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    Inside Newcastle’s wild dressing room celebrations as Burn does trademark dance and Longstaff drinks out of Carabao Cup

    NEWCASTLE players got the party started in the Wembley changing rooms – after ending 70 years of hurt. Toon stars danced and drank out of the Carabao Cup after a dramatic 2-1 win over Liverpool at the Home of Football.Dan Burn was on target as Newcastle beat Liverpool at WembleyCredit: GettyThe defender whipped out his legendary dance moves after the gameCredit: X/ SkyFootballBurn is due to report for England training in the morningCredit: X/ SkyFootballSean Longstaff was later seen drinking from the Carabao CupCredit: X/ SkyFootballLocal hero Dan Burn and red-hot Swede striker Alexander Isak were the goalscoring heroes for the Magpies.Burn scrambled in the opener just before the break, sending the Newcastle half of Wembley barmy. Toon came out strong in the second half and Isak smashed in what proved to be the matchwinner. After climbing the Wembley steps to lift the trophy, skipper Burn was filmed performing his signature dance moves in the changing rooms.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLSky Sports’ cameras showed the defender being showered with champagne as he paraded his winners medal.The victory capped a stunning week for the 32-year-old, who was given his first England call up by new boss Thomas Tuchel. And he assured the German he would take it easy with his celebrations – because he has Three Lions training in the morning.Burn said with a grin: “I’ll be the first there tomorrow at 8 o’clock.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSMidfielder Sean Longstaff later got in on the act as Newcastle players got a party 70 years in the making started. He was seen downing a drink from the trophy as teammates laughed and filmed on their phones. Newcastle fans take over Covent Garden ahead of Carabao Cup final against Liverpool and bid to end 70-year trophy waitBoss Eddie Howe cut an emotional figure amongst the carnage in West London.The former Bournemouth boss had insisted earlier this week Newcastle were not “cursed” and the players could “write history” with a win.Howe said: “We worked consistently for two weeks on set plays just for this game and if you had seen us in practice you would have said we had no chance.”We couldn’t believe Dan Burn scored – he didn’t train like that! He was a colossus for us.”I am very very emotional and been all day which is unlike me.”We knew what was at stake today for all of our fans, we wanted to do them proud and win the trophy.”I am so, so pleased with the result and the performance – we deserved to win today.”An emotional Bruno Guimaraes called the win the “best day of his life”.The Brazilian said: “The supporters deserve everything. “When I first came here I said I wanted to put my name in history. We can now say we are the champions again. This is one of the best days of my life.READ MORE SUN STORIES”I don’t have any words. It’s the best day of my life. For them [the fans] it’s like the World Cup.”People have grown up and not seen us as champions. My first year as captain of this club and it’s one of the best days. This is unbelievable.” More

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    ‘Killing it’ – Alisha Lehmann risks Instagram ban as stunning Juventus star strips off to see-through lingerie

    ALISHA LEHMANN has pushed Instagram’s boundaries with her latest racy post.The Juventus star, dubbed the ‘World’s sexiest footballer’, boasts almost 17 million followers on the photo-sharing app. Alisha Lehmann has wowed fans with her latest Instagram shootCredit: InstagramThe Swiss star rocked a daring see-through topCredit: InstagramShe paired the look with matching black underwear, risking an Instagram banCredit: InstagramLehmann joined Juventus from Aston Villa last summerCredit: GettyLehmann previously spent three years with Aston Villa in the Women’s Super League.The 26-year-old joined Juventus last year and has bagged 2 goals in 15 games for the Serie A side.Away from the pitch, Lehmann is a model and is Switzerland’s top sporting influencer.And her latest stunning look proved a real head-turner for her legion of adoring fans.READ MORE ON SPORTRocking a see-through black top, Lehmann showed off matching lingerie in the risque post.She captioned the sultry snaps: “Second skin.”One fan responded: “Killing it as always.”Another swooned: “Alisha you look wonderful!”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSWhile a lovestruck third added: “Sculpted by Michelangelo.”And a fourth said: “Absolutely stunning, ignore the haters Alisha.”Maya Jama and Alisha Lehmann team up to become managers of Baller League team Lehmann joined her boyfriend Douglas Luiz in swapping the Midlands for the Old Lady last summer.But she hit out at their wage differences after the Brazilian penned a £100,000-a-week contract.The Swiss winger told La Gazzetta dello Sport: “Everyone would like to have the same salary.”I often speak to Douglas at home about this and tell him it’s not fair.”We do the same job, but he gets paid a hundred times more than me.”It’s something that affects me because I’m a woman. READ MORE SUN STORIES”Obviously, there’s still a long way to go on the path we’re on because there may never be equal pay.”There will have to be a very strong will to make a change in this direction.”Lehmann is dating fellow Juventus star Douglas LuizCredit: instagram @alishalehmann7The star spent three years playing in the WSL for Aston VillaCredit: RexThe glam 26-year-old has amassed a loyal following onlineCredit: instagram/alishalehmann7Lehmann has almost 17 million Instagram supportersCredit: Instagram @alishalehmann7She regularly posts saucy snaps of her glamourous life in ItalyCredit: Instagram / @alishalehmann7Lehmann is not shy when it comes to the cameraCredit: instagram/alishalehmann7Lehmann is the most-followed female footballer in the worldCredit: instagramShe is also a Switzerland internationalCredit: Getty More

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    ‘He lives it’ – Craig Bellamy reveals shock at Arne Slot impact and doubts over replacing ‘personality of Jurgen Klopp’

    CRAIG BELLAMY has hailed “incredible” Arne Slot for matching the high-energy personality of Jurgen Klopp.The Liverpool boss bids to breathe new life into a stunning debut season with his first silverware for the club after the midweek Champions League penalty shootout exit to Paris Saint-Germain. Slot has had an impressive first season with Liverpool; 15 points clear in the Prem and a League Cup final appearance at WembleyThe ex-Feyenoord boss replaced high-energy Jurgen Klopp on Merseyside last summerCredit: GETTYSlot, 46, leads his impressive Reds in today’s Carabao Cup final against Newcastle at Wembley.And the Dutchman already has one hand firmly on the Premier League title as his runaway leaders are a mammoth 15 points clear of nearest rivals Arsenal.Bellamy, who played for both of today’s finalists, says he never thought anyone could rival giant-like figure Klopp.But the Wales manager has admired ex-Feyenoord chief Slot for his sheer enthusiasm since replacing the German on Merseyside last summer.read more footballBellamy said: “I’ve been impressed with Arne. All day. First season at the biggest club in the world, he’s been incredible.”I just didn’t know if anyone could replace the personality of Klopp. BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS”They are not coming from two different worlds in terms of coaching. It’s quite similar in how they play.”Of course, Slot has his own influences but it was more the personality. How do you replace that type of profile and person of Klopp?Most read in Football”He was 100-mile an hour. Managers like that live it with you.”I feel that it’s quite important that someone breathes it with you.Liverpool boss Arne Slot looks ahead to Carabao Cup final against Newcastle Bellamy, now the manager of Wales, played in the Premier League for both Liverpool and NewcastleCredit: Alamy”Klopp would grip you with a bear hug after a match – he’s living it with you. And you could see the affection that they had for him.”Slot is different. He shows it in a different way but to have the season he’s had has been incredible. Nothing short of that.”So what attribute has really stood-out for boyhood Liverpool fan Bellamy?Bellamy, who had two one-season stints at Anfield in 2006 and 2011 – and then won the League Cup with Liverpool against hometown club Cardiff in 2012, replied: “Energy. He lives it. How do you find that? To be able to find that twice a week – I find that really impressive.”Student of the game Bellamy has tracked Slot’s path before his arrival in the Premier League.The 45-year-old is a big fan of Dutch football having spent a week in the Netherlands as a kid when he was just a budding footballer.Bellamy added: “I was impressed with Slot before when he was at Feyenoord. I have a soft spot for them.”It’s mad. I love the De Kuip. It’s one of my favourite stadiums. I scored there for Newcastle in the Champions League.”It seemed every European tournament that I watched as a kid had the final at that ground. It always felt like an amazing stadium.”I spent a week there as a kid. We went to Feyenoord and Ajax as well. Ajax were such an amazing team at the time.”But there’s something about Feyenoord, Rotterdam and De Kuip.”So it was really nice watching Slot with them over the last few seasons and then to watch him take Liverpool.”Bellamy will watch his old teams do battle in the first domestic final of the season at Wales’ Vale of Glamorgan HQ on the outskirts of Cardiff.The Dragons boss will be preparing for his nation’s opening World Cup 2026 qualifying campaign against Kazakhstan next Saturday night.Then Wales follow that up with a trip to North Macedonia three days later.But, before his Welsh players start arriving late on Sunday, Bellamy, who had a four-year spell at Newcastle between 2001-05, is excited to tune in.When asked how he saw the final panning out, he joked: “I couldn’t care. No Welsh players. I hope football is the winner.”READ MORE SUN STORIESBut Bellamy then raised a smile and added: “It’s a good game. I really like them both. I love the intensity that they go at.”It will be nice to watch. I’m not going to give you a prediction but it doesn’t interfere with my game so I’ll watch it. I’m actually quite excited for the game.” More

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    ‘We would have had a chance’ – Nikos Dabizas still haunted by ‘bitter taste’ of sliding doors Wembley miss for Newcastle

    NEWCASTLE legend Nikos Dabizas still has a “bitter taste” over his sliding doors Wembley moment.The former Greek defender, famed for scoring the winner at Sunderland in 2002, nearly achieved an even greater feat four years earlier.Newcastle legend Nikolas Dabizas is still haunted by a Wembley momentCredit: PA:Press AssociationThe former defender will be at Wembley today to watch his beloved old clubCredit: GettyHe was part of Kenny Dalglish’s Toon side that lost 2-0 to double winners Arsenal in the FA Cup Final.No Newcastle player has managed a goal in a Wembley showpiece since Alan Gowling’s strike in the 1976 League Cup Final defeat.However, Dabizas almost ended that against the Gunners only to be denied an equaliser by the woodwork and has been left wondering what could have been ever since.He told Sun Sport: “If we would have equalised at that stage we would have had a chance. But we didn’t and in these kind of games you need these type of details to come with you.READ MORE ON FOOTBALL”It’s one of two moments in my career I think about. The other was with the national team and a header when we played Denmark, with Peter Schmeichel, in goal. That left a bitter taste and I have that same feeling with the Arsenal one.”I had the privilege of scoring against Sunderland and that stays forever but to have scored at Wembley or win an FA cup with Newcastle would have been an absolute dream come true. “But football is like this. That’s why it makes it so special. It seems just centimetres between success and from defeat. “You need a little bit of luck and it can go with or against you. And history tells us that it wasn’t to be that day.Most read in FootballBest new sign-up offersSunSport exclusives”The momentum was with us. When you score a goal and you’re on top, that can change easily. So of course it will be a completely different story if it would have gone in.”Dabizas, who spent five years at St James’ Park before moving to Leicester in 2003, would suffer two more Wembley disappointments in black and white.Dan Burn’s gone from pushing trolleys at Asda to potential England glory – he fully deserves his call-upHe lost in both the following season’s FA Cup Final to the treble-winning Manchester United side and then 2-1 to Chelsea in the semi-final of the same competition in 2000.The 51-year-old is now one of the top commentators on Greek TV and will be at Wembley to watch Eddie Howe’s team try and conquer the trophy drought.Although he feels his presence could be a bad omen having also watched Toon lose two years ago against Manchester United from the gantry.He half-joked: “I was thinking about keeping away to be honest. I don’t have the best memories.”If anyone is to end the alleged curse on the club and fire Newcastle back to glory then surely it is Alexander Isak.How Howe turned Toon around WITHOUT Saudi billionsBY GARY STONEHOUSEEDDIE HOWE has got “the richest club in the world” fighting for honours regularly again despite not being able to blow the big Saudi bucks.The 47-year-old achieved legendary status at Bournemouth by guiding the then-skint Cherries all the way from League Two into the Premier League promised land.Now he is potentially on the verge of writing his name into Newcastle’s history books if he can end their 70-year wait for a major trophy.Howe came mightily close two years ago when he and the Magpies suffered heartbreak in the Carabao Cup final against Manchester United.Qualifying for the Champions League with a fourth-placed finish softened that blow, and now he is eyeing more than just another Wembley outing as he takes Toon to Arsenal for the first-leg of the Carabao Cup semis.Of course, it has been nothing like those early days at Bournemouth for Howe since he took charge in November 2021 just weeks after their Saudi takeover.There was a big outlay that January transfer window in order to assure the club’s Premier League status, but despite reaching the Champions League, PSR rules have delayed their path straight to football’s top table.Though, despite the purse strings being tightened and even being forced to sell young starlets against his wishes, Howe still has Newcastle punching with the big boys for silverware.The question is though – how has he done it and how far can he go?Dabizas played with the greatest striker in Toon’s history in Alan Shearer, whose statue now stands outside their stadium.Fan favourite Dabizas believes Isak still has work to do to be compared with Shearer – but admits the Swede could get a statue himself if he bags the Wembley winner.He said: “I think Alan is a different story because we have to judge them equally over longevity.“Alexander probably is one of the best strikers in the world and would fit in the first 11 of maybe Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich even if they already have top strikers.“They are completely different types of players with different styles and Alan scored so many goals in his career.READ MORE SUN STORIES“But at the end of the day, if Alexander scores on Sunday then everything goes out of the window. He will be a hero.“Combine that with if he can lift the trophy or get the winning goal then yeah [statue].”How ‘big angel’ Joelinton rescued boss after he fainted in SubwayNEWCASTLE cult hero Joelinton rescued his old boss after he fainted in Subway.And coach Pellegrino Matarazzo still calls the Brazilian his ‘angel’.Matarazzo was Joelinton assistant manager during the midfielder’s spell in Germany with Hoffenheim.Recalling the scary incident, the Matarazzo revealed: “I was standing in the queue and I wasn’t feeling well.“I tried to go over to the Coca-Cola machine to quickly get a drink.”I realised I was about to faint, and I did faint.“When I opened my eyes I saw Joelinton! ‘Rino, Rino, are you okay?'”He was like a small, no a big, angel – Joelinton, what are you doing here?”Read the full story… More

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    How 3 MILLION dogs are being slaughtered ahead of World Cup with executions & poisoned food… but Fifa is doing nothing

    AGAINST a backdrop of pained barking, an emaciated pooch hobbles over to a dirt-covered animal pile, which it licks, bites and then tugs at — eager to pry off any flesh to stave off starvation.It’s a haunting moment now regularly seen in Morocco, stray dogs are resorting to cannibalism to survive after a terrifying “street cleanse”, while others are killed in ghoulish ways and left to rot. Animal rights campaigners claim stray dogs are being rounded up and then killedCredit: International Animal Welfare Protection Coalition (IAWPC)One dog has resorted to cannibalism, as seen in footage supplied to The SunCredit: International Animal Welfare Protection Coalition (IAWPC)They claim dogs have been shot, beaten with weapons, poisoned and stabbedCredit: ‘International Animal Welfare Protection Coalition (IAWPC)A design of Morocco’s upcoming 2030 FIFA World Cup venue set to be built in CasablancaCredit: Courtesy Populous/Oualolou + ChoiThe north-west African nation is allegedly in the midst of a mass butchering spree to eradicate three million homeless dogs in time for the 2030 FIFA World Cup – despite vowing they’d ended the killings.Horrifying videos released by animal rights campaigners expose the horrors being unleashed on the streets of Morocco on the canines.Heartbreaking footage shows dogs being stabbed with poisonous sticks, violently impaled with hooks, left to bleed out from gunshot wounds and abandoned in pounds without food or water. It flies in the face of FIFA’s Bid Evaluation Report, which claimed Morocco had “outlined its commitment to the protection of animal rights” and since August had ruled “the culling of animals is prohibited in the country”.READ MORE FROM FEATURESHere The Sun refutes that with a damning dossier of evidence obtained on the ground through the International Animal Welfare Protect Coalition (IAWPC), which was also presented to FIFA.They say Morocco has violated their vow and lied to the footballing body. And that means their implementation as a host nation – alongside Spain and Portugal – is a “sham” and they must be stripped of their duties, campaigners say. The campaign calling for action from FIFA has been backed by celebrities including Downton Abbey star Peter Egan, music legend Gary Numan, conservationist Chris Packham and world-renowned conservationist Dr Jane Goodall.Most read in FootballChariots of Fire actor Peter tells The Sun: “Football is regarded as the ‘beautiful game’ and for it to be celebrated in such ugly circumstances is a betrayal of all ethics. FIFA must act now.“I’m absolutely appalled by the situation and the football-loving public will be too, the majority of people who love the beautiful game cannot endorse such cruelty by knowing about it, ignoring it and supporting the World Cup. “It’s almost impossible to get one’s head around why any country would choose to brutally slaughter millions of animals just to ‘tidy their streets’ for a football match. It’s inconceivable.“They choose the cheapest way of destroying these poor creatures too, often this is starving them to death or bludgeoning them with a weapon. It’s absolutely shocking.”Dog that mauled man to death ‘attacked schoolboy days earlier’ in East LondonOne stray dog being shot on the streets in MoroccoCredit: International Animal Welfare Protection Coalition (IAWPC)One stray was dragged along the ground for a lengthy amount of time to cause injuryCredit: International Animal Welfare Protection Coalition (IAWPC)’Absolute evil’The new footage, shot in the coastal city of Kenitra, shows animals waiting in dark and damp spaces to starve to death and canine cannibalism.Les Ward, President of the IAWPC, tells The Sun “absolute evil is going on in Morocco” and that cruel dog catchers are being dispatched to the streets to round up strays for slaughter. He explains: “The Moroccan Government hasn’t even got a clue what animal rights means. “They are setting up ‘dispensaries’ and ‘clinics’, which are killing stations to eradicate dogs, not help them.“At these killing pounds the dogs are thrown into a mass of frightened animals. They don’t feed them, they don’t give them water. If they do feed them it’s with poisoned bait that kills them.“Cannibalism is occurring. These dogs are being starved to death and as a result, start to eat one another. “Others are being killed, shot and poisoned and then thrown in the bin.”They don’t die immediately, they thrash around, crying as blood pours out of themLes Ward, IAWPC PresidentAnother heartbreaking clip shows several emaciated pooches cower in their alleyway-like prison, some lifelessly looking up at the camera, while others could be seen with wounds. A few had given birth.An IAWPC campaigner, who asked to remain anonymous to avoid persecution, told us: “The dogs are starving and dying. “It is a tiny space with up to 400 dogs cramped into it and they are living in their own waste. “Some of them die from sickness or poisoning, the others eat them because they are starving… the dogs are kept next to a slaughterhouse which uses them as food. “It is inhumane and unbearable.”World Cup ‘horror’Moroccan authorities are estimated to be killing 300,000 homeless dogs each year, despite it being ruled illegal since 2019.Supporters claim it will end rabies, which kills roughly 80 people a year, but campaigners argue culling won’t work.Instead, they insist their Trap Neuter Release (TNR) programme, currently being implemented by volunteers, is the only way to succeed. Previously it helped Goa, in India, become a rabies-free state.A poison-tipped stick that’s used to kill strays in MoroccoCredit: International Animal Welfare Protection Coalition (IAWPC)A dead dog moments before it was feasted on by a starving strayCredit: International Animal Welfare Protection Coalition (IAWPC)Animals filled a narrow alleyway in a ‘kill shelter’ in Kenitra, MoroccoCredit: International Animal Welfare Protection Coalition (IAWPC)Les tells us: “Morocco’s approach will exacerbate the problem because rabies-infected dogs will continue to breed and more will move into the area. Killing is not the solution, it’s a horror.”Campaigners claim the culling has been ramping up since the 2023 Club World Cup, which was a ‘trial event’ from FIFA officials after Morocco lost an unprecedented five main tournament bids.Some oppose the slaughter – in 2022, a judge fined the Governor of the Nador Province 6,000MAD (£490) after discovering they had killed strays.The judge labelled it “uncivilised” and stated the brutality “which dates back to ancient times, are no longer acceptable”.In 2023, hundreds of strays and tagged dogs were killed in Tangier, which the founder of SFT Animal Sanctuary insisted was “because of FIFA’s visit” for the Club World Cup.She claimed the orders came “from the governor” and that all tagged dogs had to be “removed… from the posh areas around the stadium where FIFA will be”.’Inhumane killings’Now a World Cup host for 2030, campaigners allege the butchery is increasing and often the barbaric street killings are taking place in front of children. IAWPC footage shows men of the attacks by men in orange suits, including one who stuck his fingers up at the camera.Using “tong-like” implements, which have a painful debilitating effect, they pick up dogs the size of German Shepherds and throw them into vans pile with other dogs. One ‘dog catcher’ flips up his fingers at a cameraCredit: International Animal Welfare Protection Coalition (IAWPC)They then use giant tongs to pick up a German Shephard and chuck it into a vanCredit: International Animal Welfare Protection Coalition (IAWPC)Dead dogs being taken to the tip to be disposed of alongside rubbishCredit: International Animal Welfare Protection Coalition (IAWPC)They are then taken to ‘holding’ centres where they are starved to death or “inhumanely killed”, we are told.One day is seen with blood trickling down from the midriff due to being cruelly dragged along the streets and beaten.Les says: “Some of the dogs are left to decompose on the street. Young children are seeing this. That’s traumatic for them and there are links between regularly seeing traumatising things and becoming violent in adult life.” Some dogs are killed with a stick that holds a syringe containing poison at the end, others are fed deadly bait by hand – both practices cause “considerable pain, suffering and lingering death”.Les explains: “Any vet will tell you killing a dog by strychnine is a cruel and lengthy process. They lure the dogs close by getting unsuspecting members of the public to tell them the dogs’ names.”Gun squads allegedly “shoot dogs around the clock with rifles and pistols” but cruelly they are “rarely killed outright” and left to bleed to death on the streets.he was banging on the door so hard and she was left standing in the street screaming as he was driven away. Louise Smith, victim of dog catchersLes adds: “These aren’t bullets that pass through they lodge in the body of dogs, meaning they don’t die immediately, they thrash around, crying as blood pours out of them.“I recently saw a harrowing photo of a dog seconds after its face was obliterated with a shotgun. It’s all extremely cruel.” Dog catchers Many of the animals are being rounded up by groups of dog catchers – and some seized them because they “know owners will bribe them to get their pets back”. Among them is Scottish mum Louise Smith, 46, who has paid to retrieve her six-year-old daughter Salma’s dogs “multiple times” but more recently she notes they are “all about killing.”“I tried to bargain with the dog catchers,” she says. “Salma was beside herself, she cut her knuckles. She was banging on the door so hard and she was left standing in the street screaming as he was driven away.”Dog catchers collect the animals and transport them to ‘kill centres’Credit: International Animal Welfare Protection Coalition (IAWPC)Six-year-old Salma was devastated when her dog Bingo was taken by dog catchersCredit: International Animal Welfare Protection Coalition (IAWPC)One man shoots a dog in the streetCredit: International Animal Welfare Protection Coalition (IAWPC)FIFA ‘betrayal’Pressure is mounting against FIFA to take action – celebrities to join the campaign include Dr Jane Goodall, who’s famed for her work with wild chimpanzees. In a letter, she demanded urgent intervention, writing: “If you fail to act, however, FIFA will be known for its complicity in a horrific act of barbarity – on your watch.”There is simply no excuse for the awful campaign of cruelty that is being executed in football’s name.” Les says the IAWPC has sent letters to FIFA every week, supplied photo and video evidence as well as written testimony, only to receive “no reply, nothing whatsoever”. He says: “Absolute evil is going in Morocco and FIFA and its associations should know better. In the UK, anyone found shooting, poisoning, starving or clubbing a dog would be thrown in jail, because it’s a criminal offence. “This World Cup is being built on three million dead dogs and god knows how many traumatised children, that’s a blood scandal and raises the question of whether we should be sending our football teams there at all.“Allowing Morocco to host the World Cup has greenlit their killing groups to pick up and murder as many dogs as they can, as quickly as they can before 2030. “FIFA is complicit by maintaining the wall of silence. They are not stopping the government from killing their dogs, so they are party to it and complicit.”READ MORE SUN STORIESThe Sun contacted FIFA, officials in Morocco and the Moroccan embassy but received no response.Find out more about the IAWPC here or sign their petition.Dog catchers using metal tongs, which cause immense pain, to pick up poochesCredit: International Animal Welfare Protection Coalition (IAWPC)Morocco is preparing to host the 2030 World CupCredit: AFPFIFA President Gianni Infantino has been slammed by animal rights campaignersCredit: EPA More

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    ‘I don’t subscribe to it’ – Howe insists Newcastle are NOT cursed ahead of Liverpool despite 70-year-old ‘Gypsy Hex’

    EDDIE HOWE refuses to say the word “curse” never mind believing Newcastle have one.And he wants his players to use the 70-year wait for domestic silverware as a positive to become heroes against Liverpool.Eddie Howe is keen for Newcastle to ignore the past ahead of their Carabao Cup final with LiverpoolCredit: GettyThousands have Geordies have packed out the capital ahead of Sunday’s showdownCredit: AFPWembley success used to be a sure thing for the Magpies back in the day, with the club winning in their first five appearances at the Twin Towers.But the story goes that not long after the 1955 FA Cup triumph, a group of travellers made themselves at home on the land Newcastle used to train on.They were forcibly removed and, in retaliation, they are said to have placed a Gypsy curse on Toon.The Magpies have lost five Wembley finals in a row since but Howe issued a bold message to fans who say the club is hexed.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLThe Toon boss said: “I don’t subscribe to that way of thinking.”There isn’t always a negative outcome.”I understand the finals record isn’t great but I take us qualifying for the Champions League, when we had to go deep into the season.”It was nip and tuck if we were going to qualify and we got over the line.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”So, there are examples where we have been really successful and even getting to the final isn’t a given. They are very difficult to get there.”Now we are there, we just want to play to our true maximum and capabilities.Iconic London landmark lit up by Newcastle stars in incredible projection show ahead of Carabao Cup final”Destiny is in our own hands. I’m not even going to use the word you mentioned, it is not in that mindset, it’s about us delivering a great performance if we can.”Talking about the other outcome [winning] — that is exciting.”Joe Harvey was the last Toon boss to lift a major domestic trophy in 1955.And Howe added: “I understand it will be a negative or perceived negative for a lot of people — but we’re trying to look at it the other way around.I really respect him as a footballer…but I think it’s always about the team. Eddie Howe on Mo Salah”A chance to make history for us as a team. That’s very rare in football. You get very few opportunities to do that.”A chance to be remembered positively.”Howe must decide on Nick Pope or Martin Dubravka in goal.Winger Anthony Gordon is banned, with defenders Lewis Hall and Sven Botman injured.Toon’s biggest task is stopping Mo Salah.The Egyptian superstar has been directly involved in an astonishing 18 goals in 16 games against the Magpies.READ MORE SUN STORIESBut Howe said: “I really respect him as a footballer. “I think it’s always about the team and making sure our structures are good, not about any individuals.” More

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    F1’s Gabriel Bortoleto cheered on by mysterious computer scientist girlfriend Isabella Bernardini who keeps low profile

    GABRIEL BORTOLETO’S girlfriend is a computer science whizz who is studying to work in cyber security.The F1 prodigy has been dating Isabella Bernardini, 21, since she was 17 and he was 16.Isabella Bernardini watches on as Gabriel Bortoleto racesCredit: RexGorgeous Isabella seemed intrigued during the Australian Grand Prix qualifiersCredit: RexGabriel Bortoleto is one of six rookies in F1 this seasonCredit: RexLike Bortoleto she is from Brazil but is currently pursuing a degree in computer science in Eindhoven in the Netherlands.Bernardini keeps herself to herself with a private Instagram account with just over 2.5k followers.Bortoleto, who has a whopping one million followers on Instagram, also doesn’t delve too much into his private life, rarely posting her on his social media.Bernadini isn’t the only girlfriend on the grid who has been working tirelessly at university.Read more F1 newsRed Bull driver Liam Lawson’s girlfriend recently graduated from the renowned Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences.Meanwhile, Oliver Bearman’s ex-girlfriend Estelle Ogilvy, who plans on pursuing a career in modeling, is also a law student.It is Bortoleto’s first season on the F1 grid, having signed for Sauber in November last year.He recently hit out at comments made by Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko who said he was a ‘B’ category driver, despite the Brazilian youngster’s back-to-back championship successes in F3 and F2.Most read in MotorsportBortoleto has vowed to “prove him wrong” and make him “regret what he said”.Behind the scenes in Australia GP paddock including F1 star Lewis Hamilton’s new Ferrari baseAfter all, the youngster arguably has the biggest racing credentials out of this season’s six rookies.He is one of only four drivers, with Charles Leclerc, George Russell and Oscar Piastri, to win those back-to-back F3 and F2 titles.His racing career was saved by Fernando Alonso when the two-time world champion sponsored him in 2022 before he was snapped up by the McLaren development programme a year later.They allowed Bortoleto, who says his favourite movie is Interstellar and his favourite TV show is Peaky Blinders, to then join Sauber for this season, with McLaren chief Zak Brown calling him a “great racing driver”.Bortoleto’s father Lincoln, is the co-founder of one of the biggest Internet providers in the world, Americanet following a merger with Vero in 2023.Liam Lawson’s girlfriend Hannah St. John is another new Wag on the F1 sceneCredit: INSTAGRAM @hannahstjohnBortoletto seen in action for Sauber in qualifying at the Australian Grand PrixCredit: Rex More

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    ‘Won’t be a numpty’ – Joey Essex in talks for boxing debut and has TEN opponents lined up as cousin Demi joins Misfits

    JOEY ESSEX could follow cousin Demi Sims into the Misfits Boxing ring. Demi – the youngest daughter of esteemed trainer Tony – faces Egypt Criss – whose dad is the American rapper Treach – on March 29. Joey Essex, pictured with Adam Brooks, is in talks for a boxing debutCredit: X @EssexPRAnd 34-year-old Joey has been teasing a switch to the boxing ring himself – with Misfits co-founder Mams Taylor leading talks over the phone.Taylor told SunSport: “I spoke to Joey today actually on WhatsApp and I’ve just suggested a couple of opponents for him.”He’s got to take himself away from his schedule and implement the training and take it seriously because that’s what he wants to do.”Look, Joey Essex is not someone who’s gonna do this half-arsed, so I understand for him it’s a hell of a commitment as well because he’s got a lot going on.READ MORE IN BOXING”But I’m very confident we’ll see Joey Essex in a Misfits ring, very soon. Sooner rather than later.”Taylor – who created Misfits as a home to celebrity-style crossover bouts – has tabled over TEN opponents for reality TV star Joey. He said: “I’ve sent him a few options and let’s see what he wants to do.”He’s never had a fight before but he’s been around boxing and trained a lot so you’ve got to consider that and make sure you don’t want to feed the guy into the lions.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS”He’s a star as well and I wanna make sure he has a fair challenge on his first outing.”I don’t wanna feed him a numpty at the same time, I wanna make sure that he’s in there and let’s see what he’s made of. It’s a balance and it limits the amount fighters that will draw. KSI’s team reveal new term for Jake Paul grudge fight to finally make £250million bout happen”We’ve got to make sure the opponent brings about some interest, so it’s interesting to you guys, it’s interesting to the fans and also as a fair fight.”So that eliminates a lot of names gives me a shortlist of about ten or 12 that I can think of and I’ve sent some of them to Joey and you know, more news on that coming.”KSI also co-created Misfits with his manager Taylor, who originally has a music background. And KSI, 31, returns to the ring in Manchester against Dillon Danis, 31, who is 2-0 in MMA but last year lost his boxing debut to Logan Paul. Joey’s younger cousin Demi, 28, makes her debut on the undercard with legendary dad Tony in the corner. Taylor said: “I haven’t spoken to Tony, I think we follow each other on Instagram, I’m a fan of what he does. “He’s a great guy by all accounts and as a girl father myself, naturally gonna be very protective.”I wouldn’t let my daughter fight on Misfits but I think it’s something that’s come from her, something she’s wanted to do.”And listen, I can guarantee you she’s gonna have had great coaching, at least we know that much, right?”Her opponent is the daughter of one of the group members of Salt-N-Pepa. So that’s gonna be interesting.”You got the offspring of famous parents fighting each other and I think that girl pretty good as well. READ MORE SUN STORIES”I think it’s gonna be a good first fight for both of them. It’ll be a fun challenge.”Demi Sims with cousin Joey Essex and sister ChloeCredit: GettyDemi is making a boxing debut herselfShe is the daughter of boxing trainer TonyShe is fighting American Egypt Criss More