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    Tyson Fury hits back at Oleksandr Usyk’s team after being compared to Vladimir Putin as feud hots up ahead of rematch

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    TYSON FURY has hit back at Oleksandr Usyk’s team after being compared to Vladimir Putin – as the feud hots up ahead of their rematch. Usyk became the first four-belt undisputed champion in heavyweight history after taking Fury’s WBC title and unbeaten record in May. Tyson Fury has hit back at Oleksandr Usyk’s team after being compared to Vladimir PutinCredit: Queensberry Promotions It has set the scene for a huge rematch back in Riyadh on December 21.In a social media post, Fury issued a rallying cry and hit out at Usyk, his promoter Alex Krassyuk and manager Egis Klimas. He wrote: “You had your shot but couldn’t finish the job! Mistake!”Now your about to feel the wrath of a menace! F*** Usyk. F*** Egis Klimas. F*** Alex Krassyuk and if you’re down with Usyk then f*** you too.READ MORE IN BOXING”Gypsy King 2024 for coming for you. December 21 is mine. Me against the world. Incoming 3x heavyweight champion.”But Klimas responded: “Sounds like Putin, if you are not with me f*** you, and it means you against me. You pal, f*** you back!!!” Fury caught wind of being compared to Russia’s president, who ordered the invasion of Usyk’s homeland of Ukraine. And he responded: “I know his team are a little bit upset, they’ve even compared me to Vladimir Putin today. I’m not sure why. Most read in Boxing”Because I’ve been rapping Tupac. And Egis – f*** you, f*** your team, f*** Usyk. “F*** Alex and if you’re down with Usyk, then f*** you too, just like Tupac said.”I’m in there to smash a motherf***er’s face in. And whatever I’ve got to, I’ll do it. It’s him or me.” Tyson Fury teases trilogy with Oleksandr Usyk More

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      F1 team could have cars SEIZED as Russian former sponsor demands £10million back after deal was terminated

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      AN F1 team could have their cars SEIZED as a Russian former sponsor demands £10million be paid back after their deal was terminated.Haas were ordered to pay back money to Uralkali earlier this year from funds transferred to the team in early 2022.Haas face having their cars seizedCredit: ReutersBut that became impossible following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Russian companies like Uralkali have been under economic sanctions meaning the likes of Haas have been unable to make transactions.It means returning the €12million (£10m) that a Swiss arbitrator ordered must be paid back has proven difficult. Haas have now sent out a statement to racingnews365 to indicate they do plan to pay the money back. READ MORE IN f1It read: “Haas intends to pay all amounts due to Uralkali pursuant to the arbitration award, and there is no dispute over the amounts due.”Haas has been working with its lawyers to ensure that the payment complies with all relevant US, EU, UK and Swiss sanctions laws and regulations.”We will continue to work with Uralkali in the coming days to definitively resolve this matter.”Uralkali hit back themselves, stating: “We are aware that Dutch bailiffs, accompanied by police, last night arrived at the Haas paddock and took an inventory of all racing equipment and other property.Most read in Motorsport”This is the expected consequence of Haas’ refusal to obey the ruling of arbitrage awarding payment and a race car to Uralkali.”The arbitral ruling was issued June 12th with immediate effect and has been ignored by Haas. Brad Pitt secretly invites Hans Zimmer to F1 race as legendary composer starts writing Apex score”Haas has had over two months to implement the ruling, and, as was reported previously, Uralkali reached out to Haas’ representatives with options about how to make payment and where to send the race car, without ever receiving a substantive answer.”There are not now and never have been any sanctions issues preventing Haas from fulfilling its obligations. Nevertheless, they have gone unfulfilled.”We are delighted to hear that, following last night’s visit from Dutch authorities, Haas is finally paying attention to the arbitral ruling.”Uralkali wants nothing more than to receive what it was awarded during a fair judicial process and hopes that Haas will move quickly to rectify the situation so that all sides can move on.” More

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      Putin CENSORS the Euros as Georgia fans’ VERY rude chant during Turkey clash is suddenly scrubbed from Russian broadcast

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      VLADIMIR Putin has censored a Euros broadcast to stop Russians from hearing a rude chant about him at the tournament.Georgian fans loudly chorused “Putin is a ****head” around the 38th minute of their team’s game against Turkey before it was scrubbed in a cowardly move.Putin censored a ‘very rude’ chant during a Euros matchCredit: Kommersant Photo / Polaris More

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      Ex-Chelsea owner Abramovich’s £2.5BILLION for Ukraine tied up in red tape… Government must shame those responsible

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      TWO years after former Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich promised £2.5BILLION to help Ukraine victims, shamefully not a penny has left the UK.Blocked by red-tape, this huge sum from the sale of the club — seven times more than this country has provided — is idle and waiting for the Government to act.The huge sum promised by Roman Abramovich for Ukrainian victims of Russia’s invasion has yet to be dished outCredit: GettyKarren Brady says delays in help must end nowCredit: News Group Newspapers LimitedI’m told that a disagreement has formed between the Trustees running the fund and the Government about how it should be spent.Responsibility has passed from department to department while Ukrainians are slaughtered and buildings are reduced to rubble.Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron stated recently that Russia was “going to have to pay reparations for its illegal invasion, so why not spend some of the money now, rather than wait till the war is over and have all the legal wrangling.” Quite right too.Redress, a charity seeking justice for survivors, are demanding action from the Government in setting up structures here and in Ukraine to compensate victims.READ MORE TOP STORIESThe figures are mortifying — more than 125,000 war crimes including sexual abuse and torture have been reported, ten million people displaced and about 14 million in need of psychological aid.Many need help now. It’s a national disgrace that a charity which could do so much good in a country fighting a vicious, evil enemy is being stood up by Trustees who are the very ones who are meant to distribute the money.If I was the Government I would name and shame each one of these “Trustees” who have yet to apply for a License so the Government can release the money.Then I’d hold them to account by inviting them to a Select Committee to answer this question. Where is the money and why haven’t you released it to Ukraine?Most read in FootballFrank Lampard reveals brutal Roman Abramovich blast after ex-Chelsea owner threatened to axe first team stars More

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      Arsenal star Zinchenko says he will fight in Ukraine if he’s called up & reveals school pals are battling Putin’s forces

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      ARSENAL star Oleksandr Zinchenko has revealed he would leave the UK to fight in Ukraine if he was ever called up by his country.The footballer, 27, said his school pals are already battling Vladimir Putin’s forces as Ukraine has become a “shield” for Europe.Oleksandr Zinchenko said he will take up arms if he was called to fight in UkraineCredit: BBCNewsnightThe footballer spoke with BBC Newsnight about the invasion of his home countryCredit: BBCNewsnightZinchenko went on to call ‘super tough’ Ukraine a ‘shield’ for EuropeCredit: BBCNewsnightThe Arsenal ace said his former school friends are fighting on the frontlineCredit: GettyThe Arsenal defender told BBC Newsnight if he would take up arms and if that’s more valuable than continuing to play in the Premier League.Adamantly, Zinchenko said: “I think it’s a clear answer. I would go [to fight].”On Wednesday, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed legislation that reduced the military mobilisation age from 27 to 25.This would allow the government to call up more individuals to refill its reserves, after the President’s announcement in December that the country would require 500,000 additional troops to be mobilised.Read more on ZinchenkoI really hope that this war will end soon.Oleksandr ZinchenkofootballerZinchenko added that his former school pals are fighting Putin’s troops on the frontline.”It’s tough to understand that just recently we’ve been in the same school, we were playing in the playground or on the football pitch, and now they have to defend our country,” he said.”And, honestly, [it’s] so hard to accept this, but it is what it is. We cannot give up.”The Arsenal ace went on to call Ukraine a “shield” for Europe, saying it was a “super tough nation”.Most read in FootballHe said: “I know maybe some people might think that it’s much easier … for me being here [in London] rather than being there [in Ukraine].”I really hope that this war will end soon.”Man City star Oleksandr Zinchenko breaks down in tears over Ukraine after winning Prem titleOleksandr Zinchenko and Andriy Shevchenko (right) pictured with Ukrainian president Volodymyr ZelenskyyCredit: AFPZinchenko said he and his family were ‘proud of our president’Credit: Instagram @u24.gov.uaZinchenko and Shevchenko at the destroyed school during their trip to UkraineHe also said he and his family were “proud of our president”.Zinchenko, who kick-started his football career with Russian team Ufa in 2016, said he no longer talks to his friends or former teammates in Russia.”Since the invasion really few [have] texted me and sent me some messages and I can’t blame them because this is not their fault,” he said.”I cannot tell them, ‘Guys, do the protests outside and all these things’, because I know they can be [put] in prison.”The footballer explained that Russians used to call Ukrainians their “brothers and sisters”, but the invasion of their country has shown “all of us Ukrainians that we can’t be friends with them anymore”.He said: “We will never forget what they have done to us, to our people.”And that’s what I will teach my kids as well. And my kids will teach their kids. This is not acceptable.”In February, President Zelensky said that 31,000 Ukrainian troops had been slain during Russia’s full-scale invasion, as well as tens of thousands of people in Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine.Zinchenko donated about £1million to help people in his home country since the start of Putin’s onslaught.He also mentioned that he knows of hundreds of youngsters whose parents died in the battle.The Premier League star said: “What is my duty now? How can I help as much as I can to my country, to my people, over there and all these things?”I can’t be more proud than I am right now to be Ukrainian.”I have a dream that this war will end very, very soon, and we can rebuild our Ukraine like we really want [to].”The Gunners full-back has spoken about the war and the toll it has had on him and his nation as a whole.He previously recalled the harrowing moment Russia began the invasion of his home country.Speaking on Piers Morgan Uncensored, he said: “My wife suddenly woke me up. And she said, ‘It started’. I said ‘What started?’ She was crying, you know, like flooding tears.”I said ‘What’s started, what’s wrong?’ And she showed me the pictures of this invasion.”Discussing his family and friends in Ukraine, he went on to add: “I’m so worried about them. And I’ll tell you what – the mentality of people they don’t want to leave, they don’t want to leave the country, even if they could.”This is their homeland. And I would for sure, after [my] football career, I will be living in Ukraine, that’s for sure. One million percent.”I was there one week ago and as soon as I passed the border it’s just my homeland, my place.”He said: “There will be a time everyone will be there. It will be the last call or something or whatever. It will be a call.”We go, all of us, we go there. Everyone will go. Of course [I would fight]. But at the same time I am thinking I am much more helpful from here at the moment.”But you never know what is going to happen. Maybe this is the last speech we are going to speak to each other. You never know.”And how many people have already been killed by this invasion? I’m not seeing myself hiding somewhere.”Last May, Zinchenko and former Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko visited a school devastated by Russian attacks in Ukraine.Zinchenko and Shevchenko – who coached the Ukrainian national team between 2016-2021 – travelled to the Mykhailo-Kotsyubinsky Lyceum in Chernihiv Oblast, northern Ukraine.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe village was under occupation for 33 days from February 27 2022, with around 100 people hiding in the shelter inside the secondary school.A third of them were children, with the youngest only two months old.The Ukrainian player started his football career in Russia but said he no longer speaks to his Russian teammatesCredit: Rex More

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      Euro 2024 terror warning to England fans after ISIS Moscow attack and kamikaze drones raise ‘dangers to new level’

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      ENGLAND fans have been warned of a new terror threat for Euro 2024.The Islamist attack in Moscow has raised “dangers to a new level”, said German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser, just 75 days before kick-off.England fans travelling to Germany to watch Gareth Southgate’s team have been warned of a new terror threat for Euro 2024Credit: GettyThe warning comes just 75 days before kick-offCredit: AdidasThe Islamist attack in Moscow has raised ‘dangers to a new level’, German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser saidCredit: APMs Faeser added: “We are pooling the forces of the security authorities even more strongly for the Euros and are preparing for all possible dangers.“This is necessary to protect this major international event in the best possible way.“The security of the tournament is paramount.”Her chilling alert came just days after the ISIS-K terrorist atrocity at a concert hall in Moscow killed 143.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAmong the drastic steps taken to protect Three Lions fans at the tournament in June will be a plan to temporarily close borders and ramp up frontier checks. British police will also be in Germany.A ring of steel will be thrown around every team base, including the home for Gareth Southgate’s England stars, such as skipper Harry Kane and young sensation Jude Bellingham.They will stay at the swish five-star Weimarer Land Golf Resort and Spa in Blankenhain – with Wags and families also protected.Most read in FootballIt comes amid fears of a menacing reaction from Russia after they were banned from taking part in the Euros – and enemy nation Ukraine qualified last week.Author and terrorism expert Neil Doyle said: “Euro 2024 represents a major target for groups looking to mount mass casualty attacks for revenge and global headlines.Inside England’s stunning Euro 2024 hotel with golf course, spa and robot “The use of drones will be a major concern as they have become a new feature of modern warfare, as seen in Ukraine.“Germany as a location in itself is also attractive as it has backed Ukraine with arms and equipment.”Security expert Colonel Richard Kemp, who has worked for the Joint Intelligence Committee and national crisis group Cobra, said: “Russia would like to disrupt this event in some way, such as a cyber attack, and they would hope to embarrass the German government.”As more than half a million UK nationals prepare to be in Germany for the tournament starting in 75 days, Ms Faeser said: “One thing can be said for sure – the dangers have reached a new level.”She added: “The state is arming itself even more strongly against all current threats.“This ranges from protection against Islamists and other ­potential violent criminals to the security of our networks against cyber attacks.”The state is arming itself even more strongly against all current threatsGerman Interior Minister Nancy FaeserAleksander Ceferin, president of tournament organisers Uefa, has spoken of the “world going crazy” and warned: “The biggest concern is security.” Germany will host 23 other nations – including England and Scotland – during the month-long 51-game football showpiece kicking off on June 14.Experts warn both the Russians and Islamists have access to high-tech kamikaze dronesCredit: AFPVladimir Putin runs an army of web warriorsCredit: GettyFar-right Alternative for ­Germany (AfD) is also gaining popularityCredit: RexAfD politician Rene SpringerCredit: Getty’Vital to be safe’Last night, fans were urged to be on high alert for the dangers, with British police being deployed to Germany.A UK government spokesman said: “Football fans all over the country will be looking forward to a summer of football. “We are working with the German police to support a safe and trouble-free tournament. “A UK police delegation will be deployed to Germany during the event and we will also be offering support and advice on how to engage with fans attending from the UK.”Caroline Dinenage, Tory MP and chairwoman of the sports select committee, said:  “Given the safety concerns, it’s vital to be safe, follow the rules, stay vigilant and most of all, have fun.”Referring to Ms Faeser’s warning, Damian Green, Tory MP and former deputy PM, who sits on the sports select committee, said: “This is a disturbing and sobering ­comment for all of us who love ­visiting Germany. “It is always important to listen to local advice about how to stay safe.”Tim Loughton, Tory MP and a member of the Home Affairs select committee, said: “With terrorist threat levels heightened across the world it is a sad reality of modern life that popular international sporting occasions have routinely become targets for attacks by ­fanatical groups who would undermine everything we stand for.”Safety fears centre on gun-carrying Islamists sneaking into Germany among migrants from the Middle East, and Russian agents entering among Ukrainians fleeing the war.Given the safety concerns, it’s vital to be safe, follow the rules, stay vigilant and most of all, have funCaroline Dinenage, Tory MP and chairwoman of the sports select committeeGerman intelligence experts say the biggest threat is an attack from the same ISIS-K group’s gun gangs which slaughtered 143 rock fans in Moscow last weekend.Both the Russians and Islamists have access to high-tech kamikaze drones which could cause mayhem if smuggled into Germany.Unmanned flying drones have added a new dimension to the ­terrorist threat after being used by both sides in the Ukraine war and Islamists of Gaza, Yemen, Iran, Syria and Lebanon.  ‘Danger increases’One of the greatest fears at Euro 2024 is a potentially devastating drone attack on a stadium or large gathering of fans.Drone expert Professor Nicolas Stockhammer warned: “Isis in particular has repeatedly used drones in attacks over the past ten years.“But technology is more readily available today for both kamikaze drones and as drones equipped with explosive charges.“And the danger increases if the attackers succeed in capturing modern military drones such as those being used in the current war zones.”Authorities suspect Russia’s army of cyber hackers are gearing up to cause computer chaos with attacks on stadium lights, transport, ticketing and security systems.The Kremlin’s industrial scale hacking operations look certain to ramp up as Vladimir Putin seethes over Russia’s exclusion from the tournament.Ms Faeser also spoke of her ­concern about the threat posed by far-right groups feared to be graduating from hate crime to terrorism.Neo-Nazi thugs have fired up ­bigotry since Germany absorbed more than two million migrants followed by a million refugees from the war in neighbouring Ukraine.Ms Faeser said: “We thwarted right-wing extremist acts and uncovered a large terrorist network of German citizens.”Far-right Alternative for ­Germany (AfD) is gaining popularity, with politicians such as Rene Springer sitting in the German parliament.Yesterday, the FA said security was a matter for the Foreign Office.We approached Uefa for comment.German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser says: ‘The state is arming itself even more strongly against all current threats’Credit: GettyA ring of steel will be thrown around every team base, including the home for Gareth Southgate’s England stars, such as Jude BellinghamCredit: Alamy More

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      Football-loving Evan Gershkovich is ‘thrilled’ by Arsenal tribute as family plead with Putin to free him from hellhole

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      BY rights, Arsenal fan Evan Gershkovich should be savouring the Gunners’ end-of-season title race from a comfy seat at the Emirates Stadium.Instead, he still languishes in Moscow’s grim Lefortovo Prison where Soviet tyrant Joseph Stalin once caged his enemies.Journalist Evan Gershkovich is languishing in Moscow’s grim Lefortovo PrisonCredit: APA banner is displayed in support of Evan prior to the Premier League match of his favourite team ArsenalCredit: GettyElla Milman, Danielle and Mikhail Gershkovich, mother, sister and father have put out an emotional plea, a year one from his captureCredit: AFPIt’s now a year since the brilliant young American reporter was held on trumped-up spying charges by Vladimir Putin’s regime — yet the Arsenal faithful have not forgotten one of their own.Twice this season fans have raised banners in the North Bank stand bearing his image and demanding #freeevan.His friend and fellow London-based Wall Street Journal reporter Eliot Brown told The Sun that the gesture by Gunners fans had left Evan “thrilled”.Although he is locked up with a cell mate for 23 hours a day, news of the placards filtered through via letters he is permitted to receive.READ MORE ON RUSSIAFellow Arsenal supporter Andrew Allen — who helped to organise the demonstrations — said: “The banners are a small gesture but Evan was just doing his job and he’s now living through hell.“As fellow Arsenal fans we thought we’d do our bit to keep his story in the spotlight.”Now the North Bank is planning more #freeevan protests after the innocent reporter was told by a Russian court on Tuesday that his pre-trial detention was being extended by a further three months.’Strong & resilient’Afterwards in the News UK offices in London — which the Journal’s UK bureau shares with The Sun — hundreds of sombre staff held up #istandwithEVAN posters.Most read in FootballThe 32-year-old reporter is the first US journalist to be charged with spying by Russia since the Cold War, and faces a possible 20-year prison sentence if convicted.America’s ambassador to Russia, Lynne Tracy, said he remained “strong and resilient” and added that it was “a tragedy that he is awaiting trial for a crime he did not commit”.Falsely jailed reporter Evan Gershkovich must be freed NOW after one year in Russian prisonThe bitter irony is that Evan loves Russia.He was born in Princeton, New Jersey, after his Jewish parents Mikhail and Ella had fled rising anti-Semitism in the Soviet Union.He and his elder sister Danielle grew up speaking Russian at home.At five Evan began playing football, which soon became “all-encompassing”, and Danielle said: “I remember him coming home from school and practising against the back of the garage.Bilingual skills “He would be out there and you would hear it — kick, kick, kick. I remember him being obsessed with Pele, his first big soccer idol.“Later he was into Thierry Henry, which led him to Arsenal.”Thatcher Foster, a teammate of Evan’s at youth team Princeton Spartak, said: “Football was such a big part of Evan’s identity.“Each year he would get around five different Arsenal kits.”After leaving school he became a journalist, using his bilingual skills to secure a reporter’s job on the online Moscow Times in Russia.There he bonded with colleague Pjotr Sauer over their love of Arsenal.The banners are a small gesture but Evan was just doing his job and he’s now living through hellFellow Arsenal supporter Andrew Allen Pjotr, who writes to Evan in prison to update him on their team’s fortunes, said: “Evan knew everything about Arsenal. I wasn’t expecting to meet a fellow Gunner who was an American guy.”After six years of working in Russia Evan moved to the globally-renowned Wall Street Journal in January 2022, a month before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.The journalist divided his time between London and reporting stints in Russia as the war ragedCredit: APAccredited by the Kremlin as a reporter, he divided his time between London and reporting stints in Russia as the war raged.Eliot, his colleague at the Journal’s London office, said: “We’d go out for beers and just talk about journalism and current events.“He has a million thoughts on everything. He is a fantastically talented young journalist.”But working in Moscow was becoming increasingly perilous.In July 2022, Evan tweeted: “Reporting on Russia is now a regular practice of watching people you know get locked away for years.”He assumed his phone was being tapped and he had been followed and filmed when on assignment.On March 29, 2023, Evan travelled to Yekaterinburg, nearly 900 miles east of Moscow, on a reporting trip.Constant brightnessHe was arrested at a steakhouse and led away with his head hooded.Conditions in Lefortovo prison are wretched.Evan is allowed out of his cell for just one hour a day.He usually spends it walking in one of the small courtyards on the prison roof, watched by armed guards.Cells are brightly lit, even at night.President Biden has pledged to do “whatever it takes” to bring him home, while Nato and the EU have also demanded his release.During several court appearances Evan has smiled for the cameras and looked remarkably relaxed.My brother is not a spy. He’s a journalistDanielle Gershkovich His mum Ella described one hearing in June: “We went and stood next to him, and immediately, Evan was talking and joking.“We were laughing. Russians don’t expect laughter in a court. Crying — that’s what they expect.”Evan spends his time keeping fit, reading Russian novels and answering letters from family and friends.The Arsenal results normally filter through to him two weeks late and he can watch limited match highlights on Russian TV.Pal Pjotr said: “He is very happy about how they are playing but obviously upset he can’t see for himself.”READ MORE SUN STORIESAnd sister Danielle has a heartfelt message for Putin: “My brother is not a spy. He’s a journalist.“Please, I just want him home.”Evan is allowed out of his cell for just one hour a dayCredit: AP More

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      Fans claim former Juventus star who went missing for THREE years after Covid pandemic has resurfaced in North Korea

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      NORTH KOREAN star Han Kwang-song has resurfaced after going missing for three years after the Covid-19 pandemic.The former Juventus star was spotted representing North Korea in an international friendly against Japan in Tokyo this week.Han Kwang-song has been spotted playing again after he went missing for three yearsCredit: AlamyHan played in an international friendly against Japan in TokyoCredit: AFPMoving to Italy to follow his dreams of becoming a professional footballer when he was 16, Han scored his first Serie A goal when he was 18 for Cagliari.Juventus were quick to snatch the forward who was certain to have a glittering career in Europe and represent his nation internationally.But his country being the most secretive and repressive – North Korea – this has limited the stars success.And led Han to be caught up in Kim Jong Un’s geopolitics during the pandemic which led to Han disappearing for three years.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLNow 25 Han has resurfaced and has been spotted playing football again.Eagled-eyed fans spotted Han playing in a World Cup qualifier against Syria back in November.And days later the striker scored as North Korea demolished Myanmar 6-1.This week supporters saw Han again on the pitch in North Korea’s 1-0 defeat to Japan in another World Cup qualifier in Tokyo. Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERThe two nations meet in the reverse fixture in North Korea on Tuesday.  Born Pyongyang in 1998 Han was one of the lucky few to leave North Korea due to his footballing talent.South Korea stages explosive military drills in response to Kim Jong Un’s ballistic missile testsSupreme leader Kim Jong Un loves sport particularity basketball and football and sends North Korean athletes abroad as a tactic of soft power.Han was apart of the Pyongyang International Football School that takes on 200 aspiring youngster every year.Kim Jong Un is known to be a fan of basketball and footballCredit: AFPMove to JuventusIt quickly became apparent Han would be able to make it professionally and even received interest from Liverpool and Manchester City.Instead, he joined the academy at Cagliari, becoming only the second North Korean player to sign for a Serie A club after Choe Song-hyok a year earlier.He shinned in Italian side and moved very quickly into the senior team.Han became the first North Korean to compete in the Serie A and score after he netted a 95th minute goal against Joe Hart  in a 3–2 away defeat to Torino.There was suspicion where his salary was going to as Kim Jong Un was known to send citizens abroad to fund the North Korea regime.But Cagliari decide to hand the youngster his first professional contract in 2017.Han spent two loan spells with Perugia in Serie B, scoring a handful of goals, and then played 20 times in 2019-20 for the Juventus under-23 side in Serie C.Han was spent half of the 2019-20 season on loan at JuventusCredit: AlamyTransfer to QatarHis tenure at Juventus was was short-lived and in January 2020, he was transferred to the Qatari team Al-Duhail. But due to North Korea’s ballistic missle test he United Nations Security Council [UNSC] demanded North Korean nationals working abroad to be deported by the end of 2019.There were assumptions citizens working overseas from earning foreign currency to fund Pyongyang’s nuclear weapons program.But this did not hinder Han’s move to Al-Duhail in 2020.He scored five goals in 16 matches was key in Al-Duhail securing the 2019-20 Qatar Stars League title, marking the first major trophy of his professional career.However this was the last time he was seen prior to his international comeback.Where did Han disappear to?Due to the sanctions imposed on North Korea, the Qatari club had no choice but to cancel Han’s contract and deport him from the country.During the Covid-19 pandemic, North Korea implemented an extremely strict lockdown, prohibiting entry to anyone, including its own citizens residing abroad.Forced to leave Qatar yet barred from returning to his homeland, Han boarded a flight from Doha to Rome on January 26, 2021.From this point, his whereabouts became unknown despite the football leagues resuming after the pandemic, Han was not active on any team.READ MORE SUN STORIESReports suggested that Han was living with other North Korean nationals who were similarly stranded, housed in an embassy in Europe, waiting for their country’s borders to reopen.Han remained out of the public eye until last November, when he made a sudden reappearance during a World Cup qualifier against Syria in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.Han made a sudden reappearance during a World Cup qualifier against Syria in NovemberCredit: Getty More

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      Billionaire ex-Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich LOSES bid to overturn sanctions slapped on him ‘for funding Putin’s war’

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      RUSSIAN oligarch Roman Abramovich has lost an appeal against the EU’s decision to freeze his funds over links to tyrant Vladimir Putin.The ex-Chelsea FC owner, 57, has been slapped with sanctions from the UK and the EU but has previously denied any financial relationship with despot Putin.
      Russian oligarch and ex-Chelsea owner Roman AbramovichCredit: Getty
      The billionaire is a pal of Russian tyrant Vladimir Putin (pictured together)Credit: Alamy
      Abramovich sold Chelsea football club in 2022 as a result of UK sanctions against Russian assets in the countryCredit: Alamy
      Abramovich is one of the richest people in Russia and is one of many powerful players in the country to be sanctioned since Putin’s brutal invasion of Ukraine.
      The EU also rejected his plea for compensation over damage to his reputation for £865,000 in a double blow for the oligarch.
      The ruling said on Wednesday that Abramovich is a majority shareholder in major steel and mining company Evraz, which gives “a substantial source of revenue to the Russian Government”.
      He has, as a result, benefited from decisions made by those in power who are responsible for the brutal conflict in Ukraine.
      READ MORE ON ABRAMOVICH
      Almost 1,800 individuals and entities such as companies or organisations have been slapped with sanctions since Russia invaded Ukraine – beginning with Crimea in 2014.
      Abramovich was appealing against the inclusion of his name in the group of those sanctioned for their activities that finance the Russian government.
      The EU court said today that his inclusion was correct and it does not result in an “unjustified and disproportionate infringement of his fundamental rights”.
      They have targeted banks, companies, markets and the energy sector.
      Most read in Football
      Over 1,000 Russian officials have been subject to asset freezing and travel bans alongside the former Chelsea owner.
      The oligarch, who was accused of supplying steel for Russian tanks, has repeatedly downplayed his relationship with Putin.
      He has challenged suggestions of a close financial relationship or that he has acted on behalf of the Russian president.
      When he sold Chelsea FC in 2022, he said: “I would like to address the speculation in media over the past few days in relation to my ownership of Chelsea FC.
      “As I have stated before, I have always taken decisions with the Club’s best interest at heart.
      “In the current situation, I have therefore taken the decision to sell the Club, as I believe this is in the best interest of the Club, the fans, the employees, as well as the Club’s sponsors and partners.
      “The sale of the Club will not be fast-tracked but will follow due process. I will not be asking for any loans to be repaid. This has never been about business nor money for me, but about pure passion for the game and Club.”
      The Russian said at the time that his team would set up a charitable foundation, with all proceeds of the sale donated.
      He said: “All money raised will benefit all victims of the war in Ukraine.
      “This includes providing critical funds towards the urgent and immediate needs of victims, as well as supporting the long-term work of recovery.”
      Read more on The Sun
      Just days ago the Wall Street Journal reported that the billions of pounds pledged to victims of Putin’s war remain frozen in a UK bank account.
      Abravomich also holds Portuguese and Israeli citizenship and Forbes puts his net worth at an estimate of £7.2 billion. More