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      Shocking moment England fans are attacked by Netherlands supporters flinging punches & bottles ahead of Euros semi

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      THIS is the shocking moment a group of England fans were attacked by Netherlands supporters ahead of tonight’s Euro 2024 semi.Dramatic footage appears to show rival fans throwing punches and hurling drinks as tensions rise before tonight’s clash in Dortmund.A fight broke between England and Netherland fans ahead of the Euro semifinal tonightCredit: XIt is not yet known what sparked the violent clashCredit: fathz216 / XChairs and bottles were seen flying in the airCredit: jgnufc1/ / XRiot police were called to the sceneCredit: jgnufc1/ / XFive fans were hurt and arrests made during the skirmish as Dutch yobs attacked England fans outside a restaurant in the German town.Tables were upturned an orange shirted attacker was seen hurling a chair as missiles were hurled in the clash outside Sausalitos restaurant and bar in the city centre.Trouble flared near the start of the spectacular Dutch “fan walk” to the stadium as tens of thousands of soccer revellers passed the eaterie.Officials confirmed five people had suffered minor injuries and at least one Dutch fan was caught on camera being detained by riot cops who quickly surrounded the scene.Read more on Euro 2024Another fan was seen hurling a TV inside the restaurant.A spokesman for the UK’s Football Police Unit said: “We are aware of some reports and videos circulating of disorder in Dortmund.“It appears that there have been several instances of Dutch fans attacking England fans in bars and attempting to steal flags.“We understand this has resulted in minor injuries to five people. We are also aware that in addition to the tens of thousands of Dutch fans there to enjoy the game, there are groups of risk supporters who have travelled to Dortmund from the Netherlands.Most read in Euro 2024“Our officers are at the location supporting German colleagues. We would advise supporters to be aware of their surroundings and seek areas where there is a German Police presence. ”Restaurant Leo Woeho said: “The Dutch started it after trying to steal an England flag – there was provocation on each side and it got out of hand.“Fortunately no one was badly hurt.”The brawl saw England fans retreat into a bar to avoid being pelted by glass.Clips of the clash spread across X, formerly Twitter, with one user writing: “It’s kicking off in Dortmund.”A similar fight took place weeks ago before England’s Euros curtain raiser against Serbia, which left an English fan with blood pouring from a head wound.Sources at the scene said a group of yobs appeared to have started chaos in a restaurant near the venue city of Gelsenkirchen five hours before kick-off.It comes after cops closed in on a crazed axeman brandishing a Molotov cocktail near a busy Euros fan zone was caught on camera.Shocking footage showed the suspect with a golden pickaxe as cops draw their guns and deploy pepper spray moments before his arrest on the streets of Hamburg.Cops shot the axeman and sealed off the Reeperbahn strip, not far from where thousands of Dutch supporters were gathering to watch their match against Poland.Police feared he intended to set it off in the middle of the crowd of supporters, according to German news outlet Bild.England & Serbia fans launch chairs in bloody clash ahead of Euros match as violence erupts in GelsenkirchenA statement from Hamburg Police on X read: “There is currently a major police operation in St Pauli.”According to initial findings, a person threatened police officers with a pickaxe and an incendiary device.”The officers then used their firearms.”The attacker was injured and is currently receiving medical treatment.”Police say the attack had “no football connection” and the perpetrator was attacking alone at the time.Meanwhile, shots were heard during the heated Italy-Albania match, leaving a 23-year-old seriously injured.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe man was hit in his leg and arm in the Berlin district of Moabit, as cops armed with submachine guns launched an urgent manhunt for the attacker.Six shots were fired on Rathenower Strasse, near Turmstrasse, opposite the Tiergarten district court, Bild reports. More

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      in Motorsport

      Michael Schumacher’s ‘medical records & 500 pics of stricken F1 star among docs stolen in bombshell £12m blackmail plot’

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      A SECURITY guard accused of trying to blackmail F1 legend Michael Schumacher’s family allegedly stole two hard drives of medical data.The man – who can only be named as Markus F due to German law, had worked for the family as a security guard for approximately five years.H7BYN6 Michael Schumacher German motor racing driver 2000Credit: AlamyIdentified as Markus F, the former security guard for the Schumacher family allegedly attempted to blackmail Corinna Shumacher for £12 millionCredit: FacebookYilmaz T is one of the co accusedAccording to reports obtained by Germany’s BILD, the former security guard allegedly stole around 1,500 files.According to the report, there were up to 500 images on one hard drive and as many as 1,000 files on the second hard drive. These included photos, videos, medication lists and the contents of Schumacher’s patient file.It comes after it was reported that Markus F was allegedly trying to get £12million for the stolen medical data to help pay off his debts.Read more sportThe 52-year-old was arrested on Thursday as the main perpetrator behind the suspected attempt to extort the Schumacher family.It’s alleged that the accused man was a vice consul in Egypt who wanted to free himself of his debts by allegedly committing the heinous crime.In early 2009, he became assistant to the German honorary consul in Hurghada, Egypt.A few years later he returned to Germany and resumed his career in security.Most read in MotorsportThis is where he allegedly got to know other bouncers, including the co-accused Yilmaz T, 53, who Markus F allegedly commissioned to carry out the alleged £12 million extortion.According to BILD information, Markus F. only promised to give Yilmaz T a commission in the low single-digit million range.Yilmaz T’s was caught and arrested with his son Daniel L, 30 in connection to the alleged crime.Daniel L is the first of the accused to be released on conditional bail. His older brother Julian posted his £8,431 bail. Daniel L also had to hand over his passport and must report to the police.Senior public prosecutor Wolf-Tilman Baumert, spokesman for the Wuppertal public prosecutor’s office, said: “After the advanced investigations, we currently assume that the accused son may have acted more as an accomplice.” 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.Schumacher – a seven-time F1 world champion- has not been seen for more than 10 years after a horrific ski crash left him in a medically induced coma.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.The 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.In May, the Schumacher family were awarded £170,000 in compensation after a magazine published a fake AI-generated interview with the racing legend.READ MORE SUN STORIESGerman 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”.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.Michael Schumacher and his wife Corinna before is accident in 2013Credit: AFPSchumacher – a seven-time F1 world champion- has not been seen for more than 10 years after a horrific ski crash left him in a medically induced coma.Credit: AFPIt is not the first time someone has targeted the Shumacher familyCredit: AFP More

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      in Soccer

      Real Madrid demand police video about sexual harassment is removed as video shows man in their kit attacking woman

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      REAL MADRID officials have called for a Peruvian National Police advert to be taken down.The anti-sexual harassment advert in question shows a man targeting a woman on a bus.A new advert from the Peruvian police shows a man targeting a womanCredit: Peruvian policeThe man is wearing a Real Madrid shirt, which has left club officials furiousCredit: Peruvian policeHe walks on, looks at the woman and brushes against her in front of the other passengers.The man is immediately handcuffed and taken away by police.The officer then says: “If you are a victim or witness of sexual harassment on public transport, report it to the nearest police officer or call 105.”But Los Blancos officials have been left furious because the attacker is seen wearing a Real Madrid shirt.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAccording to Spanish outlet Marca, the LaLiga giants now want the video to be taken down.The controversial advert about sexual harassment is based on a true story.In March, the Peruvian National Police arrested a man for targeting a woman on the Lima Metro.Like in the advert, the man was wearing a Real Madrid shirt.Most read in FootballA statement read: “No to harassment! An individual was arrested for inappropriate touching of a young woman at the Gamarra station on Line 1 of the Lima Metro.”The intervention was carried out by members of the Railway Safety Division.”The advert is based on a true storyCredit: Peruvian police More

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      in Motorsport

      Michael Schumacher security guard ‘tried to sell photos of sick F1 star after horror ski crash & blackmail family’

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      MICHAEL Schumacher’s security guard allegedly tried to sell photos of the legend after his shocking ski accident in a £12million blackmail plot. The public prosecutor’s office arrested Markus F, 52, from Wülfrath on Thursday as the main perpetrator behind the suspected attempt to extort the Schumacher family.The alleged blackmail targeted Schumacher’s family, say German copsCredit: AlamyMichael’s loving wife Corrina has protected his privacy since a horror ski crash over a decade agoCredit: AFPMichael has not been seen publicly since his 2013 ski accident.Credit: AFPIn the shocking twist, Markus F was a ‘trusted’ security expert working for the F1 icon’s family a few years ago.Now he is being accused of orchestrating the blackmail that threatened to release images of seven-time champ Schumacher in the years following his skiing accident in December 2013.The family has kept the champion racing driver’s health a guarded secret for years – which the photos would have exposed. Markus F wanted to reportedly free himself of his debts by committing the heinous crime. read more in schumacherIts claimed he had previously tried to sell the pics to the media for two years.The mastermind is said to have commissioned bouncer Yilmaz T, 53, from Wuppertal to carry out the blackmail.Markus F’s role is alleged to have been turning private pictures of the family into digital files before transferring to Yilmaz T and his son.  When 53-year-old Yilmaz T was arrested with his son Daniel L, 30, the two reportedly told police they had been acting on behalf of Markus F.Most read in MotorsportThe 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.Schuey’s family awarded £170k damages over AI-generated ‘chat with F1 star’Michael, 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.Doorman Yilmaz T. is said to be one of the three men behind the planTo keep the information private the trio reportedly demanded they were sent millions to keep the information off the dark web.The 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.READ MORE SUN STORIESAt 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.Michael hasn’t been seen publicly since the crashCredit: Getty More

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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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      in Soccer

      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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      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