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    Forgotten Premier League star ‘ROBBED in broad daylight as thugs steal luxury watch and dash off on motorbike’

    EX-PREMIER LEAGUE star Arthur Melo was the victim of daylight robbery, according to reports in Spain.Arthur, who joined Liverpool on loan in the 2022/23 season, is said to have been walking around in Barcelona on Thursday when the incident occurred.Arthur Melo was reportedly the victim of a daylight robbery in Barcelona on ThursdayCredit: RexStar played just once while on loan at LiverpoolCredit: GettyMarca report the 28-year-old, who now plays for Girona on loan from Juventus, was enjoying some time off shopping when, at around 4pm, he went to pay for his parking on Passeig de Gracia.It was then that an individual hopped off a motorbike and stole a luxury watch from him before bolting off at speed with the help of a second suspect.The midfielder was unhurt in the robbery which he later reported to the police.He returned to Girona training as normal on Friday and was named on the substitutes bench for the club’s 1-0 defeat to Alaves today.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLArthur played just once for Liverpool during his time in England, with injuries limiting him to just 13 minutes of action.This is the third season in a row he has been sent on loan by parent club Juventus, whom he joined from Barcelona in 2020.He was on loan at Fiorentina last season before returning to the Turin club in the summer, only to be sent on loan to Girona during the winter transfer window.The Brazilian was previously the victim of an alleged robbery in 2019 when two burglars threatened his brother with a weapon at his home.Most read in FootballIt happened during Barcelona’s 3-0 Champions League semi-final win over Liverpool, a lead which would dramatically be overturned in a stunning comeback by the Reds in the second leg.Arthur has played six times for Girona since moving on loan.Criminal who infamously tried to rob Ozil and Kolasinac of £200,000 during Arsenal days now partially blind after attack More

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    Carlo Ancelotti pictured in the dock in court as Real Madrid manager faces five years in prison for alleged tax evasion

    REAL MADRID manager Carlo Ancelotti has insisted ahead of his tax fraud trial he is “innocent” and has “no worries.”The 65-year-old Italian looked relaxed as he arrived at court in the Spanish capital this morning for the start of his much-anticipated trial the night after his team reached the Copa del Rey final after a thrilling comeback.Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has insisted he is ‘innocent’ ahead of his tax fraud trialCredit: APThe Italian arrived in court to start his trialCredit: ReutersHe faces almost five years in jail if found guiltyCredit: GettyDespite the threat of a five-year prison sentence hanging over his head if convicted he replied ‘No’ when asked by waiting reporters outside the Audiencia Provincial court in Madrid if he was concerned.He also dismissed suggestions he would try to strike a last-minute plea bargain deal by confirming he would take the stand and plead not guilty to allegations he defrauded the Spanish Treasury out of just over €1m (£835,000) in tax.Ancelotti was accompanied when he arrived at court by his ex-footballer son Davide, who works under his father at Real Madrid, and his wife Mariann Barrena.Public prosecutors announced in March last year they were seeking a four-year, nine-month jail term for the former Everton manager for two counts of tax fraud.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThey accused him at the time of failing to declare image rights earnings to the Spanish Treasury in 2014 and 2015 during his first spell in charge of Real Madrid through the use of shell companies outside Spain.Public prosecutors alleged in a pre-trial indictment he only declared his earnings as Real Madrid manager despite registering as a tax resident in Spain for the two years under the spotlight with an address in Madrid.Although his first spell at the Spanish giants came to a premature end in May 2015, public prosecutors say he rented his Madrid home until October that year which meant Spain was “his principal centre of personal relations and economic interests” in 2015 as well as the previous year.The accusation made public in March last year alleged Ancelotti channelled his image right earnings “with the aim of evading tax” on them through trusts and intermediary companies.Most read in FootballPublic prosecutors say the football boss earned more than €4m (more than £3.5m) in image rights in 2014 and 2015.The amount of tax they allege he defrauded amounts to just over €1m. Fans convinced Carlo Ancelotti has had lip fillers as reason for Real Madrid manager’s swollen mouth is revealedSpanish Treasury officials have recovered the money but are demanding Ancelotti pays triple the amount they accuse him of defrauding in fines.Lionel Messi received a 21-month prison sentence for tax fraud in July 2016. It was later changed to a €252,000 (£223,000) fine.Cristiano Ronaldo avoided prison in Spain by admitting tax fraud in January 2019.He was fined almost £16.6m and given a suspended jail sentence.Former Liverpool star Xabi Alonso, seen as a future Real Madrid manager, was acquitted of tax fraud in November 2019 after turning 38.He had been warned he could be jailed for two and a half years if convicted after Spanish public prosecutors lowered their initial prison demand at the end of his trial in Madrid.Ancelotti left Everton in June 2021 to take up the position of head coach at Real Madrid.Last Friday at a press conference he said: “I’m not worried but I am obviously annoyed if they say that I’ve committed fraud, but, once again, I have total confidence in justice. “I’m really looking forward to testifying next Wednesday.”Read More on The SunReal Madrid booked their place in the Copa del Rey final last night with an incredible comeback against Real Sociedad.Substitute Antonio Rudiger scored a dramatic goal just five minutes from the end of extra-time to put the Spanish giants through as 5-4 aggregate winners. More

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    Major update in probe into death of ex-Newcastle boss Steve Bruce’s grandson as cops rule tragedy an ‘accident’

    THE death of footie boss Steve Bruce’s grandson was a tragic accident, cops have ruled.Madison Smith was just four months old when found dead at home in October.Steve, above with his wife Janet, spoke for the first time about the heartbreaking lossCredit: Sportsfile – SubscriptionThe tot was the son of ex-Man United star Steve’s daughter Amy and her husband Matt Smith, who played for Fulham and Millwall.After Madison’s death, a woman in her 40s, who was working as a nanny, was arrested on suspicion of child neglect. But detectives have ruled it an accident and ended the investigation.Greater Manchester Police said: “While the circumstances are tragic, we don’t believe any criminality was linked to this death.”READ MORE ON STEVE BRUCEThis week, Blackpool FC manager Bruce spoke for the first time about the heartbreaking loss, saying “there’s still not a day where it doesn’t affect you”.He added: “It’s been the tragedy of all tragedies. “Anyone going through the same sort of grief, I feel for them.“It’s horrendous that a fine, young, healthy baby boy doesn’t wake up one morning. Most read in Football”We’ll never come to terms with that. It’s agony.”’I don’t do tactics’ – Former Newcastle star claims he had conversation with Steve Bruce that left him ‘in shock’The death of footie boss Steve Bruce’s grandson was a tragic accidentCredit: Getty More

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    Disgraced Joey Barton GUILTY of pushing wife to ground then kicking her in head as their kids slept upstairs

    DISGRACED Joey Barton has been found guilty of shoving his wife to the ground and kicking her in the head as their kids slept upstairs.The former footballer attacked Georgia Barton at their home in Kew, South West London, after a drunken night with two other couples.Joey Barton has been found guilty of attacking wife GeorgiaCredit: PAThe ex-footballer, pictured today, shoved his wife to the groundCredit: PABarton, 42, has now been found guilty of assault following a trial at Westminster Magistrates’ Court.The court heard Barton and Georgia, who are still married, had both drunk “four or five bottles of wine” before the sickening attack.The ex-Man City star threatened to fight his wife’s brother and father in a “verbal disagreement about a family matter”.Barton then “grabbed [Georgia] and pushed her to the ground and kicked her in the head”.Read more newsAs a friend tried to intervene, Barton “threw” him off and said “don’t disrespect me”.Georgia, who was left with a lump on her forehead and a bleeding nose, called police shortly after 11pm to “report she had been hit by her husband”.During a tearful 999 call played to the court, she said: “Me husband’s just hit me in the house.”He’s in the house, I’m outside.”Most read in FootballAsked if anything similar had happened before, she said: “No, it’s the first time,” adding that she had been hit “in the face”.When police arrived at around 11:30pm, Georgia told them: “I’ve been pushed down and kicked about and stuff.”He said he was going to fight with my brother and my dad.”Barton was arrested at about midnight in his bedroom, where he had been asleep, and was still drunk.Giving evidence, Barton admitted he had drunk “six to eight” drinks when the alleged attack unfolded.He told the court there had been a “disagreement” and he “stupidly took me mate’s side”.Barton continued: “We just got into petty name calling.”We ended up getting a bit more agitated and were close to each other.”The former footballer admitted he was someone that “on occasion” might lose his temper.But he denied the claims against him, saying: “If I kicked someone in the head there would be a lot more damage than what’s alleged in this case.”In her own evidence, Georgia told the court she and her husband had been “nose to nose” at one point but had not come to blows.She claimed she felt a “collision” to her head that “stunned me and made me fall backwards”.Georgia, who said she had drunk a lot of wine that day, added: “It couldn’t have been Joe, he was too far away.”Barton was due to face trial in 2022 after pleading not guilty to assault by beating but this was halted when Georgia retracted her claims.The High Court ruled last year that the trial could go ahead and that the previous decision to drop the case was “wrong in principle”.Barton married his childhood sweetheart in a lavish ceremony in 2019 at a country house in Oxfordshire.The couple have two children together – a son born in 2011 and a daughter born in 2014.Barton started his football career with Manchester City in 2002 after going through their youth system and went on to make 150 appearances for the club.He then moved to Newcastle United in a £5.8million transfer in July 2007 before leaving for Queens Park Rangers in August 2011.The midfielder was then put on loan to French side Marseille during the 2012-13 season before making his way to Burnley for one season – helping promote them to the Premier League.Barton made one appearance for England in 2007 – despite criticising some of his fellow players.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe footballer later attempted a management career with stints at Fleetwood Town and Bristol Rovers.Barton denied a single charge of assault and will be sentenced later.He attacked his wife, seen with Barton in 2011, after drinking up to five bottles of wineCredit: Getty – ContributorBarton married childhood sweetheart Georgia in 2019Credit: Instagram / Georgia McneilHe had denied a single count of assaultCredit: Alamy More

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    Marcus Rashford fined almost £800 for another motoring offence while banned from roads

    MARCUS Rashford has been fined almost £800 over more driving offences – while he was banned from getting behind the wheel.The Aston Villa ace, on loan from Man United, failed to give Cheshire Police information about who was driving his £100,000 electric BMW I7 motor on October 30 last year.Marcus Rashford has been fined almost £800 over more driving offences – while he was banned from getting behind the wheelCredit: GettyRashford, 27, was banned from driving at the time after being clocked at 104mph on a motorway in December 2023.The grey BMW was clocked in sleepy Winsford, Cheshire, on October 30 last year.Later that day, he started in Man United’s 5-2 win over Leicester in the League Cup.Cops sent the star a letter asking him to identify who was driving as they were “alleged to have been guilty of an offence”.Read More on SportHe pleaded guilty to failing to respond at Warrington magistrates’ court through the single justice procedure on March 13.It means it is still unclear who was driving the car.The £350,000-a-week ace was fined £500, and must cough up £200 in surcharges and £90 in costs, which he must pay by April 10.He was also given six penalty points on his license.Most read in FootballThe incident is the latest in a string of driving woes for Rashford, whose speeding driving ban only ended on January 18, after an undercover car clocked him going more than 30mph above the speed limit on the M60.And we told on Sunday how his Rolls-Royce had to be towed off a motorway following a tyre blow-out on Friday.’That was missing’ – Brutally blunt Thomas Tuchel reveals disappointment in Rashford and Foden’s England performancesThe winger was on England duty when the car broke down on the M60, leaving it stranded for an hour. It is not known who was driving. More

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    Kyle Walker’s wife Annie Kilner pleads guilty to having mobile phone behind wheel of her £70,000 Mercedes

    KYLE Walker’s estranged wife Annie Kilner has been fined £198 after pleading guilty to not having proper control of her £70,000 Mercedes.The Wag, whose case was heard at Chester magistrates court this afternoon, was spotted at the wheel with her mobile phone in her hand last summer.Annie Kilner did not appear at court for the hearingCredit: SplashKilner pleaded guilty to the driving offenceCredit: Dan CharityKyle Walker’s estranged wife accepted she was behind the wheel while not being in control of a £70,000 MercedesCredit: BackGridShe was stopped by police in Cheshire at around 8.30pm on June 8 2024 as love rat Walker prepared to go away with the England squad for the Euros.Kilner, 32, was on her way to collect their four children when she was clocked with the device in one hand, and the other on the wheel, the court heard.She was due to stand trial, but instead did not attend and pleaded guilty via her barrister Nick Ross.As well as fining her, magistrates also imposed three penalty points on her driving licence.The charges stated the driver was “in such a position that she could not have proper control of the car”.Kilner was also charged with using a phone at the wheel but it was withdrawn.Michael O’Kane, prosecuting, said PC David O’Connor pulled her over at traffic lights on Bollington Lane in Alderley Edge, and said in a statement that he “suspected that the lady was talking to someone on her mobile phone”.Mr O’Kane continued: “He observed the driver, Miss Kilner, she had her mobile phone in her left hand with the other hand on the steering wheel.Most read in Football”The officer then pursued and stopped the vehicle and engaged in conversation with the defendant.”She said, ‘My kids are at padel’ and that she was late.”Kyle Walker’s wife Annie Kilner set to get £750k to star in Celeb Big Brother – but only if bosses agree to strict ruleThe court heard a not guilty plea had initially been entered.But Mr Ross said she admitted the offence of not having proper control of her vehicle, rather than the offence of driving whilst using a mobile phone.He said the police officer suspected she may have been talking to someone on the phone but did not see her lips moving and she did not have the phone to her ear.He added: “This was a low-speed incident, an unremarkable incident and the defendant was on her way to collect her four children on that evening in question and she apologises for the offence.”Chair of the magistrates bench, Jean Bamford, imposed a fine of £198, with £400 costs and a £79 victim surcharge.She added: “Three points will go on her driving licence, that makes nine points. She will have to drive very carefully from now on.”The court heard she already has six points on her licence after exceeding a 30mph limit and for a traffic signal offence.Kilner faces a ban under “totting up rules” if she accumulates 12 points.The latest offence came months after Kilner and Walker, 34, had their fourth child and two days before the Three Lions ace flew to Germany.Kilner previously discovered her love-rat partner had fathered a second child with social media personality Lauryn Goodman.READ MORE SUN STORIESShe denied the driving charge in November.Her hearing is hours before Walker plays for England against ­Latvia at Wembley. More

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    Moment Marcus Rashford’s £700k Rolls-Royce is towed off motorway after tyre blew out

    MARCUS Rashford’s £700,000 Rolls-Royce had to be towed off a motorway following a tyre blow-out.The on-loan Aston Villa forward, 27, was on England duty when the car broke down on the M60 on Friday.Marcus Rashford’s Rolls-Royce had to be towed off a motorwayCredit: mancpicss66The on-loan Aston Villa ace, 27, was on England duty when the car broke downCredit: AlamyThe £700,000 car’s tyre blew out and was stranded for an hourCredit: ZenpixThe motor was stranded on the side of the M60 on FridayCredit: mancpicss66It was not known who was driving. The posh motor was stranded for more than an hour at the spot near where another of his Rolls was written off in a 2023 crash. The vehicle was so badly wrecked, Rashford was forced to flog it for a hugely discounted £184,000 at auction.The forward then replaced it with an almost identical car in May last year – opting for white instead of grey.READ MORE ON MARCUS RASHFORDA source said: “Rashford hasn’t had much luck with his Rolls.“The first one was written off and then the second one breaks down.“He’ll be questioning the £1.4million he’s splashed out on two identical cars.“Let’s hope he has more luck on the pitch.”Most read in FootballRashford’s first Mansory Wraith had only 1,000 miles on the clock when it was involved in a collision as he left United’s training ground in Carrington.He’d been on his way home from his side’s 1-0 Premier League win at Burnley when his 2.5-ton vehicle ploughed into a pole on a traffic island, claiming another driver veered into his lane.Footballer Marcus Rashford has bought a brand new £700,000 Rolls Royce WraithPhotos showed the car took a pounding in the crash, with extensive damage to the front, left front wing and a mangled rear left wheel and bumper.Luckily both drivers escaped without injury. More

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    Kyle Walker’s wife Annie Kilner due in court accused of not having proper control of £70,000 Mercedes

    KYLE Walker’s estranged wife Annie Kilner is due to appear in court tomorrow over a driving offence.The Wag is facing accusations she was behind the wheel while not being in control of a £70,000 Mercedes.Annie Kilner is due to appear in court tomorrow over a driving offenceCredit: Dan CharityKyle Walker’s estranged wife is facing accusations she was behind the wheel while not being in control of a £70,000 MercedesCredit: BackGridShe was stopped by police in Cheshire on June 8 last year — as Kyle prepared to go away with the England squad for the Euros.The charges state the driver was “in such a position that she could not have proper control of the car”.It is unclear exactly what she is accused of doing. Annie, 32, was also charged with using a phone at the wheel but it was withdrawn.Read More on SportThe charge is brought when the driver is said to be “in a position which does not give proper control or a full view of the road”.It can be when they are spotted drinking or eating while driving, adjusting the sat nav or changing music on the car’s touchscreen.The alleged offence came months after Annie and Kyle, 34, had their fourth child and two days before the Three Lions ace flew to Germany.Annie previously discovered her love-rat partner had fathered a second child with social media personality Lauryn Goodman.Most read in FootballShe denied the driving charge in November.If Annie is convicted at Chester magistrates’ tomorrow, she faces three penalty points on her driving licence and a fine.Kyle Walker party girls revealed as globe-trotting models – and lift lid on how star is enjoying his new life in MilanHer hearing will be hours before Kyle plays for England against ­Latvia at Wembley. Annie’s representative was approached for comment. More