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      in Motorsport

      Schumacher blackmail plot ‘mastermind’ revealed as ‘family bodyguard who threatened to release pics of stricken star’

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      THE mastermind accused of a blackmail plot against F1 ace Michael Schumacher has been revealed as a family bodyguard, say German cops. Two other men have also been arrested after they are alleged to have threatened to release secret pictures of the injured star if they weren’t given over £12million from his stricken family. A third man has been arrested over a Michael Schumacher blackmail plotCredit: AlamyThe alleged blackmail plot was targeting Schumacher’s family, say German copsCredit: NetflixDoorman Yilmaz T. is said to be one of the three men behind the planThe first two men arrested were a father and son duo accused of trying to plot against the Schumacher family.Yilmaz T., 53, and his son, 30, from Wuppertal, western Germany, face up five years in prison if found guilty of the allegations.A third man involved in the case has now also been arrested.The 52-year-old has been described as the “mastermind” behind the plot, say German cops. read more in SchumacherHe worked as a security guard for the Schumacher family, claim the public prosecutor’s office in Wuppertal.His role is alleged to have been turning private pictures of the family into digital files so they could be transferred to Yilmaz T and his son.  The man was detained on Thursday in Wülfrath as a large number of evidence was also seized from his property. Family employees close to wife Corinna Schumacher were said to have been approached by the trio who claimed to have found a file of secrets on the F1 driver.Most read in MotorsportMichael, who hasn’t been seen or heard from for over a decade after a horror ski crash, has been looked after by his close-knit family since the accident.According to the Wuppertal office, the men said the family wouldn’t want the files to become public due to what they contained.To keep the information private the trio reportedly demanded they were sent millions to keep the information off the dark web.Inside Michael Schumacher’s decade-long recovery from ‘desperately cruel’ ski crash as brother shares devastating updateThe suspects were even alleged to have sent some of the files to the family as proof, said prosecutors in June.Cops were able to track down the extortionists through “technical measures”, it was announced last month.The Schumacher family have been tormented over Michael’s health in the past.In 2016, a 25-year-old man known as Hüseyin B sent a threatening email to Corinna targeting the couple’s children.The mum-of-two quickly passed on the email to the police who swiftly tracked down the painter.After being arrested, the thug was sent to court where a judge sentenced him for a year and nine months behind bars.The perpetrator was reportedly caught after he told Corinna to send him the money to his personal bank account – something the police easily traced back.At the hearing, judge Eberhard Hausch said: “To put it gently, putting your own account number there is not very smart.” In May, the Schumacher family were awarded £170,000 in compensation after a magazine published a fake AI-generated interview with the racing legend.What happened to Michael Schumacher?MICHAEL Schumacher’s life was hanging by a thread 10-years-ago as medics tried desperately to keep him alive after a tragic skiing crash that left him with horrific brain injuries.The F1 legend was given the best possible treatment as he was put into a medically induced coma, had his body temperature lowered and underwent hours of tricky operations on his brain.Back in 2013, the retired seven-time world champion, and his then 14-year-old son set off on the Combe de Saulire ski run in the exclusive French resort of Meribel.Footage from his helmet camera revealed he was not travelling at excessive speed when his skis struck a rock hidden beneath the snow.He catapulted forward 11.5ft and crashed into a boulder head first that split his helmet into two and left him needing to be airlifted to hospital for two life-saving operations.At one point his family were told to brace themselves for the worst case scenario as the situation was much worse than originally believed.At the time, medics said Schumacher was likely to stay in an induced coma for at least 48 hours as his body and mind recovered.But the coma ended up lasting 250 days – more than eight months.After he woke up in June 2014, he was discharged from hospital and sent to his home in Lake Geneva to get further treatment.Since then his wife Corinna and his inner circle of friends have expertly avoided almost anything leaking out about his health status.Only small amounts of information have been released including reports that Schumacher was in a wheelchair but can react to things around him.In 2019, it was said that Schumacher was set to undergo breakthrough stem cell therapy in a bid to regenerate and rebuild his nervous system.Renowned France cardiologist Dr Philippe Menasche, who had operated on him previously, was set to carry out the treatment that would see cells from his heart go to his brain.Following the treatment at the Georges Pompidou Hospital in Paris, he was said to be “conscious”, although few other details were given about his state.German publication Die Aktuelle claimed to have secured a “world exclusive” with the severely injured Ferrari great last April despite Michael not being seen publicly since his 2013 skiing accident.In a two-page spread, promoted with a picture of Schumacher, it claimed the seven-time F1 champ had said “My life has totally changed”.The sickening bot even spoke about the racing hero’s physical condition, family and future recovery prospects.Another legal battle in 2016 was waged after German magazine Bunte reported the racing legend “could walk”.The court case led to a few small pieces of information being revealed, with Schumacher’s lawyers confirming he still couldn’t walk.Corinna also reportedly led the effort to hide a ghoulish photo of the F1 legend that was reportedly snapped and then smuggled out by a “friend” and offered around to news outlets for a whopping £1million.READ MORE SUN STORIESGerman prosecutors called the disgusting act a “violation of his personal range of life” and breach of privacy.Corinna reportedly demanded the cops take action, but the media outlet refused to reveal its source – and also claimed it never saw any of the images of Schumacher.Michael’s loving wife Corrina has protected his privacy since a horror ski crash over a decade agoCredit: Getty Images – GettyMichael hasn’t been seen publicly since the crashCredit: Getty – Contributor More

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      Majorca on ‘red alert’ for Spain vs Germany Euros CLASHES as motorbike cops & plain clothed officers swarm hols hotspot

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      MAJORCA has desperately called in cops on motorbikes and undercover officers for the Spain vs Germany match as tensions are set to flare on the island.The National Police have confirmed a special security operation has been prepared in Playa de Palma on Friday – where most German tourists will be for the big game. Some cops will be going undercover for the Spain vs Germany match in Playa de PalmaCredit: GettyIn May riot police armed with weapons charged towards the fansOfficers chased after them down the strip as horrified tourists watched on in horrorAlthough little detail has been provided, they confirmed the operation will be made up of public safety units like police intervention, prevention and reaction units. Cops will be seen on motorbikes or perhaps not at all as some will go undercover in plain clothing.Despite these seemingly intense provisions, bars across the Spanish island have other plans for tourists. The president of the Mallorca CAEB Restaurant Association, Alfonso Robledo, say many places are installing extra TV screens and increasing stock of provisions like alcohol. read more in footballThese changes are predominantly happening in the tourist areas like Playa de Palma and Peguera. But Mr Robledo suggested that the 6pm timing of the match was inconvenient, especially for the restaurant sector that won’t see much of the revenue.Fans going the heavy night without eating may also encourage more alcohol-induced commotion. He said: “Watching the match in a bar with friends is more fun than at home.Most read in Euro 2024However, the time, at six o’clock in the evening, doesn’t help”.He continued: “People will watch the match and will not make dinner reservations because they don’t know exactly when the Germany-Spain match will end; “it depends on whether there is extra time, penalties, etc. Restaurants don’t have the capacity to install screens because of the layout”.Majorca is a hugely popular holiday destination for Germans. According to the Statstica, Germans were the number one tourists to visit the island in 2022. The country are currently tackling with political violence after a series of physical attacks happened to local and leading politicians – blaming a rise of the far right. A few months ago fans of Germany’s “ultra” footy team Alemannia Achen were chased down and fired at with rubber bullets by Majorca’s riot team.Tourists were left fleeing the scene in Playa de Palma in May as officers from the National Police UPR unit looked to break up a group of some fifty people.The majority were fans of Alemannia Aachen, a German football club from the western city of Aachen, North Rhine-Westphalia, who have just been promoted to the 3. Liga – Germany’s third tier.The club’s ultras are said to be linked to the extreme right.The group had attacked a doorman at the Bamboleo bar on Carrer del Pare Bartomeu Salvà, near the beach, the Majorca Daily Bulletin report.A fight with other security personnel then followed, it was added, with significant damage caused to the bar.Officers holding weapons could be seen running after a group clad in yellow and black – the colours of Alemannia Aachen – in front of horrified onlookers.Amongst the chaos on the strip were other tourists fleeing to safety as the police began firing rubber bullets in the direction of the troublemakers.Fellow tourists cowered away on the side of the streets and ran into other bars for cover.READ MORE SUN STORIESAs of recent, Majorca has been slamming down on tourism.The idyllic Balearic island has seen violent gangs, bar brawls and anti-tourist protests stain its good name.GERMAN HOOLIGANS AWAYSLIKE Britain, Germany has been infected by football hooliganism since the 1980s – but it was perhaps worse in the 1990s.One of the most shocking incidents was during the 1998 World Cup in France, when a policeman was left with permanent brain damage following an attack by German louts.Two years later at the Euro 2000 tournament in Belgium, an English fan was stabbed as compatriots battled in the streets with German ones.It seemed to have been stamped out by intelligence led policing, but in the past few years it’s flared up again.In 2017 the kick-off at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium in London had to be delayed due to trouble caused by visiting fans from the German side Cologne.New rules in the Balearic IslandsTHE Spanish government has some strict rules in place for those visiting Majorca, Menorca and Ibiza.Certain restaurants have dress codes, banning tops without straps, swimwear or football kits.Holidaymakers can also be fined for walking around topless or in a state of undress while not on the beach.You could even get into trouble for driving topless.At some hotels, men might have to wear proper trousers for dinner.Authorities in Majorca are cracking down on tourists by imposing fresh bans on drinking on the streets and graffiti.Any tourist breaching the new rules could be slapped with a fine of £1,300.The penalty can be increased up to £2,600, in case the grounds of the offence are more serious.Fines for graffiti, vandalism and loud slogans have also been increased to £2,600.If minors are found to commit graffiti vandalism, their parents will be held responsible – and will be forced to pay the fine.Flooding the streets with banners, posters and advertising brochures is now prohibited.Destroying listed buildings, monuments, and other important public areas would be considered a serious offence – and could attract fines of up to £2,600Majorca is a very popular destination for German touristsCredit: AFPBars are expected to be mobbed for the big gameCredit: EPAMajorca has had a clamp down on tourism as of recentCredit: AFP – Getty More

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      in Boxing

      Ex-Olympic boxer who helped mastermind national black market racket after running up gambling debts of £25k avoids jail

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      A FORMER Team GB boxer has escaped jail after he helped mastermind a nationwide black market racket in stolen telecoms equipment which cost BT almost £400,000.Ex-lightweight professional Antonio Counihan, 33, broke into Openreach vans to steal fibre optic installation kit after becoming a cable fitter when his career in the ring foundered and he ran up gambling debts of £25,000.Former boxer Antonio Counihan has avoided jailCredit: CavendishCounihan was part of a gang which stole telecoms equipment which cost BT almost £400,000Credit: CavendishCounihan, right, seen here with his dad Paul, won 66 of his 80 amateur fightsCredit: CavendishCounihan and an accomplice used hi viz jackets and hardhats to pose as a workmen at secure BT exchange sites before clambering on top of the vans and using cutting equipment to ”peel back” the rooves.They also used their expertise in telecoms to identify the most expensive items inside before looting the vehicles.The stolen equipment was then fenced by a crooked businessman who used his fibre optics business as a front to sell them on.Counihan, from Sollihull, near Birmingham who won 66 of his 80 amateur fights before boxing for England over 20 times was arrested after police attributed 34 thefts to the gang carried out across eight counties over a nine month period from May 2019 to January 2020.Read More on UK NewsIn all equipment worth £113,192 was stolen whilst £149,561 of damage was caused to the vans.BT calculated the racket had cost it £390,627 including lost business caused by the thefts.In two cases three Openreach vans were targeted in a single night.At Warwick Crown Court, father of one Counihan faced up to six years jail under sentencing guidelines but was sentenced to 16 months’ imprisonment suspended for 12 months after a judge was told of a ”heart wrenching” end to his promising boxing career when he had undergo tests for brain cancer.Most read in BoxingDetails of the case emerged at the Court of Appeal this week where three judges dismissed pleas by the Solicitor General that the suspended sentence imposed on upon Counihan was ”unduly lenient.”Three other men who has also got suspended sentences for their parts in the racket also had appeals against their terms rejected.Counihan joined the Team GB boxing squad in 2009 and at one point was captain but he turned pro after narrowly missing out on a place in the 2012 Olympic Games in London.He was signed up by boxing manager Kelly Maloney then known as Frank but his career began to decline after a ‘shadow’ was discovered on his brain.He was unable to box competitively for three years and underwent a series of scans before doctors discovered the shadow was in fact a birth mark.The theft racket began in 2019 after Counihan got a job as a cable fitter for a fibre optic installation subcontracting business run by 35-year old Michael George and which was used by BT on outsourced jobs.The court heard the gang ”had specialist knowledge of the operational workings of BT and of the high demand on the black market for the specialist fibre optic installation equipment.”They would target BT Openreach vans parked overnight and cut holes into the rooves with metal cutters.Initially a small hole would be cut into the roof to allow the contents of the van to be viewed and if If high-value fibre optic kit was seen inside, a larger hole was then made by cutting through and peeling back a section of the roof.The gang started their criminal enterprise in the West Midlands but their activities spread into Warwickshire, West Mercia, Staffordshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Gloucestershire, Avon and Somerset and Essex.In one raid the gang stole a splicing machine worth £2225, an optical time-domain reflectometer worth £2400, a red light generator worth £135, a light source worth £564, a fibre cleaver worth £225; hand tools worth £450; and a labelling machine worth £23.A fibre blowing head worth £1,480 was damaged in the raid.Counihan received £2,100 into his bank account juts a day after one of the raids and went on spending spree buying designer clothing.Police began investigating after an off duty BT employee took a picture of him driving the gang’s getaway vehicle.They examined text messages he swapped with an accomplice discussing “doing a peel”, meaning going to steal, wearing of high viz jackets and hard hats so they could ”blend in” during one of the raids.They also discussed needing “new snips” after metal cutters they used were discarded during a previous raid.There were also messages where items were requested, and plans formed to steal to order.Counihan sent messages to an associate asking if he wanted a splicer, and discussing fibre optic equipment that was available to purchase.He then sent screenshots stating that he had been “putting feelers out”.When arrested in June 2020, Couniham initially denied wrongdoing.He later said he participated as a driver and lookout during some of the raids and was only involved in the sale of property stolen in one.He accepted he received “a few hundred pounds on average.”Counihan later wrote a letter to the court describing how he had risen to be part of the Great Britain Team as a boxer, backed by lottery funding, and he went into schools to inspire other children to take up boxing.He had decided to turn professional after narrowly missing out on the 2012 Olympics and won his first 8 fights as a professional before the shadow was identified on his brain.He said he no longer able to carry on boxing and his life ”became a complete mess.”He said he was in a ”bad place” when joined the gang.Sentencing Judge Anthony Potter said the racket was a “brutal and highly effective nationwide conspiracy” but cited delays in the case of two and a half years which had allowed Counihan to ”turn his life around.”READ MORE SUN STORIESThe judge accepted at the time of the racket Counihan had been “processing the loss of a career that you pursued for most of your childhood and into your adulthood” but said he had since undergone a ”significant change” after fathering a son.George, from Birmingham was given 21 months’ imprisonment suspended for two years and was ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work.The judge said Counihan had manged to ‘turn his life around’Credit: CavendishCounihan won his first eight fights as a professional before the shadow was identified on his brainCredit: CavendishHe had decided to turn professional after narrowly missing out on the 2012 OlympicsCredit: Cavendish More

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      in Soccer

      Scottish SPFL club’s pre-season friendly ABANDONED due to crowd trouble as police race to scene

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      A pre-season friendly featuring an SPFL club was ABANDONED amid shocking scenes in the crowd.Police were called to the clash between Broxburn Athletic and League Two outfit Edinburgh City before the plug was pulled on the game altogether.Flares were lit before kick-offSmoke filled the sky at BroxburnBroxburn were taking on Edinburgh CityThe match was abandoned at half-timeEdinburgh City, relegated from League One last season, made the short trip to Broxburn to take on the Lowland League club on Wednesday night.Edinburgh are gearing up for the start of their Premier Sports Cup campaign a week on Saturday, when they face Premiership opposition in the form of Motherwell.The half-time whistle blew at Albyn Park with the score goalless.As the second-half would’ve been due to commence, Edinburgh City posted on X: “There has been a delay to the restart due to an ongoing disturbance.”Around about the same time, Broxburn announced that the matched had been ABANDONED altogether.Neither club posted further after that announcement had been made.Exactly what had happened was unclear but a number of people on social media claimed to be aware of what happened.Spartans media chief Mark Brown posted on X: “Balaclava wearing ultras reportedly kicking off in the stands at Broxburn tonight, causing a pre-season ‘friendly’ v Edinburgh City to be abandoned at half time. Mental.”Most read in FootballAnother person on the platform said Edinburgh City ultras had “managed to set off fireworks, flares at kick-off.”They added that they then allegedly “ran at” the Broxburn support and said police had raced to the scene.SunSport contacted Police Scotland for comment and they confirmed that they attended.It’s understood no arrests were made.A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 7.45pm on Wednesday, 3 July, 2024, we were made aware of youths causing a disturbance at Albyn Park, Broxburn.“Officers attended and following discussions the game was abandoned and the crowd dispersed.”SunSport have also contacted both clubs for comment.Local radio station Forth 1 shared a video on X.It shows Edinburgh City ultras setting off flares BEFORE the match kicked-off in Broxburn.READ MORE SUN STORIESSmoke can be seen filling the air around the side of the pitch where the ultras could be seen singing.Many of the individuals can be seen holding flares, while what appears to be some kind of pyrotechnic sparks away on the ground.A pre-season friendly between Broxburn Athletic & Edinburgh City was abandoned due to crowd trouble. 🎥: Edinburgh City ultras set off flares before kick-off on Wednesday.Police were called to Albyn Park, Broxburn at half-time and dispersed supporters. No arrests were made. pic.twitter.com/yTcPWef7YA— Forth 1 News (@Forth1News) July 4, 2024 More

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      in Motorsport

      Bouncer & son ‘threatened to release secret Michael Schumacher files showing F1 star immediately after horror ski crash’

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      A BOUNCER and his son have been accused of trying to blackmail F1 legend Michael Schumacher’s family out of £12million.Yilmaz T., 53, and his son, 30, from Wuppertal, western Germany, face up five years in prison if found guilty of the allegations.Doorman Yilmaz T. is said to be behind the blackmail of Michael Schumacher’s familySchumacher has remained out of the public eye since his horror ski crash more than a decade agoCredit: GettyThe F1 legend stands alongside his wife, CorinnaCredit: RexGerman cops claim the father and son pair planned to extort millions from the Schumacher familyCredit: NetflixThe pair are alleged to have “claimed to employees of the Schumacher family” that they had files the family might not want publishing, the public prosecutor’s office said.They are said to show the former Formula 1 world champion after his skiing accident in 2013, German outlet BILD report, and some were even allegedly sent to the family as proof.The perpetrators then demanded a payment “in the millions” to prevent the files from being published on the darknet.It’s claimed Yilmaz T. had these files for several years, although it remains unclear how they came into his possession.Read more in F1The report adds that he had previously tried to offer the material to two other people several years ago to help him carry out the blackmail, only for them to refuse.At the beginning of June, he decided to involve his son in the heinous crime.But cops were able to track down the extortionists through “technical measures” and arrested them in a discount store parking lot in Groß-Gerau, a town in central German state Hesse, last month.The pair had been on their way to the southern city of Konstanz, where Yilmaz T. is understood to have a second home and a job on nearby Lake Constance.Most read in MotorsportWhile the dad and son duo were being arrested, investigators visited the Grey nightclub, where Yilmaz T. has been a bouncer since at least 2017.Authorities also raided seven other properties, including the doorman’s apartment in Wuppertal.Inside Michael Schumacher’s decade-long recovery from ‘desperately cruel’ ski crash as brother shares devastating updateSenior public prosecutor Wolf-Tilman Baumert told BILD that “technical measures made it possible to determine that the blackmailers were operating from Wuppertal.”An image published by the outlet allegedly shows a police note left on the door of Yilmaz T.’s broken-into apartment.If found guilty of their crimes, the father and son could spend half a decade behind bars.According to BILD, the duo are already on probation for another offence involving incitement to acquire, possess and carry weapons and ammunition.Yilmaz T. had been sentenced to one year and two months in prison but served just two months in pre-trial detention before the remainder of his sentence was suspended.A judge saw a favourable social prognosis for the bouncer, with the court convinced he would lead a crime-free life “even without the influence of the penal system.”That’s in spite of his 18 previous convictions.What happened to Michael Schumacher?MICHAEL Schumacher’s life was hanging by a thread 10-years-ago as medics tried desperately to keep him alive after a tragic skiing crash that left him with horrific brain injuries.The F1 legend was given the best possible treatment as he was put into a medically induced coma, had his body temperature lowered and underwent hours of tricky operations on his brain.Back in 2013, the retired seven-time world champion, and his then 14-year-old son set off on the Combe de Saulire ski run in the exclusive French resort of Meribel.Footage from his helmet camera revealed he was not travelling at excessive speed when his skis struck a rock hidden beneath the snow.He catapulted forward 11.5ft and crashed into a boulder head first that split his helmet into two and left him needing to be airlifted to hospital for two life-saving operations.At one point his family were told to brace themselves for the worst case scenario as the situation was much worse than originally believed.At the time, medics said Schumacher was likely to stay in an induced coma for at least 48 hours as his body and mind recovered.But the coma ended up lasting 250 days – more than eight months.After he woke up in June 2014, he was discharged from hospital and sent to his home in Lake Geneva to get further treatment.Since then his wife Corinna and his inner circle of friends have expertly avoided almost anything leaking out about his health status.Only small amounts of information have been released including reports that Schumacher was in a wheelchair but can react to things around him.In 2019, it was said that Schumacher was set to undergo breakthrough stem cell therapy in a bid to regenerate and rebuild his nervous system.Renowned France cardiologist Dr Philippe Menasche, who had operated on him previously, was set to carry out the treatment that would see cells from his heart go to his brain.Following the treatment at the Georges Pompidou Hospital in Paris, he was said to be “conscious”, although few other details were given about his state.A well known figure with authorities, Yilmaz T. has been charged with a number of crimes including serious gang theft, assault, threats, fraud and tax evasion.This isn’t the first time Schumacher’s inner circle, headed up by wife Corinna, has been targeted by fiends in the past.In 2016, a 25-year-old man known as Hüseyin B sent a threatening email to Corinna targeting the couple’s children.The mum-of-two quickly passed on the email to the police who swiftly tracked down the painter.After being arrested, the thug was sent to court where a judge sentenced him for a year and nine months behind bars.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe perpetrator was reportedly caught after he told Corinna to send him the money to his personal bank account – something the police easily traced back.At the hearing, judge Eberhard Hausch said: “To put it gently, putting your own account number there is not very smart.” Michael’s wife Corinna has been targeted by blackmailers in the past looking to extort millions from the stricken familyCredit: AFPMichael with his son Mick and daughter Gina-MariaCredit: NetflixSchumacher drivintg the #1 Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro he claimed many F1 titles inCredit: Getty More

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      in Soccer

      Ex-Premier League player Ikechi Anya and his mum attacked by robbers armed with Taser and hammer in terrifying £20k raid

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      A FORMER Premier League star and his mum were attacked by hammer-wielding robbers in a terrifying £20,000 raid.Ikechi Anya, who played for Watford, was at home in Kidlington, Oxfordshire, when the thugs burst in.Ikechi Anya was attacked by armed raiders at his homeCredit: PA:Press AssociationThe raiders attacked and threatened the former star and his mum with a hammer and Taser before fleeing.They made off with three watches worth £20,000 – including a Chopard Classic Racing Superfast with the Watford FC badge and ‘April 2015’ engraved on it – marking the team’s promotion.The robbers, who were wearing motorcycle helmets, also took a Hublot Classic Fusion Original Black Magic 33mm and a Rolex Oyster Perpetual 34mm black.Police confirmed Anya’s mum – aged in her 60s – suffered minor injuries in the horror.Read more newsThe star’s brother Chima Anya linked to a police appeal over the incident on X, formerly Twitter.He said: “Got some real bad news today, Ikechi was robbed… they took his #Watfordfc Chopard amognst [sic] other watches, my mum and him were in the house when they did, if people could circulate this would be grateful.”Watford legend Luther Blissett replied to the post, saying: “Hope the family are ok. Dreadful thing to happen. “Let’s hope they are quickly caught and duly punished.”Most read in FootballThames Valley Police confirmed the two robbers arrived in a black motorcycle at around 11am last Friday.They said the men, who are described as white and of mixed heritage, later fled on the same bike.Ikechi Anya’s stunning solo goal the last time Scotland played in GermanyInvestigating officer Detective Inspector Kate May added: “I understand this may be concerning for the community but there is nothing to suggest there is any wider threat to the public.”We have an increased police presence in the area tonight and tomorrow, so please speak to a uniformed officer if you have concerns or questions.”I am appealing for anyone who may have witnessed this aggravated burglary, the motorcyclists in the vicinity or has information about it to please get in touch.”Also, if you have any CCTV footage or any dash-cam footage if you were in the area around the time, I’d also ask that you check any recordings in case it has captured something that could assist our investigation.”Anya played for 12 clubs in England and Spain as both a winger and full-back.He helped secure Watford promotion to the Premier League in 2015.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe Glasgow-born footballer also represented Scotland on 29 occasions during his career.Anyone with information can call 101 quoting reference number 43240305029.The former Scotland and Watford star had three watches stolenCredit: Keith Campbell – The Sun Glasgow More

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      in Soccer

      Former Premier League star Shane Duffy slapped with huge fine after smashing into car in drink-driving crash

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      FORMER Premier League star Shane Duffy has been slapped with a huge fine after smashing into a car in a drink-driving crash.The Norwich defender, 32, hit the parked motor in his Range Rover then went to a nearby house to ask if he could sit and wait for the police.Shane Duffy smashed his Range Rover into a parked carCredit: SWNSThe Norwich star admitted drink-drivingCredit: GettyDuffy provided a breath sample of 102mg of alcohol – almost three times the legal limit of 35 micrograms.He has now been banned from driving for three years and ordered to pay a £25,000 fine.Duffy, who admitted driving a motor vehicle above the alcohol limit, will also have to pay a £2,000 victim surcharge and £85 in court costs.Norwich Magistrates’ Court heard the Ireland international has a similar conviction from nine years ago.Read more newsPolice confirmed no one was injured in the May 6 crash in Norwich.Duffy’s lawyer Chris Brown said because of the player’s career as a “pro-sportsman” some people will believe he has a level of “privilege” and “arrogance” but that was not the case.The solicitor also told the court Duffy made an immediate payout to the car owner “rather than leave it in the hands of the insurers” when he found out they used it to take their children to school.Issuing an apology on the star’s behalf, he said the former Brighton player would “reflect on his drinking”.Most read in FootballNorwich City confirmed it would launch internal disciplinary proceedings now the court case has ended.Duffy began his career at Everton – playing in the Premier League and Europa League.Republic of Ireland ace Shane Duffy shows off GAA skills in training session ahead of Andorra clash After stints on loan at Burnley and Scunthorpe United, he joined Blackburn Rovers in 2014 for an undisclosed fee.Duffy remained at the club for two years before joining then-Championship side Brighton.He helped get the club promoted to the Premier League and remained with the Seagulls until 2020 where he was sent on loan to Celtic.Duffy returned to Brighton for a final season and signed for Norwich City in 2023 after a short spell at Fulham.The defender, who has more than 50 international caps, made 40 appearances for the Canaries last season.The Ireland star was in his Range Rover at the timeCredit: SWNSDuffy pictured leaving court with his partner Danielle MitchinsonCredit: SWNS More

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      in Soccer

      England Euro 2024 security blow after star’s dad has Rolex stolen from hotel room while watching son play

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      ENGLAND star Ivan Toney’s father had a  Rolex watch  stolen  from his hotel room  while watching his son at the Euros.The Brentford striker’s dad, Ivan Snr, left the designer timepiece in his room on a matchday while in Germany supporting the Three Lions.Ivan Toney’s father had a Rolex watch stolen from his hotel roomThe type and value of his missing Rolex is not known but Ivan Toney was pictured wearing a £53,350 Rolex Day Date watchMr Toney found his watch had gone when he returned to his £400-a-night room  at Dusseldorf’s  Melia Hotel.He reported it to the  hotel and a police investigation was launched.The type and value of his missing Rolex is not known but his footballer son has been pictured wearing a £53,350 Rolex Day Date watch.It vanished between June 15 and June 16 – the date of England’s 1-0 curtain-raiser win over Serbia at Euro 2024, when Ivan was an unused substitute.READ MORE ON IVAN TONEYA Düsseldorf police spokesman said: “A watch was stolen from the hotel room.“It happened some time between the evening of the 15th and the morning of the 16th of June and was a particularly serious case of theft“As this is a very valuable watch containing a serial number, it is very likely that we will find it soon – at least as soon as the thief tries to put it up for sale.”A spokesman for the Melia Hotel said: “The matter was promptly reported to the authorities, who are now undertaking the pertinent investigation.Most read in Euro 2024“We are fully cooperating with the police in all necessary aspects of their inquiry and, on our part, have no further comments to provide while the investigation is in progress.”Inside Ivan Toney’s Life As A FootballerA source said: “It’s being taken very seriously because of the very high value of the property taken – and is a matter of serious concern to the hotel management.”Several players’ families were staying at the Melia Hotel – a 45-minute drive from Gelsenkirchen Stadium – over the weekend of England’s Euro 2024 opener.Star Ivan  is close to both his parents, who split up during his childhood.He spoke emotionally of how his mum Lisa struggled to make ends meet as he grew up in Northampton and skipped meals to ensure he was well fed as he chased his soccer dream.Ivan Snr – aged in his 50’s – supported him during his youth career at Northampton Town, Newcastle United, Barnsley, and Peterborough United.And the proud dad made sure he was in Germany to see his son’s first appearance in an England squad abroad.The Football Association declined to comment yesterday. More