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      Police officer set on FIRE and three more injured in violent clashes with Polish yob fans before Aston Villa game

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      A POLICE officer was set on FIRE in violent clashes with Polish football yobs.Legia Warsaw fans went on the rampage just minutes before Aston Villa’s 2-1 Europa Conference League win on Thursday night.
      Legia Warsaw fans rioted with police as three officers were injuredCredit: Reuters
      Police battled the fans as flares were lit by the travelling supportCredit: Reuters
      It was a chaotic scene outside Villa ParkCredit: Reuters
      Legia supporters were furious they could not enter the groundCredit: PA
      Four police officers were injured in the violenceCredit: PA
      One cop was set on fire by a flare and taken to hospitalCredit: Getty
      The away section of Villa Park was completely empty as Legia fans were denied entryCredit: Reuters
      It made for a bizarre atmosphere inside the stadiumCredit: Reuters
      Police in riot gear met fans and kettled them into a car park near the stadium but could not prevent trouble breaking out before kick-off.
      Four cops were injured – as well as two police horses and two dogs – as Legia fans hurled missiles at an army of police.
      One officer, who was hit by a flare, was taken to hospital after suffering burns.
      Police later confirmed than none of the injuries were serious.
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      Legia followers were furious after they had their ticket allocation cut from 1,700 to 1,002 after violent clashes between Warsaw fans and Dutch police in Alkmaar.
      Almost 1,000 ticketless Polish fans tried to gatecrash the turnstiles as NO away supporters were allowed in.
      West Midlands Police mounted a huge security operation but violent scenes broke out when police began to move those Legia fans who did have tickets from their compound to march them to the stadium.
      As a result, the match kicked off with the entire away section empty.
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      Birmingham Police issued a statement on X to confirm: “We’re currently unable to allow away fans into Villa Park following disorder outside the stadium which has seen missiles thrown at officers.
      “Three officers have already been injured and a significant police operation continues. Please avoid Witton Lane where possible.”
      A later statement from West Midlands police confirmed 39 people had been arrested on suspicion of offences including violent disorder and assaulting a police officer.
      They slammed the “disgusting and highly dangerous scenes”.
      A statement from Villa added: “Aston Villa Football Club can confirm that no away fans were allowed into Villa Park for this evening’s UEFA Europa Conference League fixture with Legia Warsaw on the advice of West Midlands Police following large-scale disorder outside the stadium caused by visiting supporters.”
      It continued: “In spite of numerous requests for cooperation from Legia Warsaw concerning their travelling supporters, especially in the last two days, no assistance on the serious safety matter of away fans attending Villa Park was forthcoming from the visiting club.
      Legia had their ticket allocation cut following violence with Dutch police last monthCredit: PA
      The police endured a horrid night in the MidlandsCredit: Reuters
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      “The club has repeatedly, including this morning, raised concerns in conjunction with UEFA and all the relevant authorities to Legia that ticketless away supporters were attempting to attend Villa Park.
      “Approximately an hour before kick-off, Legia fans engaged in planned and systematic violent acts against West Midlands Police officers and a decision was then made by West Midlands Police to exclude all Legia supporters.
      “Aston Villa strongly condemns the behaviour of those visiting supporters and would like to thank West Midlands Police for their professionalism in very difficult circumstances.”
      A statement released by Legia incredibly blamed Villa for “exacerbating the situation”.
      They wrote: “Instead of diffusing potential pre-match tensions, restrictive measures of Aston Villa FC as the host club needlessly exacerbate the atmosphere. In our view, such measures are counterproductive and unfounded.”
      Legia boss Kosta Runjaic added: “For sure we have great fans. They support us at home and away.
      “They are travelling with us and we can always rely on them and count on them. 
      “So far, since I’ve been at Legia I’ve had a massively nice and good experience with our fans. 
      “It would have been good for sure. (to have fans present) 
      “But as I said, I don’t know the content of all the happenings – I dont know the details.
      “So that’s why it is better I do not speak about it.
      “Unfortunately our fans weren’t in the stadium – and the atmosphere in general would have been much better if they were.
      Plans had already been put in place with both teams using different stadium entrances to the ones normally used to protect the safety of the players.
      And no away fans at all were able to enter the stadium as police continued to battle to restore control of the rioting Polish supporters.
      Footage on social media appeared to show missiles being lobbed at Villa fans from outside the stadium.
      While some Polish fans were ejected from the home end by stewards.
      On the field, it did not take long for Villa to go in front as Moussa Diaby tucked home the opener after just four minutes.
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      Ernest Muci levelled things up for the visitor’s midway through the first half, before Alex Moreno put Villa 2-1 in front 13 minutes into the second period.
      And that’s how it stayed as Unai Emery’s men moved three points clear at the top of their group. More

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      I was ‘raped by a Premier League star’ – you don’t get to say no… FOUR others claim they were sexually abused

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      A WOMAN who claims she was raped by a Premier League star is one of five people to come forward to say they were sexually abused.The women – whose names have been changed to protect their anonymity – say they were victims of rape, sexual assault or controlling behaviour since April 2021.
      A total of five women have come forward to make allegations against the top-flight footballer (stock image)Credit: Getty
      ‘Leah’ reported the player to the police in July 2022 and he was arrested at his home.
      Not long afterwards he was also arrested for an earlier allegation of rape made by ‘Kira’.
      Both women claim they were raped by the player and experienced controlling behaviour by him.
      ‘Kira’ told the BBC: “It was clear that he thought he was that important, you don’t get to say ‘no’ to him.”
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      Having made a report to the cops in August 2021, ‘Kira’ then emailed the FA, Premier League and the club regarding the allegations the following month as she was “in desperation” and concerned about the footballer continuing to play while he was being investigated.
      She had worries that while he was being promoted by his club, his position would give him access to other women who may not be aware of the allegations against him.
      ‘Kira’ said: “I hoped that they would intervene in some way to prevent it from maybe happening again.”
      The club told her it could not discuss the allegations due to legal reason.
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      Shortly afterwards, ‘Kira’ spotted a social media post from the club celebrating the footballer.
      Meanwhile, the Premier League directed her to the FA.
      It was the response from the FA that she said was the most shocking.
      More than four months after she initially contacted the footballing body, it told her in emails that it could take “no further action” as the alleged behaviour did not breach its regulations.
      It also said there was “no evidence” to suggest that the player “poses a risk of harm to children or adults at risk”.
      The FA also sent her a PDF document called Football’s Safeguarding Children policy” which did not apply to her situation.
      ‘Kira’ said: “They were hiding behind their lack of policies whilst knowing that the regulations they did have set up were meant to protect profits, not victims.”
      Responding to the BBC, the FA said it was comfortable ‘Kira’s complaint had been dealt with appropriately.
      A third woman, ‘Mia’ told the corporation the pair had begun chatting after the play had messaged her on Instagram in February 2022.
      She visited his house with pals, where she claims he sexually assaulted her.
      ‘Mai’ reported him to the police in July 2022, having learned that a footballer had been arrested for rape and thought it might be the same person.
      She said this made her feel less scared to come forward because she felt she wasn’t alone.
      Referring to the club and authorities’ response to the earlier complaint made by ‘Kira’, ‘Mia’ said if the footballer hadn’t still been playing for the club, it would have raised a red flag when he approached her.
      ‘Mia’ said: “If they had decided to take the first allegation seriously… if they had suspended him, I never would have been in that situation that I was in that day.
      “Their decision caused me to suffer.”
      The player was questioned by police in February 2023 regarding ‘Mia’s allegation and was released under investigation.
      He also remains under police investigation for the rape allegations made by ‘Kira’ and ‘Leah’
      It’s thought the player has denied all the allegations.
      ‘Emma’ has also claimed she experienced controlling behaviour by the player earlier this year, including being pressured to have sex.
      She has accused him of forcibly continuing sex by pinning her hands after she tried to push him off because she was in pain.
      ‘Emma’ recently reported her account to the cops.
      She said that when she first started talking to the footballer, she dismissed rumours of allegations against him because he had not been suspended by his club.
      ‘Emma’ said: “Him playing was the absolute thing that made me think they were fake and not true.
      “It sent the message of we don’t believe them and we support him.”
      “What happened to me could have been prevented.”
      ‘Bella’ has also told the BBC that the player forced himself on her at a party by pinning her to a bed and trying to pressure her into have sex, while in a room with others, in April 2021.
      The corporation also says it has spoken to someone else who claims they witnessed the incident.
      ‘Bella’ has not reported what is alleged to have happened to the police.
      The footballer’s club and the Premier League both told the broadcaster they were unable to comment due to an ongoing police investigation.
      A spokesman for the FA said: “Our safeguarding policies and procedures allow us to support and protect children and adults at risk within a football-related environment.”
      In June this year, The Sun revealed a boss of a Premier League side has been quizzed under caution over a historical allegation of rape.
      The well-known footballing figure is accused of raping a teenage girl a number of years ago.
      He was interviewed under caution but not arrested.
      Further enquiries are being carried out before a decision is made whether to charge him or take no further action.
      The Sun is unable to identify the man for legal reasons. It is understood he denies the rape claim.
      One source told The Sun: “He is shocked by the allegation and totally refutes it.”
      The accused man is said to have met the complainant when she applied to work for an organisation he was involved with at the time.
      The source stressed it had no connection to the Premier League club the man is currently involved with.
      Meanwhile, Manchester United winger Anthony is facing assault allegations from his ex-girlfriend Gabriela Cavallin – leading to separate police probes in Sao Paulo and Manchester.
      Antony has strongly denied the “false allegations”.
      Separately, banker Ingrid Lana, 33, has also accused the World Cup ace of physical violence, claiming an alleged attack took place at Antony’s Manchester home last October.
      Antony is on paid leave from Man United until further notice.
      Read More on The Sun
      His ex, Cavallin, has accused the Brazilian star of physical aggression towards her on a number of occasions in bombshell claims.
      A total of four alleged attacks are described in a police report seen by respected sports news site ESPN.
      The footballer remains under police investigation (stock image)Credit: Getty More

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      Norwich striker Hwang Ui-jo SUSPENDED by South Korea over claims he filmed illegal sex tape with ex-partner

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      NORWICH forward Hwang Ui-jo has been suspended from the South Korean national team after an allegation was made that he illegally filmed a sex tape with his ex-girlfriend without her consent.Hwang, 31, who denies the allegation, will not be selected for his country pending a police inquiry into the matter.
      Hwang Ui-jo will not be selected by South Korea pending a police inquiryCredit: Getty
      A short statement from the Korea Football Association’s ethics committee confirmed Hwang’s suspension.
      It read: “We have decided not to select Hwang Ui-jo for the national team until a clear conclusion is reached on the facts.”
      Norwich, who signed Hwang on loan from Nottingham Forest at the beginning of the season, are aware of the allegations and will continue to monitor developments.
      The Asian Cup gets underway on January 12 in Qatar, with South Korea’s first game coming against Bahrain three days later.
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      And it will be a blow to South Korea that Hwang is unavailable until further notice.
      Lee Youn-nam, head of the KSA’s ethics committe, said: “Considering the fact that the player is being investigated as a suspect, it is difficult for him to carry out normal national team activities.
      “Football fans have high expectations for the national team, (so) we have deemed it inappropriate to select Hwang Ui-jo for the national team.”
      South Korea manager Jurgen Klinsmann added: “I fully understand the current situation and will respect the decision of the Korea Football Association.”
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      Hwang has scored 18 goals in 60 caps for South Korea.
      He came off the bench in their two World Cup qualifiers earlier this month, scoring in the first against Singapore.
      At club level, he has scored three goals and provided one assists in 14 games for Norwich. More

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      Former Tottenham star Marcus Edwards suffers horror car crash on way to training with £73K motor left on its side

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      FORMER Tottenham player Marcus Edwards has suffered a car accident while heading to training with current side Sporting Lisbon.The 24-year-old winger is said to be shaken but unharmed following the crash.
      Marcus Edwards suffered a horror car crashCredit: Getty
      The winger’s car was left on its sideCredit: sport.tv
      The driver of the other vehicle was also unharmed.
      Police, firefighters and paramedics were among the emergency responders sent to the scene.
      An overturned Range Rover pictured at the scene was identified as Edwards’ vehicle in local reports about the crash.
      It is said to have happened near Atalaia, north of Lisbon.
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      Sporting Lisbon’s training session was due to start at 10am local time and is thought to have been delayed slightly as a result.
      Club representatives are understood to have gone to the scene of the accident to assist Edwards.
      The footballer has not yet made any comment on his social media.
      Edwards, born in England to an English father and a Greek Cypriot mother, was on his way to his last training session with his club before their Europa League clash against Italian side Atalaya.
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      Edwards, left, came through the academy at TottenhamCredit: Getty
      He came through Spurs’ academy before making one team appearance.
      After loan spells at Norwich and Excelsior, Edwards joined Vitoria on a permanent basis in 2019.
      Two-and-a-half seasons later, he signed for Lisbon, where he has gone on to excel.
      Edwards came back to haunt Spurs last season, scoring against them in the Champions League.
      The winger, who was capped nearly 50 times for England at U16 to U19 level, was recently linked with a move back to the club.
      Reports earlier this month said his current contract is believed to possess a £52 million release clause.
      He is considered to be one of the best Englishmen playing football abroad.
      Edwards has been tipped with a return to Tottenham. However, the club waived millions in a sell-on clause when buying Pedro Porro.
      He has previously insisted that it would “be nice” to return to England to play.
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      He said: “It’s home, so of course I want to come back there [to the Premier League] one day.”
      Reports have also suggested that the winger is not far away from earning a call-up to the England team. More

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      ‘Maddy Cusack’s spirit was broken by football’, mum of Sheffield United star says – as club launch probe into her death

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      MADDY Cusack’s spirit was “broken by football” the mum of the Sheffield United star has said, as the club begins an investigation into her death.Cusack,  27, died at her home address in Horsley, Derbyshire, on September 20.
      Maddy Cusack on the pitch in a game against Blackburn in August 2022Credit: Getty
      Her family say Sheffield United have launched a probe into the circumstances surrounding her deathCredit: Getty
      Derbyshire Police said at the time there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding her death.
      She was vice-captain of the Blades and the side’s longest serving player as well as their first to reach 100 appearances for the women’s team.
      A speech, read by her mum, Deborah, at a memorial service in October has now been published by her family, which has also been shared on the Maddy Cusack Foundation JustGiving page.
      The tribute said: “My beautiful daughter, Madeleine. The saddest and most utterly heart-breaking reason why I am having to stand here and speak to you today is because of football.
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      “From February this year, the indomitable, irrepressible spirit, the spirit called Maddy, the spirit that we had so fiercely protected, was allowed to be broken, taking her away from me.”
      In an additional statement the family revealed Sheffield United have agreed to appoint a firm to carry out a probe into the events surrounding Maddy’s death.
      The statement said: “Those who knew Maddy well will be aware that she had no long-standing mental health issues or troubles.
      “Not that there would be anything to be ashamed of if there were, but there were not. Those that didn’t know her need to know that.
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      “Maddy was a happy-go-lucky, care-free girl with everything to live for and last Christmas could be described as being at her happiest.
      “This all changed gradually from February this year.
      “It is no secret, nor should it be, that Sheffield United have agreed, at the request of Maddy’s family, to carry out a thorough external investigation into the events that her family believe contributed significantly to her passing at the tender age of 27.
      “The Maddy Cusack Foundation — Fierce, Determined and Spirited #MC8.”
      Cusack joined the club from Leicester in 2019 and also worked in the Blades’ commercial department as a marketing executive.
      An inquest was opened in October at Derby Coroner’s Court and adjourned, as a coroner awaits further details about the cause of her death.
      The hearing heard how it was Cusack’s devastated dad who identified her body.
      Assistant Coroner Louise Pinder told the short hearing Ms Cusack’s death was reported to Chesterfield Coroner’s Court by police on September 21.
      The hearing, which was only attended by members of the press, was also told her cause of death is yet to be ascertained.
      Ms Pinder added: “We are awaiting a police file and the medical cause of death, therefore I am adjourning the inquest for six weeks for further review then the inquest can be listed in due course.”
      Tributes poured in from across the world following the announcement of her death, which came as she entered a sixth season with her club – having signed a new deal in July.
      The club’s chief executive Stephen Bettis said in a tribute: “This is heart-breaking news for everyone at Bramall Lane.
      “Maddy had a unique position of being part of a number of teams at Sheffield United and was popular with everyone that she came into contact with.
      “Her personality and professionalism made her a credit to her family – she will be sadly missed.
      “While taking in the news and moving forward, the club will offer as much support as possible to Maddy’s family, friends and colleagues.”
      Deborah, Maddy’s mum has released a heartfelt tribute to her daughterCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk
      Floral tributes were left outside the club at the time of Maddy’s deathCredit: Reuters More

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      Two teens arrested at football match for ‘aiming disgusting misogynistic chants at female ref’

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      TWO teenagers were arrested at a football match yesterday for allegedly aiming misogynistic chants at a woman ref.Police said they heard the 17-year-olds insulting Rebecca Welch, 39.
      Rebecca Welsh had misogynistic chants aimed at her by two teenagers during a football matchCredit: Alamy
      She was reffing Birmingham City’s home clash against Sheffield Wednesday in the Championship.
      West Midlands cops said they arrested the pair on suspicion of a public order offence.
      A spokesperson said: “We’ve arrested two boys for misogynistic chanting at the female referee.
      “Our officers heard the chants being directed at the official.”
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      Ms Welch, of Washington, Tyne and Wear, was the first woman to referee a Championship game.
      Welch took up football refereeing while she was still working in the health service. 
      The former NHS admin officer started her life as a ref in university football clashes and Sunday League games. 
      And while the college football encounters involving teams of female students were a “doddle”, her experience of refereeing men’s Sunday division fixtures was less straightforward.
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      Welch told the FA’s web site: “The first couple (of matches) I did were women’s university games and the players weren’t really that bothered about so it was a doddle.  More

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      Barcelona legend Dani Alves faces nine years in jail after being accused of rape

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      PROSECUTORS will accuse footballer Dani Alves of rape and demand he spends nine years in jail, paying his victim £130,000, court papers have revealed.The married 40-year-old former Brazil and Barcelona defender has been held in custody without bail since his arrest in January.
      Dani Alves faces nine years in jail after being accused of rapeCredit: Getty
      Claims against him had been referred to as a “sexual assault” until the seven-page pre-trial indictment was released in Spain yesterday.
      The dad-of-two has previously confirmed he had sex with a woman in a private toilet at a ­Barcelona nightclub last December, but insisted it was consensual.
      She said he refused to let her leave the cubicle and slapped her face.
      He has publicly apologised to his wife, model Joana Sanz, for cheating on her.
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      A trial date is still to be set.
      In an exclusive interview from his prison cell he claimed: “The only person I have to ask for forgiveness is my wife, Joana Sanz.
      “I have already done that here in prison, but I have to do it publicly.
      “Because the story is public, the offence I caused her is public and she deserves that public apology.”
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      Last December in Qatar he became the oldest player to represent Brazil at the World Cup. More

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      Lionel Messi breaks silence on Brazil vs Argentina chaos as World Cup winner says ‘a tragedy could have happened’

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      LIONEL MESSI has spoken out about the chaos at the Brazil vs Argentina World Cup qualifier as a “tragedy could have happened”.Before the match started mayhem broke out at the Maracana between fans and the police.
      Lionel Messi has spoken out after the chaos at the Brazil vs Argentina clashCredit: AP
      A violent clash between police and fans in the stands sparked a mass brawl before Argentina’s rivals Brazil were defeated 1-0.
      After the incident, police resorted to using batons to hold back the fans leaving some injured and a few covered in blood.
      Instead of celebrating the win Messi has shared his thoughts about the violence that took place in Rio de Janeiro.
      He said: “We saw how police were hitting the people, it already happened in the Libertadores final.
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      “They were more focused on that than on the game.”
      Earlier this year a similar incident occurred when Brazilian side Fluminense won against Boca Juniors at the Maracana.
      Messi added: “We went to the locker room because it was the best way to calm everything down, a tragedy could have happened.
      “We are a family. We decided to play to make the situation more calm.”
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      The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner then took to Instagram and said: “This team continues to make history.
      “Great victory in the Maracana although it will be marked by the repression of the Argentinians once again in Brazil.
      “This can’t be tolerated it’s insane and it needs to end now!!’
      Meanwhile, some of the Argentina squad took matters into their own hands at the game to bite back at the police.
      Argentina’s goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez launched himself towards the stand as he attempted to grab a baton out of a police officer’s hand before being brought down by his teammates.
      Messi guided his team back into the dressing room to wait for the situation to calm down.
      And Argentina vowed they would only return to the pitch when things quietened with their arch-rivals Brazil.
      After 22 minutes the 2022 World Cup winners returned and the game finally began.
      Messi’s Argentina are soaring through their South American World Cup qualifying group as they sit top of the table with 15 points while Brazil are sixth with seven points.
      Argentina’s player took to the crowd in an attempt to calm down the mayhemCredit: Getty More