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      Former La Liga star Koke faces 16 years in prison and huge fine for ‘leading cannabis crime ring’

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      A FORMER La Liga footballer faces 16 years in prison after being accused of allegedly leading a drug trafficking ring.Sergio Contreras, 39, better known as Koke, also faces a huge fine.
      Former La Liga star Koke reportedly faces 16 years in prison
      The ex-Malaga striker has been accused of allegedly leading a drug trafficking networkCredit: Alamy
      Spanish news agency EFE report Koke is accused of leading a drug trafficking network that transported narcotics across Europe.
      And Mundo Deportivo report that he is facing a fine of £130,000.
      Koke will be one of 17 defendants when the trial gets underway at Provincial Court in Malaga next Monday.
      The others are reportedly accused of committing crimes against public health and possession of weapons.
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      Mundo Deportivo say the other defendants face sentences ranging from one year to four years and six months behind bars.
      While the same source claim cannabis was the most common drug allegedly trafficked by the group.
      The former striker came through the ranks at Spanish side Malaga, scoring on his debut for the club in 2003.
      He later had spells with the likes of Marseille, Sporting, and Houston Dynamo in the MLS.
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      He also played for clubs in Azerbaijan, Bolivia and India.
      But Koke was best known for his tenure at Greek outfit Aris, enjoying two spells with the club.
      In 2011 the striker enjoyed a brief cameo against Manchester City, coming on as a substitute in a 3-0 Europa League defeat to the Etihad outfit.
      Edin Dzeko netted twice before Yaya Toure scored a third, with Koke emerging from the bench during the second half. More

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      Spain World Cup winner buys new club… and thousands of Brits are expected to go and watch

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      DAVID VILLA has bought a Spanish football club – and thousands of Brits are expected to go and watch.The 2010 World Cup winner, 41, retired in 2020 after a short stint with Vissel Kobe in Japan.
      David Villa spent three years at Barcelona and was a key part of a successful teamCredit: AFP
      He is the new owner of Racing Club de Futbol BenidormCredit: Alamy
      But now he has turned to ownership.
      His DV7 Group – which also has New York-based Queensboro FC in its portfolio – is managed by the former forward alongside business partner Victor Onate.
      And they have teamed up to purchase Racing Club de Futbol Benidorm.
      The club – one of the two clubs formed when CF Benidorm folded in 2017 – currently play in the Preferente division and are aiming to get promoted to the fifth tier of Spanish football.
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      Villa’s offer which will see him become the majority shareholder was accepted by Jose Santiago Lopez.
      The deal is expected to be confirmed and made official with a presentation next Tuesday.
      Villa, who has academies in New York, San Diego, Tokyo and Puerto Rico, has long-term visions for the new project.
      And it could well see plenty of Brits flock to watch the team in action.
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      Benidorm is a popular holiday spot – and football fans making the trip could tie in a visit to watch Benidorm in action.
      Villa came through the academy at Sporting Gijon and had spells with Real Zaragoza and Valencia before joining Barcelona in 2010.
      In three seasons, he scored 48 goals and won eight trophies including two LaLiga crowns, the Champions League and the Club World Cup.
      The forward then joined Atletico Madrid, Melbourne City, New York City and Vissel Kobe.
      On the international stage, he earned 98 caps, managing 59 goals including crucial strikes on the way to Euro 2008 and 2010 World Cup glory. More

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      Aubameyang ‘willing to accept a minimum salary’ to end Chelsea nightmare and return to cash-strapped Barcelona

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      PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG is reportedly willing to accept a huge wage cut to return to Barcelona.The striker is under contract with Chelsea until 2024 but the Blues are believed to be open to terminating his contract.
      Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is happy to accept a massive wage cut to join BarcelonaCredit: Rex
      Aubameyang has played just 18 games since arriving from Barca for £10million last summer.
      A return of three goals has led to the 33-year-old being frozen out, and he could return to the Nou Camp at the end of the season.
      According to Sport, Aubameyang is willing to accept a minimum salary at Barcelona, who are still in financial difficulty.
      The cash-strapped club were fined £700,000 for breaching Financial Fair Play rules after exceeding salary limits for the free signings of Dani Alves and Andreas Christensen, plus Ronald Araujo’s contract extension.
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      That means they may not be able to get anywhere close to the reported £160,000 a week Aubameyang earns at Chelsea.
      But Aubameyang appears to have an affinity to the club and was warmly welcomed back into the dressing room after he watched Barca beat Real Madrid 2-1 in El Classico last week.
      He posed for photos with a delighted Ferran Torres and would likely be a welcome signing after he scored 13 goals in 23 games for the Blaugurana last season.
      Manager Xavi admitted he was sad to see Aubameyang leave after he helped his side qualify for the Champions League.
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      He said: “I feel bad because he helped us a lot. He was an example on and off the pitch.”
      Barcelona reportedly tried to re-sign the Gabon international in January but LaLiga rules prevent a player being registered three different times in one season. More

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      Mesut Ozil cried on his way to Arsenal as star admits he only left Real Madrid because of dad’s bust-up with Perez

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      MESUT OZIL has revealed that he was forced out of Real Madrid after conflict arose between club president Florentino Perez and his father.The former Germany international, 34, announced his retirement from professional football earlier this week.
      Ozil cried after leaving Real Madrid for ArsenalCredit: PA
      He enjoyed a trophy-laden career after bursting onto the scene with Schalke in 2006.
      And his impressive performances at the 2010 World Cup earned him a £13million move from Werder Bremen to Real Madrid.
      Ozil won several trophies with Los Blancos, including one La Liga title, a Copa Del Rey and a Spanish Super Cup.
      But the midfielder recently admitted that he was forced out of the Santiago Bernabeu after his agent, and father, fell out with Real Madrid president Perez.
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      He told Spanish outlet Marca: “I was very sad when I left Madrid. I remember that at the airport.
      “I had a great time for three years at Real Madrid and in this city. I was really happy.
      “But things happened. Suddenly, at the beginning of that season, I no longer had many playing minutes and a conflict arose between Mr. Florentino Pérez and my father and agent.
      “We had to look for a new club. It was hard for me.
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      “The moment the plane took off and took off, tears fell from my eyes. That was the moment I realised it was over.”
      He added: “At that time it seemed good to me, because after the conflict between my father and Mr. Pérez I was worried that I would not have playing minutes again if I did not leave.
      “So it’s hard to say. But of course, I wish we could have handled the situation at that time differently.”
      After leaving Real Madrid, Ozil joined Arsenal in a £42.5million transfer on deadline day in summer 2013.
      He lifted four FA Cups with the Gunners and established himself as one of the Premier League’s most talented midfielders.
      But after falling out-of-favour at the Emirates Stadium, he joined Fenerbahce on a free transfer in January 2021 – six months before his contract was due to expire.
      He failed to hit the same heights that he did during his time in the Premier League.
      And his contract was terminated 18 months later as a result.
      Last summer he signed for Istanbul Basaksehir on another free transfer, but he cut ties with the club earlier this week before publicly announcing his retirement. More

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      Bizarre Gavi case deepens as LaLiga REMOVE him from Barcelona squad on website and he could become free agent in July

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      BARCELONA’s dispute with LaLiga over Gavi has escalated with the league’s website removing the midfielder from Barcelona’s squad.It comes days after the registration row played out in court as the Catalan club lost their bid to register the star.
      Gavi has become wrapped into Barcelona’s financial problemsCredit: Getty
      It is feared Gavi could even become a free agent if Barcelona do not get on top of their financial issues.
      LaLiga have refused to register the 18-year-old’s new contract after Barca were deemed to have surpassed their spending limit beyond the end of the season.
      The club have repeatedly tried to have this verdict overturned.
      Now the league have removed Gavi from Barca’s squad list on their website in another sign of the deepening dispute.
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      Gavi is still able to play for Barcelona but is under a youth contract until the issue is settle
      It opens up the possibility of the Spanish club potentially having to unregister the youngster and open the door to other clubs trying to swoop for him as a free agent.
      The Nou Camp club had thought the departures of Memphis Depay and Gerard Pique would allow them to register Gavi.
      But they are now set to have to explore the option of letting more stars leave to balance the books.
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      While things off the pitch continue to be challenging, manager Xavi has managed to spark a turnaround with results.
      The dramatic win over title rivals Real Madrid just before the international break has put the side 12 points clear at the top.
      But improvement will be needed in Europe after Barcelona crashed out the Champions League group stages for the second year in a row before losing to Manchester United in the Europa League. More

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      Man Utd transfer blow as Real Madrid set to offer Camavinga new contract with eye-watering release clause

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      MANCHESTER UNITED look set to miss out on Eduardo Camavinga as Real Madrid open new contract talks with the midfielder.The 20-year-old joined Real Madrid in 2021 for £26million as a long-term replacement for Casemiro.
      Real Madrid are keen to keep Man Utd target Eduardo CamavingaCredit: AFP
      Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag has been looking to sign the star playerCredit: AP
      Madrid want a reported £115million for the six-cap French international, with United willing to break their club record to sign him.
      However, Los Blancos have made a bold move in their attempt to lock down Camavinga, which could jeopardise United chances of pinching the player.
      According to The Athletic, the Spanish team have responded to United’s moves by offering the Frenchman a potential €1billion (£874million) release clause.
      The club had also given this to Eder Militao, Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior last summer. 
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      The new release clause would make it almost impossible for Ten Hag’s team to secure Camavinga, even with the sale of the club looming.
      Camavinga has played a key role within Real Madrid, who are preparing for major changes with veteran duo Luka Modric and Toni Kroos both potentially leaving this summer.
      He has seen massive success with the Spanish club, winning both LaLiga and the Champions League in the last year.
      The midfielder also helped in France’s bid for the World Cup in December, and has just joined the national squad for their matches during this month’s break.
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      This success has made him a key target for clubs including Man Utd.
      United have also been targeting Frenkie de Jong and possibly a new goalkeeper as David De Gea’s contract runs down.
      The Red Devils have also prioritised looking for a new forward for the summer, with Harry Kane, Tammy Abraham and Victor Osimhen heavily linked with the club.
      However, if plans to sell the club fall through these manoeuvrings may end up falling through.
      Madrid face Valladolid next weekend in their next match in LaLiga, and Chelsea in the quarter-final of the Champions League on April 12. More

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      Inside Lionel Messi’s luxury £12million private jet with family names on steps, No 10 on tail, kitchen & two bathrooms

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      STEP inside Lionel Messi’s private jet.The £12million luxury plane is the perfect means of transport for the Argentine to travel, especially if he wants to haul his many trophies along for the ride.
      Lionel Messi has got a luxury planeCredit: Goal
      There are names on the steps and a No10 on the tailCredit: Goal
      The plane was forced to make an emergency landing in Brussels several years after a technical fault was reported
      It was made by a company in Argentina and designed for Paris Saint-Germain star Messi as well as his family.
      It boasts a number of incredible features, including its very own kitchen.
      There are two bathrooms and enough seats for 16 people.
      Incredibly, the chairs can also be folded up and turned into eight beds.
      Unfortunately it had to make an emergency landing in Brussels three years ago due to a technical fault.
      To top things off, the steps feature the names of Messi and his family – wife Antonela, plus children Thiago, Ciro and Mateo.
      However, the plane – which also boasts his No10 on the tail – is not owned by the superstar, instead he leases it.
      But that is sure to not bother Messi in the slightest as he continues his jet-set lifestyle.
      There are 16 chairs which can be folded into eight bedsCredit: Goal
      The private jet boasts a kitchen and two bathroomsCredit: Goal

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      The ace has rediscovered his form at PSG this season, scoring 13 goals and assisting 13 in just 23 Ligue 1 games.
      He has returned to club football after achieving his dream of winning his first-ever World Cup.
      Argentina beat France in a final for the ages last December with the game decided on penalties after a bonkers 3-3 draw after 120 minutes. More

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      Ex-Arsenal star Mesut Ozil snubbed Barcelona for Real Madrid thanks to ‘disappointing’ Pep Guardiola

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      MESUT OZIL has revealed that a “disappointing” experience with Pep Guardiola led to him snubbing Barcelona in favour of Real Madrid.The former Arsenal winger announced he is hanging up his boots at the age of 34 on Thursday.
      Mesut Ozil has blamed Pep Guardiola for him snubbing Barcelona back in 2010Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      He says Jose Mourinho went all out to get him to sign for Real MadridCredit: Getty
      Ozil decided to call time on his career midway through Turkish side Istanbul Basaksehir’s season.
      He thanked all of the clubs he played for, including the Gunners and Real Madrid, but admitted that injuries in recent months had taken their toll.
      Ozil’s retirement brings to an end a career stacked with trophies, with the playmaker once regarded as the best No10 in world football.
      Bursting onto the scene with Schalke in 2006, Ozil became a certified Bundesliga star when he joined Werder Bremen in 2008.
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      But it was his epic performances for Germany at the 2010 World Cup which secured a £13million move to Real Madrid that same summer.
      However, it could all have been very different if the then Barcelona manager Guardiola had made a bit more effort to meet him.
      Speaking to Marca about his exit from Werder Bremen, he revealed: “That was a decision between Real Madrid and Barcelona. And in the end it was not a matter of money.
      “I don’t know if this is known, but I visited Madrid and Barcelona at that time and the difference was Jose Mourinho.
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      “Mou gave me a VIP visit to Real Madrid. He took me to see the stadium and all the trophies they had won. That gave me goosebumps.
      “The visit in Barcelona was less enthusiastic and what was more disappointing is that Pep Guardiola didn’t bother to meet me.
      “Before that trip I really liked Barcelona’s style of football and I could really imagine playing with them, but Madrid went all out.
      “So Jose Mourinho was without a doubt the most important factor in my decision. After my visits, my decision was one hundred percent clear: I wanted to be a Madridista.”
      Ozil won the LaLiga crown and the Copa del Rey during his time in the Spanish capital before Arsenal came calling.
      The Gunners paid £42.5m for Ozil in 2013, with him quickly becoming an Emirates cult hero.
      Ozil ended up with 44 goals in 254 for Arsenal, winning an incredible three FA Cups in four years.
      And it was during this time that he lifted the World Cup with Germany at Brazil 2014.
      But back at Arsenal, Ozil started to find his minutes limited under Unai Emery and Mikel Arteta following Arsene Wenger’s exit.
      And Ozil eventually moved to Turkey with Fenerbahce in January 2021 after having his contract terminated.
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      Ozil lasted 18 months with the Istanbul giants before joining city rivals Basaksehir last summer.
      But he failed to score in just eight appearances for his new side before calling time on his career, last playing in a Super Lig defeat to Kayserispor on February 2.
      Mesut Ozil spent three years at the Bernabeu before joining ArsenalCredit: PA:Empics Sport More