ex-Culture Secretary John Whittingdale said: “Gary is of course entitled to hold his views. 
      Read More on The Sun
      “The problem is he is the highest-paid person working for the BBC and is closely associated with the BBC. I’m afraid that those things are not compatible.”  More

    • 238 Shares119 Views

      in Soccer

      Kyle Walker’s wife Annie furious with Becky Vardy after Man City star’s flashing shame telling pals she ‘despises’ her

      by

      ENGLAND ace Kyle Walker’s flashing shame has sparked an astonishing bust-up between his wife Annie and fellow Wag Becky Vardy.Becky hit out on social media yesterday, with pals saying of Annie, 30: “She’s always disliked Becky but now she despises her and doesn’t care who knows it.”
      Kyle Walker’s wife Annie, 30, is at war with fellow Wag Becky VardyCredit: Xposure
      The social media bust-up between Vardy, 41, and Annie comes following Walker’s flashing shameCredit: Splash
      On Sunday, drunken Walker flashed and flirted with two women pals in a barCredit: Getty
      Annie was called a “doormat” by Becky as the rival Wags’ social media row erupted into war.
      Pals said Annie was furious at her rival for “dragging her name through the dirt” amid the England and Man City star’s flashing shame.
      They added: “Annie has kept a dignified silence but Becky mocking her as a ‘victim’ has made her see red.”
      On Sunday — the day drunken Walker flashed and flirted with two women pals in a bar — Becky, 41, posted on Instagram: “The gift that keeps on giving.”
      READ MORE ON KYLE WALKER
      Becky strongly denied the post had anything to do with Walker or Annie.
      But a new post on her Instagram in which she defended herself, Becky stirred up fresh anger from her rival.
      Becky wrote: “Waking up this morning to my name being associated with another delightful story in yet another opportunity to attack me.
      “Funny though isn’t it that it’s my name she wants to use rather than the people actually laughing at her for being a doormat.
      Most read in Football
      “Art of deflection to a T. Great at playing the victim is our Annie.
      “I think she needs to focus with what’s going on in her own life instead of trying to attack me by bringing me into her drama.
      “Believe me, had it been about her I would have tagged her. She’s obsessed . . . 
      “I’m literally tired of being nice to people with short memories.
      “I’ve stayed silent while she’s bashed me in the media, made up lies about me in her little community like a group of playground bullies. Just leave me alone.”
      Becky added a note: “Tried to tag her but she’s blocked me.”
      Her post was accompanied by the sound of Michael Jackson hit Smooth Criminal which repeats the lyric: “Annie, are you okay?”
      Those close to Annie said she was angry at Becky’s dressing down.
      A source said: “Annie is furious that someone like Becky has had the audacity to run her down in public like this. She has kept a dignified silence throughout and now Becky has come out swinging.
      “Calling Annie a ‘doormat’ and the rest of her vitriol is the straw that has broken the camel’s back.
      The same day, Becky posted on Instagram: ‘The gift that keeps on giving’
      The moment Walker exposes himself in the bar
      Becky strongly denies her initial post was about Annie or Walker but she stirred fresh anger in a new post in which she defended herselfCredit: Instagram
      “After Annie was dragged into the Wagatha Christie legal case, she hoped she would never be in Becky’s auras ever again but now this has happened. 
      “She thinks Becky is just using her attention because, as Annie says, Becky thrives off the limelight.”
      However, those on Becky’s side say she feels she’s been unfairly caught up into a row.
      An insider said: “Becky is astounded she’s been dragged into this. She won’t be wasting her breath on this ridiculous narrative which she firmly believes has been created by Annie to garner sympathy.
      “As far as Becky is concerned she has been wrongly named again and thinks it is completely unfair.”
      It is understood Becky says she was not herself accusing Annie of being a “doormat”.
      Annie, who is pals with Coleen Rooney, was dragged into the Wagatha libel trial between Coleen and Becky last year.
      Becky said Annie was behind a posed photo of the Wags at the 2018 World Cup in Russia. She told the High Court in London that Annie had been behind the idea.
      At the time Annie did not comment publicly and remained seemingly impartial to the drama.
      The Sun told this week how CCTV footage showed £150,000-a-week defender Walker dropping his tracksuit bottoms and exposing himself at Revolution bar in Wilmslow, Cheshire, on Sunday evening.
      A woman with him shrieked and pointed at the player, who was in full view of other drinkers.
      Video also showed Walker pawing at, and kissing a woman.
      The swaying City star was seen boozing and dirty dancing in the bar before leaving in a minibus after settling the £250 bill.
      Annie, mum to their three boys, later blasted her husband as a “d**k” after learning of his antics.
      Police spoke to Revolution staff on Wednesday and took away video of the star’s 90-minute visit to the bar with the women and male pals. They are investigating whether any offence has been committed.
      City have refused to address the scandal publicly, insisting his behaviour was a personal matter. He was at training on Wednesday.
      Domestic abuse charity Women’s Aid has criticised him, saying: “Whether done to shock, for a so-called laugh, or to intimidate, for those affected by indecent exposure there can be long-term effects, upset and trauma.
      “It can give the person exposing themselves a sense of power in the situation.
      “And if there are no repercussions, it possibly gives them the confidence to see what they can get away with next time.”
      Read More on The Sun
      Last year Becky lost her Wagatha Christie claim for substantial damages from Coleen, who had accused her of leaking “false” private Instagram stories to the media without permission.
      Mrs Justice Steyn ruled that Becky and her agent “deliberately deleted or destroyed evidence” in a bid to cover their tracks ahead of the legal battle which left Becky with a £3million bill.
      A source close to Annie said: ‘She’s always disliked Becky but now she despises her and doesn’t care who knows it’Credit: Rex Features
      The boozed-up defender paws at a woman in the video
      The footie star pictured here leaning in for snog with the woman, not his wife
      He also grinds up against a female friend in full view of the bar
      Grinning and swaying Walker again tries to get touchy-feely More

    • 238 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      My husband Kyle Walker is a d*** after being caught flashing at woman in bar, says long-suffering wife Annie

      by

      KYLE Walker’s long-suffering wife Annie was yesterday fuming over his flashing shame — and told pals: “He’s a d***.”Loyal Annie, 30, was left in the dark by the England and Manchester City footballer until The Sun broke the story.
      Kyle Walker’s wife Annie was fuming over his flashing CCTV clips — and told pals: ‘He’s a d***’Credit: BackGrid
      The long-suffering wife has stood by the player through heartbreaking sex scandals but is now said to be considering her futureCredit: Getty
      CCTV grabs show the moment Walker exposed himself in the bar
      She has stood by the player through heartbreaking sex scandals but is now said to be considering her future.
      A source said: “Annie knew what she signed up for when she married him.
      “She’s terrified of a police investigation and if that happened she would surely feel like she had to chuck him out. At the moment that hasn’t happened.
      “She’s worried about what others will be saying and thinking about her, and is mortified for their kids.
      READ MORE ON KYLE WALKER
      “Kyle has assured Annie that City have it in hand and all will be fine. But it’s yet another humiliation for them all.”
      The couple secretly wed at Mottram Hall, Cheshire, in November 2021 despite him admitting fathering a child with model and influencer Lauryn Goodman.
      And in 2019, Ex on the Beach star Laura Brown claimed she and Walker romped in his Bentley.
      Another source said: “Annie brushed off his infidelities before but back then vowed to take half of everything if he f***ed up again.
      Most read in Football
      “She also wanted him to get counselling because he goes off the rails when he’s had a drink. He’s quiet and placid most of the time but hits the self-destruct button when he’s drunk.”
      In the wake of Walker’s latest downfall Annie posted a cryptic message on Instagram before deleting it.
      It read: “There comes a time when you have to stop crossing oceans for people who wouldn’t jump puddles for you.
      “You’ll end up really disappointed if you think people will do for you as you do for them. Not everyone has the same heart as you.”
      In another message, posted on Monday — the night after his antics — she wrote: “I think it’s important to remember that no matter how good you are to people, it won’t make them good to you.”
      Fans sent messages of support. But Annie was left fuming after Wag Becky Vardy appeared to make fun of her turmoil.
      Becky wrote on Instagram: “The gift that keeps on ­giving.”
      She followed it with laughing emojis before adding: “That’s a little embarrassing.”
      The pair have been at loggerheads since Becky dragged her into the Wagatha Christie libel battle.
      Becky accused Annie of being behind a posed-up snap of the Wags during the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
      Becky told London’s High Court it was Annie’s idea to line up for paps on the steps of a St Petersburg restaurant.
      The image sparked fury within the England camp who suspected details of the low-key dinner date had been leaked to paparazzi by one of the group.
      A source said yesterday: “Annie is livid that Becky has got involved yet again with something that has nothing to do with her.
      “Becky is taking a pop at Annie because of Wagatha.
      “It’s really unkind. Annie never got involved in Wagatha.
      “She never posted memes relating to Becky’s car-crash evidence in the battle with Coleen Rooney. Annie was respectful throughout, didn’t say anything and left it alone.
      Read More on The Sun
      “If only Becky could have shown her the same level of respect.”

      Additional reporting by: Sarah Ridley

      The boozed-up defender paws at a woman in the video
      The footie star is pictured here leaning in for snog with the woman, not his wife More

    • 213 Shares169 Views

      in Soccer

      Genius moment West Ham fans order booze to be delivered to their TRAIN when supplies run dry

      by

      THIRSTY West Ham fans on their way to a match ordered booze to be delivered to their train when supplies ran dry.The supporters placed an order through Uber Eats from their carriage when the service was delayed.
      Jordan ­Sullivan arranged to collect the cache of ciders when the train stopped on the way to Brighton away
      The lad’s scheme almost came unstuck because the delivery driver was waiting on the wrong platform
      Mastermind Jordan ­Sullivan arranged to collect the cache of Strongbow cider when the train stopped at Three Bridges station in Crawley, West Sussex, on its way to Brighton.
      His scheme almost came unstuck because the delivery driver was waiting for the train on the wrong platform.
      Despite the confusion, Jordan managed to run over to pick up the order before racing back and jumping on the train moments before it pulled away.
      His pal, Daniel, filmed the successful mission carried out after a signalling failure held up the matchday service.
      READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS
      The delay meant the Hammers fans necked their first load of booze well before Brighton.
      The hangover came later when they watched the Hammers clobbered 4-0 by the Seagulls in the Premier League clash at the Amex Stadium on Saturday.
      Daniel said of the booze-to-train plan: “It was the only highlight of our day.
      “It was probably a good thing we’d had a few before the game because it was a tough watch.
      Most read in Football
      “Thing was, it nearly all went wrong because the bloke was on the wrong platform.” More

    • 225 Shares169 Views

      in Soccer

      Married Man City star Kyle Walker filmed drunkenly flashing in bar and snogging woman during afternoon boozing session

      by

      ENGLAND’S Kyle Walker exposed himself in a bar and snogged and pawed a woman in a shocking 90 minutes caught on camera.The Man City ace, 32, dirty-danced with the woman — not his wife — and a female friend after he arrived drunk and boozed with male pals from 5.30pm on Sunday.
      Manchester City ace Kyle Walker could face a police probe after flashing in a barCredit: Getty
      The footie star, 32, was also caught snogging a blonde in a 90-minute shocker caught on camera – pictured leaning in for snog with the woman, not his wife
      Their appalling behaviour until 7pm shocked revellers at the Manchester venue.
      Shameless Kyle Walker could face a police probe after flashing in a bar.
      Footage seen by The Sun shows the boozed-up footballer drop his tracksuit bottoms and expose himself in view of drinkers.
      One of two women in his group shrieks and points as he laughs with a pal.
      READ MORE ON KYLE WALKER
      Minutes later the England and Manchester City defender appears to do it again, just feet away from two different women in a booth.
      He then walks over to shake their hands and say hello.
      Video also shows the dad of four pawing at one of his friends’ breasts and snogging her. 
      Wife Annie, 30, is nowhere to be seen.
      Most read in Football
      Walker’s disgraceful antics came 24 hours after he helped his side beat Newcastle United 2-0.
      After the match, manager Pep Guardiola said: “Two days off at home. I don’t want to see them, they don’t want to see me.”
      The £150,000-a-week player was visibly drunk when he arrived at the Manchester bar with the blonde women plus male pals around 5.20pm on Sunday.
      He spent 90 minutes downing drinks and dirty dancing with the female friends.
      Although Walker may claim his flashing was a joke, he could be quizzed for indecent exposure, which if proven carries a maximum two-year jail term.
      Teresa Parker, of Women’s Aid, said last night: “Whether done to shock, for a so-called laugh, or to intimidate, for those affected by indecent exposure there can be long-term effects, upset and trauma.
      “It can give the person exposing themselves a sense of power in the situation.
      “And if there are no repercussions, it possibly gives them the confidence to see what they can get away with next time.”
      Walker’s group arrived in a blacked-out minibus from the same firm used by City.
      Footage shows him already unsteady on his feet and wearing a puffer jacket and cap.
      He staggers to the entrance with one of the women.
      Moments later, he approaches her from behind and paws at her breasts. Walker then drinks bottles of beer, necks shots and dances provocatively with both women.
      The moment Walker exposes himself in the bar
      The boozed-up defender paws at a woman in the video
      He also grinds up against a female friend in full view of the bar
      The group set off to leave in the minibus shortly before 7pm.
      Walker was called back to pay the £250 bill.
      A barman stood with a card machine but Walker was so drunk he fumbled for his wallet.
      He was rescued by a friend who returned from the minibus and lifted up his arms to search through pockets for a payment method.
      A source said: “The video footage is really disturbing.
      “The woman Walker is with is not his wife but he reaches round and paws at her breasts.
      “You wonder if it can get worse then he pulls out his p**** in full view of the bar and the women he is with.
      “It’s deeply concerning.”
      Under the Sexual Offences Act 2003, a person commits indecent exposure if they intentionally expose their genitals — and intend that someone will see them and be caused alarm or distress.
      Outraging public decency is a common law offence and is committed when someone does something “lewd, obscene or disgusting” in the presence of at least two members of the public.
      If found guilty it is punishable by unlimited imprisonment or unlimited fine.
      Walker was shown the red card by Annie — his teenage sweetheart — in 2019 after Ex on the Beach TV star Laura Brown said they had repeatedly romped in his Bentley.
      Annie took him back into their Cheshire home, but gave him the boot again in 2020 when he revealed model Lauryn Goodman was expecting his baby.
      Walker moved into a flat and days later was caught breaching lockdown rules after booking two escorts for a four-hour sex session.
      Forgiving Annie let him off yet again and he proposed last year with a £250,000 ring.
      Read More on The Sun
      The couple, who have three sons, wed in November.
      Walker was approached for comment last night.
      Grinning and swaying Walker again tries to get touchy-feely
      Walker’s wife Annie, 30, is nowhere to be seen in the videoCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
      His disgraceful antics came 24 hours after he helped his side beat Newcastle United 2-0Credit: Getty90 MINUTES OF SHAME

      17.23: Married England ace Kyle Walker staggers out of blacked-out minibus with friends and two mystery women.
      17.24: He enters the bar and reaches round one of the women before pawing her boobs.
      17.30: The worse-for- wear star laughs as he exposes himself to the women. One of them shrieks and points.
      17.47: He snogs one of the women as group sit at a booth.
      17.50: One woman grinds up against him.
      17.54: Star lifts T-shirt to expose his stomach.
      18.11: Walker exposes himself again, just feet from two unconnected women enjoying a drink.
      18.40: He leaves bar with group but forgets to pay £250 bill. He returns to the entrance where a worker is holding a card machine but star is so drunk he needs a pal to rifle through his pockets to find his wallet.
      18.42: Walker finally pays at the door.
      18.50: He rejoins group in blacked-out minibus and leaves for next destination. More

    • 225 Shares99 Views

      in Boxing

      I was suicidal after being accused of taking banned drugs before big fight, Conor Benn tells Piers Morgan

      by

      BOXER Conor Benn has revealed he wanted to kill himself after being accused of taking a banned testosterone-boosting drug.The welterweight champ — son of ring legend Nigel Benn — confessed to Piers Morgan that he contemplated suicide after testing positive.
      Conor Benn revealed he wanted to kill himself after being accused of taking a banned testosterone-boosting drugCredit: Getty
      Conor told Piers Morgan: ‘It’s hurt me. I didn’t think I was going to make it through this period’Credit: TALK TV
      Conor faces off with Chris Eubank Jr, left, and promoter Eddie Hearn before there 2022 bout was cancelledCredit: Reuters
      With tears in his eyes, he revealed he also suffered night terrors and panic attacks in the wake of the drugs tests last autumn, while his son was subjected to vile racist abuse.
      But Conor, 26, comes out fighting in his first televised interview since the scandal, to be shown on TalkTV at 8pm tomorrow night.
      He strongly denied any wrongdoing and vowed to clear his name.
      And in Piers Morgan Uncensored, Benn also reveals he wants to sue British boxing’s governing body for loss of earnings and damage to his reputation.
      Read More on Conor Benn
      Piers asked him: “To be branded a cheat in the court of public opinion, what has that done to you?”
      Conor said: “It’s hurt me. I didn’t think I was going to make it through this period.
      “It’s hard because I feel like I was on death row for something I hadn’t even done.
      “If I had done something wrong, you know, I am human. I would raise my hands to it, ‘I made a mistake’.
      Most read in Boxing
      ‘I was sobbing most nights’
      “Whatever it is, my personal life, I raise my hands. Never this.
      “I felt like seven years of hard work and sacrifice and leaving my family, and the image I maintained, was just ruined at someone else’s incompetence. It’s been hard for the family.”
      Piers asked: “When you say you didn’t think you would make it, what did you mean?”
      Conor said: “I was taking it day by day. I didn’t think I would see another day.”
      Asked if he was feeling suicidal, Benn replied: “Yeah, I would say so.
      “And it upsets me now because I don’t know how I got so bad. I got in a really bad way.
      “If you think I’m innocent or if you don’t think I am innocent — I am innocent.”
      Conor’s nightmare began as he was about to fight Chris Eubank Jnr — the son of another boxing legend — at London’s O2 Arena last October.
      Although I had done nothing wrong, I was having night terrors, panic attacks. I was really struggling. I was in a really bad way.Conor Benn
      But the British Boxing Board of Control — BBBofC — suddenly cancelled the much-hyped bout after two tests appeared to show that undefeated welterweight Benn had traces of testosterone-altering drug clomifene in his system.
      Becoming emotional, he said: “I would never do this to my family. I would never do this to my supporters.
      “Do you think I would do this to my dad? Do you think I would do this to my son, who’s now got to grow up and look at this?
      “It’s not who I am and it killed me because I was transparent with the public my whole career from 19 years old.
      “I’m a grown man now who has worked hard over the years.”
      Since being accused, Conor and his family — including young son, Eli — have been subjected to vile abuse on social media.
      Piers asked him what had been the worst things he had read about himself in the last four months.
      Conor said: “There’s been too many. Kill yourself. Racist comments to my son, with my family.
      “Nothing in person. It’s cowardly. I don’t even think it was social media that bothers me.
      “It was more so of the shame I felt leaving the house, although I had done nothing wrong. I was having night terrors, panic attacks.
      “I was really struggling and I was coping terribly with it. I was in a really bad way.”
      Later, the boxer said: “I was sobbing most nights. I didn’t want to go to sleep because I knew what I had to wake up to.
      “You’ve got to remember this was a nightmare for me.
      “How has this happened? How have I got in this situation? My faith let me down.
      Proud Conor in church with his wife Victoria and baby son Eli in 2021Credit: INSTAGRAM/CONOR BENN
      Son Conor is hoisted by dad, boxing legend Nigel, after his 2018 Welterweight title winCredit: PA
      Conor told Piers: ‘It’s been brutal. It does feel like a witch-hunt’Credit: TALK TV
      “I felt like I didn’t understand why this had happened when I’ve done nothing but work diligently hard. I was in a dark way.”
      Benn returned adverse findings for clomifene in two samples ahead of his bout with Eubank.
      According to the World Boxing Council, there is no conclusive evidence Conor intentionally took the banned substance, which can boost testosterone levels by 50 per cent.
      But he is now awaiting the verdict of a separate investigation by BBBofC and the UK Anti-Doping Agency which will decide whether Benn will receive a ban from boxing.
      Conor told Piers: “It’s been brutal. It does feel like a witch-hunt.
      “I’ve never seen anything quite like this before in any other athlete, whether they’ve raised their hands to it or they’ve just taken a small ban.
      “I was willing to fight and prove my innocence — although there was an easy way out at the beginning in lying and saying, ‘I may have accidentally done this, I may have done this by accident’ and taken a small six month ban.
      “Instead I chose to fight this because my integrity mattered more to me.
      “I would never ever, ever raise my hands to something I ain’t done.
      “This is the first time I’ve been able to speak on this.”
      I would never do this to my family. I would never do this to my supporters. Do you think I would do this to my dad?Conor Benn
      Conor refuses to believe there were any traces of the drug in his body and told Piers the test results could have been caused by “contamination” due to mistakes in the lab.
      He said: “I’m not saying that anyone in their labs deliberately did this. I’m not saying that at all, but it may be an accident, it may be an error.
      “Why are people saying I may have needed a testosterone boost? I’m 26 years old!
      “I didn’t even know what this thing was at the time.
      “I don’t accept it was in my body, not at all. Based on independent scientists looking at the reports, based on my own scientists looking at the reports and what we found.
      “People say you may have paid for the best legal team. Damn right I paid for the best legal team, damn right I paid for the best scientists — my career is on the line.
      “My image is on the line. My name is on the line and I can’t be known for this.”
      Conor’s team of experts submitted a 270-page dossier, which he says clears his name, to the WBC.
      Last month the WBC ruled that eating too many eggs could have produced the positive drug tests — but Conor has dismissed that theory.
      He is not giving his legal team’s file to the BBBofC, which has filed seven misconduct charges against him and has the power to ban him from fighting in the UK.
      ‘My name is on the line. I can’t be known for this’
      Conor said: “My dad tore up his British boxing licence on TV in the 80s.
      “I don’t have to be licensed by the board. I don’t plan on fighting in Britain any time soon.”
      And when Piers asked what was stopping him from handing over the dossier to the UK boxing authorities, the fighter said: “My pride, the way they have dealt with this.
      Conor, who believes cheats in contact sports should be banned for life, said: “I want this to be finished and I want to resume with my career.”
      He has has asked his promoter Eddie Hearn to find him the biggest fight possible.
      The boxer would love to take on Chris Eubank Jnr next — but before he does that, that he has to clear his name.
      As he told Piers: “I was born fighting, it’s in my blood.
      Read More on The Sun
      “But this is the hardest fight I’ve ever had to face.”

      Watch Piers Morgan Uncensored weekdays on TalkTV at 8pm. Available on Sky 522, Sky Glass 508, Virgin Media 606, Freeview 237 and Freesat 217 as well as on DAB, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Samsung TV Plus, YouTube, the Talk.TV website and TalkTV iOS and Android apps.

      You’re Not AloneEVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide.
      It doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
      It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
      And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
      Yet it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
      That is why The Sun launched the You’re Not Alone campaign.
      The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
      Let’s all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You’re Not Alone.
      If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:

      CALM, www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858
      Heads Together, www.headstogether.org.uk
      Mind, www.mind.org.uk, 0300 123 3393
      Papyrus, www.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41
      Samaritans, www.samaritans.org, 116 123
      Movember, www.uk.movember.com
      Anxiety UK www.anxietyuk.org.uk, 03444 775 774 Monday-Friday 9.30am-10pm, Saturday/Sunday 10am-8pm More

    • 163 Shares169 Views

      in Soccer

      Kickaround on council pitch was banned as players didn’t complete a risk assessment

      by

      A PARK kickaround among pals was cancelled by council killjoys — as the players had not completed a risk assessment.The middle-aged mates arranged a final five-a-side match on the multi-use pitch they had used for 15 years but is now due for demolition.
      A football match in Lincolnshire has been cancelled by the council after the players refused to complete a risk assessment before the game
      They promoted the event on Facebook and were stunned when a council spoilsport spotted the post and demanded they get public liability insurance and a do a risk assessment.
      The match in Sutton-on-Sea, Lincs, was then banned when they refused.
      One organiser told The Sun: “It was supposed to be a meet-up for people who’d played on the pitch — most of them are in their 50s and 60s now.
      It was just a bit of fun — but the council got in touch and classed it as an organised event on council land.”
      READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS
      But after The Sun stepped in, East Lindsey District Council performed a swift Cruyff turn — saying there was a “misunderstanding regarding the size and nature of the event”.
      The kickaround did go ahead on Friday, but numbers were low due to late notice of its reinstatement. More