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      Ex-Premier League star on trial accused of smuggling TWO TONS of cocaine as he’s called ‘major player in drugs world’

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      FORMER Premier League star Ronnie Stam has gone on trial – accused of smuggling TWO TONS of cocaine.And the former Wigan defender is also being investigated for alleged money laundering, together with four family members.Ronnie Stam is on trial accused of smuggling two tons of cocaineCredit: GettyStam was part of Wigan’s FA Cup-winning run in 2013Credit: Action Images – ReutersStam, 40, spent three top-flight seasons with the Latics.  He took part in their FA Cup-winning run in 2013, although missed their 1-0 final win over Manchester City.But Dutch police arrested him in June on suspicion of drug offences in 2021 and 2022.  He has been on remand since then.And a court in Breda on Thursday heard that Stam had been involved in trafficking 2,217 kilos of cocaine.A prosecutor told the hearing: “This case concerns hundreds of kilos of cocaine each time.Read More on Football”I contend that Stam was a major player in the drugs world.”Stam was not in court to hear the accusations.  He must appear before a judge on November 28.The player’s parents, brother and girlfriend were arrested alongside him in June under suspicion of the same offences after police reportedly cracked an encrypted messaging service.Cops later raided six homes and a camper van, finding €100,000 (£85,000) in cash.Most read in FootballThey seized the money, three properties, a yacht, three cars, six luxury watches and jewellery.Stam is the only family member still in custody.  His lawyer asked the court to provisionally release the ex-player.Dream Team Transfer Suggestions for Gameweek 4However the judge refused, voicing fears that Stam will flee to join his brother in Dubai.The footballer won the Dutch Eredivisie title with Twente under ex-England boss Steve McClaren in 2010.That helped him land a £2million move to the Premier League, where he made 73 appearances before leaving Wigan for Belgian side Standard Liege in 2013. More

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      I broke FA Cup record against Man Utd in final.. 20 years later I’m playing for non-league side in qualifying round

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      CURTIS WESTON made history against Manchester United in the 2004 FA Cup final… and is still going in non-league 20 years later.The midfielder, 37, came on for Millwall’s player-manager Dennis Wise in the 89th minute at the Millenium Stadium.Curtis Weston replaced Dennis Wise in the 2004 FA Cup finalCredit: ReutersWeston is the youngest player to appear in an FA Cup finalCredit: Phil Shephard-Lewis – The SunThe second-tier side trailed 3-0 when Weston entered the fray – and that was how it stayed.Yet despite it only being a brief appearance, he still made history as the youngest player to participate in an FA Cup final at the age of just 17 years and 119 days.It was only the second game of his career – and the record still stands today.Speaking to BBC Sport, he said: “Don’t forget I was 17, a kid, and I was going to the FA Cup final. It was a great achievement in itself to be named in the squad.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”It was only on the day of the final I was told I was going to be on the bench. I was surprised, shocked, so excited.”He added: “I spent as much time as possible warming up on the side of the pitch to soak up the atmosphere, getting close to the action because [Cristiano] Ronaldo was doing all his tricks.”More than two decades on and Weston, who still has ex-Man Utd defender Mikael Silvestre’s shirt, is yet to hang up his boots as he continues his career in the lower divisions.After leaving Millwall in 2006, he went on to play for Swindon, Leeds, Gillingham, Barnet and Chesterfield.Most read in FA CupCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSHe won the League Two play-offs with Gillingham and Conference with Barnet, before he dropped down to non-league.Brief stints at AFC Fylde and Buxton in the National League North followed.My cousin is Man Utd FA Cup hero – now he’s helping me through my injury hell so I can shine for women’s teamAnd now he is preparing to return to FA Cup qualifying with Derbyshire-based outfit Mickleover.Weston’s side will come up against Anstey Nomads in the second qualifying round on Saturday.He said: “The second qualifying round is a long, long way from the final.”But playing in the FA Cup still brings me an awful lot of pleasure.”Weston also revealed his former Millwall manager Wise recently contacted him.He added: “It’s funny because Dennis [Wise] contacted me recently on social media to see how I was doing.”It’s crazy how time flies. I know it’s 20 years ago but I remember it all like it was yesterday.” More

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      Tottenham hit with their own injury blow after Arsenal lost Odegaard as star limps off on international duty

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      YVES BISSOUMA is a doubt for the North London derby after limping off on international duty.The Tottenham midfielder, 28, was in action for Mali against Eswatini on Tuesday and netted the only goal of the game.Yves Bissouma limped out of Mali’s clash with EswatiniCredit: GettyArsenal’s Martin Odegaard picked up an injury against AustriaCredit: SplashBut he was forced off with a knock in the 65th minute after a heavy tackle and now Spurs are sweating on his fitness for Sunday’s powder-keg clash at home to Arsenal.Bissouma was handed a one-match club ban last month for filming himself inhaling nitrous oxide, so missed the season-opener at Leicester.Yet he has started both games since and netted a stunner in the 4-0 victory over Everton.The blow comes just days after Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard picked up an ankle injury while playing for Norway.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLThe Gunners’ captain will miss the derby game and could be out for at least three weeks.Meanwhile, fellow midfielder James Maddison says it is the current Spurs squad’s “duty” to end their trophy famine.Tottenham have not tasted silverware since winning the League Cup in 2008.They compete in the Europa League this term, while they have a potential banana skin of an opening Carabao Cup tie away to Coventry on Wednesday.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSSpeaking to Australian channel Optus Sport, Maddison said: “What trophy would I like to win? I’d like to win all of them!“It’s spoken about a lot in the media here and kind of a bit of a black mark against Tottenham’s name in terms of silverware.Arsenal fans raging as ‘smug’ Norway boss ‘cracks joke’ about Martin Odegaard’s devastating injury on live TV“That’s on us, that’s our duty to try to change the history of recent times and try to get our hands on silverware.“It’s not a thing that we should not talk about.“The club needs to be winning trophies of this size and with the quality that we have, we should be battling it out for trophies.“So we’ve got a good few competitions this year with the Europa League, the Carabao, the FA Cup and the Premier League.“Hopefully we can have a deep run in one of them because winning trophies is for sure the best thing about football.“When all is said and done at the end of your career, you look back on what you’ve won, I think.”James Maddison wants to end Spurs’ trophy droughtCredit: GettyHarry Kane reveals his favourite England goalsHARRY KANE is already England’s all-time record goalscorer.But the Three Lions skipper will NOT be stopping there.To mark his 100th cap for his country, Kane spoke to SunSport’s CHARLIE WYETT about some of his special England goals….FIRST ENGLAND GOAL“My debut v Lithuania. March 2015.”There was a lot of talk in the build-up to that camp because I was playing well for Spurs.“I got a great reception and within a couple of minutes I scored a goal.“I don’t think I could have dreamed it any better.“My friends and family were there. That was a really special night.”FAVOURITE ENGLAND GOAL“It’s between two, for me.“Against Germany, the one at Wembley in Euro 2020.“Also, the header against Tunisia at the World Cup in 2018.“That moment of scoring a last-minute winner at my first World Cup was special.”BEST ENGLAND GOAL“The one I scored in Poland away in a World Cup qualifier in 2021. It was from 25 yards.”(Kane picked up the ball from Kyle Walker, advanced towards goal and put his foot through it.)“It kind of drifted away and it was a good strike, probably my furthest-out goal for England.” More

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      Ralf Rangnick bluntly says ‘I was right’ about state of Man Utd two years after saying club needed ‘open heart surgery’

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      RALF RANGNICK sent out a fresh warning to Erik ten Hag after claiming he was “right” about Manchester United all along.The Red Devils have continued to struggle after the German interim boss left the club at the end of the 2021-22 season.Ralf Rangnick said it looks like he was ‘right’ about Man UnitedRangnick said he heard Ten Hag agreed with his ‘open heart surgery’ diagnosisDespite the FA Cup won in May, Man United finished eighth, a record-low, in the Premier League last term.And after splashing out £205m in the summer window, the problems have spread into the new campaign, with two defeats following their marginal opening day win over Fulham.In fact, United have won just five of their last 15 Premier League matches since their 3-1 defeat to Manchester City in March.Now former caretaker Rangnick, who replaced Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in 2021, has arrived to rub salt in the wounds, doubling down on the ‘open heart surgery’ remarks he made before his exit.He told Norwegian news outlet TV2: “I probably made that statement when the season was almost over about two years ago. “It is probably only two or three weeks since Ten Hag was asked the same thing.”Then he said that I was right in my analysis. I don’t know how many players they have signed since, but it looks like I was right.”Rangnick originally made the comments in April 2022 after United slipped to a 4-0 defeat at Anfield in one of his final matches at the helm.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe now Austrian boss said back then: “We need positive energy for the new team and the new manager.”It’s not the manager’s quality – it’s changing all the other things that have brought the club into a position we are in right now.I rebuilt Rashford’s wrecked Rolls-Royce”The good thing – one of the few – is it’s crystal clear. You don’t even need glasses to see the problems.”Now it’s only about how you can solve them. Not minor cosmetic things. This is an open heart operation. If everyone realises this has to happen and works together, it doesn’t need to take years.”It can happen within one year. Other clubs have shown it’s possible within three transfer windows.”Many United fans agreed with Rangnick and believed the club were starting to make positive steps this summer, with the overhaul of the ‘elite’ old guard in charge in senior management.United appointed Man City chief Omar Berrada as the club’s new CEO in January and Jason Wilcox as technical director in April.The owners paid a £10m compensation fee for Dan Ashworth from Newcastle, making him the new sporting director at Old Trafford.And just last week, Ashworth, 53, hired Sam Erith as performance director until the end of the season. More

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      I quit football aged 37 after scoring at Anfield… now I’m back aged 43 and chasing England legend’s FA Cup record

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      DEREK ASAMOAH has his heart set on smashing an FA Cup record jointly-held by Sir Stanley Matthews – even if he has to wait another six years when he’ll be nearly 50.The 43-year-old became a fan favourite at several EFL clubs, including Northampton, Shrewsbury and Carlisle, as well as enjoying spells in Scotland, France, Bulgaria and South Korea.Ex-Carlisle hero Derek Asamoah, pictured after scoring at Anfield, is chasing FA Cup historyCredit: AFPHe’s still banging in the goals for Haringey Borough aged 43Credit: X @d9asaHe is aiming to beat the late, great Sir Stanley Matthews’s FA Cup recordCredit: PAHis exploits were also recognised on the international stage with Ghana, with whom he scored once in four caps.But despite retiring from the professional game seven years ago, the striker is still making headlines by banging in the goals for Haringey Borough.He signed for the Isthmian League North Division outfit in the summer and has already found the net three times for them. His latest strike came in Tuesday’s 2-1 FA Cup replay victory over Brightlingsea Regent.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLEngland legend Matthews and former Manchester City man Billy Meredith both hold the distinction of being the oldest goalscorers in the competition’s history at the age of 49.But Asamoah, who famously scored for Carlisle at Liverpool in 2015, is adamant he can beat that as he told SunSport: “100 per cent I’m on their tails.“Listen, I’m really enjoying playing and plan to do so as long as possible. I’m just really loving playing football still.“I definitely feel I can still be playing in six years. Sometimes I have to pinch myself. Last week I played 90 minutes on Saturday and another 90 on Monday and I was absolutely fine the next day and up and about.Most read in FA CupFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS“This week as well I’ve got Saturday and Monday matches as well so I definitely think that if I look after myself“I’m one of the few players that doesn’t need to see a physio or get a massage before the game, I’m just ready to go.What’s new this season? “So if I keep looking after myself, eating and living right, then I don’t see any slowing down.”Asamoah quit football aged 37 and stopped playing competitively altogether until he was convinced to make a comeback.He explained: “I actually stopped playing and just took part in vets football but the manager for my vets team was also in charge of a semi-pro team.“He kept telling me ‘I need goals’ but I said that I didn’t want to do it. Eventually, he convinced me and I haven’t looked back since.”Asomah has got to fulfil one ambition by lining up alongside both of his boys, 20-year-old Zayshaun, now at Hullbridge Sports, and 21-year-old Maleace, who has just joined Wigan from Fleetwood this summer.Now as he and Boro prepare to face Witham Town at home on September 14 in the FA Cup second qualifying round, he cannot stop thinking about another potential magical moment.The striker pictured in action for Ghana against Australia back in 2008Credit: AFPAsamoah is only three wins away from possibly having the opportunity to line up against Wigan and Maleace in the first round proper.He said: “Imagine that. Oh my god. That would be an absolute dream, a miracle. I don’t think anything like that has ever happened before.“It sounds like a fairytale but it’s just three games away and anything can happen in that first round proper draw.”READ MORE SUN STORIESBut would dad still come out on top? Asamoah added: “Definitely.“I’m sure he’d say differently if we get drawn together but I always come out on top.”Derek is dreaming of facing Wigan and his son Maleace in the FA Cup first round properCredit: Wigan Athletic More

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      Man Utd legend reveals EIGHT players had to restrain him after ‘shouting match’ with Sir Alex Ferguson

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      MANCHESTER UNITED legend Paul Ince claims eight players had to restrain him during an fiery shouting match with manager Sir Alex Ferguson.Ince, 56, joined United in 1989 and spent six glittering years at Old Trafford as he won two Premier League titles, two FA Cup trophies and the 1992 League Cup.Manchester United legend Paul Ince had a fiery confrontation with Sir Alex Ferguson in 1993Credit: PA:Press AssociationInce claims he was held back by eight team-mates during his shouting match with FergusonCredit: GettyInce and Ferguson didn’t talk for 48 hours after their falloutCredit: Getty Images – GettyThe former midfielder enjoyed immense success playing under Ferguson, but the two men had a heated confrontation in 1993 after a 3-1 victory over then title rivals Norwich at Carrow Road.The ex-England international had a “decent game” but gave the ball away towards the end and the Canaries almost scored – something that didn’t go down well with Sir Alex.Fergie gave Ince his famous Hairdryer Treatment in the dressing room after the full-time whistle and the player got so furious he had to be held back by his team-mates.Ince told talkSPORT: “We had a big, big game with Norwich in 1992/93 and Norwich were going for the title.Read More on Man Utd“They were a very, very good team and I think we won the game 3-0 or 3-1, and with about five minutes to go I had the ball and I went on a little mazy run and I lost the ball, they went up the pitch and nearly scored.“I didn’t think anything of it, so we got into the changing room, all the lads are patting each other on the back and saying ‘well done’ and I’m joining in the fun and then Sir Alex comes storming through the door like Rambo and absolutely slaughtered me.“He was shouting ‘What are you doing Incey? You’re not [Diego] Maradona, get the ball and pass it to the best players!’“I’m thinking ‘Where’s this come from?’ And me being me I bit back, we’d just beat title contenders comfortably at Carrow Road and I’ve had a decent game.Most read in Football“But it was all about standards for him and doing the right things all the time and not coming away from that, and that shows the greatness of the man. But me being the character I was at the time, I bit back, started having a shouting match.”talkSPORT host Jim White then asked about previous rumours suggesting four players had to restrain Ince.England legend Paul Ince praises diversity of Euro 2024 squad – and reveals his prediction for score in Sunday’s finalThe ex-Liverpool star replied: “I thought it was eight but I’ll take four. I was having a go. I don’t think it was right, now looking back I don’t think players should confront a manager, any manager.“That was it, we got back on the coach, he didn’t speak to me, I didn’t speak to him.”Ferguson and Ince didn’t speak for 48 hours after the incident, but the Scottish mastermind ended the stalemate with a massive statement to his player, then nicknamed as The Guv’nor.Ince added: “We came back in [to training] on the Thursday and were playing head tennis and Fergie was the referee. I hadn’t spoken to him for 48 hours, hadn’t said good morning or anything.“It was first to 11, the score was 10-10 and the ball went up in the air, I did an overhead kick, the ball went right in the corner of the court and we won the game 11-10, we were jumping about celebrating.“Sir Alex shouts ‘ball was out’ but it wasn’t out, but because I wasn’t speaking to him I couldn’t say anything, it was just bubbling inside me, but because I hadn’t talked to him in 48 hours I couldn’t contest the decision and he said ‘winners them’.”READ MORE SUN STORIES“I’m walking away and all of a sudden he shouts ‘Incey!’.”I turned around and he said: ‘There’s only one Guv’nor here, son!’ and I started to laugh and after that we were speaking again and that was it. That was the greatness of the man.” More

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      BBC host Mark Chapman jokes he’s ‘glad Rod Stewart’s not beside me’ for complicated Carabao Cup draw as fans slam ‘fix’

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      FANS blasted the Carabao Cup third-round draw as a “fix” after the complicated new format was introduced by BBC host Mark Chapman.The presenter even joked that he was “glad Rod Stewart and Martin O’Neill were not beside” him before he explained the changes.Mark Chapman was tasked with explaining the new Carabao Cup formatSir Stewart, 79, became and internet sensation after delivering the  2017 the Scottish Cup draw after a “few bevvies”.Sir Stewart ballsed it up after mixing up the numbers, shouting the wrong names out and putting his thumbs up to the camera.Former Ireland boss O’Neill had his own comical gaffe for the second-round of Carabao Cup draw last season.The Northern Irishman put each team ball to his mouth when it came out of the hat thinking it was a microphone to the amusement of fans.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSChapman didn’t want any repeats of these events and needed no distractions as he made subtle digs the new-look design.Expansive changes to the Champions League and Europa League this season have sparked up the need for the revised Carabao Cup format. Two bowls were used on Wednesday night to help the six European sides avoid fixture clashes. The first bowl only included the six Prem teams playing in the Champions League and Europa League.Most read in FootballThe other 26 teams were relegated to the second part of the draw.As such the first four teams picked were from the European bowl, which meant Liverpool, Manchester City, Arsenal and Manchester United lucked out with home fixtures.How the draw was laid out before teams were selectedCredit: Sky SportsFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSIn a bid to make it a tad bit fairer, the final two games swapped so that two other European teams would be drawn away. Aston Villa and Tottenham were the last two European qualifiers left to be selected, so they face Wycombe Wanderers and Coventry City away.Smoking and vaping to be banned in pub gardens and outside football stadiumsChelsea were not included in the first “Europe” bowl as their Conference League round begins later on in the season.However, fans are horrified by the new approach but absolutely loved Chapman’s presenting skills.One fan wrote on X: “Even Mark Chapman knows this draw is a farce, he’s laughing as he’s describing it.”A second said: “Bloody love Mark Chapman. He knows this draw is wrong.”A third replied: “Chapman taking the p** out of the format is hilarious 😂.”While another noted: “The draw is biased and embarrassing. As a result of ensuring they can’t draw each other. All those teams should be away and allow the smaller teams a chance of a home giant-killing and important revenue.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe Premier League teams not in European competitions entered the Carabao Cup in the second round.Meanwhile, two additional matchweeks have been added to the calendar for the two European competitions as that is drawn on Thursday.Carabao Cup draw in fullLiverpool v West Ham UnitedManchester City v WatfordArsenal v Bolton WanderersManchester United v BarnsleyWycombe Wanderers v Aston VillaCoventry City v Tottenham HotspurWalsall v Leicester CityBrentford v Leyton OrientBlackpool v Sheffield WednesdayPreston North End v FulhamEverton v SouthamptonQueens Park Rangers v Crystal PalaceStoke City v Fleetwood TownBrighton & Hove Albion v Wolverhampton WanderersAFC Wimbledon v Newcastle UnitedChelsea v Barrow More

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      Carabao Cup third-round draw simulated with Man Utd landing horror draw but Arsenal getting easy ride

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      ARSENAL have been predicted to get an easy ride in the Carabao Cup draw.The Gunners and the other teams from the Champions League and Europa League will enter the draw in the tournament tonight.The third round draw of the Carabao Cup has been simulatedCredit: GettyArsenal could have an easy tie against WalsallCredit: GettyMan United could have a nightmare trip back to BrightonCredit: AFPThe Seagulls smashed Crawley Town 4-0 to reach the third roundCredit: GettyClubs that compete in European competitions get a bye until the third-round draws in the League Cup.This means that the likes of Aston Villa, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United and Chelsea will find out their first opponents.However, they will not be able to face each other just yet in the tournament due to new rules implemented by the EFL.The major change has been made in order to help with the European club’s fixture congestion.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe draw will be made with two bags, the first bag will include the European sides while the second will have the remaining clubs.A simulation of the draw has taken place and has sprung up some interesting ties to excite fans.Mikel Arteta’s side have been predicted to face League Two outfit at the Emirates Stadium.The Gunners’ last game against the West Midlands side came in 1983, when they actually lost 2-1 in the FA Cup.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSManchester United however have been picked for a horror tie against Brighton and Hove Albion.The Red Devils have already played against the Seagulls in the Premier League this season and lost 2-1 after a late goal from Joao Pedro.The Sun’s Shaun Custis and Martin Lipton break down the new changes for the UEFA Champions League format for 2024/25Simulated Carabao Cup drawHere is what the simulated draw of the Carabao Cup has thrown up…Arsenal vs WalsallQPR vs Aston VillaLiverpool vs Wolves or BurnleyBrighton and Hove Albion vs Manchester UnitedTottenham vs Coventry CityChelsea vs Nottingham Forest or NewcastleStoke City vs BarnsleyEverton vs BarrowSheffield Wednesday vs Bolton WanderersWest Ham or Bournemouth vs Leyton OrientFleetwood vs Wimbledon or Ipswich TownFulham vs Crystal PalaceCardiff City or Southampton vs Swansea City or Wycombe WanderersColchester or Brentford vs WatfordLeicester City vs Preston North EndAnother potential exciting tie could happen at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea could host either Nottingham Forest or Newcastle.The official draw will take place after the clash at the City Ground tonight after the match between the two Premier League sides.West Ham could have an enticing fixture against East London rivals Leyton Orient if they beat Bournemouth at the London Stadium.The League One strugglers made it through to the third round thanks to a shock win against Championship side Millwall at the Den.There could be another all Premier League clash between Fulham and Crystal Palace at Craven Cottage.The Eagles impressed in their 4-0 demolition of Norwich City, while Marco Silva’s side beat Birmingham City 2-0.READ MORE SUN STORIESThere could also be a repeat of the 1987 FA Cup final as Tottenham have been simulated to face Coventry City.Spurs last faced the Sky Blues in 2013 in the FA Cup and ran out 3-0 winners with Clint Dempsey netting a brace and Gareth Bale also on the scoresheet.Crystal Palace thumped Norwich City 4-0 in the second roundCredit: GettyIliman Ndiaye scored his first goal for Everton to knockout DoncasterCredit: GettyWho are these famous footballers? More