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    How footballer went from Euros star to drug dealer gripped by debt & ultimately a Putin pawn killed on Ukraine frontline

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    HIS body lies somewhere on the frontline in Ukraine. A former star footballer, now one of the countless casualties of Vladimir Putin’s brutal meat-grinder war.Alexey Bugayev was killed in Ukraine after joining up to escape a jail sentenceCredit: Рейтинг БукмекеровBugayev, left, playing for Russia against Portugal icon Luis Figo at Euro 2004Credit: GettyBugayev, back row second from left, was a rising star with the Russia teamCredit: GettyTwenty years ago Aleksei Bugayev was playing against footballing icons like Cristiano Ronaldo and Luis Figo at the Euros.He had achieved what millions could only ever dream of; football stardom and a place on a world stage to show off his skills.But when his career ended prematurely in 2010 at the age of 29, Bugayev’s life would begin to spiral out of control.Gripped by poverty, debt, alcoholism and drug dealing, he was left a dishevelled ghost of his former life.READ MORE UKRAINEIt would eventually lead him into a desperate decision – one which would seal a terrible fate in the merciless war in Ukraine.Yesterday Bugayev’s dad confirmed to Russian media that his 43-year-old son had been killed in Ukraine as part of Putin’s “special military operation”.Ivan Bugayev said his son’s body could not be recovered due to “active fighting”.“Now my son’s body is lying somewhere,” he said.Most read in FootballBugayev’s fall into the abyss was a tragedy which friends and fellow players had seen develop when he was just in his 20s.Born in Moscow at the height of the Cold War in 1981, Bugayev was able to sign for one of the city’s footballing giants, Torpedo Moscow, known as the Car Factory Workers.Russian footballing legend Valery Petrakov, who managed Bugayev, said he was as a naturally gifted young player; “superbly equipped technically” and with “an excellent view of the field”.Watch as Putin’s N Korean troops sent to die with suicidal jog on frontline”He could do everything on the field,” he added. “He had speed, a pass, a shot, positioning, coordination, jumping ability… and phenomenal health, too. He was a devil of a player.”Despite being just 5ft 9in, not tall for a centre-back, Bugayev secured a place in the national squad for the Euro 2004 championships held in Portugal. At the Estadio do Benfica in front of 50,000 fans, and millions watching on TV around the world, Bugayev started the game against eventual finalists Portugal.The tournament hosts featured some the world’s greatest players, Luis Figo, Deco and Rui Costa.A young Cristiano Ronaldo, then just 19, came on as a sub during the game which Portugal won, 2-0.A picture from the match shows a dejected Bugayev as striker Rui Costa celebrates Portugal’s second goal.Bugayev looks down as Portugal striker Rui Costa celebrates after scoring in Euro 2004Bugayev’s career would crash soon after his Euros appearanceCredit: GettyThe tournament would mark the breathtaking emergence of Ronaldo at the start if his astonishing rise to a footballing great.But as Ronaldo was bursting onto the world football scene, Bugayev’s Euro appearances would mark a premature epoch for such a young player. He would be capped seven times for Russia, but he was also starting to display the troubling personal demons which would haunt him through the rest of his life.After his international appearances, Bugayev was transferred for $2m to Moscow rivals Lokomotiv.But he failed to secure a regular place in the team and the quiet and reserved young man started drinking.Another former team-mate Igor Semshov told Russian sports reporter Artem Lokalov that Bugayev’s career began to unravel when he moved to Locomotiv and he lost the personal support of his Torpedo team-mates.He added: “Bugayev could break the rules, but we put these moments aside and looked at him as someone the team needed.”If we had managed to spend a career with him in the same club, we would not have let him give up everything and go downhill.“But we all moved to other clubs, where everyone was on their own. At Torpedo, we could shower (him) with care or put pressure on him at the right moment, but everyone went their separate ways.”Bugayev playing against eventual winners Greece at Euro 2004Credit: GettyTransferred to Siberian team Tom Tomsk in 2006, Bugayev quickly found himself in trouble, including disappearing at a beer festival in Moscow.Speaking to Russian media, his former manager Petrakov told Russian media: “It’s a shame that Bugayev drowned his talent in alcohol.“He lasted three or four months, and then everything started all over again.””It all ended with a riot at a training camp in Turkey. He smashed a shop window. The next day, Bugayev’s contract was terminated.”Bugayev was handed a lifeline by the newly formed FC Krasnodar, playing 20 matches before parting company with the club.At the age of 29, he would never play professional football again.Another former coach Nurbiy Khakunov described how at Krasnodar the club “tried to help” the player as his personal life deteriorated.He added: “It didn’t work to restart his career. Bugayev decided to go down a non-sports path. It’s no secret that he had problems with alcohol.“We fought as best we could, but it didn’t work. He came to Krasnodar already with problems and hardly played.“I feel sorry for him, because he could have played (more games) for the national team, but he went down such a bad path. That’s for sure. He had a very good brain, he was very strong in one-on-one combat.”Bugayev, who insisted later that he quit football to spend more time with his family, slipped into obscurity, only reemerging in 2015 when he agreed to an interview about his playing career.Then he was working collecting waste paper and transporting cargo around Russia from a run down home in the Moscow suburb of Chekhov.He said he and his friend made the equivalent of 1p for every kilo of paper they found.There he admitted to Lokalov that he had been drinking through his playing days but looking back on his career said “Do I regret anything? Never and for nothing.”Bugayev’s life would continue to disintegrate however.Bugayev, left, worked in Moscow collecting paper for 1p a kiloCredit: Рейтинг БукмекеровBugayev appears in court charged with drug smugglingSeven years later in October 2023 he was arrested for drug smuggling.He admitted to cops that he “responded to an advert for a job as a drug courier” in a bid to pay off 70,000 roubles of debt – then the equivalent of about £500.Bugayev claimed he had been told to distribute half a kilo of mephedrone, or M-Cat, but was caught. He faced 20-years in prison.After a year on remand, in September a court in Krasnodar sentenced Bugayev to 9 and-a-half years in a maximum security penal colony.It was then he was offered a deal that would seal his tragic fate.Those convicted of serious crimes in Russia are now being lured into the military in a desperate bid by Putin to shore up immense losses in his war against Ukraine.Russian conscripts in Putin’s armyCredit: East2WestKillers, rapists and drug dealers are offered pardons – even before their trials – if they agree to military service and being sent to the front.Facing almost a decade in a dreaded Russian penal colony, Bugayev took the gamble and signed a contract with the Russian Defense Ministry.He was then quickly sent to Russia’s North Military District and soon, after the most basic military training, to the frontline in Ukraine.There he joined the battered, ill-trained and ill-equipped legions of convicts, many in their 40s, 50s and 60s, being used as cannon fodder to try to secure pitiful yards of gains against Ukraine’s highly trained troops, tanks, killer drones, artillery and trenches.The news of Bugayev’s fate came first from his lawyer Anton Smirnov who told the Russian website Sports.ru that the former player had been killed in action at the front.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe added: “Due to the fighting there is no way to pull out the body yet.””Unfortunately, the news of Aleksei’s death is true,” his dad later said. “How did it happen? And how are they killed during the military operations, I do not know.”Bugayev was dead just a few months after joining Russian forces in UkraineCredit: REUTERSUkrainian artillery in actionCredit: Getty More

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      Tyson Fury’s warrior rival Usyk was taught to fight with a knife by soldier dad & is haunted by missing final moments

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      IT’S the highly anticipated rematch that will see British boxing legend Tyson Fury attempt to unify the heavyweight titles.Six months after the Gypsy King’s first-ever defeat to Oleksandr Usyk in May, the pair will face each other for a second showdown tomorrow night. Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury will face off for a second time on December 21Credit: GettyTheir last bout in May ended with Usyk as the victorCredit: GettyOleksandr Usyk pictured as a baby with soldier dad and older sister ViktoriaCredit: East2WestUkrainian heavyweight Usyk, who is the first to hold all the major heavyweight titles in 24 years, carries with him the fighting spirit of his dead soldier dad and a boxer pal killed by the Russians.His father, also called Oleksandr, was twice injured while serving the Soviet army in Afghanistan.He taught his son to duel with a blade, something that could have come in useful when the boxer joined Ukraine’s territorial defence battalion after Russia launched an all-out invasion of his country two years ago.The city where Usyk, 37, was born and grew up is under the control of Vladimir Putin’s invading forces.Read More in The SunAnd his boxer friend Oleksiy Dzhunkivskyi was shot dead by the dictator’s troops when they entered Irpin, close to the capital Kyiv, in 2022.Usyk, nicknamed The Cat, wanted to continue defending his nation, but was urged by soldiers to win for his country with his fists instead.The boxer’s dedication to his sport cost him his chance to say goodbye to his father properly – because he didn’t get back in time from winning a gold medal at the London Olympic Games in 2012 before he died.Talking about his late father, he said:  “Everything I have now is thanks to him. He put a lot in me, he taught me about the priorities in life, which are family, sports and education. Most read in Boxing“He was a military man. My mother hated it when he taught me how to fight with a knife.” She’d shout ‘Sasha, he’ll grow up to be a criminal’.”Tyson Fury warned there’s ‘nothing he can do to stop what’s gonna happen’ in rematch with ‘bogeyman’ Oleksandr UsykParents Oleksandr and Nadezhda were proud of his medalsCredit: East2WestThe boxer with mum NadezhdaCredit: East2WestBrush with deathUsyk was born in Simferopol in Crimea where his security guard dad had met his mum Nadezhda, who worked in construction.His father did not talk much about his time serving with the Soviet army, which had invaded Afghanistan in 1979.But Usyk recalled: “I saw the consequences of this post-war condition and what happened to him. He often had headaches, he had very high blood pressure.“I remember that until the last he had some nightmares in which he called out the names of his comrades who were killed.”Usyk senior was injured twice while fighting for the USSR, which controlled by Ukraine until 1991.His son, who was born under Communist rule in 1987, first had a passion for football.The family moved to a village called Rybotyn in the north of Ukraine where he nearly died from pneumonia as a child.Usyk said: “It was really bad. The doctor even told my mother that I might not survive.” Mum Nadezhda revealed: “As a child, Sasha was a very sick child.”Then my son spent a whole year in the Chernihiv hospital.”My heart was aching and the doctors were afraid to make any predictions for the future.”Oleksandr Usyk was born under Communist ruleCredit: instagram/usykaa/Usyk took up boxing at 15Credit: instagram/@usykaaPunch on pitchThe family returned to Simferopol when he was a teenager, still at school.His father was a harsh disciplinarian, who would give him a “slap on the head” if his grades fell below C.“He raised me to be a man from childhood,” he said. “He forced me to wash socks and underwear, clean the room, and iron my trousers. He said that if I don’t learn this, if I don’t learn discipline, then I won’t succeed in life. “He said: ‘The way a man behaves in life, behind the wheel, with women, shows his true strength. If he can’t cope, if he’s dirty, neglected, and doesn’t know how to behave with women, then he’s not a real man’.”He’d recovered enough from his illness to play football for his school team – something that ended when he punched an opposition player during a match.Aged 15 he took up boxing instead – encouraged by his dad, an amateur boxer.My children are asking, ‘Daddy, why do they want to kill us?’ I don’t know how to answer thatOleksandr UsykHis swift reflexes and dedication led him to success in the ring, which impressed his childhood sweetheart Yekaterina, generally called Kateryna.She once admitted: “I didn’t consider him at all, except as a friend. He said ‘If I win the fight today, will you go somewhere with me tonight?’ I say: ‘Win, we’ll see there.” He won. And that’s it.”Usyk became a national hero when he picked up a gold medal at the Olympic Games in London in 2012 in the heavyweight division.It was a victory that was to be followed by tragedy – because his dad died a few days later back in Ukraine while Oleksandr was abroad.He remembered:  “He watched me become Olympic champion, but I didn’t make it back in time to show him the gold medal.”When I arrived he was already lying in the coffin.”I handed him the medal, put it in his dead hand and then left the room.”What was most difficult to cope with is that rather than heading home directly from London, Oleksandr had stopped off to collect a supercar, which delayed him going home.During an emotional interview with TNT he said: “I wanted to bring it with me and show him what a cool car I had. My mom called me at 3am and told me the news.”Usyk’s dad saw him win an Olympic gold but died before he saw his son againCredit: Getty Images – GettyThe boxer wept as he told the story on TNTCredit: X @boxingontntHe later revealed the emotional phone call to his dad after winning the gold, saying: “I called my dad and started screaming: ‘Yes! We won!’ My father told me: ‘I congratulate you, son. I love you’. “My father never told me he loved me. It remains in my memory as something special. I tell my children every day that I love them.”War in UkraineIn 2013 Usyk became a professional boxer, becoming a world champion in the cruiserweight division, which is just below heavyweight.A year later Russian-backed separatists took control of Crimea and parts of the east of the country.He was the undisputed champion when he defeated Brit Tony Bellew in 2018.After that Usyk stepped up to heavyweight, twice beating Anthony Joshua, the second time after Russia had launched an all-out invasion of Ukraine.That fight had been in doubt because The Cat wanted to defend his country rather than be a sportsman. He returned to his homeland in February 2022, armed himself with a rifle and joined the territorial defence force.He later recalled the night bombs began to rain down on his house in Bucha, on February 24, 2022 – his daughter Yelizaveta’s birthday.He said: “My children are asking: ‘Daddy, why do they want to kill us?’ I don’t know how to answer that.”A month after signing up to fight he was persuaded to go on training for the bout with Brit Joshua.Instead, he is providing financial support for the rebuilding of his heavily bombed homeland.In his first bout, it was reported that Fury had to agree to give £1million of his reported £115m fight fee to the reconstruction of Ukraine in order for the contest to go ahead. Usyk is funding the rebuilding of a property in Irpin where one of his friends was killed by advancing Russians who seized the city in February 2022. It was recaptured by Ukrainian forces on March 28 of the same year. He said: “In this house, there was a boxing gym of my good friend. He and I were in the national team, we went to boxing competitions together. “Oleksiy Dzhunkivskyi was shot by Russian soldiers right in this hall.”World champ Oleksandr Usyk after beating Tony Bellew in 2018Credit: PA:Press AssociationThe fighter (centre, in black) joined the Kyiv Territorial Defence in Ukraine in 2022Credit: Refer to CaptionUsyk and Yekaterina have three kidsCredit: instagram/@usykaaEeyore toy Usyk’s wife and three children, Kyrylo, Mykhalio and Yelizaveta, live in the capital, Kyiv.Unlike Fury’s wife Paris, who has appeared in reality shows with her husband, Kateryna stays out of the limelight.Usyk often speaks about how much he loves her and their children.Sometimes he can be seen clutching a cuddly Eeyore toy which was given to him by his daughter after the Russian invasion separated them.Usyk carries the Eeyore toy given to him by his daughterCredit: Instagram/@usykaaOleksandr Usyk with his daughterCredit: instagram/@usykaaThe dedicated, incredibly fit pugilist has been getting up at 4.45am every day to get in shape for the biggest bout of his career.READ MORE SUN STORIESAnd before he walks out to the roaring crowd for a second time on Saturday, the spirit of his late father could be with him.Usyk said, with tears in his eyes: “Sometimes he comes to me the day before the fight. Yes, sometimes he comes the day before the fight and smiles.” More

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      in Soccer

      Ex-Premier League footballer becomes Georgia’s president in victory for Putin after weeks of protests against regime

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      A FORMER Premier League footballer has been appointed president of Georgia in a victory for mad Russian dictator Vladimir Putin.Mikheil Kavelashvili, 53, was a striker for Manchester City between 1996 and 1997 who went on to play for several clubs in the Swiss Super League.Mikheil Kavelashvili has become president of GeorgiaKavelashvili poses in front of the FIFA world cup trophy during its world tour, at a ceremony in Tbilisi in 2018Credit: AFPAnti-government demonstrators hold caricatures of the newly elected presidentCredit: AFPHe was elected to parliament back in 2016 and in 2022 co-founded the People’s Power political movement.This was allied with the ruling party dubbed Georgian Dream, which became renowned for its strong far-right and anti-West rhetoric.Kavelashvili easily won the vote as the Georgian Dream party controls the 300-seat electoral college.This replaced direct presidential elections 2017. read more newsIt’s made up of members of Parliament, municipal councils and regional legislatures.Georgian Dream has vowed to continue pushing toward EU accession but also wants to reset ties with Russia.In 2008 Russia fought a brief war with Georgia, which led to Moscow’s recognition of two breakaway regions as independent, and an increase in the Russian military presence in South Ossetia and Abkhazia.Critics have accused Georgian Dream, established by Bidzina Ivanishvili, a shadowy billionaire who made his fortune in Russia, of becoming increasingly authoritarian and tilted toward Moscow.Most read in FootballThese are accusations the ruling party has denied.The party recently pushed through laws similar to those used by the Kremlin to crack down on freedom of speech and LGBTQ+ rights.Anti-government demonstrators gather outside the parliament building as parliament members elect a new president in TbilisiCredit: AFPAnti-government demonstrators gather outside the parliament buildingCredit: AFPPeople hold a banner saying ‘Hands off my child’ in Georgian,protesting outside of the Georgian parliamentCredit: APThe opposition denounced Saturday’s election as “illegitimate” and said the sitting president, Salome Zurabishvili remains the country’s sole legitimate leader.Pro-Western Zurabishvili – who is in heated disagreements with Georgian Dream – has refused to step down.She is demanding new parliamentary elections, paving the way for a constitutional showdown.On Saturday morning, protesters began gathering outside the parliament building, which was cordoned off by police, ahead of a rally scheduled for the evening.Protests are scheduled to take place at around a dozen locations in Tbilisi.Thousands of pro-EU demonstrators filled the streets of the capital on Friday before gathering outside parliament for the 16th consecutive day.It comes after riot cops fired tear gas and beat up men as they battled raging protesters who gathered across Georgia for numerous nights of violence prior to the election.Brutal clashes erupted outside Georgia’s parliament as thousands of demonstrators protested the government’s decision to delay European Union membership.More than 100 people were arrested as crowds clashed with riot cops armed with tear gas bombs.Dramatic footage captured protesters hurling fireworks at masked officers in riot gear who were firing rubber bullets, tear gas and water cannons to disperse the masses.Flames were seen coming from a window of the parliament building as protestors erected barricades on Tbilisi’s main avenue.READ MORE SUN STORIESMany were chased and beaten by police as demonstrators rallied in front of the country’s parliament building.Georgia plunged into crisis when the country’s newly-elected government put a pause on its long-standing bid to join the EU until 2028.Mikhail Kavelashvili (L) fights for the ball at Ullevaal Stadium in Oslo 20 May 1999 during Euro 2000 group 2 qualifierCredit: AFPMikheil Kavelashvili reacts after he was elected the country’s new president in the parliament, in Tbilisi, GeorgiaCredit: ReutersAnti-government demonstrators gather outside the parliament building as parliament members elect a new president in TbilisiCredit: AFPCrowds gather during a protest near the parliament building over the results of last month’s parliamentary election on December 6Credit: GettyProtesters shot fireworks at violent police in fierce clashesCredit: AFPProtesters clash with Police over the results of last month’s parliamentary electionCredit: GettyA police officer uses a crowd control spray against protesters in early DecemberCredit: ReutersPolice officers escort a demonstrator with a bloody face during the brutal clashesCredit: Reuters More

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      in Boxing

      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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      in Motorsport

      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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      in Soccer

      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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      in Soccer

      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