France Ligue 1

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

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

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

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