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    Ex-Arsenal cult icon Nicklas Bendtner in shock career change after taking up new hobby during Covid lockdown

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    ARSENAL cult hero Nicklas Bendtner has launched his own gaming company.Bendtner, 36, rolled credits on his turbulent football career in 2019 and is now set for a completely different endeavour.Arsenal cult hero Nicklas Bendtner started his own gaming groupCredit: AFPBendtner spent nine turbulent years with ArsenalCredit: Getty – ContributorAccording to Esports Insider, the former striker created his own group that he calls Legendary Gaming Group.This comes after the ex-Denmark international spent the Covid-19 pandemic playing Counter-Strike: Global Offensive.Bendtner said, “My own role in the company will be an active one, but what the exact title will be is not 100% decided yet, as it also depends on what roles the other sports profiles coming in will have.”The ex-Arsenal ace propped up a website alongside Morten Jensen, Atle Stehouer, Stephen Shine, and Jonas Rosbech.Read More on ArsenalThe site says: “Legendary Gaming Group offers a premier esports experience, blending elite talent development, cutting-edge scouting, and thrilling events. “We collaborate with top brands, NGOs, and sponsors to create impactful partnerships. “Join us to elevate your gaming journey and be part of the future of esports innovation.”Bendtner joined Arsenal’s academy in 2004 from Kjobenhavns Boldklub at the age of 16.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThe controversial forward earned a senior call-up in 2005 and went on to amass a total of 47 goals and 22 assists in 171 appearances with the Gunners.The Dane played for the likes of Birmingham, Sunderland and Juventus on loan during his nine-year stint with the North Londoners.Ex-Arsenal striker Bendtner shows off new look in shock appearance in Denmark World Cup 2022 squad announcement video Bendtner also played for Wolfsburg, Nottingham Forest, Rosenborg and Copenhagen before his early retirement at the age of 31. 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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      in Athletics

      Paris Olympics to lift sex ban with 300,000 condoms to be delivered to Olympic village

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      OLYMPIC chiefs have lifted the ban on athletes having sex ahead of this summer’s Games.A sex suspension was implemented ahead of the 2020 Games Tokyo, which took place in the summer of 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic.The 2024 Olympic Games take place in Paris this summerCredit: ALAMYOlympic chiefs have lifted the sex ban they had in place for the 2024 GamesCredit: REUTERSThe ban was imposed in a bid to stop events from being scuppered by Covid outbreaks.But those preventative measures have been lifted ahead of this summer’s Games in Paris – meaning athletes can get up to as much rumpy-pumpy as they like.Olympic Village director Laurent Michaud said: “It is very important that the conviviality here is something big.”Working with the athletes commission, we wanted to create some places where the athletes would feel very enthusiastic and comfortable.”READ MORE ON PARIS 2024The Olympic Village , according to TMZ, will be stocked with a whopping 300,000 free condoms.So athletes will have no excuse for not practicing safe sex during the tournament.There won’t, however, be any free champers for them to drink during the competition.Although they will have a wide array of food from around the globe available to them every day.Most read in AthleticsCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSThe Olympic Village will be stocked with 300,000 free condomsCredit: GETTYFormer Center Parcs head-honcho Michaud said: “[There will be no champagne in the village, of course, but they can have all the champagne they want also in Paris.”We will have more than 350 metres of buffet with the world food.We’re twin sisters, 27, who both secretly battled same disease… now we’re plotting Olympic gold at Paris 2024 together”And I’m sure that the athletes will be very happy to have some French specialties made over here.”But the variety will first respond to the athletes’ needs for their nutrition and their performance.”The Paris Games – which get underway on July 26 and end on August 11 – are expected to attract the largest crowds since London 2012.Olympic Games executive director Christophe Dubi told Sky News: “It has to be a celebration and it is a celebration.”We’ve had many challenges in the past. “In Rio, we faced situations that were amazingly complex.”But what you see is that with a bit of goodwill from everyone – starting with the organisers.”But also as far as the Olympic community is concerned – meeting with the challenges and coming up with solutions… is in the greater interest that the Games represent.READ MORE SUN STORIES”What we all want is for unity, peace and a celebration of the best athletes. “This is how this creative family works together. Any challenge? We will win.” More

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      in Boxing

      Watch Conor McGregor land brutal shot on sparring partner in his garden… leaving Ebanie Bridges in awe

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      CONOR McGREGOR looked razor sharp in a sparring session held in his GARDEN – leaving the likes of Ebanie Bridges in awe. McGregor is gearing up for his anticipated UFC return and has spent the past year ramping up training.
      Conor McGregor looked razor sharp in a sparring sessionCredit: https://www.instagram.com/thenotoriousmma/
      Ebanie Bridges was in awe of McGregor’s sparring clipCredit: @ebanie_bridges
      McGregor and Bridges have struck up a friendshipCredit: Instagram @ebaniebridges
      During the Covid-19 pandemic, with restrictions on public gyms, the Irishman built a fully-sized UFC cage on the site of his mansion.
      And McGregor still uses it to this day as he released footage from a recent sparring session.
      He captioned it: “The double goat, I have the full scale octagon in my garden with the canvas covered in billion dollar businesses.”
      In the clips, McGregor lands a series of stinging counter shots and one kick to the stomach had his sparring partner wincing in agony.
      READ MORE IN UFC
      His comment section was full of praise, with boxing legend Evander Holyfield replying: “Ok then.”
      Ex-champion Bridges followed up with three fire emojis and one lovestruck face.
      The Aussie has struck up a close friendship with McGregor and is even sponsored by his Forged Irish Stout beverage.
      McGregor’s return to the cage has continued to be delayed since his last fight in July 2021, when he broke his leg.
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      The former two-weight UFC champion, 35, had eyed the headline spot on the historic UFC 300 card on April 13.
      But he then brazenly announced he would return on June 29 against Michael Chandler, 37, in a middleweight bout.
      Seven sports stars who started an OnlyFans including ex-footballer and British boxing icon
      UFC president Dana White was quick to shut down McGregor’s claim and even said his comeback fight was more likely pushed back till the winter.
      And White recently spoke out to try and clarify the confusion behind McGregor’s dragged out talks to return.
      He told Kevin Iole: “Only Conor knows [when he’s ready].
      “These are questions for Conor McGregor, not me. I know he’s training. I don’t know what level of training he’s doing.”
      White added: “I don’t know what level of kicking he’s doing right now. I don’t know any of that stuff.
      “I need to know the guy’s in a full camp and he’s ready to go. Conor McGregor has a movie coming out.

      “He’s got businesses that he’s built. It’s a completely different dynamic when you’re dealing with a guy that has this kind of money.”
      McGregor is in training for his UFC returnCredit: https://www.instagram.com/thenotoriousmma/
      The UFC star has not fought since July 2021Credit: https://www.instagram.com/thenotoriousmma/ More

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      in Soccer

      I’m a Premier League star and champion of Europe – but I almost became a FARMER and still train on potato fields

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      FOOTBALLERS tried many different things to keep in shape during the pandemic, but Jarrod Bowen trained on a FARM.Bowen has become a hero at West Ham since he joined the club from Hull City in January 2022.
      Jarrod Bowen trained on a farm during the pandemicCredit: Getty
      He won the Conference League with West HamCredit: Getty
      The forward scored on his first start for the club in a 3-1 win over Southampton.
      Bowen, 27, would have to wait a while for his next as the Covid-19 pandemic put a stop to football across Europe.
      During the break from football, he maintained his fitness by training on a farm.
      Bowen claimed that the ground on a farm has helped him with muscle injuries.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      He told BBC Radio 5 Live: “It’s a bit like running on sand, but a bit thicker.
      “I’ve found it really good for muscle injuries and, because I’ve had weak ankles, to work on them and stabilise them.
      “But also because it is really tough to train on because you feel so slow, when you go running on the grass you feel like you’re a sprinter.
      “It’s been my training method for years with my old man.
      Most read in Football
      “He is pretty old school, he doesn’t want me to just go running round a normal field doing football runs, he wants me to run around a potato field with weights in my arms.”
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      Bowen also admitted that after rejection from clubs such as Aston Villa, Tottenham and West Brom he came close to quitting football.
      If he had he would have opted for a career in farming.
      He added: “Maybe in another life I could have been up all night on the farm. The way of life back home is very country-orientated. There’s a lot of farms.
      “There’s a lot of routes you can go…and football isn’t usually a route you go down.
      “I used to go to the farm with grandad. Now it’s my uncle who owns one. I’d like a farm but when I speak to him, it’s too much hassle.
      “The thought of it, ‘oh yeah, I want a farm to do things’, is better than the actual reality.”
      Luckily for West Ham, Bowen did get his break at non-league side Hereford and then Hull City.
      Bowen became one of the top performers in the Championship which saw the Hammers swoop in with a £25million offer.
      Read more on The Sun
      Since joining the East London outfit, Bowen has become one of the star players and scored the winning goal in the Europa Conference League final last season.
      The forward has also earned a call-up to the England team and made his debut against Hungary. More

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      in Soccer

      Ex-Liverpool and Chelsea ace Fernando Torres ‘suing Spanish government for £687k’ after his gym was shut during pandemic

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      FERNANDO TORRES is reportedly taking the Spanish Government to court for damages to his gym business.The former Liverpool and Chelsea star owns a chain of gyms called “New Fitness” but the business took a hit during the Covid-19 pandemic.
      Fernando Torres now runs a chain of gyms called ‘New Fitness’Credit: https://www.instagram.com/fernandotorres/
      Fernando Torres starred at Liverpool between 2007 and 2011Credit: Getty
      The Spaniard scored an iconic Champions League goal for Chelsea in 2012Credit: Getty
      Spanish news outlet El Confidencial, via Football Espana claims Torres’ gym chain had been making profits of up to £86,000.
      However, this was before Spain’s government and Madrid council introduced safety measures to counteract the pandemic.
      As a result of this, the retired striker’s profits fell massively to a £172,000 loss the next year.
      Torres, 39, has since alleged that the government’s restrictions were “disproportionate and intense” and is thought to be seeking a reimbursement of £687,000.
      READ MORE ON FERNANDO TORRES
      His case has been rejected by the local justice system, as per the report.
      But it has has now reached the Supreme Court with Torres demanding that his company’s losses be reimbursed.
      It has not yet been decided if the current Atletico Madrid U19 manager’s challenge will be successful.
      Recently, Torres was sent off during a game for shoving Alvaro Arbeloa, who was coaching Real Madrid’s side.
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      Things spilled over when Torres and Arbeloa began a battle on the touchline as the two men were seen shouting before squaring up to each other after a ruckus on the field.
      Torres joined the English top flight in 2007 for Liverpool before joining Chelsea four years later until his departure in 2015.
      During his time at the Reds he was one of the best strikers in the world as he netted 81 goals in 142 appearances for the club.
      He joined the Blues in 2011 for £50million but struggled to hit the same level at Stamford Bridge.
      Although he was part of the team that won the Champions League in 2012. More

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      in Boxing

      I’m Anthony Joshua’s rival and saw Chinese pals attacked over Covid but nobody dared target me due to my mammoth size

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      ZHILEI ZHANG saw Chinese compatriots getting attacked in New York during the Covid-19 pandemic but was too big for the cowards to target.The Beijing 2008 Olympic silver winner trains as a pro in New Jersey and has adopted the US as a second home.
      Zhilei Zhang opened up on how he saw Chinese compatriots being attacked in New YorkCredit: PA
      But when coronavirus gripped the world – and ex-president Donald Trump made a series of allegations against China – 39-year-old Zhang felt like the enemy in the Land of Opportunity.
      Thankfully life is almost back to normal and Zhang was welcomed to London last week to take on Putney’s 37-year-old Juggernaut Joe Joyce at the Copper Box on Saturday.
      Recalling the torrid time his innocent fellow expats faced, the softly spoken giant told SunSport: “We saw people getting pushed on the subway in New York City.
      “I would probably never become a target in the street, because of my size, but I do have Chinese friends and business owners in New York who have been targeted.
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      “These people have suffered, not just financially but also mentally and emotionally.
      “I don’t think it is the right thing to do, I don’t agree with politicising the pandemic, it should not be used as something to attack people.
      “People and human beings are innocent, nobody wants anyone to be sick, suffer or be infected.
      “Nobody wanted the virus and nobody wanted the impact it has had on the world.
      Most read in Boxing
      “Thankfully now we are moving on and getting back to living our lives in a positive way.”
      With China being the cradle of martial arts and boxing coming under that huge and money-spinning umbrella, it’s strange that 6ft 6in Zhang remains a rarity.
      But the 24-1-1 southpaw explains very wisely why a population of 1.4billion people have ZERO world boxing champions and just a few Asian fighters, largely representing Japan in the lightest weight classes.
      “When I got the silver medal in 2008, boxing was still a minor sport in China,” he said.
      “In China the major sports are diving, table tennis and soccer. Even after I got my silver medal I didn’t get recognised a lot. But I know what I have achieved and how far I have come.
      “Last time I fought in Las Vegas, my fight got 60 million views in China, that was record-breaking and historic, so I hope my career is helping make boxing a bigger success in China.
      “Maybe there are a couple of reasons why boxing and Asian countries haven’t really taken off.
      “One might be Geography, Asia is a pretty remote region, cut away from the likes of Europe and the Americas.
      Zhang won a silver medal at the 2008 OlympicsCredit: PA
      “Also Asian guys are traditionally smaller guys, so we have stars like Manny Pacquiao but they operate in the smaller divisions, which don’t get as much attention as the bigger guys from around middleweight and above.
      “I am not from a big family at all, it really is just me! My parents are just average sized”.
      Before Anthony Joshua agreed to fight Jermaine Franklin in his comeback bout in April 1, promoter Eddie Hearn teased the idea of taking him on a round-the-world tour and facing Zhang at the iconic 80,000 seat Bird’s Nest Stadium.
      Sadly it was another bluff but Zhang hopes our London 2012 legend is not getting written off by the British public he won over so spectacularly over the last decade.
      “We talked about something but it was premature,” Zhang confirmed.
      “Maybe after two losses to Usyk he is scared of southpaws forever now?
      “But I don’t think there is any fear among the top boxers – in any division – I believe that we are all fighters who want the biggest and best fights.
      “But I do believe and understand how promoters and broadcasters want to protect their investments, they are the ones who are scared of a loss.
      “Joshua has lost a few times but look at his wins, the respect is there.
      Read More on The Sun
      “I don’t think Joshua fears anyone but I think the business people and investors in him are protecting their career with smart business moves.
      “He might have lost some confidence but I think he deserves time and recognition.” More

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      in Soccer

      ‘I had to sack 55 staff, only to find out I was the 56th’ – Raul Sanllehi opens up on Arsenal exit after pandemic hell

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      FORMER Arsenal chief Raul Sanllehi has opened up on his struggles working at Arsenal during the coronavirus pandemic.The former head of football, 56, also admitted that he doesn’t hold it against owners – The Kroenkes.
      Sanllehi was Arsenal’s head of football until 2020 before the pandemic took holdCredit: Getty – Contributor
      The pandemic saw Sanllehi lay off 55 members of staff at Arsenal, before being axed himself.
      Sanllehi, who is now director at Spanish second division side Real Zaragoza, told The Athletic about how “everything fell apart” for him in London.
      He said: “I loved it at Arsenal. You cannot imagine — the people in the club, the history of the club.
      “I really felt I was at the top of the world there. I love the owners, the Kroenkes. But the last 10 months there were horrible. I had to lay off 55 people, without knowing I was the 56th.”
      READ MORE ON ARSENAL
      “I don’t feel betrayed by the Kroenkes.
      “The Kroenkes had the LA Rams, Denver Nuggets, Colorado Rapids, and all of a sudden, all those teams could not play [due to lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic].
      “You still had to pay the salaries. You did not have guaranteed broadcasting revenues.
      “They entered into panic, but a logical panic, as the world entered into panic. Without Covid, I am sure I would still be there, as my relationship with the Kroenkes was great.
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      “It is funny now, but I remember in December 2019, I had dinner with the four guys: Mikel Arteta, Edu, Huss Fahmy and Per Mertesacker.
      “On the toast, I said, ‘Now, it is on us. Now it is exactly the model I asked for. If it does not work, we have no excuses’.
      “That team for me was a dream team at that time. Then in March, everything just fell apart. It was sad.”
      Sanllehi even claimed he would have NEVER have made Arteta manager of the Gunners.
      The Spaniard reckons the appointment “betrayed the model” in place at the Emirates, and Arteta should have stayed on as head coach.
      After joining in December 2019, Arteta’s role changed from head coach to first-team manager the following September, shortly after Sanllehi left the club.
      He added: “I do not agree when clubs call the first-team coach the manager.
      “First-team coach is first-team coach, that is enough. Nowadays, the workload is overwhelming, and I need him to concentrate on the first team.
      “Anything that distracts you from that is not your responsibility — travel arrangements, the pitch, salary budget, medical department.
      “We will get other people to do that. The first-team coach is short-term oriented — just win tonight’s game.
      Read More on The Sun
      “They have betrayed the model a little bit now. By going back to the manager at the top, that is a mistake, but that is their mistake.
      “I would have not allowed that to happen. But that’s fine, it is working so far for them.”  More

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      English footie clubs racked up tax debts worth over £140 million since pandemic

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      FOOTBALL clubs in England have racked up tax debts of £140million-plus in the pandemic.Sixty clubs in the Premier League and English Football League have the debt, figures obtained by The Sun show.
      Footie clubs in England have racked up tax debts worth over £140 million since the start of the pandemicCredit: Alamy
      Premier League clubs owe £49.5million in unpaid taxes including VAT.
      EFL clubs owe £91.8million in accrued taxes, with £64million in the Championship, £24.9million in League One and £2.9million in League Two.
      The taxman would not identify any of the clubs involved but it is understood that Wayne Rooney’s Derby County owes £28million.
      HMRC confirmed that repayment agreements have been struck so clubs are not in arrears.

      It is understood that Wayne Rooney’s Championship outfit Derby County owe £28million to HMRCCredit: Getty
      Ninety-three footballers, nine clubs and 23 agents to be investigated over £56 million of unpaid tax More