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      Kidnapped former Ecuador international star Pedro Perlaza RELEASED as police confirm he was ‘mistreated but alive’

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      AN Ecuadorian footballer who was kidnapped close to the Colombian border has been released.Pedro Perlaza was abducted in the province of Esmeraldas in his native country.Pedro Perlaza has been released after he was kidnapped on MondayCredit: GettyPerlaza’s family reported him missing on Monday evening, with the alleged abduction taking place at 9am that day.But it has now been confirmed by local authorities that he has been released along with another individual.Police posted on X: “Through its specialised units, it freed citizens Pedro P. and Juan M. in #Esmeraldas [northwest], who were involuntarily missing.”Colonel Diego Velastegui, police chief of the oil port of Esmeralda, said: “They have been mistreated, but they are alive.”Velastegui went on to reveal the rescue operation saw the police “greeted with bullets by these criminals when they entered the area”.He also stated the kidnappers left the scene and are “presumed injured”.Perlaza and the other victim were reunited with their families at the police headquarters in Esmeraldas.They were barefoot and wearing caps given to them by the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Ecuadorian Police.Most read in FootballIt is alleged Perlaza, 33, was intercepted by a motorcyclist while travelling on a road and forced into a vehicle.He has spent his entire football career playing in Ecuador and has won three caps for the national team.He now plays for Ecuadorian top flight side Delfin. More

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      Former Ecuador international Pedro Perlaza ‘kidnapped’ as police investigation is launched

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      A FORMER Ecuador star has allegedly been kidnapped.Pedro Perlaza is believed to have been abducted in the province of Esmeraldas in his native country, close to the Colombian border.Pedro Perlaza has allegedly been kidnappedCredit: GettyA source told an Ecuadorian outlet that police have launched a kidnapping investigation into his whereabouts after his family alleged he had been taken.Perlaza’s family reported him missing on Monday evening, with the alleged abduction taking place at 9am that day.It is claimed Perlaza was intercepted by a motorcyclist while travelling on a road and forced into a vehicle.A statement from Ecuador Police read: “Following the alleged involuntary disappearance of citizens Pedro P. and Juan M. in #Esmeraldas, following the filing of the respective complaint by their relatives, #PoliceEcuador immediately began investigative and operational work around this incident.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLA friend, who reported last seeing Perlaza on Sunday at 4pm, said he had not been heard from since leaving training.He said: “We were at the Isla Piedad field enjoying soccer practice and he told me that he was going home to rest and we don’t know what happened to him. “Hopefully we can find out the whereabouts of our friend. He was here this week working on a construction site. He was always supportive. That’s why we’re hurt.”Perlaza, 33, has spent his entire career playing in Ecuador for teams including Juventus and has won three caps for the national team.Most read in FootballHe now plays for Ecuadorian top flight side Delfin, while one of his former clubs Liga de Quito took to X expressing “profound concern and solidarity regarding the news of our former player’s kidnapping”.The club continued: “In this difficult time, we extend all our support to his family, friends and loved ones, reiterating to them that they are not alone.Premier League star became a viral sensation at 12 at Arsenal then was signed by Charlton after playing in a car park”We trust that this situation will find a favourable outcome and that we will soon receive encouraging news.” More

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      Police investigating mysterious death of ex-Argentina World Cup star’s partner after she falls from seventh-floor flat

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      POLICE are probing the mystery death of former Argentine international Fernando Caceres’ partner at their home on the outskirts of Buenos Aires.Mum-of-three Raquel Candia died on Monday afternoon after plunging from the seventh-floor flat where the couple had lived for just under a year.Ex-Argentina international Fernado Caceres’ partner Raquel Candia died on MondayCredit: XCaceres, right, played for Argentina at the 1994 World Cup where they reached the last-16Credit: AFPInvestigators say they believe the 45-year-old was alone in the apartment with Caceres, who was left in a wheelchair after being shot during an attempted robbery in 2009, when she went over the edge.Prosecutors are awaiting the results of an autopsy due to be carried out on Raquel’s body at 7am local time on Tuesday before making an official statement on whether they think her death could be an accident, suicide or murder.Raquel’s mum and two brothers spoke to journalists outside the apartment block in La Matanza on Monday night, with one of her siblings, Miguel, dramatically insisting: “My sister did not kill herself, she was killed.”Carlos Arribas, a La Matanza-based homicide prosecutor, said on Monday that as part of their investigation the former footballer was likely to be questioned on Tuesday or later in the week.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHe said: “We inspected the apartment and took all the evidence we considered relevant.”Tomorrow [Tuesday] at 7am the autopsy will take place and depending on what comes out we will decide what to do next.”We are not ruling out any hypothesis. It’s still too early. We are working at the scene and we will see what comes out of the autopsy.”Raquel had three children from a former relationship with a man she was married to before she started dating Caceres, 54.Most read in FootballCaceres ended his 21-year professional career in 2007Credit: AlamyCaceres’ life changed on November 1, 2009 when he was shot in the head as he tried to resist a violent car-jacking by a gang of youths in Ciudadela, on the outskirts of Buenos Aires.He was critically injured and spent two months in hospital.That was after warnings from doctors in the immediate aftermath that there was little chance he would survive.In January 2021 he was rushed to hospital again and put in an induced coma for 48 hours following complications from the gunshot wound.Asked in 2012 what he would do if he came face-to-face with his attackers, Caceres replied: “Nothing, I wouldn’t do anything to them.”I could calmly shake hands with those who shot me. I don’t bear them a grudge. What happened, happened, nothing more. I don’t bear a grudge against anyone.”Caceres played 24 times for Argentina between 1992 and 1997.His club career included spells with River Plate, Zaragoza, Boca Juniors and Valencia. More

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      Outrage as criminal who was jailed for trying to rob ex-Arsenal star Mesut Ozil says ‘you win some, you lose some’

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      THE criminal who attempted to rob former Arsenal stars Mesut Ozil and Sead Kolasinac has brazenly opened up about the altercation.In July 2019, the Arsenal duo were targeted by two men on a moped in Childs Hill, London.One of the men who attempted to rob Mesut Ozil has discussed exactly what happenedCredit: PA:Press AssociationSead Kolasinac jumped out of the car to stop the robbers and defend Mesut OzilCredit: Met PoliceAshley Smith has shamelessly told all about how he tried to rob Mesut OzilAshley Smith, left, and Jordan Northover admitted to trying to rob Mesut OzilCredit: PA:Press AssociationThey attempted to steal a watch before going for Ozil’s car, but Kolasinac heroically jumped out of the vehicle to fight them off.Ashley Smith and his accomplice, Jordan Northover, were both jailed four months later, with the former receiving a 10-year sentence.He was released earlier this year and disclosed the story from his perspective in a tell-all interview.Smith, nicknamed ‘Ashman’, told the BlueTick podcast: “I was on the run. I was wanted on recall. I had an argument with my mum and I cut my tag off.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”My co-de (co-defendant) rang me and was like, ‘I’m on the run too, let’s roll.’ So I’m like, ‘come meet me.'”We jumped on the bike, went out, done whatever we was doing and made about… Dumb change, innit, it was young Ps.”I’m saying park up, he’s saying no, stay out for another half hour.”We’re driving and I see my man Ozil and Kolasinac in the G Wagon. Pulled up, yeah my co-de tried to get it, it went left. We missed out on the belly that day.Most read in Football”But you win some, you lose some, you know.”I don’t even want to think about the figures to be honest with you. £150k minimum, easy.”Mesut Ozil shows off incredible body transformation in new video as ex-Arsenal star takes fans inside insane workoutsAsked if it would’ve been the biggest move he’d ever done, ‘Ashman’ shamelessly responded: “Yeah. I’ve had a few big ones, I’ve had a few little ones. It’s the luck of the draw, you don’t know what you’re going to get.”He went on to say: “It weren’t even a knife. It was a knitting needle. But where we’d seen it, we weren’t even thinking. It was the belly. We got too hungry. It wasn’t like we planned it.”In response to a question about what the knitting needle was for, he said: “That’s to get something. To get keys, to hook the keys innit.””When I pulled up next to him, the guy was a lump,” he added. “My co-de, he’s a savage. But on that day, my man was on, Sead was on.”Both “furious”, the perpetrators fled the scene but were later found.Smith was initially handed a 15-year prison sentence for attempted robbery, but his guilty plea reduced it to 10 years.After an appeal, he got it reduced again to a six-do-three – meaning a six-year custodial sentence followed by a three-year extended license period.However, he was then charged with a different burglary while in possession of firearms, taking his total sentence back up to nine years.Smith went on to serve four years and 10 months in prison. He was released in May this year.”This is the longest I’ve been out,” he said.Arsenal fans were left furious after seeing how brazen ‘Ashman’ was during the interview on social media.One person commented: “Sead Kolasinac looked at you and laughed. This guy just a full on mug.”Another wrote: “Made to look a fool by footballers 😂.”A third said: “Kolasinac didn’t even flinch, this guy should be embarrassed to even show his face!”READ MORE SUN STORIESWhile a fourth added: “Is he not embarrassed to show his face?”Ozil left Arsenal as a free agent in 2021. Meanwhile, Kolasinac now plays for Atalanta in Serie A.Sead Kolasinac, left, and Mesut Ozil in action for Arsenal in 2019Credit: Reuters More

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      Inside EFL club’s stadium with police-seized LED lights from cannabis factory helping maintain pitch

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      POLICE have gifted LED lights to Crewe Alexandra after seizing them during a raid at a cannabis factory.The Christmas donation will help to maintain the League Two side’s pitch at their formerly named Gresty Road.Christmas lights of a different variety have arrived at Crewe Alexandra courtesy of Cheshire PoliceIt came after a police raid seized equipment at a local cannabis farmsCheshire officers arrived with a special delivery to Crewe’s ground last week, according to The Mail.LED grow lights are an efficient and sustainable option for illuminating stadium grass playing surfaces and reusing heat, according to HortiDaily.And Crewe’s snazzy new lights fit the bill for a fourth-tier side battling for promotion to League One.The sponsored Mornflake Stadium is currently kitted out with a set of modern-looking floodlights.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut Crewe welcomed the extra utilities that could even be used on the training ground pitches.Multiple outlets have reported several successful million-pound police raids in the area of Crewe this year.And it seems they’ve run out of places to put the seized cannabis farm equipment.Items, including compost, garden canes, flower pots and fertiliser were donated to local gardening centres over the summer.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSAuthorities have also donated some of the cultivation material to primary schools, including electric fans.Lighting was even provided to a pigeon flying club.If I was a painter or a builder I might not be here and now I’m back in EFL after open heart surgery saved my life In June 2021, the club agreed a £500,000 naming rights deal with its long-term shirt sponsor Mornflake.Dating back to 1906, the home of the Railway Men has a current capacity of 10,100 with a complete rebuild of all four stands occurring in the 1990s.Crewe dropped to third in the League Two table after drawing 1-1 away at Carlisle on Saturday. The club, managed by former EFL midfielder Lee Bell, confirmed the LED delivery to SunSport.Crewe have confirmed the delivery to SunSport More

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      Lyon star Mikautadze victim of armed robbery as thieves ‘threaten him with weapon and steal £200k worth of jewellery’

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      LYON striker Georges Mikautadze was the victim of a robbery at his home on Sunday evening.The incident occurred at around 9pm, just hours after the 24-year-old appeared for Lyon against OGC Nice.Lyon and Georgia striker Georges Mikautadze was the victim of an armed robbery on SundayCredit: GettyAccording to French newspaper Le Progres, two hooded individuals threatened Mikautadze with a weapon.However, he was not physically assaulted.The perpetrators stole jewellery – including valuable watches – and luxury leather goods from the striker’s house.It is estimated the total loot was worth around £207,000 (€250,000).READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAn investigation is now underway as police continue searching for the offenders.Mikautadze came off the bench for Lyon against Nice on Sunday, replacing hat-trick hero Alexandre Lacazette.Lyon went on to win the match 4-1 and jumped up to fifth in the Ligue 1 table as a result.In 17 appearances for the French side so far this season, Mikautadze has scored four goals and provided one assist.Most read in FootballHe joined Lyon in a £6.2million transfer from Metz in July after impressing for Georgia at Euro 2024.The striker managed four goal contributions in three group games for the underdog nation in Germany. More

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      Bayern Munich star footballer ‘is caught drink-driving in Germany after partying with pals at club & faces ban and fine’

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      BAYERN Munich ace Alphonso Davies has been caught drink driving after being pulled over by police, say reports.The Canadian defender, 24, now faces a driving ban after he was reportedly found to be over the legal limit in the early hours of Thursday morning.Bayern Munich ace Alphonso Davies has been caught drink driving after being pulled over by police, say reportsCredit: GettyDavies training with his teammates before a Champions League tie this weekCredit: APThe Bayern Munich team before they played PSG on TuesdayA breathalyser test revealed he registered a blood alcohol level of 0.6 grams per litre, according to Bild.In Germany, the allowed level is under 0.5 grams per litre.Davies had spent Wednesday evening with friends at a Christmas market in Munich, say German media.He then moved on to a nightclub before making his way home in the early hours of Thursday morning where he was stopped by cops at around 2:15am.read more in Bayern MunichDavies is now expected to have his driving licence taken away for a month and fork out £4,100 in fines, He will also receive two points on his licence.His club side, Bayern Munich are not expected to punish him any further. They had allowed the star leftback to have a day off following their huge Champions League win over Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday.Most read in FootballHe returned to training as normal on Friday as the Bundesliga favourites prepare to face off with Borussia Dortmund in the Der Klassiker.Vincent Kompany’s side – led by English talisman Harry Kane – are six points clear of second-placed Eintracht Frankfurt already this season.They are still unbeaten with 11 games played.Davies also captains the Canadian national soccer team. He became the first player born in the 2000s to compete in a Major League Soccer match when he played for Vancouver Whitecaps FC. The Canadian defender also became the youngest player to appear in the national team. Born in Ghana to refugee Liberian parents, Davies and his family relocated to Canada when he was five-years-old.He obtained Canadian citizenship in 2017. THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY..The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheSunFootball and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunFootball.Vincent Kompany’s side – led by English talisman Harry Kane – are six points clear of second placed Eintracht Frankfurt already this season.Credit: AFP More

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      I went from the Prem to prison ‘hell’ filled with shower stabbings and cockroaches but now I’m eyeing an FA Cup shock

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      NILE RANGER sat in prison with his gut churning after eating half-cooked chicken and watching cockroaches crawling through cracks in the walls of his cell.The ex-Newcastle striker, 33, was banged up at Pentonville in north London in 2017 after pleading guilty of committing online banking fraud.Nile Ranger spoke exclusively to SunSportCredit: Jon BondHe was a promising Premier League starCredit: GettyHe helped Newcastle win promotion from the Championship in 2010 and went on to play in the Premier LeagueCredit: AFPBut things spiralled out of control and saw Nile end up in prisonCredit: Jon BondHe had conspired to swindle more than £2,000 from a woman two years earlier.It completed a fall from grace for a highly-promising player who made 26 Premier League appearances for the Geordies before nose diving down the leagues.Ranger swapped training and playing alongside stars such as Michael Owen, Fabricio Coloccini and Andy Carroll for mixing with criminals who boasted about such things as tossing an unfortunate soul into a car boot after cutting their fingers off!But on Sunday he will be back on a football field with Southern Premier Kettering hoping to create some FA Cup magic as they host League Two Doncaster — having scored the winner in the previous round to topple League One Northampton.READ MORE FOOTBALLTo say Ranger is the ultimate model for any young professional NOT to follow is an understatement.He told SunSport: “It was bad in prison, full of wrong ’uns, and no place to be if you’ve got your head screwed on.“I had mine on compared to those people. I had just been silly, unruly and lacked discipline.“There was this guy who told me he had put someone in a car boot and chopped off their fingers.Most read in FA Cup“I heard people planning murders and armed robberies when they got out.“There were prisoners getting stabbed in the showers and drones flying in drugs and mobile phones. It was hell.”Bizarre moment man dressed as Elsa from Frozen sings Let It Go karaoke on pitch ahead of FA Cup first-round clashAlthough sentenced at Wood Green Crown Court to serve eight months inside one of Britain’s most notorious jails, Ranger was released after 10 weeks for good behaviour — although he had to wear an electronic tag to make sure he was not up to no good.Ranger said: “There were cockroaches coming through the gaps of the cell walls and door.“We had to block those with towels and if you killed a cockroach others would appear from eggs they laid. There were mice running about as well. It was disgusting.“The food was appalling. The chicken I’m certain wasn’t properly cooked.“I was locked up 23 hours a day — using the hour outside my cell to exercise and shower.“Some of the guards were arrogant — trying to make me feel small. They were jealous because I was a footballer. But I didn’t rise to it.”I focused on getting out and thought, ‘I’m only going to be here for two or three months and playing football again.’“I was at Southend and they were still paying my wages while in prison so that was always on my mind when the guards were belittling me.“I felt the sentence was unfair. People have done far-worse and only got suspended sentences.“I reckon the judge had already decided while having dinner with his wife the previous evening he was going to lock me up.”Kept messing upRanger concedes he screwed up and wasted his incredible talent. Had he applied himself he could have had a good Premier League career.But he kept messing up — despite countless chances.Just shortly after signing for Southampton from Crystal Palace as a kid, he was banged up for 11 weeks in a young offenders institute for being involved in an armed robbery.The Saints stuck by him then but lost patience after he stole his entire academy team’s kit and a box of chocolates from the kit lady.He explained: “I don’t know why I took the chocolates but we had been told we could have some of the kit. The season had finished and Southampton were getting us new ones.“I had friends at home in North London who loved football so I took everything, all the kit and boots. I was caught on camera and Southampton terminated my contract.”Ranger helped fire Kettering into the FA Cup second roundCredit: PAYet Ranger landed on his feet when Newcastle snapped him up and despite breaking into the first team and helping them win promotion from the Championship in 2010 and going on to play in the Premier League, he pressed the self-destruct button with a series of disciplinary problems.He also had such a gambling addiction that the club got him banned from every casino in Newcastle. He was constantly late for training or did not show at all.Kevin Keegan got so fed up with him when he started training with the first team, he told Ranger: “I’m going to pull out and sell your gold tooth if you’re late again because your wages will not be enough to cover the fine.”Chris Hughton, who had a summit meeting with Ranger and his mum, and Alan Pardew, who banished him to train with the academy team until he sorted out his time-keeping, both tried in vain to save his career before the latter decided to let him go.Swindon, Blackpool and Southend (twice) all took punts but to no avail — and after a spell with National League club Boreham Wood he crashed out of the game for 20 months before joining Kettering in September.When he was a promising 18-year-old at Newcastle he was earning almost £10,000-a-week — and admits he would be penniless today if it was not for his beloved mum Karen.He said: “When I was making the money I was, I didn’t appreciate it and was spunking it.“My mum sorted out some property investments. I should’ve done way more. Had she not done that, I’d have nothing now.“I’ve a bit of money to live on but cannot live a lavish lifestyle.”Mum has always looked out for me and out of everyone I’ve upset with my actions she’s the one I regret hurting the most — along with all my family.”Celebration promiseRanger believes he has matured since becoming a dad. He has a three-year-old son Aziel and while he has since split from the mother, insists he prioritises being a good dad.And while the striker knows seventh-tier Kettering is a world away from the level he reached, he still believes he can play in League One or Two.But right now he wants to help the Poppies win promotion this season and help youngsters not make the same mistakes he has as well as inspire criminals serving time to mend their ways.He said: “Prison is supposed to be a place where they rehabilitate you. I didn’t see any of that happening. In fact, jail can make people worse.“I accept I’m not a good football role model — but I am a role model, one who made lots of mistakes, but who can teach people what NOT to do.“I’ve already done a talk to some youngsters at an academy. I’ve been invited to schools and prisons. I’d like to use my experience to help others.“But right now my focus is on enjoying the last part of my career and hopefully creating another FA Cup shock.”READ MORE SUN STORIESAnd Ranger has promised to do one thing on live TV if he scores against Doncaster.He said: “I have a tattoo on my lower lip of a smiley emoji. I am going to run to a TV camera and show my happy lip!”He’s vowed to show off his tattoo if he scores this weekendCredit: Jon BondTV viewers will get a close up view of his ‘happy’ lip tattooCredit: Jon Bond More