More stories

  • in

    Football hooligans must face criminal charges and match bans, Rishi Sunak says after weekend of violence

    FOOTBALL hooligans must face the full force of the law, Rishi Sunak has warned after a weekend of chaos. The PM blasted yobs who ran riot at FA cup games – demanding match bans and even criminal charges for those involved.
    Violence broke out at the West Brom vs Wolves derby yesterday
    One fan was led away with blood pouring from his head
    A “day of disgrace” saw violence erupt between fans at the West Brom vs Wolves clash on Sunday. 
    The derby even had to be halted while police tried to break up fighting in the stands and stop thugs storming the pitch.
    Mr Sunak’s spokesman said this morning: “Those scenes are extremely concerning. There’s no place for that kind of behaviour in football. 
    “The PM believes everyone should be able to watch their team without any threats of violence or antisocial behaviour.
    READ MORE ON FOOTBALL
    “And he firmly expects anyone involved to face criminal charges and to be banned from future games.”
    Downing Street praised the “bravery” of cops and confirmed talks about clubs contributing to the cost of policing games.
    West Midlands Police have said six people were arrested following the outbreak of violence.
    The force said in a statement: “We have extra officers at this local derby and they responded immediately as disorder in the stands caused fans to spill onto the pitch.
    Most read in Football
    “Five people have now been arrested for public order offences relating to the disorder in the ground.
    “Another man was arrested for possession of an offensive weapon prior to the match outside of the ground.
    “We worked with officials to get the game restarted as soon as possible. A man has been taken to hospital with head injuries.”
    The FA also condemned the violence at The Hawthorns and are investigating.
    Away fans infiltrating the Home end has become a growing problem in football.
    Police had to intervene as chaos broke out in one corner of The Hawthorns, moments after Matheus Cunha had put Wolves 2-0 up against West Brom in the 78th minute. More

  • in

    I’m 5ft and was left dizzy when falling Maidstone fan crushed me – but Ipswich FC didn’t even offer me a cup of tea

    A 5ft FOOTBALL fan was left dizzy when a falling Maidstone supporter crushed her – but says her beloved Ipswich Town FC didn’t even offer her a cup of tea.Sixth-tier Maidstone pulled off a huge FA Cup upset after beating second-placed Championship side Ipswich 2-1 on Saturday afternoon.
    A Maidstone fan tumbled down the roof after his side scored against IpswichCredit: TikTok / @brxndonio
    The man landed on Ipswich fan Jo Peters (pictured on Saturday before the game)Credit: Supplied
    The club is probing the bizarre scenes
    Lamar Reynold’s strike just before half time sent the 4,500 travelling Maidstone fans into bedlam – with one man tumbling down the roof onto a group of Ipswich fans in the tier below.
    Jo Peters, 51, said she bore the brunt of the 6ft-tall Maidstone fan’s fall before he bounced onto an elderly man in front of her.
    Mum-of-three Jo told The Sun: “He kicked me hard in the back of the head and on my back.
    “I’m just 5ft1 and have scoliosis – God knows how I’ll feel tomorrow.
    Read More Sun Exclusives
    “My first reaction was anger, then shock. I said, “You just fell on me – what the f***.
    “He was totally intoxicated and couldn’t get up until the stewards flew up and chucked him out.”
    First aiders checked Jo at the edge of the pitch after the blow to her head left her feeling dizzy.
    She felt nauseated and breathless throughout the second half, saying she was “oblivious” when Ipswich briefly went level.
    Most read in Football
    ‘FOBBED OFF’
    The elderly man who was also knocked by the tumbling Maidstone fan was reportedly in good spirits, cheering when Jeremy Sarmiento scored in the 56th minute.
    But when Maidstone went back just ahead ten minutes later, Jo gripped the ledge behind her for fear of getting hurt again.
    Jo said: “We asked to speak to the stadium management and were taken to the directors’ box.
    “They didn’t even offer me a cup of tea – and told me that accidents happen and it was no one’s fault.
    “I feel let down by my club. I’ve been going to Ipswich for ten years and love it – but they just fobbed me off.
    “I’ve never seen a group of away fans as hostile as Maidstone today – there were nowhere near enough stewards or police.”
    She added: “The officer who I spoke to told me they haven’t got enough resources.
    “But after the guy fell suddenly there were cops boxing off the away section – why weren’t they there in the first place?
    “I’ve seen the footage of two or three more away fans getting held up after they fell over the barrier.
    “If they had fallen too, they could have landed on a little kid or someone in a wheelchair.
    “I’d have been even worse off if I was standing – I’m never going back to that stand under the away fans.”
    ‘LIKE A WARZONE’
    Jo’s partner Aaron is a lifelong Ipswich fan whose family have been going to Portman Road for over a century.
    The 43-year-old has even worked at the stadium and knows it inside out.
    Aaron told The Sun: “They gave the whole of the top tier to Maidstone but didn’t box them in away from the home fans.
    “It would never have happened back in the day when there were far more cops and stewards.
    “I’m a true blue, I’ve been countless times and have never seen it that bad. It was like a warzone today.
    “The club is responsible for everyone being safe – the people we spoke to were out of their depth.
    “I’ve been going for 43 years. It’s not good enough and no way to treat anyone – let alone a lifelong fan.
    “A man fell out of the air and landed on Jo’s lap but the club just blamed the police and the police blamed the club.
    “I’ll never stop loving my club and will never stop going to games – but we want an apology in writing from the very top.
    “The owners are putting profit before safety.”
    Ipswich Town said it was investigating the incident, and will ensure those affected are contacted and updated with an outcome.
    READ MORE SUN STORIES
    Earlier today, a spokesperson said: “The Club is aware of an incident involving a Maidstone United supporter in the Cobbold Stand at Portman Road during today’s Emirates FA Cup fourth-round fixture.
    “The Club is investigating the issue thoroughly.” More

  • in

    Moment Phil Foden’s mum is put in handcuffs after she’s kicked out of club for drunkenly flipping cap off man’s head

    THIS is the moment Phil Foden’s mum was put in handcuffs after she was kicked out of a seaside nightclub following a booze-fuelled argument with a male clubber.Claire Rowlands, 44, was cuffed by officers called to the scene after she was thrown out of Bentley’s nightclub on September 9 last year in Towyn, north Wales.
    Footage showed Rowlands with a glass in her handCredit: cps
    Rowlands held out her arms as police tried to talk to herCredit: cps
    Cops tried to question Rowlands but she refusedCredit: CPS
    Phil Foden with his mum after the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 match between England and SenegalCredit: Getty
    Rowlands, who admitted being drunk and disorderly when she appeared before magistrates in Llandudno, had downed tequila and vodka during a girl’s night out.
    She kicked off after bouncers ejected her for a row sparked by her “party trick” of flicking off a man’s cap, a court heard.
    After she grabbed a baseball cap from Paul Shortman, 42, and it dropped on the floor, she then swung an arm towards him and was asked to leave the venue.
    Her night then took a further turn for the worse when she drunkenly clashed with cops.

    The 52-second clip which was shown in court shows Claire aggressively confronting police officers who were called to the scene.
    Claire says: “Go on then, what’ve I done? Don’t come into my face unless you’ve got evidence. No I will not.
    “You’re coming over to me. No, he’s coming over to me.”
    I do not drink often but when I do, I make up for time. I am like an animal.”Claire RowlandsPolice interview
    A friend adds: “She’s coming home with me”.
    Most read in Football
    But the PC tells the woman to “stop”, adding “she’s staying with us for a minute.”
    Rowlands continues: “We can walk off because we’ve done nowt wrong” while the PC adds “we need to talk to you for a minute, wait there”.
    The 44-year-old then tells him: “We’ve done no criminal offence, we going, thankyou, thankyou”, as someone else can be heard saying “f*** off”.
    Another PC again tells Rowlands they “need a word” before she once again refuses and takes a swig of her drink.
    Another woman then screams “don’t do that, you dare start chasing my mate” as Rowlands spreads her arms out wide and asks “what’ve I done” and is surrounded by officers.
    “Get off her,” adds another group member.
    On Tuesday Rowlands, of Prestbury, Cheshire, was cleared of assaulting Mr Shortman but she was fined £100, with £85 prosecution costs and a £40 surcharge having previously admitted being drunk and disorderley in a public place.
    During the hearing at Llandudno magistraes court, PC Stephen Gunning said she had been “stumbling with her speech slurred and her eyes glazed”.
    She had been abusive to officers and body worn footage showed her shouting at them to “f*** off ” before she was placed in handcuffs and arrested.
    During police interview, Rowlands admitted: “I kicked off with the police officers. I was a bit of a b***h.”
    She also told cops she was “like an animal” when she had been drinking.
    She said: “I do not drink often but when I do, I make up for time. I am like an animal.”
    It comes as Rowlands told Llandudno magistrates’ court she had been invited to a pal’s caravan for a “respite break”.
    Rowlands, wed to Phil Foden Snr, 45, told JPs caring for her disabled son was “hard work most of the time”.
    As a result, two pals had treated her to a weekend in a caravan owned by the aunt of a friend.
    The incident happened outside Sunny’s in Towyn, North Wales, which also houses nightclub Bentley’sCredit: Andy Kelvin / Kelvinmedia
    She hid under her coat as she left Llandudno magistrates’ courtCredit: Andy Kelvin / Kelvinmedia
    Phil Foden previously shared a post thanking his parents Claire Rowlands and Phil Snr for their love and supportCredit: Instagram
    Rowlands told the court the plan had been to “have a laugh” and “let our hair down”.
    The 44-year-old said she was necking vodka and tequila shots and the group moved to Sunny’s bar in Towyn.
    When this closed at 10pm they headed to the club Bentley’s upstairs.
    Rowlands said: “My friends were speaking to a couple of lads.
    “There was no animosity, I was drunk and enjoying myself.”
    The court heard that she was asked to leave by ­doormen who accused her of assaulting someone.
    ‘It was just a bit of fun really’
    A 30-second CCTV clip played for magistrates showed Rowlands knocking a baseball cap off Paul Shortman’s head before picking it up off the floor and swinging her arm in a bid to put it back on him.
    Her solicitor Simon Martin asked her: “What was going through your mind?”
    She replied: “I was just drunk. I was having a bit of fun. I had done it to a lad earlier. It was just a bit of fun, really.”
    Mr Martin asked: “Did you have any intent to harm him?”
    She replied: “No.” Mr Martin said the CCTV showed her walk across the dancefloor and pick up the cap.
    “I kicked off with the police officers. I was a bit of a b***h.”Claire RowlandsPolice interview
    She said: “I was just wanting to put his cap back on.”
    Mr Martin said Mr Shortman ducked and the cap went on the floor again without physical contact.
    Rowlands said: “I was drunk. It was just a bit of fun, a bit of ­banter. I just could not believe it, that I could get into trouble for knocking someone’s cap off. It’s my party trick, knocking someone’s cap off and putting it back on.”
    Rowlands disagreed that her actions had been reckless.
    She added: “I did not mean him any harm or to hurt him and you can see that on the video. It was just a bit of banter which has been taken the wrong way.”
    DRUNK AND DISORDERLY
    In his closing speech Mr Martin said: “The video speaks for itself. Yes, she knocks his cap off and it goes to the floor. It is not a criminal offence. This is not a case of someone being punched or kicked. You can see it for what it is, a storm in a tea cup.”
    The court heard Mr Shortman had not attended to give evidence.
    Chairman of the magistrates, Duncan Campbell, said the prosecution had not proved assault.
    He added: “It is clear at the time that you were drunk, fooling around having fun. It is for the prosecution to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt and that you intended to use force.
    “It is telling that Mr Shortman has not attended and that your actions were not consensual. Therefore we find you not guilty.”
    She was cleared of assault by beating but fined £100 for being drunk and disorderly, with £85 costs and a £40 surcharge.
    Rowlands was given 90 days to pay.
    READ MORE SUN STORIES
    She left court with her coat over her head, along with Phil Snr.
    The couple are directors of PWF Management Ltd, named after their son’s initials, Philip Walter Foden.
    SUPS ‘N DOWNS
    PHIL Foden’s proud mum Claire has ­supported his career since his footballing talent was spotted aged four.
    A Manchester City scout was alerted to Foden while he was at Bridge Hall primary in working-class Edgeley, Stockport.
    But life has not all been plain sailing. In May 2021 Claire was caught in a boozy brawl which left a woman with black eyes.
    Katie Skitt needed a tetanus jab after finding bite marks in Stockport.
    In February 2022 Claire clashed with boxing fans after Phil was verbally abused following Kell Brook’s win over Amir Khan.
    Phone footage showed her appearing to push a yob before he swung at her. Another man punched out in her defence.
    Cops investigated and City said the club was appalled by the assault on Claire.
    A month later she and hubby Phil Snr provoked complaints to police over loud music at their £2.85million home.

    The footballer shared a sweet Instagram post thanking his mum and dad, Claire and Phil Snr, for making his career possibleCredit: instagram
    Phil Foden during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Manchester City at St. James’ Park on January 13 2024Credit: Rex More

  • in

    Man City star Phil Foden’s mum nicked for flicking off man’s cap in club – before telling court ‘it’s my party trick’

    FOOTIE star Phil Foden’s mum was nicked for assault and told police: “I’m like an animal when I’ve been drinking.”Claire Rowlands, 44, also admitted “I was a bit of a bitch” after she raged at officers during a vodka and tequila-fuelled girls’ weekend.
    Phil Foden’s mum nicked for assault after flicking off a man’s cap in a clubCredit: Getty
    Claire hides under her coat as she leaves Llandudno magistrates’ courtCredit: Andy Kelvin / Kelvinmedia
    She kicked off after bouncers ejected her for a fracas sparked by her “party trick” of flicking off a man’s cap, a court heard.
    Rowlands had been invited to a pal’s caravan for a “respite break” — telling magistrates that her youngest son was severely disabled and needed 24-hour care.
    She necked shots and partied at a sports bar before clashing with the male clubber in Towyn, North Wales, last September.
    After her ejection, she told cops to “f*** off”, was cuffed and spent the night in the cells.
    READ MORE ON PHIL FODEN
    She admitted in an interview: “I kicked off with the police officers. I was a bit of a bitch.”
    The stay-at-home mum added she did not drink often but was “like an animal” when she did.
    At Llandudno magistrates’ court, she was cleared of assault by beating, but fined for being drunk and disorderly.
    Rowlands, wed to Phil Foden Snr, 45, told JPs that looking after her disabled son was “hard work most of the time”.
    Most read in Football
    As a result, two pals had treated her to a weekend in a caravan owned by the aunt of a friend.
    Hours before her September 9 booze-up, England midfielder Phil, 23, came on as a sub for a Euro 2024 qualifier 1-1 draw in Ukraine.
    Rowlands told the court: “The plan was just to go out, have a laugh, let our hair down and enjoy ourselves. We went to the caravan, had a few cans, washed our hair and got all dressed up.”
    She said they went to a bar on the caravan site and “had some fun, doing some karaoke and getting all the old people dancing to Motown”.
    Rowlands said she was drinking vodka and tequila shots and the group moved to Sunny’s in Towyn.
    She told the court: “It was a bit of a sports bar. There were loads of local families. It was quite full.
    “It was a good atmosphere, everyone was chatting and getting on. “We were getting on the karaoke, giving everyone the confidence to sing and just having fun.”
    Phil Foden with his mum Claire and dad Phil SnrCredit: https://www.instagram.com/p/BrOHNDrgVS0/?hl=en&img_index=1
    Rowlands said she was drinking vodka and tequila shots and the group moved to Sunny’s in Towyn.Credit: Andy Kelvin / Kelvinmedia
    When the bar closed, the party went upstairs to Bentley’s nightclub, which opened at 10pm.
    Rowlands said: “My friends were speaking to a couple of lads. “There was no animosity, I was drunk and enjoying myself.”
    The court heard that Rowlands was then asked to leave by ­doormen who accused her of assaulting someone.
    Magistrates watched a 30-second CCTV clip from the club which showed Rowlands knocking a baseball cap off Paul Shortman’s head before picking it up off the floor and swinging her arm in a bid to put it back on him.
    Her solicitor Simon Martin said the footage showed her chatting to Mr Shortman at the bar and showed her knocking his cap off by hitting the peak.
    Mr Martin asked her: “What was going through your mind?”
    She replied: “I was just drunk. I was having a bit of fun. I had done it to a lad earlier. It was just a bit of fun, really.”
    Mr Martin asked: “Did you have any intent to harm him?”
    She replied: “No.” Mr Martin said the CCTV showed her walk across the dancefloor and pick up the cap.
    She said: “I was just wanting to put his cap back on.”
    Mr Martin said Mr Shortman ducked and the cap went on the floor again without physical contact.
    Rowlands said: “I was drunk. It was just a bit of fun, a bit of ­banter. I just could not believe it, that I could get into trouble for knocking someone’s cap off. It’s my party trick, knocking someone’s cap off and putting it back on.”
    Cross-examined by prosecutor Rachel Drew she agreed that she had told police in interview that she was “like an animal” when she had been drinking.
    Rowlands told police: “I do not drink often but when I do, I make up for time. I am like an animal.”
    She agreed that she had thought Mr Shortman was one of a group of lads they had been chatting to at the downstairs bar.
    She said: “We were having drinks with different people. We were just chilling. We had been having some fun downstairs, singing Sweet Caroline and jumping around and I knocked this lad’s cap off.”
    Foden’s mum was abusive to officers and a body-worn camera showed her shouting at them to ‘f*** off’ before she was cuffed and arrestedCredit: Getty
    Rowlands disagreed that her actions had been reckless.
    She added: “I did not mean him any harm or to hurt him and you can see that on the video. It was just a bit of banter which has been taken the wrong way.”
    In his closing speech Mr Martin said: “The video speaks for itself. Yes, she knocks his cap off and it goes to the floor. It is not a criminal offence. This is not a case of someone being punched or kicked. You can see it for what it is, a storm in a tea cup.”
    The court heard Mr Shortman had not attended to give evidence.
    Chairman of the magistrates Duncan Campbell said the prosecution had not proved assault.
    He added: “It is clear at the time that you were drunk, fooling around having fun. It is for the prosecution to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt and that you intended to use force.
    “It is telling that Mr Shortman has not attended and that your actions were not consensual. Therefore we find you not guilty.”
    Rowlands, of Prestbury, Cheshire, was dealt with separately for being drunk and disorderly outside the club.
    She had pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing. For that she was fined £100, with £85 costs and a £40 surcharge.
    PC Stephen Gunning told the court that Rowlands had been “stumbling with her speech slurred and her eyes glazed”.
    She was abusive to officers and a body-worn camera showed her shouting at them to “f*** off” before she was cuffed and arrested.
    Mr Martin said Rowlands had reacted badly to having been thrown out of the nightclub for an assault which she felt she had not committed.
    He said that she “readily accepts that she lost it and is remorseful”.
    Mr Martin said she was a stay-at-home mum with no income and was not in receipt of any benefits.
    Rowlands was given 90 days to pay the £225 in fines and costs.
    READ MORE SUN STORIES
    She left court with her coat over her head, along with Phil Snr.
    The couple are directors of PWF Management Ltd, named after their son’s initials, Philip Walter Foden.
    SUPS ‘N DOWNS
    PHIL Foden’s proud mum Claire has ­supported his career since his footballing talent was spotted aged four.
    A Manchester City scout was alerted to Foden while he was at Bridge Hall primary in working-class Edgeley, Stockport.
    But life has not all been plain sailing. In May 2021 Claire was caught in a boozy brawl which left a woman with black eyes.
    Katie Skitt needed a tetanus jab after finding bite marks in Stockport.
    In February 2022 Claire clashed with boxing fans after Phil was verbally abused following Kell Brook’s win over Amir Khan.
    Phone footage showed her appearing to push a yob before he swung at her. Another man punched out in her defence.
    Cops investigated and City said the club was appalled by the assault on Claire.
    A month later she and hubby Phil Snr provoked complaints to police over loud music at their £2.85million home. More

  • in

    Armed police ‘called in to contain angry journalists’ after Chris Hughton’s Ghana suffer Afcon humiliation

    ARMED cops were called in to deal with fuming Ghanaian journalists with the country on the brink of an early Africa Cup of Nations exit.The Black Stars were leading Mozambique by two goals in stoppage time before an incredible collapse.
    Ghanaian journalists raged after finding out their team tried to avoid media dutiesCredit: @SaddickAdams
    Armed police were sent down to control the situationCredit: @SaddickAdams
    Ghana first gave away a penalty and then conceded from a corner in the 94th minute.
    Chris Hughton’s side now need several results to go their way in order to make it through to the knockout stages.
    Ghana have failed to win a match at three consecutive Afcons.
    With most accepting they are out this year’s tournament, angry journalists went downstairs at Alassane Ouattara Stadium to interrogate the manager and players.
    READ MORE AFCON NEWS
    Reporter Saddick Adams claims media workers waited over an hour before suddenly realising the Ghana flops were not going to turn up.
    The team bus reportedly “strategically parked at the entrance of the dressing room” with players ready to make a quick escape.
    Barricades were then erected to create a path for the Ghana stars to get to the bus.
    But the journalists were having none of it, refusing to move and stopping security from bringing the players out their dressing room.
    Most read in Football
    As tempers flared, armed cops were called in to help deal with the situation.
    Media staff stood their ground and the players eventually had to walk past them.
    The team got booed and “unpleasant words” were exchanged.
    Adams insists: “Nobody was ready to harm anyone and nobody vandalised any bus.
    “We have tolerated this for far too long. This team was built with the toil and sweat of a few honest and dedicated individuals. We won’t allow a few to destroy it. Today, we will show them our anger.”
    After the game, ex-Brighton and Newcastle boss Hughton said: “I take responsibility for this performance and admit my results with the Black Stars have not been good enough.”
    Crazy stoppage time comeback…
    Ghana looked to be cruising 2-0 up against Mozambique and set to sneak through to the last 16 after losing their first game to Cape Verde and drawing their second with Egypt.
    Suddenly, the ref pointed to the spot as the ball hit ex-Prem star Andre Ayew’s outstretched arm.
    Geny Catamo converted the spot-kick and then in the 94th minute goalkeeper Richard Ofori made a huge error.
    READ MORE SUN STORIES
    The ball was bouncing out for a goal-kick when he tried to keep the ball in – only for it to hit his hand and go behind for a corner.
    It gave Mozambique one last chance to load the box and they were rewarded as Reinildo Mandava’s looping header dropped into the net to break Ghana hearts.
    Ghana’s goalkeeper Richard Ofori made a mistake that led to the equaliserCredit: AFP
    Ghana have been sent home early from the Afcon againCredit: AFP More

  • in

    Ex-Premier League star Hamza Choudhury charged with drink-driving after being pulled over in early hours

    FOOTBALL ace Hamza Choudhury has been charged with drink-driving, The Sun can reveal.The Leicester City midfielder, 26, was stopped by cops in south Nottingham in the early hours of the morning last Friday.
    Leicester star Hamza Choudhury has been charged with drink-driving offences
    He is understood to have refused to take a breathalyser test and was arrested at the scene.
    Choudhury was later charged with driving while over the alcohol limit, driving without due care and attention and failing to cooperate with a preliminary test.
    The star is currently free on unconditional bail and will appear in court for the first time next month.
    He played in last night’s 1-1 draw against Ipswich Town.
    Read More Sport
    A source told The Sun: “He was driving very early in the morning and was pulled over by officers quite close to his home.
    “Because Leicester didn’t have a game the next day, he felt he could be out that late.
    “He is supposed to be a role model in the community and was seen as a future club captain as he grew up and matured.”
    Choudhury, who lives in nearby Nottingham despite playing for Leicester, is considered one of the best defensive midfielders in the Championship.
    Most read in Football
    The £50,000-a-week ace played more than 50 Premier League games and won the FA Cup with Leicester City before they were relegated to the second tier last year.
    The star was previously touted as a potential England pick, after representing the Three Lions at Under 21 level in 2018 and 2019.
    His car collection includes a £170,000 Bentley Bentayga and a £80,000 Range Rover which he reportedly bought on the same day in 2022.
    It is unclear which of his motors the star was driving at the time of his arrest.
    The booze charge is the latest in a string of incidents involving the married father-of-three, who has previously spoken of his devout Muslim faith.
    Just weeks after Hamas attacked Israeli civilians last October, Choudhury was slammed for posting the phrase: “From the river to the sea.”
    The slogan is commonly interpreted as calling for the destruction of the Israeli state.
    In 2021 Choudhury was slammed after attending a Covid lockdown-busting house party with then-teammates James Maddison, Harvey Barnes and Ayoze Perez.
    A year earlier he was left out of Leicester’s matchday squad after missing a training session following a night out with fellow academy graduate Ben Chilwell.
    And in 2019 he was fined £5,000 by the FA and forced to attend a training course after historical offensive posts on social media were uncovered.
    A Nottinghamshire Police spokesman told The Sun: “Officers pulled over a vehicle in Loughborough Road, West Bridgford, Nottingham, around 1.45am on Friday 19 January 2024.
    “A man was arrested on suspicion of refusing to provide a specimen of breath.
    “Hamza Choudhury, aged 26, of Rushcliffe, Nottinghamshire, has since been charged with driving while over the alcohol limit, driving without due care and attention, and failing to co-operate with a preliminary test.
    READ MORE SUN STORIES
    “He was released on unconditional bail and is next due to appear at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on 23 February 2024.”
    Leicester City and Choudhury’s agent declined to comment. More

  • in

    I was called every name under the sun in prison, but nobody would say it to my face, reveals Tyson Fury’s dad John

    TYSON FURY’S dad John has revealed he faced terrible abuse in prison – but no-one dared “insult me to my face”.The father-of-six has been behind bars three times, including for gouging a man’s eye out, but claims he is “everything a man should be”.
    John Fury has spent plenty of time around ‘hard cookies’Credit: twitter @MichaelBensonn
    Son Tyson Fury is preparing to take on Oleksandr Usyk on February 17Credit: Getty
    The former bare-knuckle fighter, 59, has a violent past but says his strong religious belief helped him overcome his darkest days.
    As a teen, Fury Senior was twice sent to borstals – detention centres that have since been replaced by other forms of youth custody.
    He escaped from the first one – a place he compares to the gruesome borstal of the 1979 movie Scum, starring Ray Winstone.
    And after he was finally captured he spent three more years inside at a similar centre.
    READ MORE IN BOXING
    Then in 2011 Fury Senior was jailed for 11 years for wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
    It followed a fight at a car auction in Belle Vue, where he gouged out the eye of a man who had been his friend – until they fell out over a bottle of beer and had a long-running feud.
    He was released four years into his sentence due to good behaviour, having initially been in notorious Category A prison Strangeways before moving to an open jail.
    Now the dad of heavyweight legend Tyson has discussed some of his worst times inside.
    Most read in Boxing
    He told the Daily Star, via Free Bets: “When I was in prison, at 10 o’clock at night, I used to get called every name under the sun through the windows.
    “What they were calling me and my family was unprecedented.
    “But did I know who was saying it? No. There’s 1,500 men in a prison where the noise comes from. You can only guess, but would they say it to my face? No. 
    “I’ve been round some hard cookies in my life. We thought it was tough. Nobody’s ever insulted me to my face.
    John Fury says he is ‘respectful’ and only shows a different side to his personality if his family are threatened or he is insultedCredit: Alamy
    “They can say what they want behind my back because there’s miles and miles in front of people. When you’re stood there looking like you’re gonna do somebody some damage, let’s see where the balls are.
    “I know what mine are. You’ll have to kill me to stop me, because I’ll definitely end it there. I don’t want the police knocking on my door anyway. They have knocked on my door too many times.”
    But Fury Senior insists his unpleasant side only comes out if he believes he has been insulted or his family need protecting.
    He said: “The people in the know who know me, they know I’m not to be messed about with.
    READ MORE SUN STORIES
    “I’m respectful. I’m everything a man should be. But I’m not a fool.
    “Fools don’t rear families and direct their kids to stardom and fame and wealth or keep them there.” More

  • in

    QPR star Ilias Chair faces calls for two years in jail after ‘smashing lorry driver’s skull with a rock’

    PROSECUTORS have called for QPR star Ilias Chair to be jailed for two years after he was accused of smashing a lorry driver’s skull with a rock.A court heard a trucker suffered life-threatening injuries in a brawl.
    Ilias Chair denies the allegations following an alleged flare-up
    The allegations relate to an incident in Bazeilles, northern France, as the driver Niels T waited with his family for a coach back to Belgium after a kayaking trip in the summer of 2020.
    Morocco midfielder Chair, 26, denies the assault charge – with his lawyers claiming Niels T was out to make money from the footballer.
    Prosecutors in the Antwerp-born player’s home town say he and two friends got into an argument with the trucker.
    Antwerp’s public prosecutor said: “According to many people involved, Ilias Chair lashed out at Niels T with a stone and knocked him unconscious.
    READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
    “The consequences were dramatic for Niels T. He suffered a severe skull fracture, two centimetres long, and was taken to hospital at Reims in critical condition.
    “Afterwards he had to recover for a long time in a Belgian hospital, and could not do his job as a lorry driver for a long time.
    “The blow was almost fatal for him, and he still feels the after-effects.”
    The prosecutor asked for Chair to be jailed for two years and fined £1,400, as well as calling for lesser sentences for his friends Nora H. and Jaber C.
    Most read in Football
    Chair’s lawyer Alen Cilic told the hearing there was insufficient proof the ex-Stevenage loanee had caused the trucker’s injuries.
    He said Niels T and his family started the brawl and were trying to make money from the 12-cap ace.
    The lawyer for Nials T responded: “That is nonsense. We want damages of 16,000 euros, which is only about a week’s pay for Mr Chair.
    “My client almost lost his life, and it took surgeons to save him.
    “He was unable to work for a long time, and still suffers adverse reactions every day to having been hit with a rock.”
    The case continues.
    Chair is one of QPR’s key men in their fight to avoid relegation from the Championship.
    He’s made over 220 appearances for the Londoners, scoring 30 goals, since arriving from Belgians Lierse in 2017. More