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    Top footballer aged just 24 dies from heart failure after collapsing in training as club pays heartfelt tribute

    COLOMBIAN footballer Guillermo Beltran has tragically died aged 24 after collapsing in training.The Real Santa Cruz striker complained of dizziness and nausea before falling to the floor on Friday.Real Santa Cruz star Guillermo Beltran has tragically died aged 24Credit: REAL SANTA CRUZReal Santa Cruz paid tribute to their late player with a heartfelt Instagram videoCredit: Instagram / @club_realsantacruz INSTAGAM@CLUB_REALSANTACRUZClub staff desperately tried to resuscitate the forward and promptly called an ambulance after their efforts to rouse him failed. But he tragically passed away as he was being transported to the hospital.Bolivian side Real Santa Cruz announced his passing in a statement on their social media pages.It read: “Today, at 7:30 p.m., we say goodbye to our beloved player, Guillermo Denis Beltran, at the Real Santa Cruz Club headquarters.”We extend a cordial invitation to all realistic fans to join us for our final goodbye and say goodbye to our player, who left an indelible mark on our hearts and on the history of our club.”We thank you in advance for your presence and expressions of affection at this difficult time for all of us.”In another statement, the club said of Beltran: “He was much more than a talented player: he was a friend. “A teammate and an inspiration to many. Most read in FootballReal Santa Cruz confirmed Beltran’s passing in a heartfelt statementCredit: REAL SANTA CRUZ”His passion for the game and his tireless spirit will continue to be remembered and valued forever.”Real Santa Cruz director Adolfo Soria Galvarro said of the tragedy: “He was training as usual and then he collapsed.Former Turkish footballer Ersen Martin has tragically passed away aged 44″They tried to resuscitate him but he died as he was being moved to a clinic.”Real Santa Cruz posted a touching video tribute to their late player on social media, with the accompanying caption reading: “Fly high, dear friend.”Scores of fans commented, with one saying: “How sad, may the Lord give strength to his family.”Another said: “Fly high.”And another said: “Lots of strength for your family and friends, it’s a shame.”One remarked: “God give you eternal light.”Another chimed in: “What a great talent that left us, God, I have you in his glory, champion.”Bolivian Football Federation president Fernando Costa also paid tribute to the late Beltran and has vowed to launch a full investigation into his passing.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe Bolivian national team paid their respects to Beltran on Friday night with a minute’s silence before their FIFA Series match with Algeria.Beltran – who joined Real Santa Cruz last year from Paraguayan side Rubio Nu – began his career with Atletico Nacional.Bolivia and Algeria paid tribute to the late Beltran with a minute’s silence before their matchCredit: GETTY More

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    Terrifying moment 18-year-old racer crashes 590-horsepower superboat at high speed as it flips and bursts into flames

    THIS WAS the moment that two superboat racers were fortunate to escape with their lives after a terrifying crash.The shock incident occurred at Griffith in New South Wales at the Australian championships last weekend.
    Two superboat racers were lucky to escape alive after a terrifying crashCredit: 9 News Australia
    The shock incident happened in Australia when Nate Mullan, 18, flipped the boat on the last cornerCredit: 9 News Australia
    Nate Mullan, 18, and his navigator were leading their V8 Superboats Championship race when their 590-horsepower boat came off course on the last corner.
    They flipped out of the water and onto the grass with the navigator quickly managing to escape the rubble.
    However, Mullan only emerged from the upside-down boat as it became engulfed in flames.
    Terrified spectators could hear the PA commentator shout over the tannoy: “Have we got them both out? I can’t quite see.
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    “I think we have. Get the buckets, guys. Where’s some more extinguishers?”
    The superboat was completely destroyed in the crash, but Phonsy Mullan, a fellow racer and Nate’s father, was just happy to see two youngsters escape with their lives.
    He told Channel Seven: “At the end of the day the boat can be replaced. The boys can’t be. That’s the biggest thing.”
    He later provided an update on social media, writing on Facebook: “We certainly had a mixed fortune of events on the weekend Racing.
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    “Ultimately all are ok with some mild concussion symptoms and neck injuries (Navi copped some groin treatment).
    “While Myself and Bastian had wins Nate nearly pulled off a win but ran off the track in the last corner.
    West Ham fans delayed getting to Craven Cottage for Fulham clash as boat CRASHES into Hammersmith Bridge
    “A reasonable impact but only a 4-5K damage. That was until a fire started and that burnt the boat down to the ground. A total loss.”
    The team is now looking to try and get a replacement boat in time for the next race, which is less than a month away.
    Nate and his brother Bastian have created a GoFundMe page in order to try and raise the targeted £41,120.
    And that also provided more details about the scary accident.
    They wrote in the description of the page: “Thankfully both driver and navigator are ok but if they did not get themselves out of the boat in the seconds they had , they would not have been here to tell the story.”
    The two escaped the upside down boat as it burst in to flamesCredit: GoFundMe More

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    Bizarre Uefa rule that meant England couldn’t draw Kazakhstan in the Nations League as fans say ‘we’ve been robbed’

    ENGLAND have been “robbed” of drawing Kazakhstan in their Uefa Nations League group, due to a little-known rule.England had already been drawn with Finland and Ireland in group 2, with Kazakhstan the next name to come out of the hat.
    Kazakhstan were the next team out of the hat for Group TwoCredit: UEFA
    But they were drawn in Group Three insteadCredit: UEFA
    But a rule that limits the distance Kazakhstan have to travel in Uefa competitions means they could not be put in a group with England and Ireland.
    Prior to the draw, it was agreed that Kazakhstan could only be drawn in a group with only one of England, Ireland and Wales.
    England were given Greece instead as the third team in B2.
    That saw Kazakhstan put into Group three instead, alongside Austria, Norway and Slovenia.
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    Fans on X (formerly known as Twitter) spoke of how they’d been robbed of the opportunity to travel to Kazakhstan.
    One fan wrote: “We’ve been robbed of getting Kazakhstan away. I’m in hysterics.”
    Another fan wrote: “Kazakhstan… The one that got away.”
    A third wrote: “3 new country ticks but its not the Kazakhstan draw I wanted..”
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    While a fourth travelling England fan said: “Sadly no Kazakhstan away for us.”
    As replacements go, Greece isn’t a bad replacement, however.
    How does Gareth Southgate solve Phil Foden dilemma, with Jack Grealish possibly missing out on Euro 2024
    Fans will be travelling to Athens, where the team play in the Olympic Stadium.
    England have played Kazakhstan twice before in their history after being drawn in the same qualification group as them for the 2010 World Cup.
    England won the fixture at Wembley 5-1 in 2008 before thrashing them 4-0 in the away tie. More

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    Premier League star Mario Lemina heartbroken after death of his dad as Wolves team-mates honour him in Everton game

    WOLVES paid tribute to Mario Lemina’s dad following the announcement of his tragic death this afternoon.The club broke the heartbreaking news on social media today.
    Wolves players held up Mario Lemina’s shirt during their match against EvertonCredit: Reuters
    The midfielder paid tribute to his dad on SundayCredit: Getty
    A statement read: “Our hearts go out to Mario Lemina after the passing of his father yesterday morning.
    “The whole pack send their love and sympathy to Mario and his family.
    “Mario’s teammates will wear black armbands today in honour of his father’s memory.”
    Wolves faced Everton in the Premier League this afternoon and paid tribute to Lemina’s dad by wearing black armbands and holding up the midfielder’s shirt during the game.
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    In response to the news, a tweet from the Toffees read: “Incredibly sad news. Our thoughts are with Mario and his family during this time.”
    Lemina dedicated his goal and man-of-the-match performance against Chelsea to his dad on Christmas Eve.
    In a post-match interview, the midfielder revealed that his father was in hospital surrounded by family.
    He told Sky Sports: “By the way I wanted to pass a message to my dad. He is in hospital, for two months now.
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    “He is struggling a lot and my family are around him now. I wanted to be with him, but I need to do my work. Dad – Keep pushing! We are all together.”
    Lemina travelled to France after Sunday’s game to be with his dad over the Christmas period.
    Wolves boss Gary O’Neil revealed on Friday that he was attending a “family issue”.
    O’Neil said: “Mario has gone back to France to attend a family issue, I don’t want to speak about it too much as it’s not my place.
    “Mario didn’t train today and that’s all I can say on it.
    “Around tomorrow it’s too early to say, my only thoughts are with Mario and what he needs at this moment.
    “Some things are more important than football matches.”
    Wolves currently sit 11th in the Premier League table with 25 points from 19 games. More

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    FA speak to Man Utd star Garnacho after he posts then deletes ‘controversial’ message about Onana

    MANCHESTER Utd star Alejandro Garnacho is being spoken to by the FA over deleted social media messages about team-mate Andre Onana, it’s understood.Onana had spared United’s blushes with a match-winning penalty save against FC Copenhagen in their Champions League group stage match on Wednesday night.
    Alejandro Garnacho could be in hot water after posting a now-deleted social media postCredit: Getty
    Garnacho posted a snap of his teammates celebrating with keeper Andre OnanaCredit: Alamy
    A post uploaded by Garnacho with two gorilla emojis was swiftly deletedCredit: Instagram
    And the young Argentine posted a snap of himself and other United players celebrating Onana’s heroics on Twitter – including two gorilla emojis.
    Despite swiftly editing then deleting the post, the FA were alerted to it and have since liaised with the 19-year-old winger to investigate the matter.
    And while there is no suggestion of racism behind the message, it is likely the athlete will be hit with a suspension if the Football Association adopt the same approach they have in the past.
    Previously, the FA has punished footballers over other controversial social media postings that were viewed as offensive – even if the meaning was unintended.
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    But Onana has since taken to social media to defend his young teammate.
    Over two Instagram stories, he wrote: “People cannot choose what I should be offended by.
    “I know exactly what @garnacho7 meant: power and strength.
    “This matter should go no further.”
    Most read in Football
    Garnacho has also shared Onana’s defence of him on his own Instagram.
    In 2020, then-United striker Edinson Cavani was suspended for three games for writing “Gracias Negrito” to a friend – with an FA commission finding it a racial term.
    The Uruguay striker asserted that the message “was intended as an affectionate greeting to a friend” following an apology.
    Cavani was slapped with a £100,000 fine and made to complete face-to-face education.
    The previous year, Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva picked up a one-match ban and £50,000 fine for posting the image of the popular Conguitos chocolate bar, which has long been accused of racist undertones.
    And while the swiftness of the post’s deletion and Garnacho’s youth will be factors taken into account, he may yet be made to pay for a moment’s unintentional foolishness.

    The FA are aware of the post in question and have sought Garnacho’s observations on it.
    The Sun has approached Manchester United for comment.
    Onana took to Instagram to defend his teammateCredit: Instagram
    The stalwart keeper urged the FA not to punish GarnachoCredit: Instagram
    Garnacho shared the goalkeeper’s defence of his postCredit: Instagram
    The winger is expected to receive the same treatment other players haveCredit: Reuters More

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    Fans say Trent Alexander-Arnold’s ‘payback game is STRONG’ as he responds to James Maddison’s cheeky ‘replay’ post

    FANS have praised Trent Alexander Arnold’s comeback to James Maddison’s cheeky Instagram post this week.Maddison uploaded a picture of the two together on England duty ahead of the games against Australia and Italy, with the caption: “Still asking for a replay” alongside some bored looking emojis.
    Trent provided a cheeky comeback to James MaddisonCredit: Youtube – Channel 4
    Maddison had said Trent was still asking for a replayCredit: Rex
    The offending post in question
    The post referred to when Liverpool had a Luis Diaz goal wrongly ruled out for offside after a VAR mishap at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium.
    Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp then said ahead of his side’s Europa League clash with Union Saint-Gilloise that replaying the game would be a fair outcome.
    The manager said: “I say this not as manager of Liverpool but as a football person – I think the only outcome should be a replay. Probably will not happen.”
    Fans online delighted in Maddison’s trolling of the Liverpool right-back, but Trent managed to get his own dig back at Maddison when doing media work for Channel 4.

    He was asked what exactly the two were talking about in the picture and said: “Nah, he was asking me how to teach him how to put a free-kick in the top corner.
    “I just showed him the video of when I scored at Leicester last year and they got relegated, so.”
    Trent couldn’t hide his amusement after as he burst into laughter.
    One fan on X posted in response to the video: “Maddison, you brought this on yourself.
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    “Trent’s payback game is STRONG.”
    Another wrote: “Trent is funny asf.”
    A third posted: “Maddison should hold!! Trent is a savage man.”
    While a fourth wrote: “Trent cooked him.” More

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    Yobs who taunted Sunderland fans with pic of Bradley Lowery are brothers – as mum slams ‘low lifes’ and cops open probe

    THE vile football yobs who taunted Sunderland fans with a picture of Bradley Lowery are brothers, it has been revealed.Little Bradley captured the nation’s heart during his battle with cancer, but tragically died aged just six in 2017.
    Vile fans held up a photo of late Sunderland fan Bradley Lowery last nightCredit: Twitter/@sheffield wednesday
    His mum has now shared her heartbreak on FacebookCredit: Getty – Contributor
    Dale’s (pictured) former employer JRI Orthopaedics condemned his actionsCredit: Facebook
    The two yobs were brothers Dale and Drew Houghton (pictured)Credit: Facebook
    He was a mascot for his beloved Sunderland and, in the months before his death, led England out at Wembley alongside his hero – former Black Cats striker Jermain Defoe.
    Pictures circulated on X, formerly Twitter, showing two men laughing at the Sheffield Wednesday v Sunderland match at Hillsborough on Friday, with one of them holding up a picture of Bradley to the camera.
    It has now emerged the two yobs were brothers Dale and Drew Houghton.
    Dale’s former employer JRI Orthopaedics condemned his actions and claimed he “has not been employed” there for “some time”.
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    A full statement read: “JRI want to make clear that we do not condone the posts and images that has caused so much upset to so many people.
    “We wish to confirm that Dale Houghton is an ex-employee of JRI Orthopaedics and has not been employed by the business for some time.”
    In a post on Facebook, the Bradley Lowery Foundation, a charity set up by the boy’s mother Gemma, said: “This is so sad for me to see – whatever happened to ‘cancer has no colours’, let alone respect for a family that lost their baby to cancer?”
    A statement from the family read: “Today has not been the Saturday I was expecting, after receiving multiple calls and messages regarding a photo circulating on social media.
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    “I have received a visit from the Durham Police to check that I am ok, and they have notified myself and Carl that Yorkshire police are now dealing with the situation and taking it very serious.
    “Understandably people are angry, if I wasn’t so upset I’d be angry to.
    “Bradley was and still is well loved in the football community, which I’m enternaly [sic] grateful for, but i must ask that everyone lets the police do their job, and deal with the low lives.
    “I want to thank Sheffield Wednesday, for their quick condemnation, and the support their fans have shown.
    “Like we always say, CANCER HAS NO COLOURS, and as we all know it can affect anyone at any time.
    “Thank you all for your kind words, it has really helped and let’s do what we do best at the Bradley Lowery Foundation and turn this negative into a positive. Let’s share this beautiful iconic photo.”
    A spokesperson for Sheffield Wednesday described their actions as “outrageous and deplorable” on X, while South Yorkshire Police said it was working with the club to identify the men.
    A spokesman for the force said: “We are working to investigate public order offences following the Sheffield Wednesday V Sunderland fixture yesterday.
    “We will be working with the club to identity those responsible.
    “Anyone with information is asked to get in touch online or by calling 101.”
    Sheffield Wednesday said in a statement: “We are aware of the images circulating and have launched an immediate investigation together with South Yorkshire Police.
    “We roundly condemn this outrageous and utterly deplorable behaviour.
    “We can only apologise for the undoubted distress caused to Bradley’s family and friends.”
    Young Bradley was a regular Sunderland mascot, holding the hand of his idol Defoe.
    In June 2017, he penned an emotional tribute to his “best pal” Bradley – saying his favourite part of playing for Sunderland was walking onto the pitch with the brave youngster.
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    Defoe said he was heartbroken when he discovered the brave child could only have weeks to live.
    In the wake of Bradley’s death social media became flooded with messages filled with blue heart emojis in a show of support for him.
    Bradley struck up a friendship with Jermain Defoe when he played for the clubCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    JRI claimed he ‘has not been employed’ there for ‘some time’Credit: Facebook/JRI Orthopaedics
    Fans have now called for the vile pair to be banned
    The football-mad six-year-old captured the hearts of BritsCredit: Twiter / @Sheffield wednesday More

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    £97m Chelsea flop Mykhailo Mudryk benched by Ukraine for huge Euro 2024 qualifying clash

    UKRAINE benched Chelsea flop Mykhailo Mudryk for Tuesday’s vital Euro 2024 qualifier away to Italy.The £97million winger was taken off in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with England.
    Mykhailo Mudryk was reduced to a sub role for Tuesday’s vital qualifierCredit: Rex
    Mudryk has failed to impress Mauricio Pochettino since the ex-Spurs chief took over as Stamford Bridge manager in the summer.
    Now the ex-Shakhtar Donetsk star has been axed by his national team.
    Ukraine went into the clash at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza three points ahead of Italy, who have a game in hand.
    England top Group C on 13 points from five matches, with the Ukrainians second on seven from four games.
    READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS
    Not surprisingly, huge national hero Oleksandr Zinchenko stays in at left-back after shocking England by firing the opener at the weekend.
    The Arsenal ace, 26, was given a massive reception when he was replaced after 76 minutes, with Mudryk following him off just before stoppage time.
    The 22-year-old cost Chelsea an initial £62m back in January.
    And the cruel joke around the club is that all the add-ons in the transfer fee will take ages to be paid.
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    After spluttering last term, Mudryk has again been a bit-part player this season, now under Pochettino.
    Ukraine legend and ex-Chelsea attacker Andriy Shevchenko has tried to help Mudryk during the 46-year-old’s regular visits to London. More