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      in Soccer

      How ‘Fascist’ football hooligans turn Rome into ‘Stab City’ with gangland executions & knife wounds ‘as common as pizza’

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      AS JUVENTUS fans travel to their away game against Lazio today, they will do so knowing they are taking their lives into their own hands.So many supporters have been injured, maimed or killed by hooligans backing Rome’s two main Serie A clubs, the Italian capital has become known as ‘Stab City’.Rome has become known as ‘Stab City’ due to knife-wielding Lazios hooligansCredit: AlamyLazio’s Paolo Di Canio salutes supporters to celebrate a winCredit: ReutersLazio has many fascist supporters who chant anti-semitic slogans at rivalsCredit: RexKnife wounds are as commonplace as pizza and rip-off ice cream in the Eternal city, with a “puncicate” – a jab in the buttocks, designed to cause pain but not to kill –the favoured method of attack.  Assaults with weapons occur so regularly that local newspapers no longer bother reporting on them – it is only when other European teams visit that the blade menace becomes clear.As part of our new series, League of Shame, The Sun examines how football hooliganism is seeing an unwelcome resurgence across the continent – and poses a worrying threat to fans ahead of this summer’s European Championships.And Lazio ultras, who until recently operated under the Irriducibili banner – meaning The Indomitable in Italian – are amongst the most notorious in the game.READ MORE FOOTBALL FEATURESInfested with fascists and with links to organised crime, they funded their feverish displays in the Curva Nord section of the Olympic Stadium by dealing drugs and carrying out bank robberies.Author James Montague wrote a book on extreme football fans called 1312: Among the Ultras.As part of his research, he befriended Lazio capos, or leaders, as well as those with arch-rivals Roma.  In a recent interview, he said: “English football culture – especially the hooligan scene of the 1980s and 90s – was incredibly influential on Italian ultra culture.Most read in Football“Roma, Lazio, Atalanta… all credited the English style of chanting, flags and violence as influencing how they approached things. Hooligans were the ultimate symbol of being against the authorities. Like punk. Even today that culture is influential.”He added: “The ultras who are there week in week out love their club, love football, and love their players when they put in the effort on the pitch comparable to the effort the ultras put in off the pitch.Lazio and Roma fans launch flares and fireworks at each other in shocking scenes before Rome derby “It’s a myth that they don’t love football. However, I’d met several capos who had very little interest in football. To them, ultras were a gang. It might as well have been a biker gang or a graffiti crew.”Admiration for English hooligans has not discouraged Lazio ultras from targeting British footie fans – if anything, it has made their attacks worse.Stitches in back of headIn 2019, Conor Weir was one of three Celtic fans set upon while celebrating the Glasgow club’s 2-1 Europa League victory over Lazio in Rome.He returned home with three stitches in the back of his head after masked men jumped out of a car and ran up behind him at around 2.30am.Celtic fan Connor Weir was left with stitches in the back of his headCredit: SuppliedLazio ultra fans in Glasgow with banner reading “Honour to Benito Mussolini’Trouble had been brewing ever since Lazio ultras marched through Glasgow two weeks earlier, making fascist salutes in tribute to deceased Italian dictator Benito Mussolini.Green Brigade fans responded with an anti-fascist protest, erecting a banner that depicted the tyrant hanging upside down and telling ultras to “follow your leader”.Conor, 20, from Bo’ness, West Lothian, said of his Rome visit: “I wasn’t wearing a Celtic strip, just a green t-shirt, but they must have been driving round looking for people to target and I was unlucky enough to get it.“It was cowardly. They weren’t looking for a fight, just to hurt somebody and escape without getting any comeback.“It was over so fast I hardly knew what was happening until I felt a sensation in my back and I felt blood on my top.“The other three people I was with scattered in panic and I tried to run myself but they grabbed me and stabbed me before I could break free. I’m ok and I’m lucky to escape with what I did.”Spurs fan knifed in groinSpurs fan Ashley Mills was knifed in the groin and left with head injuriesIn 2012, Tottenham Hotspur supporters were also fortunate to escape alive when they were surrounded by Lazio ultras before another European game.A group of Spurs fans were drinking at the Drunken Ship pub in Rome when 50 men – their faces covered and wielding knives, baseball bats and iron bars – stormed inside and launched a frenzied assault.Ten people were injured and two Italian supporters were later charged with attempted murder.Ashley Mills, 25, was knifed in a groin artery and suffered head injuries during what was described as a racist attack.I didn’t see the guy who stabbed me – there were too many of themAshley MillsSpurs fanHis life was saved by Alberto di Giovanni, 19, a law student, who had recently done a first aid course.Speaking from his hospital, Essex builder Ashley said: “They came out of nowhere. I didn’t see the guy who stabbed me. There were too many of them.”There was no physical violence inside the stadium, but antisemitic slogans were aimed at Spurs supporters due to the club’s historic Jewish links.Fanatical far right ultras chanted “Juden Tottenham”, using the German word for Jew, and a “Free Palestine” banner was unveiled.Three black players were subjected to monkey chants during the 0-0 draw and one fan said: “We felt in fear all the time.”It was not the first time Jewish supporters had been targeted by Lazio ultras.  In October 2017, thugs covered the Olympic stadium with stickers featuring Anne Frank wearing the shirt of their rivals, AS Roma, alongside an antisemitic message.Facist leader shot deadFabrizio Piscitelli, the leader of Lazio’s Ultra fans was shot in the head and killedPolice investigate the death of the ringleader, known as DiabolikCredit: RexThe Irriducibili’s long-time leader Fabrizio Piscitelli was a self-confessed fascist with links to the Albanian mafiaHe had a criminal record for drugs trafficking – in 2016 police seized £1.7m worth of his assets – and he ran the group like a paramilitary outfit, with members dressed identically in blue jeans and the black jackets once favoured by Mussolini.The group was the first in Italy to erect huge speakers in the terraces so that one ultra could dictate all the chanting and songs. They once ran a merchandising operation that sold their “Original Fans” label at 14 outlets.Italy star Paolo Di Canio, who later played in the Premier League with West Ham, was a well-known Irriducibili ultra. However, he had to keep his involvement secret at the start of his career.Too much blood, too many banning orders, too many arrestsIrriducibili ultrasHe once said: “I kept the club in the dark about my travels. If they had known that I spent my Sundays with the Irriducibili, visiting far-flung corners of Italy, they would probably have kicked me out of the youth academy.”The ultras’ power meant that during the 1990s they were often caught on video lecturing the players like schoolchildren at Lazio’s training ground.  Piscitelli’s reign came to an end when, aged 53, he was taken out in a gangland style hit in Acqueduct park in the Cinecittà area of Rome in 2019.His ultras then disbanded, releasing a statement saying: “Too much blood, too many banning orders, too many arrests. After 33 years, we have decided to disband the group.”But the shameful scenes witnessed before Lazio’s last 16 Champions League match with Bayern Munich earlier this month showed the far-right elements are still blighting the club.  On March 4, hundreds of Lazio fans gathered in the infamous Hofbräuhaus brewery where Adolf Hitler founded the Nazi party in 1920.Viral videos later emerged that showed them chanting and performing fascist salutes.Stabbings on a weekly basisStabbings linked to football in Rome occur on a weekly basis – and often in buttocksCredit: Corbis – GettyPartizan’s supporters celebrate during the Uefa Cup soccer match between Lazio and Partizan at Rome’s Olympic stadiumCredit: AP:Associated PressJohn Foot, professor of modern Italian history at University College London and author of Calcio: A History of Italian Football, says Roma and Lazio ultras are the only groups in Italy that still use weapons.And the situation has got so bad that stabbings linked to football games occur “on a weekly basis” in the Italian capital.  He said: “People are stabbed in Rome fairly often, but it is so common that it does not make the press.“It is worse in Rome, which has a particular problem with violence and stabbing.”Alarmingly, away fans have found they are most often stabbed in the buttocks.Between 2001 and 2009, around a dozen English football supporters were attacked in this manner whilst visiting Rome.READ MORE SUN STORIESFoot added of the Lazio ultras: “Puncicate is their speciality and is mainly about hurting rival fans but not killing them.”They target the buttocks because the victim is not likely to die. These people don’t want to kill and be known as murderers, they want to show they can hurt their rivals and get away with it.”Roma fans riot with police ahead the Italian Serie A soccer match between Lazio and Roma last yearCredit: AP More

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      in Boxing

      I’d never go back in the ring like Tyson to fight YouTuber… but I’d still beat them all on chin-ups, says Barry McGuigan

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      WE had At Home With The Furys and now it is the turn of another boxing dynasty – the McGuigans.World champion Tyson Fury’s hit Netflix show brought him a legion of new fans after he let cameras into the £1.7million mansion he shares with wife Paris and their seven children.Legendary boxer Barry McGuigan and his son Shane now train the next boxing superstarsCredit: Dan CharityBarry fought Panamanian Eusebio Pedroza at Loftus Road Stadium in 1985Credit: Getty Images – GettyBarry is unimpressed with a planned fight between Jake Paul and 57-year-old Mike TysonCredit: instagram/@jakepaulFormer featherweight world champ Barry McGuigan and his brood — which includes his trainer son Shane — are to star in their own fly-on-the-wall documentary.The four-part series, Stable: The Boxing Game, starting tonight on BBC One, follows their highs and lows inside and outside the ring.And it shines a light on the family’s boxing business, plus their stable of world champion fighters.It is almost four decades since 19million people tuned in to watch Barry beat Panamanian Eusebio Pedroza at Loftus Road in 1985.READ MORE BARRY MCGUIGANBut the brutal sport has changed a lot since then. In fact, in a surprise twist, ring legend Mike Tyson is preparing to pull his gloves back on at the age of 57.The ex-world heavyweight champ, who once bit off part of rival Evander Holyfield’s ear, is to face YouTuber turned boxer Jake Paul, 27, in Texas on July 20, streamed live on Netflix.But Barry, 63, does not approve. He tells The Sun: “You can be sure money’s got something to do with it.Most read in Boxing“The governing body should be seriously badly reprimanded for that — getting a 57-year-old guy in to box. “That’s just really stupid and irresponsible. Mike Tyson selling edibles shaped like bitten ears in New York in promo push before Jake Paul fight“He shouldn’t be near a boxing ring at 57 years old.”Asked if he would ever get back into the ring himself, Boxing Hall of Fame icon Barry replies: “You must be joking, never. “It’s just irresponsible. “It’s very dangerous.”‘Floppy-haired posh boy’However, he adds with a laugh: “I can still beat most of them on chin-ups and press-ups.”We meet at the McGuigan Gym in Leyton, East London — an old-school spit-and-sawdust joint that is a million miles from the “glitz and glamour” of influencer boxing, which has created serious safety concerns.Irishman Barry says: “The problem with so many of these influencers boxing is that the general public think anybody can do it. They can’t.“That’s what annoys the professional fighters about these influencers.”Son Shane, 35, adds: “They’re trying to steal headlines in the sense, ‘OK, let’s bring in Mike Tyson’.”He says of Iron Mike, who we revealed is flogging cannabis sweets in the shape of a nibbled ear: “Because he’s done it all, it just discredits what he’s done in his career. “He’s the face of boxing.”Shane says boxing YouTubers such as American Jake Paul, whose home gym in his LA mansion includes two rings, plus Brit KSI — real name Olajide Olayinka Williams Olatunji, or “JJ” for short — can give the wrong impression of the sport to youngsters.He explains: “Jake Paul’s not going to put on his YouTube channel when he spars bad or when he feels crap and he’s upset and he’s crying or he’s frustrated. “He’s only putting on the good days. “Kids just wanna see glitz and glamour and gossip.”He continues: “This sport’s a real hard sport and you can’t fake it, you can’t just suddenly get to a world title.“You can’t just turn up one day without no training.“You’ve got to put the hours and work in and it’s brutal.”Shane is currently working with four-time European youth champ Caroline Dubois, 23Credit: Dan CharityThe McGuigans are a boxing mad family and aim to train up another world championCredit: PA:Press AssociationThe family had a bitter fallout with former star Carl Frampton, but say they have moved onCredit: ReutersBarry grew up in Clones in the Republic of Ireland, on the border of Northern Ireland, and became a unifying symbol of peace during The Troubles. At 17, he took the gold medal for Northern Ireland at the 1978 Commonwealth Games and, two years later, boxed for Ireland at the Moscow Olympics in 1980.Five years on from that, aged 24, he won the World Boxing Association featherweight title, which he defended twice before losing to Steve Cruz in 1986 in Las Vegas.He retired from professional boxing in 1989 at the young age of 28.Barry, a dad of four, admits he initially banned his kids from sparring, insisting: “I didn’t want them to go through how much pain I had to suffer over the years.”But Shane reveals how he started secretly sneaking out of his Somerset boarding school to go to a local boxing gym. The teen, who initially used his middle name as his surname so people did not know who he was, endured bullying for being a “floppy-haired posh boy”.This sport’s a real hard sport and you can’t fake it, you can’t just suddenly get to a world title. You can’t just turn up one day without no trainingShane McGuiganWhen his dad found out, instead of putting a stop to it, he offered to train the youngster. There is no denying the McGuigan name has opened doors for Shane, but it has not been easy growing up in his dad’s shadow.Recalling his amateur boxing days, he says they would be met with “tumbleweed” every time father and son turned up for sparring sessions.And opponents wanted to “take his head off” because he was Barry McGuigan’s son. Smiling at the memory, Shane says: “I enjoyed that.”That’s why I started boxing. And it’s genuinely serious character-building.”Shane has won the National Senior Novice Championship, Irish Under 21 Championship and the Ulster Senior Championship.But he chose not to turn pro like his dad because he did not want to become “a victim to boxing”.He fell into training 13 years ago after Barry left him in charge of the pads one weekend.His dad says with a laugh: “I came back and lost me job.”Asked if people thought he was some sort of nepo baby, Shane says: “Maybe at the start.” But he insists he only got his professional licence to train because Northern Irish boxer Carl Frampton, who was being coached by Barry, asked him to. Mike Tyson tipped to ‘pound Jake Paul into a mound of dust’ with brutal punches ‘like being hit by a grand piano’Under Shane, Carl, now retired, became a world champion.However, he and the McGuigans later became locked in a bitter dispute. The former two-weight world champion sued ex-manager Barry and Cyclone Promotions for alleged withheld earnings.A counter claim against Belfast boxer Carl was also launched for alleged breach of contract after their partnership came to an end in 2017. The case was settled out of court in November 2020.Carl has since said he has “a deep hatred for them now”.But Barry tells The Sun: “We’re past all that.” And Shane says matter-of-factly: “It’s just one of many fighters that’s come through this gym. “That’s literally it.”Barry’s daughter Danika McGuigan tragically died from cancer in 2019Credit: PA:Press AssociationCruierweight champ Chris Billam-Smith is one of the stars currently working with the McGuigansCredit: BBCShane, who was named Trainer of the Year for the second time by the British Boxing Board of Control earlier this month, has more than proved his worth. Barry says: “I’m very proud of what he does. “He’s one of the best in the business, anywhere in the world.”These days, Barry — who lives near Whitstable in Kent with his wife Sandra, also 63 — acts more as a mentor at the gym.‘Huge divide’During our visit, he happily chats as he folds bandages while Shane puts four-time European youth champ Caroline Dubois, 23, through her paces.World cruiserweight champ Chris Billam-Smith, 33, and Ellie Scotney, 26, who holds the International Boxing Federation super-bantamweight world title, are also in their stable. Barry’s other sons Jake, 36, and Blain, 40, are involved in the family business. His daughter Danika died from cancer in July 2019, at the age of 33.Barry says: “My daughter could tell you the four cruiserweight champions of the world when she was around, God bless her. “We’re boxing crazy.”Shane adds: “It’s one of those sports where you can’t switch off.”Tommy has been doing it a long time — before Love Island. He comes from good stock.Shane McGuiganAnd Barry responds with a laugh: “Sandra says, ‘Right, no boxing talk, we’re having our lunch’.”Meanwhile, there might be more future fighters among the McGuigans. Shane’s partner Taylor, 29, a singer, is due to give birth to their second son in May.The couple, who live in Essex, are already parents to 18-month-old Finley. Shane says: “I now realise, being a father, why he didn’t want me to box. “But if Finley chooses to box, I’ll have to let him do it.” However, Barry says: “I’ll do my best to stop him.”Celebrities are helping to raise the profile of boxing. Even Harry Styles has joined a boxing gym.And Tommy Fury — younger brother of Gypsy King Tyson, who shot to fame on Love Island in 2019 — is fast becoming one of the sport’s savviest businessmen.The 24-year-old, who featured in last year’s At Home With The Furys alongside his influencer fiancée Molly-Mae Hague, also 24, has 5.4million followers on Instagram.But Shane says: “Tommy has been doing it a long time — before Love Island. “He comes from good stock.” He adds: “Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury — they’re on phenomenal money. “But the general guys who are world champions, they’re not on crazy money. “There’s a huge divide there.”Boxing is a cut-throat business. Lawrence Okolie left the McGuigans to join new coach SugarHill Steward during the 18 months of filming.Shane says: “At one stage of the documentary, he was in the gym training with Chris Billam-Smith. “At the end they’re boxing. “It shows what boxing’s all about.”Watched by 15,000 fans in his home town of Bournemouth, underdog Billam-Smith floored Okolie last May. Barry says proudly: “Shane’s now trained nine world champions.”READ MORE SUN STORIESNo doubt, with his track record, it won’t be long until he hits an even ten.
      Double bills of Stable: The Boxing Game air on BBC One after Match of the Day tonight and Sunday. They will also be available to stream on BBC iPlayer. More

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      in Soccer

      Football-loving Evan Gershkovich is ‘thrilled’ by Arsenal tribute as family plead with Putin to free him from hellhole

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      BY rights, Arsenal fan Evan Gershkovich should be savouring the Gunners’ end-of-season title race from a comfy seat at the Emirates Stadium.Instead, he still languishes in Moscow’s grim Lefortovo Prison where Soviet tyrant Joseph Stalin once caged his enemies.Journalist Evan Gershkovich is languishing in Moscow’s grim Lefortovo PrisonCredit: APA banner is displayed in support of Evan prior to the Premier League match of his favourite team ArsenalCredit: GettyElla Milman, Danielle and Mikhail Gershkovich, mother, sister and father have put out an emotional plea, a year one from his captureCredit: AFPIt’s now a year since the brilliant young American reporter was held on trumped-up spying charges by Vladimir Putin’s regime — yet the Arsenal faithful have not forgotten one of their own.Twice this season fans have raised banners in the North Bank stand bearing his image and demanding #freeevan.His friend and fellow London-based Wall Street Journal reporter Eliot Brown told The Sun that the gesture by Gunners fans had left Evan “thrilled”.Although he is locked up with a cell mate for 23 hours a day, news of the placards filtered through via letters he is permitted to receive.READ MORE ON RUSSIAFellow Arsenal supporter Andrew Allen — who helped to organise the demonstrations — said: “The banners are a small gesture but Evan was just doing his job and he’s now living through hell.“As fellow Arsenal fans we thought we’d do our bit to keep his story in the spotlight.”Now the North Bank is planning more #freeevan protests after the innocent reporter was told by a Russian court on Tuesday that his pre-trial detention was being extended by a further three months.’Strong & resilient’Afterwards in the News UK offices in London — which the Journal’s UK bureau shares with The Sun — hundreds of sombre staff held up #istandwithEVAN posters.Most read in FootballThe 32-year-old reporter is the first US journalist to be charged with spying by Russia since the Cold War, and faces a possible 20-year prison sentence if convicted.America’s ambassador to Russia, Lynne Tracy, said he remained “strong and resilient” and added that it was “a tragedy that he is awaiting trial for a crime he did not commit”.Falsely jailed reporter Evan Gershkovich must be freed NOW after one year in Russian prisonThe bitter irony is that Evan loves Russia.He was born in Princeton, New Jersey, after his Jewish parents Mikhail and Ella had fled rising anti-Semitism in the Soviet Union.He and his elder sister Danielle grew up speaking Russian at home.At five Evan began playing football, which soon became “all-encompassing”, and Danielle said: “I remember him coming home from school and practising against the back of the garage.Bilingual skills “He would be out there and you would hear it — kick, kick, kick. I remember him being obsessed with Pele, his first big soccer idol.“Later he was into Thierry Henry, which led him to Arsenal.”Thatcher Foster, a teammate of Evan’s at youth team Princeton Spartak, said: “Football was such a big part of Evan’s identity.“Each year he would get around five different Arsenal kits.”After leaving school he became a journalist, using his bilingual skills to secure a reporter’s job on the online Moscow Times in Russia.There he bonded with colleague Pjotr Sauer over their love of Arsenal.The banners are a small gesture but Evan was just doing his job and he’s now living through hellFellow Arsenal supporter Andrew Allen Pjotr, who writes to Evan in prison to update him on their team’s fortunes, said: “Evan knew everything about Arsenal. I wasn’t expecting to meet a fellow Gunner who was an American guy.”After six years of working in Russia Evan moved to the globally-renowned Wall Street Journal in January 2022, a month before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.The journalist divided his time between London and reporting stints in Russia as the war ragedCredit: APAccredited by the Kremlin as a reporter, he divided his time between London and reporting stints in Russia as the war raged.Eliot, his colleague at the Journal’s London office, said: “We’d go out for beers and just talk about journalism and current events.“He has a million thoughts on everything. He is a fantastically talented young journalist.”But working in Moscow was becoming increasingly perilous.In July 2022, Evan tweeted: “Reporting on Russia is now a regular practice of watching people you know get locked away for years.”He assumed his phone was being tapped and he had been followed and filmed when on assignment.On March 29, 2023, Evan travelled to Yekaterinburg, nearly 900 miles east of Moscow, on a reporting trip.Constant brightnessHe was arrested at a steakhouse and led away with his head hooded.Conditions in Lefortovo prison are wretched.Evan is allowed out of his cell for just one hour a day.He usually spends it walking in one of the small courtyards on the prison roof, watched by armed guards.Cells are brightly lit, even at night.President Biden has pledged to do “whatever it takes” to bring him home, while Nato and the EU have also demanded his release.During several court appearances Evan has smiled for the cameras and looked remarkably relaxed.My brother is not a spy. He’s a journalistDanielle Gershkovich His mum Ella described one hearing in June: “We went and stood next to him, and immediately, Evan was talking and joking.“We were laughing. Russians don’t expect laughter in a court. Crying — that’s what they expect.”Evan spends his time keeping fit, reading Russian novels and answering letters from family and friends.The Arsenal results normally filter through to him two weeks late and he can watch limited match highlights on Russian TV.Pal Pjotr said: “He is very happy about how they are playing but obviously upset he can’t see for himself.”READ MORE SUN STORIESAnd sister Danielle has a heartfelt message for Putin: “My brother is not a spy. He’s a journalist.“Please, I just want him home.”Evan is allowed out of his cell for just one hour a dayCredit: AP More

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      in Soccer

      Incredible rise of new England football star Kobbie Mainoo who earns £20k a week aged just 18 – and still lives with dad

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      HE made his full England debut against Belgium at Wembley tonight and looked right at home – paving the way for selection at this summer’s Euros.But The Sun can reveal that away from the floodlights of the national stadium, 18-year-old Kobbie Mainoo leads a humble, quiet life, just like any average teenager.Kobbie Mainoo made his full debut tonight in England’s game against BelgiumCredit: GettyKobbie grins after winning the FA Youth Cup in 2022Credit: GettyThe Sun speaks to Kobbie’s first ever coach, Steve Vare, who mentored him when the star was just four years oldLocals told how the Manchester United midfielder loves eating out at Nando’s and still lives with his dad Felix in a modest £370,000 semi — in a street where some neighbours have no idea who he is.In fact, the only sign of any of the perks of Kobbie’s £20,000-a-week job is an £80,000 BMW X4 — given to him by United – along with a Mercedes A-Class which takes pride of place on the drive.Kobbie is the most talked-about young player in English football right now, with accomplished performances beyond his years culminating in a late call-up to Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions squad last week.Those who know Kobbie say he is a down-to-earth lad who “takes everything in his stride”.READ MORE KOBBIE MAINOOHis first coach, Steve Vare, who mentored him as a four-year-old at Cheadle And Gatley FC, told us: “He came from a lovely family — I used to have regular chats with his dad.“I do know Kobbie is still in ­contact with his old school friends — he hasn’t lost sight of the fact he is very grounded. “That is probably down to him coming from a loving, very stable family.”Kobbie’s parents Felix and Abena Herold — who are Ghanaian immigrants — are separated but he splits his time between their homes, which are within 30 minutes of each other.Most read in FootballAt Felix’s house in Sale, some locals do not even know who Kobbie is.Gareth Southgate presents Kobbie Mainoo, Anthony Gordon and Ezri Konsa with England caps after their debuts v BrazilThe family moved into the rented three-bedroom home around four or five years ago and Kobbie keeps himself to himself, with one neighbour saying: “I’ve got no idea who he is.”Others talk proudly about having an England star in their midst, with another saying of the young star: “I remember him going to and coming home from school in his uniform.“He was always a very smiley young boy. “I say hello to Felix when I see him. “They’re a nice family.”A third neighbour, who is a friend of the family, added: “I’ve known Kobbie and his dad for years. “Kobbie is a really nice boy from a really nice family – and he’s a really good ­footballer. “He’s going to be a star.”Kobbie is powered by grub from Nando’s — one of his favourite treats.He was recently spotted collecting a bag of food from his local branch in Altrincham, where he fist-bumped a member of staff who is a huge ­Manchester United fan.One onlooker said: “Kobbie came in on his own with his hood up, but he got recognised straight away. “He was a lovely lad and fist-bumped a ­member of staff. “He seemed really nice and down to earth.”Kobbie receives his England cap from Gareth SouthgateCredit: GettyThe star signing for Man Utd, pictured with the rest of his familyCredit: Instagram / Kobbie MainooThere was a time, before he became a United first team regular, that Kobbie was not even the most famous person in his own family.His older half-brother Jordan ­Mainoo-Hames, 29 — Felix’s son from another relationship — appeared on season five of ITV2 dating show Love Island, spending 38 days in the villa.Jordan, who has since embarked on a successful modelling career, is one of Kobbie’s biggest fans — frequently shouting about him to his 711,000 Instagram followers.When Kobbie got the England call-up, Jordan shared a snap of him and wrote: “Movin’ on up.”Kobbie, whose close family circle includes his sisters Ama and Efia, also spends time at mum Abena’s £500,000 detached three-bed home in Cheadle Hulme.Abena is a secretary of her new husband Robin’s construction firm.Kobbie is said to still regularly visit his parents’ home country of Ghana.He was quick and had a really powerful shot for a kid that ageSteve VareThe ace — full name Kobbie ­Boateng Mainoo — was born on April 19, 2005 in Stockport, Gtr Manchester, and raised in the sleepy suburb of Cheadle Hulme.Aged four, he began playing for local side Cheadle And Gatley under Steve — who quickly spotted his incredible talent.Steve said: “He was only here for about a year and he was very good for his age. “He found some things too easy. “It was obvious we needed to test and challenge him more.“In game situations, he would just run from one end to another and score, so we put in challenges — like he could only score with his weaker foot. “He was quick and had a really powerful shot for a kid that age.“He could have won a trophy for best player every week, to be honest, but I would tell him, ‘I am going to give it to someone else this week’ – and he never got upset.”Kobbie in the sun during a trip to LACredit: InstagramKobbie seated next to Daniel Gore as they headed to the US last JulyCredit: GettyKobbie playing for his school in Year 6Credit: Facebook / Cheadle And Gatley FCOver the past few weeks, Steve has been inundated with interview requests to talk about Kobbie — from media across the globe including America and Denmark.He added: “We are immensely proud of Kobbie. “He does come across as a really grounded person who just takes it all in his stride.“I am sure that he will still be the same Kobbie.”Kobbie left Cheadle And Gatley for Failsworth Dynamos before being asked to train with United and local rivals Man City.He later opted for his beloved boyhood side United, joining the club aged seven — and was regarded as one of their best talents throughout his time in the academy.Kobbie studied at Cheadle Catholic Infant School and St James’ Catholic High before moving on to Ashton-on-Mersey School under United’s scholarship programme.One source said: “Kobbie was a very bright, very well-rounded young man and he finished with good grades.”During his time playing for the Red Devils, Kobbie has won the FA Youth Cup and the club’s Jimmy Murphy Young Player Of The Year award for the 2022/23 season.He signed his first professional contract on his 17th birthday – the earliest date a player can do so — and made his first team debut in the League Cup against Charlton Athletic last January.I think he’s incredible for such a young age, with the maturity he’s shownWayne RooneyAnd he has started gaining the plaudits he deserves over the past few months from the great and good of the game thanks to some stellar performances – after his season was delayed by an injury suffered in pre-season.Kobbie has shown calmness, composure and class on the ball in some tough matches — including arguably his best game so far in the 4-3 FA Cup thriller against fierce rivals Liverpool, in front of 72,291 fans at Old Trafford.He won the Premier League’s Goal Of The Month competition in February for a sensational individual goal away at Wolves – dribbling past players with ease before bending the ball into the corner in the 97th minute of a frantic 4-3 victory.United legend Rio Ferdinand compared him to AC Milan’s great Dutch midfielder Clarence Seedorf, while Wayne Rooney has also heaped praise on him.Wayne said: “I think he’s incredible for such a young age, with the maturity he’s shown. “He always seems to make the right decisions. “He has a very bright future.”No challenge seems to faze ­Kobbie — including his 15-minute cameo for England against Brazil on Saturday, which they lost 1-0.He has settled into our group with no problems at all and he looks completely at homeGareth SouthgateIt was fitting that his debut was against Brazil, as he grew up idolising silky Samba Boy Ronaldinho.At one point during the game, Kobbie showed nimble footwork the ex-Barcelona forward would have been proud of.Ahead of tonight’s match, ­manager Gareth Southgate said of Kobbie: “We put him in the team as the game went on the other day — when it was 0-0 against Brazil.“That would suggest we would be happy to put him on the pitch at any moment.“We will be mindful of how quickly we go with a young player.READ MORE SUN STORIES“He has settled into our group with no problems at all and he looks completely at home.”Some of Kobbie’s neighbours may not know him yet — but he could well be among the names this country never forgets if Southgate’s men finally win a major tournament this summer. More

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      in Motorsport

      Meet UK’s hottest F1 star! Rebecca Donaldson dated Kardashian ex before Carlos Sainz… and he’s already talked marriage

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      CARLOS Sainz pulled off an epic comeback at the Australian Grand Prix this weekend – and no one looked prouder than his glamorous girlfriend Rebecca Donaldson.The stunning Scot, 28, cheered on the Spaniard, 29, as he cruised his Ferrari to victory in Melbourne – just two weeks after undergoing emergency surgery to remove his appendix.Rebecca Donaldson was trackside to cheer on boyfriend Carlos Sainz at the Australian Grand Prix this weekendCredit: AlamyStunning Rebecca hails from ScotlandCredit: instagram/iamrebeccadRebecca and Carlos went public with their romance last yearCredit: AlamyThe loved-up couple shared a kiss following Carlos’ win yesterday, and were spotted by fans leaving a hotel hand-in-hand this morning.Model Rebecca is becoming a regular trackside since she and Carlos began dating last summer, having been spotted at races in Japan, Austin, Singapore, Las Vegas and Bahrain.Born in Scone, Perthshire, she burst onto the modelling scene as a teenager.She won her first beauty pageant aged 17 in 2011, which saw her entered into the Top Model UK competition.READ MORE F1 FEATURESAnd she has her mum to thank; she said at the time: “My mum entered me and I was really surprised when I found out.“We had to go to rehearsals to practise catwalk type dances before going in front of four judges at the Gardyne Theatre in Dundee.”The prize saw her win, among other things, a designer outfit from Debenhams – but Rebecca has since gone on to model for major agencies and grace the covers of Vogue and Marie Claire.She also starred in a glitzy Ferrari TV advert in May last year, which could be where she met Carlos, as the couple were first spotted together in Milan in June.Most read in MotorsportIt’s thought they then enjoyed luxurious holidays together in Sardinia in August and the Bahamas in November, with both sharing separate Instagram posts.The couple were spotted hugging and kissing ahead of the Mexican GP in October.Rebecca Donaldson stars in glitzy Ferrari adAnd Carlos appeared to confirm their relationship during an interview ahead of the Las Vegas GP three weeks later – with talk even turning to marriage!When grilled by teammate Charles Leclerc over who he’d marry in Vegas, Carlos replied: “That’s a trick question. My current girlfriend.”Famous exRebecca previously dated Kardashians star Scott DisickCredit: Getty Images – GettyThe model was spotted planting a kiss on Carlos at the Mexican GP in OctoberCredit: GettyCarlos and Rebecca at the Las Vegas GPCredit: GettyCarlos was previously in a long-term relationship with Spanish journalist Isa Hernáez from 2017 until they broke up last summer.While little is known about Rebecca’s dating history, she did have a brief two-month fling with Kourtney Kardashian’s ex, Scott Disick, after meeting him on a night out.She was spotted with the American reality TV star, who featured in every season of hit series Keeping Up With The Kardashians, at the premiere of Hulu’s The Kardashians in Los Angeles in April 2022.They held hands as they posed together on the red carpet, with Rebecca looking stunning in a green tight-fitting one-shoulder gown.Scott was reportedly “smitten”, but by June they’d split, with a source telling E! News the couple parted ways “amicably”.”Although they had a short-lived romance, it was definitely serious,” the source said. “He enjoyed his time with her but realised he is not in a place to seriously date right now.”Launched business ‘from her bed’Rebecca Donaldson as a young modelCredit: Andrew Barr – The Sun GlasgowRebecca regularly shares sizzling snaps to InstagramCredit: instagram/iamrebeccadAs well as her modelling career, Rebecca is an entrepreneur, having set up her own fashion brand during the Covid-19 lockdown.She launched MUSE Activewear, which sells gym wear for women, in October 2020 and has seen her firm grow in the years since.Explaining how she came to launch the brand, she explained: “I was spending many days and hours during lockdown feeling a little purposeless. So, I decided to pursue my dream of starting a clothing brand. “I knew I wanted to create something that not only I would wear and be proud of putting my name against, but also something that was missing from the market – affordable, good quality products that are also very wearable day-to-day, as I found I struggled to find items that covered all these aspects.”I started working with my laptop in bed, but before long, I found myself feeling very lethargic as I relate my bed to sleep. “So to keep focused and productivity levels high whilst working remotely, I recommend finding a place in your home and making it a dedicated work zone.”Rebecca, who has 209K followers on Instagram, has previously admitted she’d never had a 9-5 job.READ MORE SUN STORIESIt seems she’s won over Carlos’ family, as his sisters Ana and Blanca and mum Reyes were reportedly in the crowd when Rebecca walked the runway during Madrid Fashion Week in February.And she’s certainly proving a lucky charm for Carlos, who’ll be looking to replicate his winning form in Japan in two weeks’ time.Rebecca walks the runway at the Lola Casademunt by Maite fashion show during the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week MadridCredit: GettyCarlos spent time with Rebecca while resting after undergoing his recent appendix operationCredit: BackGridGlamorous Rebecca has modelled for the likes of Vogue and Marie ClaireCredit: RexRebecca appears to be a lucky charm for CarlosCredit: instagram/iamrebeccad🏁 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix and start time this year 🏁  More

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      in Soccer

      Meet the machete-wielding football hooligan gangs who chop off each others’ HANDS in blood-soaked ‘Holy War’ derby

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      PREMIER League fans are well-aware of the dangers of going to a game given the number of thugs hell-bent on violence.  But our hooligan problem pales in comparison to the one in Poland, where wearing the wrong colours outside a stadium could lead to you being MURDERED.Football fans in PolandCredit: AlamyUltras in clouds of smoke during a Polish Cup Final in 2016Credit: AlamyA Cracovia supporter during the derby match between Wisla Krakow and Cracovia KrakowCredit: GettyAs part of our new series, League of Shame, The Sun examines how football hooliganism is seeing an unwelcome resurgence across the continent – and poses a worrying threat to fans ahead of this summer’s European Championships.Krakow has been dubbed the ‘City of Knives’ because of its 30-year long history of violence, with supporters having been killed, stabbed and mutilated outside games.The two main hooligan firms there are said to be manned by 100-strong teams of highly trained UFC fighters that refuse to drink alcohol in case it impacts their combat skills.And both gangs, supporting rival teams Wisła Krakow and MKS Cracovia, routinely carry weapons having become deeply entrenched in organised crime, according to experts. READ MORE SPORTS FEATURESThe rivalry reaches boiling point every year during the annual derby match, which has been dubbed the ‘Holy War’ as the clashes are so extreme. Professor Radoslaw Kossakowski has conducted a number of studies on football hooliganism in Poland. He told The Sun: “Krakow is definitely the most dangerous city in Poland for football fans. “If you are a normal supporter you shouldn’t – and this is really important for your safety – show your club colours, your scarf or T-shirt. Most read in Football”That could be really dangerous if you go to the wrong place in the city.“Krakow has become an island of barbarians and gangster-style hooligans. People are killed and murdered.”Fans killed and hands chopped offPub-drinking England fans are most at risk at Euros from martial arts trained football ultrasViolence took place during a match between Wisla Krakow vs CracoviaCredit: AlamyDominik Luty reportedly chopped off a rival supporter’s handCredit: SuppliedWe can reveal that Polish hooligans are now considered to be among the most violent in the world – up there with Russian ultras and those supporting clubs in Latin America, where life is notoriously cheap.  Wisla fans are nicknamed “dogs” by their rivals as the club was previously run by the hated communist police for 40 years.Cracovia, meanwhile, are known as Pasy (Stripes) or Jews because of their supposed Jewish roots, which leads to antisemitic chants being sung by far-right rivals during games.The depth of hatred between the two is bottomless. So there was little surprise when both refused to sign the 2004 ‘Poznan Pact’ which banned the use of weapons.  Krakow has become an island of barbarians and gangster-style hooligans. People are killed and murderedProfessor Radoslaw Kossakowski Shocking incidents include eight fans being killed in the build-up to the 100-year anniversary match between Wisla and MKS Cracovia in 2006.Water cannons, riot vans, choppers, dogs, and nearly 1,000 cops were on hand during the game.In 2011, members of Wisła’s ultras ‘The Sharks’ were found guilty of brutally murdering a member of a Cracovia hooligan group called ‘The Jude Gang.’Four years later, Wisla fan Dominik Luty, 22, was reported to have chopped off a rival Cracovia fan’s hand with a machete when they were both out drinking in the city.Horrified passer-by Jakub Nowak, 34, said: “I came round the corner and saw this man covered in blood. “He was unconscious and had wounds to his legs and his hand was lying a few centimetres away.”Drugs and money launderingPawel Michalsk – who once threw a knife at a football player – led a Wisla firmCredit: PoliceDino Baggio was thrown a knife at by a rival supporterCredit: AlamyDino Baggio was almost hit by the blade mid-gameCredit: YouTubeViolence erupted between fans during a Wisla Krakow versus Cracovia matchCredit: AlamyIt is the strong links with organised crime that make Polish footie thugs so much more sinister than those in the UK.Incredibly, a Wisla firm called ‘The Sharks’ once became so powerful they effectively took over the club.Operating as the SKWK fan group, they were led by 39-year-old hooligan Pawel Michalsk, who was nicknamed ‘Teddy Bear’ and was once convicted of throwing a knife at Italian star Dino Baggio’s head during a UEFA Cup tie in 1998.From 2016, the firm took up key positions on Wisla’s board as they began using the club as a base for criminal activities, laundering drug money and siphoning off legitimate funds through fake supply contracts.Players and staff were abused and intimidated and even the biggest stars went months without being paid. Attacks were organised on rival fans, with flares handed out by club bosses in the stadium toilets.Wisla’s gym was used to train hooligans in street fighting, according to reports.By the time the gang’s leaders were arrested and a new, legitimate board installed in 2019, a debt of £7.95m – or 40m zloty – had been run up, putting the club’s future at risk.Machete attackA supporter holds a flare during the Polish PKO Ekstraklasa League match between Legia Warszawa and Warta PoznanCredit: SOPA Images/LightRocket via GettA huge police crackdown followed and fighting is much less common at Polish stadiums today. Yet hooligans continue to stage organised clashes in the countryside and in abandoned warehouses.In June 2020, a Cracovia supporter was hospitalised following a machete attack by Wisła fans.The following year, a group of young Wisla hooligans was caught on video attacking a more established firm on a housing estate after accusing them of co-operating with the police.Professor Kossakowski added: “Paradoxically, stadiums in Poland are really safe. I came round the corner and saw this man covered in blood. He was unconscious and had wounds to his legs and his hand was lying a few centimetres awayJakub Nowak”We have very restrictive laws dedicated to football so if you use pyrotechnics or do something illegal you are automatically banned – so there are no fights at the stadiums now.“But they do fight in the woods and abandoned places, sometimes on the street.”Szymon Jadczak, an investigative journalist that made a TVN documentary on Krakow’s gangster hooligans, warned: “People are still afraid. The bandits have not disappeared.“You can still see their influence in the club and the city. You can still buy anti-Semitic Sharks paraphernalia at the club store!”Poland’s hooligan problem started with the fall of communism in 1989. The previous regime ruled with an iron grip that kept football’s more thuggish elements under lock and key. Deadly weapons snuck inA sound cannon – a weapon used by Polish police in their battle against brawling football hooligansCredit: London Media PressSome hardcore football fans attended the Independence Day march in Warsaw, where some participants calshed with riot policeCredit: GettyBut the switch to a capitalist system led to a breakdown of law and order that the hooligan firms took full advantage of. By the 1990s, the terraces had become a dangerous place for ordinary fans.It was common for deadly weapons to be snuck into stadiums and when fights and rioting broke out, the police would respond with brutal force.Professor Przemysław Piotrowski is from Krakow but insisted “it is better not to publish” which team he supports.He said: “I’ve been inside the crowd when policemen shot at us with rubber bullets.I’ve been inside the crowd when policemen shot at us with rubber bulletsProfessor Przemysław Piotrowski“In the 1990s, it was easy for the fans to bring wooden sticks and other potential weapons in the stadium. When they started to clash, the police would try to stop them.“There are games when the tension is very high and in Krakow with the rivalry between the two teams it can be dangerous.“Outside the stadiums there are organised clashes that can be very violent. It’s hard to say how often they happen.“Krakow is known as the place where deadly weapons are used and there have been a few deaths.“Because of their association with the old communist party, there is a tradition of not speaking to the police in Poland. “So even when a person has lost their arm and is in hospital, he will say he fell down the stairs.”The Sun reached out to Wisła Krakow and MKS Cracovia for comment. A spokesperson for Wisła Krakow said: “The dynamics within the club have undergone substantial changes since 2019, subsequent to the pivotal “rescue operation” orchestrated by Jakub Błaszczykowski – a distinguished figure in the club and national team, in his capacity as the owner, alongside Jarosław Królewski, who assumes the roles of the majority shareholder and president of Wisła Kraków.”The sustained operation of Wisła Kraków would be unfeasible without the significant dedication exhibited by its supporters, who have been instrumental in ensuring the club’s survival. “Currently, they continue to offer their support, notably through initiatives like the Socios association.”The management of the club is in the hands of esteemed individuals who are committed to preserving Wisła as an emblematic football brand. “Our operations are founded on principles of transparency and wholesome support and we play a significant role in the community by presenting positive exemplars, including to our supporters.”Our stadium has become a welcoming venue for families, individuals with disabilities, and the youth, many of whom aspire to be future Wisła Kraków players. READ MORE SUN STORIES”Wisła Kraków stands as a paragon of fair play and healthy support, categorically distancing itself from any conduct that diverges from its ethical guidelines. “Legal actions are currently in progress against individuals whose past action placed the club in a dire predicament.” More

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      in Motorsport

      Rollercoaster life of F1 rookies like Oliver Bearman who must find MILLIONS to race – only to wait tormented in wings

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      THEY’RE the young adrenaline junkies set to take over the world of Formula One – if they can hold their nerve.After impressing on his debut in Saudi Arabia, where he filled in for teammate Carlos Sainz while he underwent surgery for appendicitis, Ferrari rookie Oliver Bearman is now tipped to receive a first-team call-up for rival Haas, where he’s also a reserve driver.Oliver Bearman is considered one of the ‘hottest’ young stars in F1Credit: GettyHe placed seventh during his first F1 race, while filling in for Carlos SainzCredit: GettyThe F2 driver from Chelmsford beat seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton to finish seventh in Jeddah, and has now been tipped as one of the sport’s hottest young drivers.Oliver, who is dating glamorous TiKTok star Estelle Ogilvy, is reportedly already a millionaire at the age of 18, and can look forward to lapping up the spoils enjoyed by F1 stars if he makes the grid. But while his career appears to have gone from zero to 100mph in no time, it follows years of hard graft and sacrifice as a reserve driver. Contrary to what you might expect, the life of F2 stars is far from the glitz and glamour of a Formula 1 driver, says The Sun’s F1 correspondent Ben Hunt.READ MORE SPORT FEATURES“What they do a lot of the time is the work that the F1 drivers don’t want to do,” he explains.“Where the F1 drivers will go home to Monaco after a race, the reserve driver will go to the factory and in the simulator and try to ascertain what went right and wrong to make changes and progress.“It’s a thankless task doing all the preparation and making the car better. “You’re not driving, so it can be dispiriting. You’re not getting the chance to show what you can do.Most read in Motorsport”It’s not necessarily a glamorous life.”Here we take a deeper dive into life behind the scenes of a budding F1 star – and the pitfalls that can derail their careers.British wonderkid Oliver Bearman, 16, joins Ferrari young driver academy Cheering him the Ferrari reserve driver on is glamorous girlfriend Estelle, who’s a law studentCredit: Instagram’£9million gamble’The majority of F1 reserve drivers race in the F2 Championship and are part of a team’s young driver programme. Ben explains that they are scouted from the age of 11 – sometimes younger – from go-kart tracks. But go-karting is an expensive hobby, with costs running into tens of thousands, which is why so few racers come from working-class families.Ben says: “We’re seeing less and less stories of people from humble beginnings, like Lewis Hamilton, getting into F1.“That’s because it costs thousands and thousands to race each year, and then hundreds of thousands to do it internationally, with all the flights and accommodation.”Ben estimates it would cost a driver £9million to get into F1, which rules out most budding racers who don’t have wealthy families.But that money can come from a variety of sources. Ferrari Academy driver Oliver during his go-karting career in 2014Credit: AlamyNico Hulkenberg was reportedly paid up to $500,000 a year as a reserve driverCredit: RexBen says: “That can be made up of their parents’ money, sponsorship money, or funds from the young driver programme, which covers most of the costs.“There is also private funding through companies where a business may be asked for £2million in return for a sum from a racer’s future earnings, which could get them many more millions – but that is a gamble for the business.”Working their way up to the F1 championship is a costly endeavour, too, with junior drivers in F2 reportedly needing to stump up around £1.5million to race in competitions. This, for the majority, is covered by the owners of the racing teams.Yahoo reported F2 drivers can make between £180 and £400 per day of work. Other sites have reported they can earn tens of thousands through sponsorship. Costly endeavourAlexander Rossi, who raced for Manor Marussia in 2015Credit: AP:Associated PressIf an aspiring youngster has what it takes they may be called up to serve as an F1 reserve, where they become salaried employees, though they could take home just shy of £20,000 a year. Should an F1 team’s regular driver be forced to pull out – due to injury or sickness – they are compensated, but the sums vary depending on the team. You drink a lot of cappuccinos, and you play a lot of Candy Crush on your phone, I’m going to be honest with youAlexander RossiUnlike their first-team racing counterparts, few reserve drivers live in glamorous locations like tax haven Monaco, instead settling in the country where their F1 team is based. Alexander Rossi, a test driver for two years until 2014 at Caterham F1 and then a F1 reserve driver for Manor Marussia in 2015, admitted it is an awkward waiting game.“You drink a lot of cappuccinos, and you play a lot of Candy Crush on your phone, I’m going to be honest with you,” he told The Athletic.  He added it was “a necessary role” as it gives hopeful racers their “first foot in the door” and a taste of what being a first-team driver is like.Who are the 2024 Formula One reserve drivers?RESERVE drivers are the budding F1 stars waiting in the wings for a chance to show what they can do on the race track.
      Often they are already front-runners in the F2 Championship and, alongside racing, carry out testing and simulation work to improve the cars for racing teams.
      Here are the 2024 F1 reserve drivers:

      Red Bull – Liam Lawson
      Ferrari – Oliver Bearman, Antonio Giovinazzi and Robert Shwartzman
      McLaren – Ryo Hirakawa and Pato O’Ward
      Mercedes – Mick Schumacher and Frederik Vesti
      Aston Martin – Felipe Drugovich and Stoffel Vandoorne
      Haas – Pietro Fittipaldi and Oliver Bearman
      Williams – TBC (Development driver: Jamie Chadwick)
      Kick Sauber – Theo Pourchaire and Zane Maloney
      RB – Liam Lawson
      Alpine – Jack Doohan

      Alpine reserve driver Jack Doohan using the simulator to help improve the team’s F1 carCredit: InstagramThe F1 hopeful alongside girlfriend Ebony GoldCredit: GettyHaas’ reserve Pietro Fittipaldi acknowledged getting the opportunity to drive often meant misfortune had befallen his first-team racer palsCredit: Getty Images – GettyRossi explained they go into the weekend preparing and participating as if they are going to race the car – despite rarely receiving a call-up.Speaking of the other responsibilities, he added: “You go to all of the same briefings, you go to all the same meetings, you do the track walks, you train with the same physio, you eat the same food, you’re on the same schedule.“You just don’t get to drive. So while the guys were doing the cool things and driving, you’re sitting either in hospitality or on the pit stand, drinking your cappuccinos, playing Candy Crush.”McLaren reserve Pato O’Ward joked he was a “benchwarmer”, adding that the gig offers few thrills. “You get to jump into an F1 car from time to time, which is never a bad thing,” he said. “The rest of it is, it’s probably the worst part of the job.They can’t go out drinking or cheat on their diets. They really do have to be at the top of their gameBen Hunt, The Sun’s F1 correspondent“I know I shouldn’t be saying this, but it’s a lot of sitting down and just listening to experiences that, well, you truly aren’t experiencing. “You’re just hearing what someone else is kind of feeling.”Haas’ reserve Pietro Fittipaldi acknowledged getting the opportunity to drive often meant misfortune had befallen his first-team racer pals. “It’s for sure, strange,” he admitted. “You never want to wish anything bad on anybody, and then when something does happen, it’s like, you’re happy that there’s the opportunity, but at the end, you’re friends with the race driver.”He made his F1 debut in 2020, after his teammate Romain Grosjean cheated death in a horror crash at Bahrain.The Frenchman suffered burns on his hands and ankle when he was trapped in his burning car for 28 seconds after hitting a barrier at 120mph which ripped it in two before it burst into flames.’Absolute professionals’Reserve drivers like Mick Schumacher do ‘the work that the F1 drivers don’t want to do’Credit: Mick SchumacherThe reserve drivers have to be in ‘peak physical condition’The 24-year-old with his model girlfriend Laila HasanovicCredit: InstagramAs they could be called on to race at any moment, the reserve drivers need to remain in peak physical condition and train up to four hours a day during pre-season. Ben says: “Reserve drivers are ready-to-go professionals, so they need to be eating the right things, training a few times a week, and in peak physical condition.“That’s part of their role, so they can’t go out drinking or cheat on their diets. “They really have to be at the top of their game and are absolute professional athletes at that stage.”When it’s their time, they need to do really well. It’s like if a footballer comes on and has a stinker of a debut, that makes it hard for the manager to pick them againBen HuntWhen they hit the gym, F1 reserves aren’t looking to ‘get ripped’.Instead they need to hone a lean frame capable of withstanding the brutal conditions inside a cramped F1 car. The muscles that get the toughest workout are in their necks, which need to keep the racer’s head and helmet upright through the twists and turns on a track.Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso’s neck is reportedly so strong he can crack a walnut with it. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Ferrari’s Sainz are said to have spent time lying horizontally with weights strapped to their head to strengthen their necks for races.These exercises are coupled with plenty of running, cycling and swimming to keep them fit and lithe.Liam Lawson with Daniel Riccardo in MelbourneCredit: RexWhen they are not hard at work, some F1 reserve drivers like Liam Lawson share snaps from enviable F1 race locationsCredit: Liam LawsonThe Red Bull reserve driver with his student girlfriend Charlotte MillerCredit: Liam LawsonBen adds: “The key is really being as light as possible but they also need to be strong. “Drivers are subjected to huge G-force in the cockpit that even the best drivers ache and have sore necks.” The reserves also follow strict diet plans from nutritionists – some include eating five to six small meals a day, that are full of greens and protein with minimal carbohydrates. It can come as quite an adjustment for some future F1 stars – before reigning world champion Verstappen hit the big time, the Dutch driver would scoff McDonald’s once or twice a week while racing in F3. ‘Next best thing’Ben explains that the biggest challenge for reserves is staying focused and up to speed on all systems and processes while waiting for their chance to shine. “Reserves can be thrown in at any minute,” he explains. “Driving in F2 is very different to F1, you’re competing in a slower car, so it’s very different.”He adds: “When it’s their time, reserve drivers need to do really well.”It’s like if a footballer comes on and has a stinker of a debut, that makes it hard for the manager to pick them again. Mick Schumacher had his chance but didn’t impress massively. Mercedes took him on as a reserve driver and now the reality of him making a comeback is very slimBen Hunt“With Oliver, he came in with a good attitude, made good qualifying times and had a good race, which led to people saying he deserved to be in F1. “The key is to take the opportunity and not to stuff it up – and if you can do that, like Oliver, you will be called ‘the next best thing’.” Ben says the Ferrari reserve is likely to expand upon his £1m fortune at the end of the season.He adds: “I think he could join Haas, it will be interesting to see what he can do. On the track, he proved he was ready for F1.”Wasted opportunityIt doesn’t always work out for all reserve racers – ultimately, results are key, as Mick Schumacher found out the hard way. The son of legendary driver Michael was dropped by Haas in 2022 after failing to impress, and is now back to being a reserve driver for Mercedes and McLaren.Ben says: “Mick had his chance but didn’t impress massively. Mercedes took him on as a reserve driver, and now the reality of him making a comeback is very slim.” Others become frustrated by constantly waiting in the wings and move on to other disciplines.Former F1 reserve driver Sam Bird decided to make the jump to Formula E – the motorsport championship for electric cars.Ben says: “Sometimes F1 reserve drivers don’t make it. Sam Bird was a good driver and had good F2 form, but never got an opportunity. “He moved to Formula E and has won lots of races. He’s become a success in his own right. READ MORE SUN STORIES”He never got the chance to fulfill his F1 dream because Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg were both in the Mercedes team at the time.” While Sainz looks set to return to F1 for the Australian GP this weekend, Oliver will be ready and willing to jump in his seat should his teammate back out last minute…🏁 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix and start time this year 🏁  More

    • 263 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      Fears football hooligan ‘ultras’ who arrange brawls on dark web will spark chaos at Euros & target England fans in pubs

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      FOOTBALL fans heading to Germany for Euro 24 this summer face a resurgence in far right neo-Nazi hooligans who have been overwhelming the police across Europe.And the worst offenders come from the city with the country’s highest number of billionaires – one typically more associated with bankers than brawlers.An Eintracht Frankfurt pitch invader following a recent West Ham matchCredit: ReutersWest Ham fans were attacked in a bar in FrankfurtCredit: Twitter / @Patrick_SGE_Eintracht Frankfurt’s fans have developed such a reputation for violence that they were banned from Napoli’s stadium last year for a Champions League match.But that didn’t stop them causing mayhem in the Italian city, with their supporters throwing objects, smoke bombs and flares at riot squads, and setting fire to a police car.As part of a new series, League of Shame, The Sun examines how football hooliganism is seeing an unwelcome resurgence across the continent – and poses a worrying threat to fans ahead of this summer’s European Championships.Eintracht Frankfurt’s notorious ultras have already caused violence in London when the team played West Ham. They also brawled in Marseille in France and threw flares at Rangers fans in Seville, Spain.Read More in The SunTheir toughest troublemakers – Brigade Nassau – are said to be made up of martial artists, boxers and bouncers.Alarmingly for England fans heading over to support Gareth Southgate’s men in June, their second match is in Frankfurt.And it’s not in the stadiums where supporters are most at risk. Frankfurt yobs like to target bars where opposition supporters are drinking, get into fights at service stations and organise brawls via the dark net.If there are any disturbances the German police will not take a softly, softly approach. They use pepper spray, tear gas and batons on crowds, and have been known to charge at them on horseback.Most read in FootballFlares in the crowd during a clash between Hertha BSC Berlin and SG Dynamo DresdenCredit: Rex FeaturesEintracht Frankfurt’s toughest troublemakers – Brigade Nassau – are said to be made up of martial artists, boxers and bouncersCredit: Youtube/ KING OF THE STREETSEintracht Frankfurt fan Carsten Germann, who writes about the beautiful game in Germany, tells The Sun: “I think very many English fans will travel to Germany for the summer and it might be that there are some troubles prepared.”History of violenceCarsten, 51, knows all too well how quickly cheers can turn to terror in a large crowd.Moment Eintracht thug takes chair to the face as dashcam footage shows ultras ambush Rangers fans in SevilleHe has been an Eintracht Frankfurt fan for over four decades and was twice caught up in violence.Once, in 2002, the hooligans connected to the team tried to beat up supporters of their local rivals Mainz as they travelled to the ground.On another occasion in 1993, while watching Cologne versus Schalke 04 with his father, Carsten feared being trampled to death by police horses.He says: “We were lucky not to get injured or killed within that crowd.”Carsten believes police have done a good job of weeding out troublemakers by infiltrating hooligan gangs and getting intel about potential flare-ups.But there is evidence that the bad old days of the 1980s and 1990s, when hooliganism swept across Europe, are returning.Return of the yobsA police car was set on fire by rioting Eintracht Frankfurt fans in NaplesAn Eintracht Frankfurt yob kicks a bus in NaplesIn November there were around 200 injuries following clashes between the police and Eintracht Frankfurt fans outside the team’s Waldstadion.Stewards and police faced a hail of flares, bottles and metal barriers, with the police alleging that Brigade Nassau were involved.A couple of months earlier pepper spray was used on visiting Cologne fans in the away end at Waldstadion.In 2022, when West Ham played Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League, the Hammers supporters were attacked two nights in a row, with hooligans in face masks ambushing a pub packed with fans from London.Most of the troubles don’t take part in the stadiums, they take part in pubs, in highway stations, in parks, in open places in the city centre, you can hardly prevent that. They have appointments made via the dark net for fightsCarsten GermannIt was reported that the ultras searched the centre of the wealthy city for Englishmen in colours to attack.They also staged a mass pitch invasion after defeating West Ham and caused more trouble in Seville ahead of winning the Europa League that year.Carsten says: “There was some trouble in the second leg with West Ham in pubs, there were beatings up, smaller skirmishes in Frankfurt pubs.“Most of the troubles don’t take part in the stadiums, they take part in pubs, in highway stations, in parks, in open places in the city centre, you can hardly prevent that.“They have appointments made via the dark net for fights.”’Nazi links’One member of Brigade Nassau is a bare knuckle streetfighter called Goscha 1996, who can be seen laying into an opponent after flooring him in a warehouseCredit: Youtube/ KING OF THE STREETSWhen Eintracht Frankfurt played in Marseille, a fan performed a Nazi salute and UEFA charged the club with racist behaviour.But Brigade Nassau, who wear black T-shirts, deny being a far right organisation.There are over 500 Frankfurt Ultras, an organisation formed in 1997, taking in a notorious grouping called Inferno Bad Schwalbach. One member of Brigade Nassau is a bare knuckle streetfighter called Goscha 1996, who can be seen laying into an opponent after flooring him in a warehouse.Goscha has recently taken to professional MMA bouts in places as far away as Newcastle in England.EINTRACHT FRANKFURT’S HALL OF SHAMEThe German side’s qualification for the Europa League in 2021-22 gave their hooligans the opportunity to menace several countries.
      In the group stages 100 fans were arrested in Antwerp in Belgium for pelting the police and attacking locals in a bar.
      They went even further against West Ham, first attacking the supporters of the London side in Seville, even though they weren’t playing each other.
      The Frankfurt supporters were reported to have descended on an Irish bar in March 2022, having spotted the Hammers fans.
      Images posted on social media showed them throwing poles and glass bottles at the supporters from England. Frankfurt’s yobs had already clashed with police in nearby Betis.
      Two months later when West Ham played in Frankfurt in the second leg of the semi-final, one of their supporters ended up in hospital following an attack by 15-20 men in face masks in a bar.
      Supporters from Glasgow side Rangers were on the receiving end of similar treatment ahead of the final in Seville in May 2022. 
      Clips show them hurling chairs at Scottish fans drinking in a bar and fighting running battles in the streets.

      Most ultras don’t wish to be labelled hooligans. Instead they claim to just want to use flares, fly flags, march together and show their support for the team.One, named Sascha, claimed the Ultras draw young fans away from violence.He commented: “In the past, there were only two options as a young fan in the stadium. You could either go to the G-Block or join the hooligans. “Young people today can also join the Ultras, which is what they do. Every minute you spend working on choreography ideas is also a minute in which you don’t think about violence.”He claimed that there were less hooligans these days, but heavy handed policing led to trouble.Carsten says: “Eintracht Frankfurt is a very emotional club and it is difficult for the clubs to prevent the violence.”Lower league loutsDynamo Dresden fans clashed with police and Turkgucu Munich fans in 2021Credit: AlamyPolice break up fight between Dynamo Dresden and St Pauli fansCredit: AlamyDynamo fans set off pyrotechnics behind Dresden goalkeeper Kevin BrollCredit: AlamyThey are certainly not the only side in Germany currently wrestling with dangerous elements.In November riot police stormed into an altercation at a St Pauli game against Hannover 96, and earlier in the season police accidentally fired a live round into an empty supporter’s coach in Augsburg.Schalke 04, a big club currently in the second tier of the Bundesliga, can’t shake off their hooligans.When they played Hansa Rostock in December, the match was held up for half an hour due to Schalke yobs smashing the barrier separating opposing fans.There were also injuries following violence involving Schalke fans in 2018, 2019 and 2022.Street battlesOften it is the teams in the lower leagues that experience the worst trouble.Over in the east of the country, Dynamo Dresden and BFC Dynamo Berlin have a large ultra section that create a heady atmosphere at matches.Generally they are peaceful, but there have been street battles in the past decade.GERMAN HOOLIGANS AWAYLIKE Britain, Germany has been infected by football hooliganism since the 1980s – but it was perhaps worse in the 1990s.
      One of the most shocking incidents was during the 1998 World Cup in France, when a policeman was left with permanent brain damage following an attack by German louts.
      Two years later at the Euro 2000 tournament in Belgium, an English fan was stabbed as compatriots battled in the streets with German ones.
      It seemed to have been stamped out by intelligence led policing, but in the past few years it’s flared up again.
      In 2017 the kick-off at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium in London had to be delayed due to trouble caused by visiting fans from the German side Cologne.

      In 2016, Dynamo Dresden fans clashed with local rivals RB Leipzig, going so far as to hurl a severed bull’s head at the opposition.At a 2021 clash between Dynamo Berlin and FC Lokomotive Leipzig, 20 people were injured – and three years earlier there was a huge brawl when they took on FC Viktoria 1889 Berlin.Both teams had links with the Communist secret police, known as the Stasi, when they were part of East Germany.These days they are more likely to have Nazi associations, partly due to the rise of far right parties such as Alternative for Germany. One club in the east of the country that has been shamed by its Nazi sympathies is fourth tier side Chemnitzer FC.READ MORE SUN STORIESIn 2019 the CEO resigned after fans were allowed to hold a tribute to a far right hooligan called Thomas Haller, and the club ditched their captain Daniel Frahn after he held up a T-shirt bearing the message “support your local hools”.With players displaying that attitude the German game clearly has some work to do.A mass pitch invasion by Eintracht Frankfurt fans following Europa League winCredit: AFPMasked Dynamo Dresden fans let off flaresCredit: EPA More