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    I was told I’d die or end up in jail trying to avenge my dad’s murder but football saved me – now I play for my country

    SHAMAR NICHOLSON says he was told he would die or end up in jail trying to avenge his father’s MURDER – now he is an international football star.The 46-cap Jamaica forward is currently with Ligue 1 side Clermont on loan from Spartak Moscow.
    Shamar Nicholson has opened up on his tragic childhood in JamaicaCredit: Getty
    And the boyhood Arsenal fan, 26, even held transfer talks with Watford during the summer.
    Nicholson previously played for Belgian side Charleroi after landing his first European break with Slovenians Domzale.
    But the striker has a tragic past after his dad Wayne was killed in Kingston’s notorious Trench Town ghetto.
    Speaking to So Foot, Nicholson revealed: “Football is my life. I began playing aged seven – Cesc Fabregas was my idol, as I supported Arsenal.
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    “It is thanks to football that I could escape gangs and violence. It was the only option for me.
    “When my father was killed I was at my lowest point and I quit football. He was my idol.”
    Nicholson then admitted: “My only thought was to avenge his murder. I hung around with bad guys, and thought about killing people.
    “Even before his death I was a troublemaker who looked for fights.
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    “I could easily have got a gun. My family told me I would either die or end up in prison.
    “But instead I took the sensible route of following my dream of becoming a footballer.”
    Nicholson continued to explain: “I began with Boys Town in Jamaica, playing without pay, then went to Slovenia as it was my dream to play in Europe.
    “I could have gone to play in the MLS in America, but as a kid I always watched the Premier League on TV.
    “It was tough at first in Slovenia. I would go back to my hotel after training and cry.
    “My family stopped me from doing stupid things, and they saved my life.
    “When I became a footballer I decided to give them better lives and help them out of the ghetto.  
    “I’m proud that now my mum, aunt and grandmother live in much better surroundings.” More

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    Chelsea’s Benoit Badiashile already lined up for shock transfer exit less than 12 months after £35m move from Monaco

    BENOIT BADIASHILE could leave Chelsea just a year after signing for the club, according to reports.The centre-back joined the Blues from Monaco for £35million in January 2023.
    There is interest from Lyon in Benoit BadiashileCredit: Getty
    But he could already be set for a move back to Ligue 1 with Lyon making him a “priority” target, claim Foot Mercato.
    The French giants have at least £45million to spend in next month’s transfer window and they are desperate for additions amid their shock relegation battle.
    Lyon are seven-time winners of the title but currently sit 16th – just two points off the bottom of the table.
    Therefore, they are determined to bolster their defence and Badiashile is on their radar.
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    The Frenchman has played 16 times for Chelsea, scoring one goal.
    He has struggled for minutes this season, making just five appearances due to injury problems.
    But Mauricio Pochettino will not want to lose the 22-year-old as he has now recovered and started four of the Blues’ last five Premier League games.
    Speculation suggests Badiashile is willing to fight for his place at Stamford Bridge and he has six-and-a-half years left on his contract.
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    Although Lyon are reportedly hopeful they can seal a deal due to their strong relationship with Chelsea chiefs.
    It saw the likes of Malo Gusto and Diego Moreira move between the two clubs in the summer. More

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    PSG star Letellier and family ‘kidnapped and held at knifepoint with wife hit in face during terrifying burglary’

    PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN goalkeeper Alexandre Letellier was attacked by burglars in the early hours of Tuesday morning.According to French outlet RMC, the 33-year-old, his wife and their two children were kidnapped and held at knifepoint.
    Alexandre Letellier was attacked by violent burglars in the early hours of Tuesday morningCredit: Getty
    The goalkeeper’s wife was hit in the face by the attackersCredit: Instagram @alexandre_letellier30
    The attackers then demanded money and jewellery before hitting Letellier’s wife in the face.
    However, the police were quickly able to intervene and three of the four intruders – two minors and an adult – were arrested.
    Letellier and his partner were awoken at around 2am after a security alarm was triggered.
    They immediately called the police, but the attackers had already made their way into the garden.
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    One police officer suffered an injury to the knee while at the scene.
    Three suspects – one 21-year-old and two 16-year-olds – have since been placed in custody.
    Letellier and his wife live in Yvelines, Northern France.
    They have two children aged two and six.
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    The Frenchman is currently PSG’s third-choice goalkeeper.
    He is yet to make an appearance for the Ligue 1 champions this season. More

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    Ligue 1 title winner’s home ransacked for SECOND TIME while playing match as burglars steal pair of expensive watches

    FRENCH title winner Yusuf Yazici has had his home ransacked by burglars – while on European duty.The Turkey international converted a penalty as Lille beat Klaksvik 3-0 in the Conference League on Thursday.
    Yusuf Yazici’s house was burgled while he was playing for Lille on ThursdayCredit: Reuters
    Yusuf Yazici lives with his partnerCredit: Instagram @yusufyazici
    But raiders broke into the 26-year-old’s home during the game and stole two high-value watches, clothes and leather goods.
    It was the second burglary suffered by Yazici since joining the northern French club in 2019.
    The striker helped Lille win the Ligue 1 title in 2021. He has seven goals from 21 games this season.
    Manchester United watched him play for Turkish Super Lig club Trabzonspor on 2019.
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    Meanwhile Nottingham Forest and Fulham weighed up bids for Yazici two summers ago.
    He is back at Lille following loan spells with CSKA Moscow and hometown club Trabzonspor.
    But the latest setback could prompt him to quit Les Dogues – opening the way to a Premier League move.
    Yazici has won 41 senior caps for Turkey, scoring three goals.
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    So far this season the midfielder has scored seven goals and provided one assist in 21 appearances for his club.
    Lille next face Paris Saint-Germain on Sunday. More

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    FC Nantes fan, 31, dies after ‘being stabbed by taxi driver’ after violence erupts before Nice match

    AN FC Nantes supporter was stabbed to death after violence broke out ahead of the club’s Ligue 1 fixture with Nice on Saturday.A group of Nantes supporters are understood to have attacked Nice fans who were on their way to the Stade de la Beaujoire shortly before 8pm local time.
    A Nantes fan lost their life after being stabbed to death prior to the club’s Ligue 1 fixture with Nice on SaturdayCredit: Getty
    Violence broke out between the two sets of supporters along the Cours des Cinquante-Otages, one of the main roads that leads to the Stade de la BeaujoireCredit: Getty
    The victim, 31, was reportedly a member of the club’s most notorious fan group, Brigade LoireCredit: AFP
    The victim, 31, was killed by a taxi driver after attacking his vehicle full of Nice supporters, according to French outlet Ouest.
    The report adds that cars were being shaken as they travelled along the Cours des Cinquante-Otages, one of the main roads that leads to the stadium.
    The taxi driver reportedly stabbed the victim in the back as the attack broke out between the two sets of fans outside the Saint Georges Bar near the ground.
    The assailant has now subsequently turned himself in.
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    According to Get French Football News, the Nantes fan was a member of the club’s most notorious fan group, Brigade Loire.
    It’s been reported that responders attempted to give him CPR after arriving at the scene, before transferring him to the University Hospital of Nantes where he subsequently passed away.
    Speaking to French media, Nantes public prosecutor Renaud Gaudeul said: “Shortly before 8.00pm, several vehicles carrying Nice supporters were attacked by FC Nantes supporters.
    “During these events, in circumstances which remain to be determined, a 31-year-old man, a FC Nantes supporter, collapsed.
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    “The very first forensic investigations show that the victim had a wound on his back, possibly caused by a bladed weapon.”
    Nantes have also issued a statement following the incident.
    It read: “In circumstances which are the subject of an ongoing legal investigation, the 31-year-old collapsed, hit in the back.
    “Despite the intervention of emergency services, the supporter could not be saved.
    “The Public Prosecutor’s Office has announced that an investigation into intentional homicide has been opened.
    “Numerous witness interviews are underway and will continue into the night.
    “The Club can only deplore that a person lost their life in such circumstances.”
    “FC Nantes would like to express its most sincere condolences to the victim’s family and those close to them.”
    Despite the incident, the match still went ahead as the home side recorded a 1-0 victory – inflicting Nice’s first league defeat of the season.
    However, there were muted scenes inside the stadium as news broke out.
    After the game, Nantes manager Jocelyn Gourvennec said, per Ouest: “I only found out after the match.
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    “I can’t imagine that we come to see a football match, sometimes as a family, and that we could be between life and death.
    “The players talked about it a lot in the locker room. We will pray for him.”
    Nantes ran out 1-0 winners as they ended Nice’s unbeaten start to the seasonCredit: AFP
    There were muted scenes inside the stadium following the incidentCredit: Getty More

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    PSG ‘closing in on’ transfer signing of Brazilian wonderkid with star set to reject Chelsea and Man Utd

    PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN are set to beat Premier League clubs to the signing of wonderkid Gabriel Moscardo, according to reports.The 18-year-old has been the subject of interest from both Chelsea and Manchester United.
    Gabriel Moscardo is set to join PSG instead of ChelseaCredit: Getty
    Corinthians are demanding a fee of £21m for Moscardo.
    Chelsea have already seen a £17m offer turned down by the Brazilian club.
    And Foot Mercato claim PSG now look set to beat the Blues to the signing with the club preparing to meet Corinthians’ asking price.
    Their director of football Luis Campos is ready to fly to South America to get the deal done in January.
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    Moscardo reportedly prefers a move to PSG rather than Chelsea.
    The midfielder believes he is more likely to get playing time in Paris due to the amount of options the Blues have in the centre of the pitch.
    Mauricio Pochettino has Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo, Conor Gallagher, Romeo Lavia, Lesley Ugochukwu and Carney Chukwuemeka all at his disposal.
    Chelsea would also not be able to loan Moscardo out in January as the club have already used up their maximum of seven international loan spots.
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    The teenager made 24 appearances for Corinthians in the 2023 season, which ended with the club placed 13th in Serie A.
    Moscardo has also been capped once by Brazil’s Under-23s. More

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    Italy legend Fabio Grosso SACKED a month after being left bloodied by thugs & only 7 games into job at crisis-hit Lyon

    FABIO GROSSO has been sacked as manager of Lyon.The Italy legend, who won the World Cup with the Azzuri in 2006, endured a torrid time in charge of the French giants.
    Grosso has been sacked, according to L’EquipeCredit: AFP
    He suffered horror injuries as a result on Lyon’s team bus by Marseille fansCredit: Sky Sports
    After taking over from Laurent Blanc in September, the Italian managed just one win from seven league games in charge.
    He had been managing recent games with a visibly bruised and stitched face following an attack on the Lyon team bus by Marseille fans in October.
    The Italian was lucky not to lose his eyesight after suffering a huge gash above his eye when stones thrown by hooligans shattered the team bus’ windows prior to the match.
    After returning from his injuries, Grosso recorded his first win as Lyon coach in a 1-0 victory over Rennes prior to the international break.
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    But a 2-0 defeat to Lille this weekend was judged to be the final straw by the Lyon board.
    L’Equipe report that he was dismissed by American owner John Textor following a meeting this morning.
    Despite receiving Textor’s public backing last week, Grosso’s position in the Lyon dressing room was reportedly weakened by his treatment of senior stars Alexandre Lacazette and Ryan Cherki.
    The seven-time French champions are currently rooted to the bottom of Ligue 1 and are five points off safety.
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    Pierre Sage will take interim charge of the club this weekend.
    Current favourites to take over from Grosso on a permanent basis are former Marseille coaches Jorge Sampaoli and Igor Tudor as well as former Lyon coach Bruno Genesio.
    Lyon travel to Lens this week as they look to get some crucial points on the board in their battle to stay up this season. More

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    Newcastle boost as key PSG man is subbed off with hamstring injury during crucial international clash

    MARQUINHOS was substituted at half-time with a hamstring injury during Brazil’s clash with Argentina last night.The Paris Saint-Germain star was replaced by Nino after feeling an issue.
    Marquinhos was in action for Brazil against ArgentinaCredit: Alamy
    The PSG star tussles with former team-mate Giovani Lo CelsoCredit: AFP
    Brazil went on to lose 1-0 to their fierce rivals at the Maracana, their first ever home World Cup qualifying defeat.
    After the match, Marquinhos offered an update on why he was replaced at the break.
    The 29-year-old said, as per Actu Foot: “I felt a strain on my hamstring during a play, it was painful, that’s why I came off.
    “I underwent initial examinations, and it was painful during stretching. I will undergo further tests in Paris.
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    “We have to wait. I’ll arrive in Paris on Thursday; it might be a bit tight for Monaco.
    “I don’t know how I’ll feel in a few days. I hope it’s not serious, and I can get back on the field as soon as possible.”
    Marquinhos’ injury could scarcely have come at a worst time for PSG.
    Luis Enrique’s side host high-flying Monaco in a top-of-the-table Ligue 1 clash at Parc des Princes on Friday night.
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    They are then set to welcome Newcastle in the Champions League on Tuesday.
    PSG currently sit second in Group F on six points, having been beaten 4-1 at St James’ Park earlier in the season.
    Newcastle, meanwhile, are bottom on four points having lost home and away to Borussia Dortmund – but would clamber above PSG with a win.
    Elsewhere, leaders Dortmund travel to third-placed AC Milan in a group that is all to play for going into matchday five.
    In a further blow to PSG, Warren Zaire-Emery is set to be sidelined until 2024.
    The 17-year-old wonderkid suffered an ankle injury while playing for France against Gibraltar.
    Warren Zaire-Emery suffered an ankle injury against GibraltarCredit: Getty More