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      in Soccer

      Sven-Göran Eriksson gave me blank cheque after romp but I never cashed it even when he left me high & dry, says Ulrika

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      WHEN I look at Sven-Goran Eriksson now, I see a much diminished man. A man reduced by terminal illness, but also a man who, by his own admission, has had a good life.As The Sun told yesterday, he talks about his private life on his Amazon Prime film Sven, including his affair with me.Ulrika Jonsson opens up on her time with Sven-Göran ErikssonCredit: Scope FeaturesUlrika says: ‘I was single at the time and he confided that he wanted to end his relationship with Nancy Dell’Olio because it was sapping him of energy’Credit: Rex FeaturesAfter a night together, Sven popped a blank check in Ulrika’s pocket when she was not lookingWe first met in 2002, when I asked him for his autograph at a party held by Alastair Campbell, Tony Blair’s spin doctor.He replied to me in our native language, Swedish, asking for my telephone number so he could call me. I was single at the time and 34. He was 54 and confided that he wanted to end his relationship with Nancy Dell’Olio because it was sapping him of energy.He then proceeded to call me every day when he went on holiday with Nancy, telling me I was beautiful and how much he wanted to see me.READ MORE ON SVENWhen he returned, the day after his 54th birthday, he visited me and we slept together.This was no great passionate affair. It was devoid of passion. He had all this power and money, yet he was the weakest man I have ever met.During our dalliance he was heading to his place in Portugal for the night between England games and asked me to join him.He said I should book myself on his flight and he would reimburse me. I said no way, I pay my own way — I’ve never taken money from a man.Most read in Football‘Pawns in a game’It was a point of principle.We met in the Club Lounge at Heathrow, pretending we had just met, and sat next to each other on the flight, almost giggling all the way.Legendary ex-England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson kept terminal pancreas cancer secret for a year to enjoy time with familyThen we spent the night at his place, where his housekeepers cooked us a meal.The following morning we left for the airport together and, in the car, he put a blank cheque from Coutts in my pocket when I wasn’t looking.He presented me with a blank cheque which he put in my pocket when I wasn’t lookingI keep it for posterity. But it might have been nice to fill it out at some point for all the hassle he brought me!When news of our affair broke, he didn’t confirm what went on between us. This meant I was left high and dry, even to the point that people believed I had made it up to get Press attention.That really angered me.I was an independent, working woman who did not voluntarily need to create a drama around my life for attention.He says in his documentary that he didn’t commit a crime, and he’s right about that.But he did do wrong.And he simply didn’t really care about much of life.As far as I could tell, he cared only about three things: His two children, who he adored. And football.Even when we were in Portugal, I asked him about his ex, the mother of his children.He said he had moved the wedding day in fav- our of a football match and she wasn’t happy.And I wondered if he was romantic and asked him how he proposed.I was surprised when he confided that she had proposed to him, which confirmed to me that I don’t think he had a romantic bone in his body. I know people didn’t understand why we were seeing each other, as it was an odd connection.Initially it was the Swedish thing that united us — and football.We talked about football a lot. But he was chivalrous and, in his heart, he was a kind man.He brought a bottle of Veuve Clicquot Champagne — without fail — every time he came to my house.No ‘words of affection’For me, he showed me kindness and I’d just been going through the most horrendous time with being abandoned by my sick daughter’s biological father and worrying if she was going to get through her operations.When someone shows you kindness, it grabs your attention. In the film, he says he does have feelings, but he doesn’t show them. I think that’s honest and true. We never exchanged words of affection — it wasn’t that kind of set-up.I just saw him when he could get away from Nancy or was on the way to football games.She should be grateful for me raising her profile, she made a career out of ‘refusing to accept that she had been cheated on’Ulrika on Nancy Dell’OlioNancy admits in the film that she only stuck with him because she could get something out of it, which strongly suggests that she only really was with him because of the fame and the glory.She should be grateful for me raising her profile. She seemingly made a career out of “refusing to accept that she had been cheated on”.Before news of the affair between me and Sven broke, she was just the Italian girlfriend of the England manager. When it hit the headlines Nancy was suddenly famous. And she used that to her advantage. She’d have never been on Strictly Come Dancing if it wasn’t for me.Sven told me she was very fiery — it was a volatile relationship and I felt it was clear that he didn’t really, truly care about her.But he never promised me he would leave her, because I never asked him to.I sensed he feared her. And he confirms that in the film.He says he was afraid (of leaving her). He admitted to me that she “loved” the attention she was getting from the media, so it’s little wonder if she didn’t want to give that up.And obviously, apart from women attacking each other, there is the problem that misogyny is still verymuch alive and kicking in the world of football. Women continue to be viewed as pawns in a game of utmost importance, ruled over by men who show little but disdain for the opposite sex.I’ve never in my life fought over a man. I know Nancy was clinging to Sven, but she really needn’t have worried.She threw insults at me because she didn’t believe the brief affair was true. Surely her beef should have been with him?In the film, Sven’s son says how his dad doesn’t stress about things, and that was my experience, too.He never got concerned about things and said to me, “Why worry about something which might not happen?”.’Thinker perhaps more than a doer’He’s bright and studied philosophy, which is probably what brought a new and different approach to being England boss.Many didn’t like that he wasn’t demonstrably expressive, but that was just the way he was.Nancy says in the film that Sven is a narcissist, but I think that might be unfair. I just think he’s a very simple-minded person. And by that I mean he only puts energy into the things that are important to him. He’s pragmatic. Not a practical man, however.He proudly showed me his hands and said “these have never done a day’s hard work”.Sven is right, of course, about his outlook on life now. Life is short and I believe he has certainly made the most of itSven is certainly a thinker, perhaps more than a doer.I extracted myself from the situation when he clearly wasn’t going to ’fess up and carried on going out publicly with Nancy.I certainly didn’t become a Princess Di character, where there were “three of us” in that relationship.For a while he kept phoning me to speak to me or ask me to see him. He even got his agent to phone my agent to ask if I would wait for him after the World Cup. I declined.Sven is right, of course, about his outlook on life now.Life is short and I believe he has certainly made the most of it.He has led a life according to his own wills and desires.I’m sure he has regrets over some of his actions, but what good are regrets when the clock is ticking?We can but do our best.I bear him no ill will.READ MORE SUN STORIESI hope he squeezes the best out of whatever life he has left and that, on reflection, he realises that to err is to be human.He didn’t get it all right. But then, who does?Ulrika also says of Sven: ‘He had all this power and money yet he was the weakest man I have ever met’Credit: News Group Newspapers LtdThe ex-England boss has been diagnosed with terminal cancerCredit: Getty More

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      in Boxing

      Tyson Fury makes heartfelt retirement admission ahead of Usyk rematch and admits he has ‘toxic relationship’ with boxing

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      TYSON FURY admits he doesn’t know if his “toxic relationship” with boxing will allow him to walk away from the sport.The Gypsy King, 36, has “retired” several times in recent years only to reverse his decision and return to the squared circle.Tyson Fury has won every belt going in the heavyweight divisionCredit: GETTYHis dream of becoming undisputed heavyweight champ was shattered by Oleksandr Usyk in MayCredit: GettyFury is out of his physical prime and his punch resistance isn’t what it once wasCredit: PAFury admits he’ll find it hard to walk away from the sport he loves so dearlyCredit: PABut with his physical prime well behind him and his punch resistance no longer what it once was, it’s clear and evident that Fury’s days in the sport are numbered.Hanging up his gloves and fully dedicating himself to his family of nine, however, will be just as difficult as any fight the Wythenshawe warrior has had in his professional career.He told Queensberry Promotions: “I’ve been in love with boxing for such a long time – from being a little boy.”And I’m probably at the end of my career in the next few years.READ MORE BOXING NEWS“It’s been a love-hate relationship. It’s been toxic at times. When it’s good, it’s very good, and when it’s bad, it’s very toxic.“So I’m in that relationship and I don’t just abandon things. “I try and make things work and that’s where we are at the minute.”We’ve been in this romantic relationship since I can remember, since I was a child, and now I am a fully grown adult with a family of my own.Most read in SportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSFusy vs Usyk: Round by round verdictHERE’S how SunSport’s Chisanga Malata saw the fight as Oleksandr Usyk was crowned undisputed king of the world against Tyson Fury.ROUND 1Here we go. Both men look to establish dominance early by taking the centre of the ring.Fury marches down the Ukrainian, who opens up with a stiff body shot.The Gypsy King looks massive in comparison to Usyk, who is no dwarf whatsoever.Usyk is happy to operate on the outside, although the early jab he’s eaten will have given him some food for thought.Fury is trying to draw out attacks from Usyk, who is not putting too much into his punches.Fury gets backed into the corner and channels his inner Muhammad Ali by doing the rope-a-dope.Usyk lands a big overhand left just seconds before backing Fury into the corner.Fury dodges the ensuing flurry and gestures to the crowd as if demanding them to acknowledge his head movement. USYK 10-9ROUND 2Usyk opens up the round with a big one-two that snaps back the head of Fury.Fury tries to make light of it but that combo clearly stunned him.Usyk is setting the stone and the pressure as he advances forward.A big uppercut narrowly misses for Fury, who knows all too well that’s the shot to deploy on a shorter opponent.Fury is throwing more punches but isn’t being as accurate as Usyk.Usyk backs up Fury into the corner and lands a good three-punch combo.But Fury comes roaring back with a hard body shot after circling away from danger.Fury finally lands an uppercut, albeit to the body of the former cruiserweight king. FURY 10-9ROUND 3Fury is on his bike after the restart and lands a stiff straight right from range.Usyk has decided to close the distance after eating that shot and is going to work on Fury’s trimmed-down torso.A solid overhand left snaps back the head of Fury with just over a minute of the stanza remaining.Fury lands a good combo with thirty seconds remaining. But he gets pushed back against the ring again and eats another flurry before the bell. USYK 10-9Round 4Fury goes to work to the body with two hard shots after the restart.He’s absolutely loving this, dancing around after landing his shots.But he’s still allowing himself to get backed up and invite the pressure from Usyk.Fury lands a beautiful counter right as Usyk comes forward.Usyk has his head snapped back by another hellacious uppercut.Both men nearly land hard back hands before the bell, with Fury narrowly missing an uppercut and Usyk an overhand left. FURY 10-9Round 5Usyk takes the centre of the ring after the restart and looks to feint his way into range.Fury is doing a good job of keeping the Ukrainian at bay when he looks to close the distance.A rasping uppercut snaps back the head of Usyk.Fury is hurting Usyk to the body with relentless hooks to the midriff. FURY 10-9Round 6Usyk is on the front foot straight after the restart and is looking to put Fury on the back foot again.A hard body shot to the solar plexus gives Usyk more food for thought.Fury almost closed the show with a huge uppercut with a minute and a half of the round remaining.But he finds a home for it 20 seconds later and Usyk is in retreat mode.Fury closes out the round with a bit of showboating, put his hands behind his back before resting his arms on the ropes.A huge round for the Wythenshawe warrior. FURY 10-9Round 7Usyk once again closes the distance after the restart but he’s getting picked off at range.And when he does take a step back, his body is getting blasted by nasty hooks.Usyk finds a home for his straight left but Fury eats it like a packed lunch made by his loving wife Paris.Another straight left snaps back the head of Fury, who circles back out of range to try to create space for a body shotUsyk manages to close the distance with seconds remaining ad finds a home for a two-punch combo.But Fury manages to circle away to hear the bell. FURY 10-9Round 8Fury is happy to operate on the back foot in the eighth and pick his shots.But he gets his dome rattled by back-to-back straight left hands – which he brushes off before going back to feinting and trying to create space for a body shot.Usyk briefly finds himself dealing with Fury’s weight in the clinch after landing a good straight left.Fury is bleeding profusely from his nose. I’m not what caused the damage. Big round that for Usyk. USYK 10-9Round 9Fury is doing a good job of bamboozling Usyk with feints, but the Ukrainian continues to come forward.But he’s slowly but surely allowing the gap to be closed, which leads to him eating a big left hand flush in the corner.Fury gets hurt and is stumbling around the ring. It was a left hand that did the damage.Fury doesn’t know where he is and is eating a barrage of crisp follow-up shots. He beats the count and the bell thankfully saves him. USYK 10-8Round 10Usyk – like the Big Cat he is – senses blood and isn’t giving Fury any respite.Fury is barely throwing anything and what he is throwing is telegraphed and slow.Usyk looks tired, but he needs to keep his foot on the gas pedal if he’s to have any chance of becoming a two-weight undisputed champion. USYK 10-9Round 11A desperate Usyk, spurred on by the plight of his fellow Ukrainians back home, immediately goes to work after the restart.Fury tries to keep him at bay with the jab but is struggling to pump it out with the stiffness it had in the early rounds.Usyk briefly traps the WBC king in the corner and lands a rasping left hand.Usyk doubles up with two left hands that briefly back Fury against the ropes.The round ends with yet another big overhand left from Usyk. USYK 10-9Round 12The fans in attendance at the Kingdom Arena cheer both warriors on after the final restart of the fight.Fury is playing matador as Usyk looks to step into range to land his left hand.And he finds a home for it with a minute and a half of the stanza remaining.A chopping right hand sends Fury backwards, but he returns fire with a booking shot of his own that backs up the southpaw.Fury puts his hands behind his back in a bid to goad Usyk to making a sloppy mistake in the closing seconds.But he stays sharp as he looks to close the distance, which Fury times to initiate a clinch. FURY 10-9TOTAL Fury 113 Usyk 114″It’s like, ‘Do I abandon it, or do I not?’ I wanted to walk away a lot of times but it always drags me back.”Bar becoming the undisputed king of the heavyweights, which he failed to do in his Saudi showdown with Oleksandr Usyk in May, Fury has achieved it all. Oleksandr Usyk brutally calls out ‘Greedy Belly’ Tyson Fury after Gypsy King fires warning to Ukrainian ahead of rematchFighting keeps the dad-of-eight on the mental straight and narrow, although it’s become somewhat of a double-edged sword.“It’s like a massive drug and an addiction,” Fury admitted. “I know it’s an addiction and I’m an addictive person.”Boxing is an addiction; it’s not my best friend. It abuses me. When I come in this gym, it abuses my body, my mind [and] my soul.”But afterwards I feel like it takes me to ecstasy. The rush is unbelievable.”It gives me the biggest highs ever, but it also gives me the lowest lows as well.”Boxing is more addictive than any drug ever. Ever. You can’t let it go.”Fury’s dream of becoming the first undisputed heavyweight king since Lennox Lewis in 1999 was shattered in his Riyadh rumble with Usyk.The former unified champion suffered a split decision loss to the slick southpaw, whom he’ll renew his rivalry with on December 21.And to say he’s champing at the bit to exact his revenge on the undefeated Ukrainian would be an understatement.He said of the desert dust-up: “[I’m] counting down the days until I can get my redemption on Usyk.”December 21 is going to be my time. I’ve done everything in boxing, but I ain’t come back from a loss.READ MORE SUN STORIES”And I relish it, the chance to redeem myself GET UP.”December 21 is all me – undisputed heavyweight here I come.”Tyson Fury will bid to exact revenge on Oleksandr Usyk on December 21Credit: Getty More

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      in Boxing

      ‘It’s a great fight’ declares Brit world champion as he calls out Deontay Wilder for bout in new weight category

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      DEONTAY WILDER has been challenged to a bridgerweight bust-up with a Brit world champion.The Bronze Bomber’s future at heavyweight is in limbo following four defeats in his last five outings, the most recent of which was a brutal sixth-round KO at the hands of Zheili Zhang.Deontay Wilder is currently on the worst run of his careerCredit: GETTYThe American is facing calls to retire following four losses in his last five fightsCredit: GETTYLawrence Okolie wants to welcome The Bronze Bomber to the bridgerweight divisionCredit: RexDespite his brutal and long reign as WBC king, fight fans have long thought the tall and wiry Wilder would be better suited to fighting at lighter weight.The recently formed bridgerweight division would be an ideal new home for the American should he try to breathe new life into his career.And WBC titleholder Lawrence Okolie would happily welcome him to the weight class, telling Betway: “I think it would be a great fightAnd he’ll always have what leaves people late and that’s his punching power and the name – Deontay Wilder.”READ MORE BOXING NEWSUnlike most of Wilder’s opponents, Okolie wants to feel the full force of Wilder’s cannon-like right hand.He continued: “If I’m boxing Wilder, no matter what I say, I’m going to be a little bit apprehensive and think, ‘Okay let’s see what his power is like’.”I think it’s a great fight.”Wilder’s run of form has, understandably, sparked calls for him to hang up his gloves.Most read in SportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSDeontay Wilder’s defeat to Joseph Parker last December scuppered a two-fight series with Anthony JoshuaCredit: GETTYAJ is refusing to call for The Bronze Bomber to retireCredit: REUTERSThe most costly of those losses was last December’s defeat to Joseph Parker, which scuppered a two-fight series with long-time rival Anthony Joshua worth a whopping £100million.AJ, however, refuses to join the growing list of fighters telling the Alabama slammer to call it a day.Worrying new footage shows moment Deontay Wilder gets brutally KO’d by Zhilei Zhang while COMPLAINING to refereeThe former two-time unified heavyweight champion said: “Come again if you want, but he’s got his family and there’s a life outside of boxing for him.”I enjoy fighting in London, I enjoy fighting out here [Saudi Arabia], I enjoy fighting in America.”It’s a blessing, and it doesn’t last forever. “That’s why I say it with Wilder if he wants to go again, give it another crack.”But sooner or later, Father Time will catch up with you – with everyone.” More

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      in Soccer

      Sex is one of the good things in life… I was stupid but did nothing criminal, says Sven Goran Eriksson on his affairs

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      TERMINALLY ill former England football manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has revealed all about his astonishing sex life in a documentary.The 76-year-old Swede tells Amazon Prime show Sven how he cheated on his long-time partner Nancy Dell’Ollio with Ulrika Jonsson and FA secretary Faria Alam.Ex-England football boss Sven-Goran Eriksson with his ex-lover Italian lawyer Nancy Dell’OllioCredit: Rex FeaturesSven had a fling with Swede Ulrika Jonsson while he was with NancyCredit: GettySven also cheated on long-time partner Nancy with FA secretary Faria Alam, aboveCredit: News Group Newspapers LtdBut he tells the programme that he did not commit any crimes and that “sex is one of the good things in life for all of us”. In the 107-minute documentary, Faria, now 58, reveals how the then-England manager told her to cash in on their 2004 affair.She says: “The Noughties were just that, they were naughty.“You could do so many things. I’ll be honest, I was a beautiful girl and I attracted a lot of attention.READ MORE ON SVEN“He said, ‘Tell your story, go and tell them everything. Make some money, why not?’.”Last year Amazon Prime cameras had access to Sven and his family as he battled pancreatic cancer at his home in Sweden.But at the start of this year Sven revealed that he had “probably less than a year to live”.As well as discussing how he feels facing death, England’s first foreign manager also talks candidly about the women in his life.Most read in FootballShe loved it. The tension. It was not peace in my house always.Sven on NancyItalian lawyer Nancy, 62, who spent nine years with Sven, admits that she nearly left him after his fling with fellow Swede Ulrika.But her lawyer advised her to give him another chance.Former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson reveals that he is dying of pancreatic cancer and ‘has at best a year to live’In the documentary, Sven also admits that life could be interesting with fiery Nancy.He said: “She loved it. The tension. She was a lady from the upper classes in Rome. She liked to go out with important people.“In the beginning I didn’t react very much. But you don’t change people at a certain age. It was not peace in my house always.”’First lady of English football’ Nancy adds: “The first impression that I had about Sven, people in power always have extra, extra sex appeal. I felt in love.“It wasn’t something that I was looking for. I was married and I left my husband to start my journey with Sven.“We were Sven and Nancy since the first date.“I was the first lady of English football and there was never going to be another one after me.”But when news broke in April 2002 of Sven’s affair with Ulrika, Nancy was humiliated.Sven, who was England manager from 2001 to 2006, tells how he received a phone call from football agent Athole Still advising him not to let Nancy read the newspapers.He recalls telling Still: “It’s too late, there are 100 photographers outside already.”Sven adds: “Sex is one of the good things in life for all of us. She was not married. I was not married.“Probably I was stupid but I think I didn’t do anything criminal. I didn’t really disturb anyone.”She was not married, I was not married. I didn’t really disturb anyone.Sven on UlrikaBut he admits being fearful that Nancy would leave him.He says: “I could see in front of me, if I break up, it would be ‘pouf’. I was a little bit afraid but anyhow it became what it became.”Nancy confesses: “The stupidity of Sven. After Sven’s first scandal, I wanted to leave him.“I couldn’t want to admit to myself that there was a possibility that I made a mistake. That I left everything for him. My lawyers said give him another chance but think what you can get from this.”Sven also reveals that after he was appointed England coach he took tea at No 10 with Tony Blair who said: “Shall we take a bet? Who keeps the job longest, you or me? We have two impossible jobs.”’Don’t be sorry. Smile’Sven quit after the 2006 World Cup Blair resigned as PM in 2007.In the documentary, which streams next week, David Beckham and Wayne Rooney also pay tribute to their former boss. Becks says: “I loved him from day one. He made me captain. The confidence he had in me was so important.“The way he protected the players, the way he treated the players, it was a breath of fresh air.”I felt very sorry for her. She lost the job and two members of FA lost jobSven on FariaToday Sven lives with his partner Yaniseth Alcides, a former dancer, he met while coaching in Mexico.She tells the documentary: “I try to be calm for him because he is making a great effort. This year we turned 15 together. And I have hope that we will be together for many more years. I will not lose that hope.”They live in Sven’s rambling house overlooking Fryken lake near Sunne, in Värmland, where the bus driver’s son grew up and where he began his football career for local club Torsby.Sven says: “It’s a beautiful place. It makes me calm, below the mountain where my father grew up.Sven pictured in the Prime documentary Prime Video which airs in the UK, Ireland and Nordics on August 23Credit: Amazon PrimeDavid Beckham pays tribute to Sven in the documentary, saying: ‘I loved him from day one. He made me captain. The confidence he had in me was so important’Credit: Action Images“The ashes could be thrown into the water here.”Sven’s cancer was spotted after he collapsed at his home and, despite treatment it is terminal. He says: “Whoever it was said ‘life is too short’ is right.“I had a good life, maybe too good. You have to pay for it. I think we all are scared of the day when it’s finished, when you die.“You have to learn to accept it for what it is.“Hopefully, at the end people will say, ‘Yeah, he was a good man’. But everyone will not say that. I hope you will remember me as a positive guy and trying to do everything he could do. Don’t be sorry. Smile.”READ MORE SUN STORIES SVEN is on Prime Video in the UK, Ireland and Nordics on August 23.WOOED BY YOGA TALKFARIA Alam has revealed that she fell for Sven-Goran Eriksson because he had charmed her by talking about art, poetry and yoga.She had a fling with the Swede after joining the FA as a secretary in 2003.Speaking about it in the Amazon Prime documentary Sven, Faria, now 58, said: “He didn’t have the mindset of a super-rich man. He talked to me about poetry, he talked to me about art.“He was saying how he did yoga and things like that.“And I just fell in love with him, I guess. And that lit the fuse for all this to explode.” But the lovers were found out. At first, the FA denied it but emails not only proved it but confirmed that she also had a relationship with the FA chief Mark Palios.Sven, 76, says: “I felt very sorry for her. She lost the job and two members of the FA lost the job.”Faria signed two deals to sell her story for £300,000 after she had resigned — on the advice of Sven.But she was hurt by being portrayed as a “disgusting gold digger person”. She says on the show: “I’m the person that’s the bad person, and I was the scapegoat for them to be relieved of any responsibility.” More

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      in Soccer

      Inside John Stones and Olivia Naylor’s relationship, from meeting when she was pregnant to romantic proposal

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      JOHN Stones and Olivia Naylor have announced the happy news that they are engaged.The Man City ace, 30, popped the question to the 35-year-old beautician/entrepreneur during a romantic getaway after the Euros.England ace John Stones and Olivia Naylor are engagedStunning Olivia revealed the news on Instagram to her followersCredit: InstagramBusinesswoman Olivia runs her own beauty salon and has a kids’ clothing brandCredit: Instagram @olivianaylorSunSport first broke the exclusive news, which Olivia confirmed on Instagram.She captioned the post “Mrs Stones to be” alongside a wedding ring emoji.A beaming Olivia posed next to champagne, cake and flowers as she stood next to a sign reading “engaged af”.In another snap, she posed up with her pals with a celebratory cake reading “love is sweet” and strawberries covered in icing on show.Read more football newsOther cute pics on her story showed champagne glasses and candles set alight in celebration.Stones and Olivia met in 2019, after he was nursing a broken heart following a split from his longterm girlfriend.Olivia was pregnant at the time, but love soon blossomed and they couldn’t hide their happiness at the 2022 World Cup, when she was seen cheering her beau in Qatar.Then in 2023, they welcomed their own child together.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSPast loveBefore he met Olivia, Stones was in a longterm relationship with childhood sweetheart Millie Savage.They grew up together in South Yorkshire and went to the same school, where they began dating from the age of 14.England’s WAGs: The Real Stars of Euro 2024 By 2017, their baby daughter was born.However, a year later Stones and Millie split and he left the family home in Manchester.Bitter Millie told The Sun that Stones got distracted with his new found fame and neglected her.She revealed: “Footballers are treated as gods and John bought into it wholeheartedly after the World Cup.”He let fame get into his head.”For footballers the rules of normal life become blurred. We are just mortals to them, but in reality it is like looking after a child who has no concept of how the real world works.”A new startStones began seeing Olivia after he moved out the home he shared with Millie.Stones was in a romance with childhood sweetheart Millie SavageCredit: Darren Fletcher – The SunAfter leaving Millie, Stones was drawn to the charms of Oliviaread more sport featuresThey reportedly met on a night out in Manchester and clicked instantly.A source told The Sun at the time: “John started seeing Olivia after he moved out of the family home.”Olivia is very pretty and is well known on the Manchester social scene.”They met during a night out after John was single. There was an instant rapport.”Olivia was pregnant at the time and they discovered they had mutual friends. They make a nice couple and seem happy.”Respectfully…In an attempt to protect their relationship from the public, Olivia and Stones kept their romance private.That was until 2022, when all eyes were on Stones and the England team at the World Cup in Qatar.Olivia was pregnant at the time she met StonesSoon, Olivia became a permanent fixture in Stones’ lifeAnd she also joined England’s Wags at international matchesCredit: RexOlivia joined Wags including Megan Pickford, Sasha Attwood, and Fern Hawkins in cheering the Three Lions on.It was the first time her love for Stones was shown to the world.She has since been seen on the pitch at the Etihad, toasting his success with Man City.A child of their ownOlivia, who also founded children’s clothing brand Moosh alongside her eyebrow specialist business, gave birth to their baby boy last year.A source told SunSport: “They’re absolutely thrilled.”They couldn’t have asked for a better way to begin the year than with the birth of their son.”He’s absolutely gorgeous and they’re so thankful.”They take nothing for granted. They both work extremely hard but it’s been lovely to spend some time together at home with the kids.Last May, Olivia joined Stones on the pitch to celebrate Man City winning the leagueCredit: InstagramOlivia is Stones’ biggest supporter on and off the pitchCredit: PANext, happy couple Stones and Olivia will have to plan their nuptialsCredit: olivianjnaylor / Instagram”Family is such an important part of their lives and they’re elated he has arrived safe and well.”READ MORE SUN STORIESNow, Stones and Olivia have a wedding to prepare.Their romance continues to go from strength to strength. More

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      in Soccer

      Premier League clubs ‘may have to sue Man City for compensation over 115 alleged breaches BEFORE case closes’

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      PREMIER LEAGUE clubs wishing to sue Manchester City may reportedly have to do soon – and without knowing the outcome of the legal case against the champions. Etihad chiefs are defending 115 separate alleged breaches of financial fair play rules, with their 10-week hearing set to begin next month. Man City face 115 financial chargesThe champions deny all allegations called against themCredit: ReutersLegal experts have told The Times that clubs have a six-year deadline to sue for breach of contract.That deadline is in November after German outlet Der Spiegel published the Football Leaks documents in 2018.This means that clubs interested in suing Man City for compensation on loss of earnings will have to launch their suit before November and without knowing the outcome of the case.Man City’s 10-week hearing starts next month and the verdict will not be known until as early as March next year.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSThe champs deny wrongdoing and are confident their case will be cleared at the independent inquiry. The club have been accused of financial impropriety spanning nine years from 2009 and the strongest punishment if found guilty is relegation, while a fine and huge points deduction is also possible.The Premier League charged City with a failure to provide accurate financial information and accurate details for player and manager payments. It is believed some clubs have taken legal advice over possible compensation claims, which could total hundreds of millions of pounds.Most read in FootballIf the serious charges against City are proved, clubs could claim for loss of income for missing out on league titles or European competitions over the course of several campaigns.When Everton were docked points last season for a breach of Profitability and Sustainability Rules, the same independent commission was also given the power to rule on compensation claims from rival clubs. Erling Haaland ‘never beating the robot allegations’ as Man City ace joins in on bizarre ‘raw dogging’ flight trendBut clubs have been given no assurances that the same arrangement will be set up for City’s case and may have to lodge direct claims.Man City, like Everton, will have the right to appeal any decision, which means the saga could go on for another year. A lawyer told The Times: “There is a six-year limitation period under the Limitation Act.”In which case you must bring the claim within six years of when you could have discovered the breach acting reasonably.”It could be argued therefore that the six years might begin from Der Spiegel’s first publication.”Pep Guardiola set for final Man City seasonBy Martin BlackburnAFTER eight glorious years of stability, Manchester City now head into an uncertain 12 months.The FA Cup final defeat to neighbours United was a reminder that this glittering and unforgettable era will not go on for ever.Around this time in 2025, City will be preparing for the highly-lucrative Fifa Club World Cup in the US.Yet in all likelihood they will also be getting ready to say their goodbyes to manager Pep Guardiola, who has brought so much success to the east side of Manchester.Meanwhile, there could be a verdict on 115 charges of financial irregularity which have been levelled at the club by Premier League chiefs.City continue to deny any wrongdoing and are confident they will be cleared by the independent commission.Read Martin Blackburn’s full column here. More

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      Chelsea’s outrageous transfer spending spree put into context as they are compared to Premier League rivals

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      PEDRO NETO became Chelsea’s 35th signing of the Todd Boehly era last week.The winger completed a £54million transfer to Stamford Bridge last week.Pedro Neto became Chelsea’s 35th signing of the Todd Boehly eraCredit: GettyRaheem Strerling was Boehly’s first signingCredit: GettyHe joins the likes of Cole Palmer, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Nicolas Jackson, Christopher Nkunku and Moises Caicedo in joining the Blues within the last year.Chelsea now boast a squad of 48 players – 35 of whom signed after Boehly took over in May 2022.Raheem Sterling was the American’s first addition just two years ago.Now SunSport have looked at every Premier League club and who they purchased 35 signings ago…Read More in FootballArsenal – Matteo GuendouziGuendouzi joined the Gunners from FC Lorient all the way back in 2017.He spent four years at the club, making 82 appearances, and went on two loan spells before moving to Marseille in 2022.The 25-year-old left the French side this summer to sign for Lazio.Matteo Guendouzi joined Arsenal in 2017Credit: Getty Images – GettyAston Villa – Tyrone MingsThe centre-back joined from Bournemouth in 2017 after an initial loan spell.Most read in FootballEvery Premier League team’s transfers 35 signings agoMings has since made 166 appearances but missed the majority of the 2023-24 campaign with a knee injury.Bournemouth – Jack StaceyThe 28-year-old signed for Bournemouth in a £4m transfer from Luton in 2019.He went on to make 98 first team appearances before leaving for Norwich last summer.Brentford – Mads RoerslavRoerslav joined Brentford when they were still in the Championship back in 2019.He is still at the club and has since made 123 appearances across all competitions.Brighton – Adam LallanaA move that many fans might remember, Lallana joined Brighton from Liverpool in a free transfer in 2020.Following Graham Potter’s move to Chelsea in 2022 he stepped in as assistant interim manager to Andrew Crofts.Lallana left Brighton this summer to join Southampton in a free transfer.Adam Lallana joined Brighton in a free transfer from LiverpoolCredit: GettyCrystal Palace – Vicente GuaitaGoalkeeper Guaita joined Palace from Getafe in 2018 and spent five years at Selhurst Park, making 154 appearances.The 37-year-old left last summer to return to Spain and now plays for Celta Vigo.Everton – Lucas DigneDigne was a big signing for Everton when he first joined from Barcelona in 2018.He signed for the Toffees in an £18m move and quickly established himself as first-choice right-back.He played 127 times for Everton but left in January 2022 to join Aston Villa.Fulham – Frank AnguissaAnguissa joined Fulham in 2018 but was sent on loan to Villarreal the following year when the Cottagers were relegated from the Premier League.He then spent a year on loan at Napoli before joining the Italian giants in a permanent transfer in 2022.Ipswich – Tete YengiAustralian striker Tete Yengi joined Ipswich from A-League side Newcastle Jets.Having signed for the Tractor Boys in 2021, he failed to make a single first team appearance before leaving for Livingston earlier this summer.During his time at Ipswich he was loaned out three times, to Vaasan Palloseura, Northampton Town and Kuopion Palloseura.Leicester City – Harry MaguireAnother high-profile transfer, Maguire joined Leicester from Hull in 2017 for just £12m.After two years at the King Power Stadium he then signed for Manchester United in a huge £80m transfer, making him the most expensive defender in Premier League history.Maguire has since made 207 appearances for the Red Devils and has 63 England caps and counting.Leicester made over £60m in profit from the sale of Harry Maguire, who joined from HullCredit: PA:Empics SportLiverpool – Roberto FirminoA fan-favourite among the Reds, Firmino spent eight years at Anfield after signing from Hoffenheim all the way back in 2015.He won the Premier League and Champions League during his time at Liverpool and made 362 appearances.He now plays for Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia.Roberto Firmino was a fan favourite at LiverpoolCredit: GettyManchester City – Aymeric LaporteLaporte signed for City in a £57m transfer from Athletic Bilbao in 2018.He won six Premier League titles, two FA Cups and the Champions League during his time at the Etihad before leaving for Saudi Arabia last summer.Aymeric Laporte joined Man City in 2018Credit: GettyManchester United – Eric BaillyBailly completed a £30m switch from Villarreal to Man Utd back in 2016.He made 113 appearances but fell out of favour when Erik ten Hag took over two years ago.The defender is now a free agent having left United upon the expiry of his contract in July.Eric Bailly spent eight years at Man UtdCredit: GettyNewcastle – Federico FernandezThe 35-year-old joined Newcastle from Swansea in 2018 and went on to spend four years at St James’ Park.After leaving he joined Spanish side Elche and has since played for Al-Duhail and Estudiantes.Nottingham Forest – Brandon AguileraCosta Rican midfielder Aguilera joined Forest in 2022 following the club’s promotion to the Premier League.He was loaned out twice by the club, to Estoril and Bristol Rovers, and made just three appearances for Forest before joining Rio Ave this year.Southampton – Theo WalcottWalcott became a Premier League icon during his time with Arsenal between 2006 and 2018.He eventually left the Gunners after falling down the pecking order and joined Everton.However, he returned to Southampton – his first club – in 2021.Walcott spent two years with the Saints before retiring from professional football last year.Theo Walcott retired after leaving SouthamptonCredit: APTottenham – Ryan SessegnonSessegnon was viewed as one of the most promising talents in England when Tottenham signed him from Fulham in 2019.However, he never quite established his spot in Spurs’ starting line-up.He suffered several injuries during his time at Spurs which hindered his time in the first team.Sessegnon rejoined Fulham this summer in a free transfer, signing a two-year deal.West Ham – Felipe AndersonThe winger spent three years with West Ham after joining from Lazio in a £36m transfer in 2018.He made 73 appearances for the Hammers and returned to Lazio three years later.Anderson now plays for Palmeiras in Brazil. Wolves – Matija SarkicSarkic joined Wolves from Aston Villa’s U23s in 2020 and spent three years at Molineux.He signed for Millwall last summer and became the club’s first-choice goalkeeper in the Championship.READ MORE SUN STORIESHowever, Sarkic tragically and unexpectedly passed away in June.The club paid tribute to him on the opening day of the Championship season at the weekend.Matija Sarkic joined Wolves from Aston Villa’s U23sCredit: Getty More

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      £50m Aston Villa signing Amadou Onana asks boss Unai Emery to coach him in Spanish… even though he doesn’t speak it

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      AMADOU ONANA is the rock on which Unai Emery plans to build Aston Villa’s Prem and Champions League challenge.Standing 6ft 5in, man-mountain Onana was signed from Everton for a club-record £50million.Amadou Onana is Aston Villa’s record signingCredit: RexThat was the same fee Villa banked from Juventus for Douglas Luiz, who was flogged to avoid the threat of breaching profit and sustainability rules (PSR) — and Onana is more than three years younger than the Brazilian.He was undervalued at times at Everton — but now Villa boss Emery will look to develop the Belgium star into a more complete midfielder.No wonder Villa’s transfer guru Monchi wasted no time to replace Luiz once the new financial year began in July.Onana, who turns 23 on Friday, will be tasked with anchoring the midfield, as well as being the pivot who will spark most of Villa’s transitions from defence to attack.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHe is the man surprise Champions League package Villa, who beat Spurs, Manchester United, Newcastle and Chelsea to fourth spot, will lean on — both on and off the park — as they embark on their great European adventure in their 150th anniversary season.Because handily, Onana speaks five languages — and cannot wait for Emery to help him master Spanish to make it SIX.During his first interview with a national newspaper since his record-breaking move to Villa Park, he said: “I’ve asked Unai Emery and his staff to speak to me in Spanish so that I can answer in Spanish.“I already speak five languages, Wolof — from my childhood growing up in Senegal — French, German, English and Dutch. But I’m learning a sixth.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS“I love Spain and go there at least once a year. It’s a beautiful language and it would be nice to be able to speak it more fluently.“Obviously it’s going to be easier here with so many Spanish- speaking staff, so Unai can help me improve my Spanish as well as my football!”Premier League Fixtures released for 2024/25 seasonEducation is massively important to Onana and it is a value which was instilled in him from a young age by his hard-working mother.He may be a £50m footballer now but Onana grew up in a household crammed with 14 family members in the Colobane district of Senegal’s capital Dakar while his father worked overseas in Belgium.His mum then gave up her career as a physio to emigrate to Brussels when Onana was 11 to chase his dream of a football career.The gentle giant said: “The man you see in front of you is built by my mum.Onana was a key player for Everton last season“My mum raised three kids on her own, which couldn’t always have been easy, but she made the best of it.“I shared a room with my brother in a house with my whole family, which meant mum, grandparents, cousins, uncles, aunties.“Football-wise, I didn’t have the opportunities you have here in England.“I just played football in the street.“I moved to Belgium when I was 11 to play football — and because I knew there were also better opportunities there for my schooling.“Mum was always big on education, schoolwork always came first.“I had to finish all my homework before I was allowed out to play football with my friends — that was the deal.“Mum is the main influence in my life and gave me the dedication I’ve got.“But I always keep her name out of the limelight, she doesn’t really like being in the public eye.“She’s an amazing woman, the love of my life.“She looked after all of us. She had her own business as a physio but then gave up on her dreams to make ours become a reality.“Plus she is my biggest fan and my biggest critic!“After every game, I ask her how well or how badly I’ve done and she’ll tell me straight.“She might not be Unai Emery but she grew up in a house with five or six brothers, so she knows her football!”Yet it was another brilliant and strong woman who put Onana on the pathway to a career in football — Melissa, his older sister. Onana never made the grade at Anderlecht’s academy and was struggling to make an impression at lowly Zulte Waregem when Melissa sent video clips of her brother to clubs in Holland and Germany.After much badgering, Hoffenheim eventually invited him for trials.Despite being desperately sick with cancer, Melissa accompanied her little brother on a five-hour train journey, with several changes, before walking to the training ground, where Onana made such an impression he was immediately signed up.Onana was full of praise for his sister, saying: “She has been looking after me for nearly 12 years now and has played a massive part in me being at Villa today.“She’s been the driving force. Seeing her having cancer and trying to battle through life, while trying to take care of her little brother, was unique.“Her strength turned into my strength. There’s a 13-year age difference between us and she basically gave up part of her life and dedicated it to me.“She saw that I was doing quite well at Hoffenheim and a couple of people told her, ‘Your brother is not too bad, you should look after him’, and she took that advice.“She wasn’t really into football and yet she got informed, studied and got a diploma as an agent.“She now has 20- plus players who she represents.“Without her I might not be eating now. Who knows?”Onana excelled at Hoffenheim and moved to Hamburg, then Lille in France, where he starred in the Champions League and broke into the Belgian national team.He joined Everton for £33m in 2022 and made over 70 appearances for the Toffees before they made a £17m profit selling him to Villa.Yet despite being rich beyond his wildest dreams, Onana is studying again, even though he is unlikely to ever sit through a job interview in his life.He explained: “I’m taking my Belgian general school diploma because I had to leave school when I left for Germany.“It was a whole other country, a whole different language and I didn’t speak a word of it!READ MORE SUN STORIES“My exams had to be put on hold, now I’m back. I’ve got one exam left.“I think I’m smart enough to get my diploma, which is something that was always important to my family. That’s why I’m doing it now.” More