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      Rangers v Celtic Women’s clash ‘headbutt’ being investigated by police

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      POLICE have opened an investigation into the trouble which flared at the end of last night’s Rangers Women vs Celtic Women clash. Footage appeared to show Hoops head coach Fran Alonso being headbutted by a Rangers assistant coach Craig McPherson at the end of the match, which ended 1-1.
      The footage showed the incident at the end of the match
      A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We have received a report regarding an incident at Broadwood Stadium on the evening of Monday, 27 March, 2023.
      “Enquiries to establish any criminality are at an early stage.”
      Throwing the behaviour of the travelling Celtic fans who showered ex-Rangers boss Steven Gerrard with missiles as he scored for Liverpool Legends against Celtic Legends in a charity match into the mix, former Rangers boss said it “hasn’t been the greatest couple of days for Rangers and Celtic”.
      McCoist, of course, is no stranger to being at the sharp end of these Old Firm controversies, with his bust-up with Neil Lennon at the end of an Old Firm clash leading to a government summit.

      Asked by co-host TalkSPORT co-host Laura Woods if McPherson’s behaviour was acceptable, he said: “I have only just seen it. It’s really, really poor.
      “With the greatest of respect, it’s not been a great two or three days for Rangers and Celtic, with what happened at the weekend and what happened last night.”
      It looked like Rangers were taking the three points from the fixture after Brogan Hay fired her side ahead in the first half.
      But Celtic star Caitlyn Hayes scored a dramatic equaliser in the NINTH minute of stoppage time to level the scoring and to secure a point for the Hoops.
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      But what went on between the respective coaches was the post-match talking point.
      Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page More

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      I feared my kids would grow up without their dad as robber pointed gun at me, reveals Amir Khan

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      BOXER Amir Khan has told of his gun robbery terror and said: “I feared my kids would grow up without their dad.”The former world champ, 36, handed over his £72,000 watch at gunpoint in London.
      Amir Khan, pictured with wife Faryal, told of his gun robbery terrorCredit: Doug Seeburg
      Amir, pictured with his children, said: ‘I feared my kids would grow up without their dad’Credit: Doug Seeburg
      Masked gunman Dante Campbell jumped out of a silver Mercedes, pointed the weapon in Amir’s face and shouted: ‘Take off the watch!’
      Wife Faryal, who was with him, said: “I thought we were both going to die.”
      Victim Amir Khan revealed how he turned his head in terror during his gunpoint ordeal so he would not see the bullet coming.
      The boxer had left a restaurant with wife Faryal when a gang pulled up in a Merc, pointed the weapon in his face and demanded his watch.
      Amir’s light-welterweight reflexes kicked in as he feared the gunman would pull the trigger.
      Read More on Amir Khan
      Speaking exclusively to The Sun on Sunday, he revealed: “In that moment, you think the worst . . . that the kids could be growing up without their dad, that Faryal would be raising them on her own.
      “Your life flashes before your eyes. I leant my head to the right because I thought, if he is going to shoot me, he can shoot the side of my head. I don’t want to see the bullet coming.”
      Amir handed over a £72,000 diamond-encrusted watch he’d bought to celebrate winning a fight.
      Terrified Faryal, 31, ran into the road and screamed for help.
      Most read in Boxing
      The robbers fled in their car and the timepiece has not been found.
      Faryal yesterday said she feared the couple were the target of an organised hit, saying: “I thought we were going to die on the spot.”
      The couple now feel the “England we love isn’t a safe place any more” so spend more time at their home in Dubai.
      Two men admitted involvement in the robbery, on April 18 last year.
      On Friday two others were found not guilty of acting as spotters.
      Amir and Faryal had been for dinner with pal Omar Khalid at the Sahara Grill in Leyton, East London.
      The boxer posed for selfies with fans and CCTV showed him leaving at 9.10pm.
      As the couple walked to their car, masked gunman Dante Campbell, 20, jumped out of a silver Mercedes coupe, pointed the weapon in Amir’s face and shouted: “Take off the watch!”
      Amir, who is dad to Lamaisah, eight, Alayna, four, and Muhammad Zaviyar, three, recalled yesterday: “It was the first time I’ve ever seen a gun in my life. I could see down the barrel.
      “I remember looking back seeing where my wife was. She ran back on the road and screamed ‘help!’
      “At the time, I didn’t know what he wanted. I thought maybe this is a prank. I just took off the watch, he grabbed it.”
      Amir had earlier been shopping in Knightsbridge while Faryal was at a photoshoot.
      Amir retired from boxing last year having won a silver medal for Great Britain at the 2004 Olympics in AthensCredit: PA:Press Association
      Amir blasted mayor Sadiq Khan, saying: ‘Since he has been in power, London has got so dangerous’Credit: PA
      They visited the restaurant during Ramadan as it serves halal steak, and spent around an hour eating and taking snaps with fans.
      Recalling the ordeal, Amir said: “Faryal ran back on to the road and I just froze.
      “Normally she walks in front of me so I know she’s safe.
      “But for some reason she didn’t that night — which looking back is a good thing.
      “The gunman told me to take off the watch so I did and he grabbed it. I was shaken up.
      “It happened so fast, it registered with me a day after. It makes you think, life is very short.
      “People said after, ‘You should’ve fought them’. Are they stupid? I’ve got a family. It’s only a watch. My life means more to me.
      “When you have kids, you have a priority to make sure they are looked after. I am the breadwinner for the family. If I was with the kids, I don’t know what I would’ve done. Maybe I would have panicked and tried to run.”
      Amir added: “Someone called the police. It caused a big scene and people recognised me.
      “I felt quite embarrassed it had happened to me, that I’d just been robbed at gunpoint.
      “I got into Omar’s car and we drove around the corner because I didn’t want to be around the area.
      “I did a 30-minute interview in the police car. I told them what happened, how it happened.”
      Amir and Faryal then returned to their room at the May Fair Hotel in central London, where she was in floods of tears.
      The boxer added: “I could feel how scared Faryal was. I sat with her and told her it’s fine, the watch is materialistic.
      “She said, ‘What if the kids were with us? What if they shot you and killed you? The kids love you so much, you’re a good father to them, they would miss you so much’.
      The former world champ handed over his £72,000 watch at gunpoint in LondonCredit: Central News
      “I had the worst sleep that night. It was like the sleep I have the day before a fight. I was very uneasy.”
      Yesterday Amir was revealed to be a star of next month’s I’m A Celebrity South African special — after a stint on the show in 2017.
      He retired from boxing last year having won 34 of 40 fights, 21 by knockout, and with a silver medal for Great Britain at the 2004 Olympics in Athens.
      He is now based in Dubai but returns to England once a month for a week for charity and TV work.
      Since the attack he pays £600 a day on security in the UK.
      Bolton-born Amir said: “The UK isn’t a safe place any more.
      “It’s like living in Mexico. I don’t feel comfortable. I love England. I won a medal for the country but I stay in Dubai now because it’s the only place I feel safe. I’ve had my career, won my fights, got money. I just want to be safe.”
      Amir also blasted London’s Labour mayor Sadiq Khan, saying: “Since he has been in power, London has got so dangerous. He needs to pull his finger out and do something about it.”
      Speaking about the impact of the robbery, he added: “Faryal always says ‘Don’t go out on your own’.
      “She’s always on my back saying, ‘Make sure you take your security with you’.
      “A couple of months after the robbery, I remember walking outside Harrods.
      “It was about 5pm or 6pm, and I had a bag with a T-shirt in. I thought, ‘Oh s**t, it’s not safe for me to walk’.
      “A guy asked me for a picture, and I’m always happy to do that, but I felt very uneasy.”
      Amir had bought the stolen watch — a Franck Muller Vanguard Chronograph — after his December 2014 victory over American welterweight Devon Alexander in Las Vegas.
      Amir said: “I always buy a watch after a fight. It was quite sentimental. I got it after I won to treat myself.”
      Speaking about the impact of the robbery, Amir said: ‘Faryal always says ‘Don’t go out on your own’Credit: Doug Seeburg
      Recalling the ordeal, Amir said: ‘Faryal ran back on to the road and I just froze’
      Two weeks before the robbery he stopped paying £15,000 a year insurance for around £600,000 worth of watches.
      He had been paying the premium for ten years but felt safe having never been targeted before.
      Faryal, who married Amir in 2013, said of the ordeal: “I saw a really tall guy like hugging Amir.
      “Amir seemed to be laughing, I think he thought it was a fan.
      “Suddenly I saw a gun . . . I was on the phone to my best friend and just started screaming ‘help, help, help!’
      “I ran into the road as I thought I’d rather get hit by a car than shot. At the time, I thought ­someone had set us up. That they’ve come to shoot me and Amir. I thought, ‘Does Amir have any enemies?’
      “I was worried that while I’m running someone is going to shoot me from the back. It was really, really scary.”
      Faryal added: “I would lie awake at night thinking, ‘What if we both got killed?’ It took me a good few months to get over it.
      “After the incident, we sorted out our wills and a trust for the kids. It was a big wake-up call.”
      She said it brought her and Amir closer.
      She said: “It hit me that I could’ve lost Amir.
      “It makes you appreciate each other a lot more.
      Read More on The Sun
      “He’s the love of my life, my husband, the father of my children.
      “If I lost him, I don’t think I could ever recover from that.”
      Cops hunt suspects
      POLICE sought help to find suspect Hamza Kulane who they want to quiz over the raid.
      Alleged spotters Nurul Amin, 25, and Ismail Mohamed, 24, were cleared of conspiracy to rob on Friday after a two-week trial.
      Gunman Dante Campbell, 20, and crony Ahmed Bana, 25, have admitted conspiracy to rob and possessing an imitation firearm.
      They will be sentenced later.
      Jurors were shown CCTV film of Amir’s ordeal.
      He told Snaresbrook crown court: “I’m a sportsman, a fighter. I’ve been in the toughest situations but this is something different. This is really scary.” More

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      Goalie, 38, who ordered vile murder of his mistress gets signed by new football club

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      A GOALKEEPER who was convicted for his part in a sick plot to murder his mistress has been signed by a new football club.Brazilian goalie Bruno Fernandes de Souza, 38, was sentenced to 22 years behind bars after he confessed to ordering the killing of his girlfriend whose body was cut up and fed to a pack of Rottweilers.
      Bruno Fernandes De Souza has been signed by a new football teamCredit: Newsflash
      Brazilian model Eliza Samudio was brutally murdered in June 2010Credit: AFP – Getty
      Bruno was sentenced to 22 years behind barsCredit: Getty – Contributor
      The former actress had been tortured and strangled by a gang
      Actress and model Eliza Samudio, 25, was kidnapped and murdered by a gang in June 2010.
      She was tortured and beaten before being strangled and killed.
      Bruno Fernandes – who had an affair with Eliza and a son, followed by a paternity and child support lawsuit – later confessed to organising the sick plot.
      He was sentenced to 22 years in jail in March 2013 after a court found him guilty of ordering the model’s murder.
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      In January this year, a court granted parole to Bruno, under the condition he presents himself at the Penitentiary Administration Secretariat of Rio de Janeiro every three months.
      And earlier this week, Orion Futebol Clube announced it snapped the footballer who was previously in Atletico Mineiro, Corinthians, and Flamengo.
      The club, which will compete in the Super Copa Pioneer this year, wrote: “Backup for the position, welcome!”
      Orion is the seventh team to have signed Bruno since 2017, when he was granted habeas corpus before being ordered to return to jail three months later.
      Most read in Football
      Bruno’s last team was Atletico Carioca in Sao Goncalo, Rio de Janeiro State.
      Despite being married with two daughters, the footballer would often attend marathon 24-hour sex parties- in one of which he met Eliza in May 2009.
      They started a relationship but three months later Eliza became pregnant.
      During her pregnancy she went to the police, claiming she had been kidnapped by two of Bruno’s friends who forced her to take an illegal drug that would induce miscarriage.
      The drug did not work and in ­February 2010 she gave birth to Bruninho — which translates as “Little Bruno”.
      After the baby’s birth, she was lured into a car on the promise that Bruno would give her an apartment and all the maintenance pay she wanted but she was driven with her baby to Bruno’s house instead.
      Bruno turned himself to the police in June 2010Credit: Getty – Contributor
      Eliza had a baby boy from her affair with BrunoCredit: AFP – Getty
      There she was strapped to a chair and beaten for six days by a gang that included Bruno’s wife, another ­former lover, his teenage cousin and a former police officer, Marcos Santos.
      Eliza was tortured as loud music was blasting before she was eventually strangled in front of her son.
      Her disappearance sparked a massive police investigation but the truth came to light when one of Bruno’s co-conspirators-his teenage cousin- confessed everything. 
      Although he initially denied any involvement, Bruno finally broke down in court and confessed to his part in the plot.
      He claimed he had not made the order to kill Eliza but had “accepted” it and knew she had been killed.
      He was sentenced to 22 years in prison after the judge said he had “meticulously calculated” the execution.
      His closed prison sentence was converted to a semi-open prison sentence in July 2019.
      In a semi-open prison regime, prisoners are allowed to work outside the prison during the day, but they must return to the prison each night.
      Read More on The Sun
      However, inadequate facilities at Varginha Prison meant that officials had allowed him to sleep at his home, where he was ordered to stay between 8pm to 6am every night.
      The goalkeeper was granted parole earlier this yearCredit: Newsflash
      Eliza had filed a child support lawsuit in August 2009Credit: AFP – Getty More

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      Tensions flare at Italy vs England as heavy-handed riot cops hit 3 Lions fans with batons as they try to enter stadium

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      TENSIONS ran high in Naples last night after English fans clashed with heavy-handed Italian police before the Euro 2024 Qualifier match between the two nations.Footage posted to social media shows cops in riot gear use batons and riot shields on supporters outside the Diego Maradona Stadium as the crowds flocked in to watch the game.
      Italian riot cops were filmed clashing with fans ahead of England’s Euro qualifier match in Naples tonight
      Some fans could be seen raising their hands to try and calm the situationCredit: Local Team TV

      Fans could be seen raising their hands in an attempt to calm the situation and demonstrate that they were not being aggressive.
      Some argued with officers, while others filmed the beatings on their phones.
      One fan was injured after they were shoved by a riot shield and fell backwards.
      Footage posted by BBC journalist David Cheeseman showed a group of people, including British police officers present at the scene, tending to the fan on the floor, while other tried to warn Italian officers of their condition.
      READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS
      One man, who was visibly angry, was spotted escorting a young boy through the crowd, shielding him with his arm and seeming to shout at anyone who came near them.
      Other youngsters are visible in the crowd as the hefty police presence surged into groups of fans.
      Stewards in high-vis jackets watch on as the clashes unfold, before a couple move in to try and restore order.
      It is currently unclear what sparked the brawl.
      Most read in Football
      Sports broadcaster Faye Carruthers reported on Twitter that England fans had told her that it had been “farcical” trying to get into the stadium.
      Some were reportedly “crammed” into a bus for 90 minutes, which then went in the opposite direction from the stadium.
      This is believed to have caused a number of the passengers to miss kick-off.
      Crowds were still waiting to get into the stadium 50 minutes into the match.
      Gareth Southgate’s men are seeking to start their Euros campaign strongly after the devastating loss to France in the World Cup quarter final last year.
      On the pitch, Harry Kane has overtaken Wayne Rooney as England’s all-time goal-scorer, slotting a penalty to take his team to a 2-0 lead.
      Italy clawed a goal back before the clash ended 2-1.
      One man could be seen trying to escort a child through the crowdCredit: Local Team TV More

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      in Boxing

      Conor Benn’s wife Victoria reveals horror after thief breaks in while she was at home with baby son

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      BOXER Conor Benn’s wife has spoken of her terror after an intruder broke in while she was at home with their toddler.Victoria Benn was home alone with her two-year-old son Eli when she went to investigate a noise and saw a man stood on the stairs.
      Victoria told how her home was broken into while alone with son EliCredit: INSTAGRAM/CONOR BENN
      Boxer husband Conor was out of the house at the timeCredit: Getty
      The mum, married to welterweight champ Conor, said the robber left empty-handed and thankfully neither she or Eli were hurt.
      Describing the horror on her YouTube channel, Victoria said she was eating her dinner on Sunday evening when she heard a noise.
      The mum added: “I thought ‘There’s no way that could have been a breeze’.
      “I walked out to the hallway and I found a man on the stairs, it was probably the most scariest thing that has ever happened to me.”
      Read more on Conor Benn
      Victoria explained she “lost it” after finding the intruder and began “screaming and swearing at him”.
      The mum said: “I cannot explain the feeling that took over me, it makes me want to be sick.
      “When you’re going towards that noise and then seeing someone in your house.”
      She said her phone was charging in the bedroom so she couldn’t get help straightaway as she did not want to leave Eli alone.
      Most read in Boxing
      Eventually she managed to raise the alarm with her neighbours and the man left without taking anything.
      Victoria believes the thief was watching the house as Conor – son of ring legend Nigel Benn – had left 30 minutes before he broke in.
      She has slammed the “disgusting” robber for their “audacity” at targeting her while she was home alone.
      But she thanked Essex Police for their help since the break-in and confirmed there is now extra security at their home.
      Victoria added: “How horrible it is to know your house broken into. When I’m now home alone without Conor it’s not a nice feeling at all and it made me feel very vulnerable.
      “Now I have that fear when I’m home alone with Eli that anything can happen. To go through that was honestly the most scariest moment of my life.”
      It comes after Conor revealed this month he wanted to kill himself after being accused of taking a banned testosterone-boosting drug
      The boxer told Piers Morgan that he suffered night terrors and panic attacks in the wake of the drugs tests last autumn.
      And in Piers Morgan Uncensored, Benn also revealed he wants to sue British boxing’s governing body for loss of earnings and damage to his reputation.
      Read More on The Sun
      Victoria said she confronted the robber after hearing a noiseCredit: PA
      She said he left empty-handedCredit: INSTAGRAM/CONOR BENN
      Benn has been accused of taking banned drugsCredit: Getty More

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      England fans to be bussed to stadium ahead of Italy Euros qualifier in huge security operation after yob mayhem fears

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      A HUGE security operation was launched to shield 2,500 England fans amid fears of yob mayhem before tonight’s World Cup qualifier in Naples.Fans have been asked to gather at the crime-plagued city’s port area to be ferried on 23 buses to the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium tonight to avoid Napoli’s notorious Ultra gangs.
      England fans have gathered in Naples ahead of tonight’s gameCredit: Darren Fletcher
      Supporters have been enjoying a drink – despite a booze banCredit: Rex
      Fans will be bussed to the game to avoid violenceCredit: Darren Fletcher
      It’s feared Hammers hoolies and Lazio ultras are planning to ambush fans of Lazio’s hated rivals NapoliCredit: Corbis – Getty
      But authorities fear breakaway groups – including West Ham yobs teamed with Napoli’s hated rivals Lazio – are planning a showdown.
      Large groups of England fans were visible in bars and cafes but stayed low key with the majority wearing no team colours and there were no early reports of trouble.
      But they were being eyed by groups of local youth as they drank beer in pavement cafes before the kick off at 8.45pm local time.
      And police reinforcements have been drafted in to protect Three Lions followers at potential flashpoints along routes to the match at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium.
      READ MORE ON ENGLAND
      Tonight’s game will be England’s first since the Qatar World Cup and the first competitive clash with Italy since our heartbreaking penalties defeat at the Euro 2020 Final.
      Fans were urged to gather in the port area of the tough southern city to board a fleet of buses at 4pm to avoid Ultra ambushes.
      But early signs suggested many fans would shun the protected route and stay within the warren of streets in the city centre until closer to kick-off.
      Police securing the “high risk” fixture asked England fans not to wear belts at the game amid fears that they – like local yobs – could use them as weapons.
      Most read in Football
      An alcohol ban was also put in place from 7am – midnight on the day of the match around the stadium and from midday in the city centre.
      But many bar owners appeared to be ignoring police instructions with travelling fans seen quaffing beer long after the lunchtime deadline in the city.
      Tension simmered amid fears of yob violence led by “twinned” hooligan firms, as reported in Sun Online yesterday.
      Sources in Rome reported English West Ham thugs had arrived in the Italian capital and had joined “Ultra” comrades from the city’s Lazio club.
      Police and security forces were said to be on “maximum alert” amid reports the teamed-up troublemakers were heading 140 miles north east to Naples.
      Hammers hoolies and Lazio Ultras were planning to ambush fans of Lazio’s hated rivals Napoli ahead of the England game, it was claimed.
      Corriere dello Sport, Italy’s leading sport paper, reported sweaters bearing West Ham logos were seen on Sunday when violence erupted at Lazio’s derby game against Roma.
      It could not be verified that the wearer of the Hammers shirts were English – but the paper reported authorities were taking the threat of further coordinated violence in Naples seriously.
      Only last week, 470 Eintracht Frankfurt ultra fans – who had been banned from Naples’ Diego Armando Maradona Stadium for a Champion League match against Napoli – ran riot.
      Cars were set on fire and cops pelted with missiles as they struggled to separate the Germans from 300 Napoli Ultras, who also turned on security forces.
      In September 2019, two Liverpool fans were hurt by flying bottles hurled by Napoli yobs – who are famed for cowardly “calling card” knife attack to their victims’ buttocks.
      But Italy’s soccer federation decided to stage the Three Lions’ crucial World Cup qualifier in Naples – their first match since the Qatar World Cup – despite security concerns.
      And around 2,500 England fans are due to begin arriving in Naples today ahead of the big game.
      West Ham yobs’ were allegedly involve in trouble before the Lazio v Roma game on Sunday, Il Napolista reports
      Lazio’s feared Ultras were also reported to have been joined by other “twinned” yobs from across Europe who connect using social media and the dark web.Levski Sofia in Bulgaria and Real Madrid have ties with Lazio while Roma were said to be backed by foreign legions from Dinamo Zagreb and Atletico Madrid.
      Security concerns rose after a “friendly” football match between England and Italy supporters was axed on Monday after notorious Naples hooligans warned they would launch an attack.
      Italian “Ultra” yobs emailed the England fans’ team boss warning 60 soccer savages would “get them” – forcing the game to be called off.
      Garford Beck, the boss of England men’s supporters’ team, said the “threatening” email he received read: “You advertise this game for us to see where you’ll be – we will be there.
      “60 ultra to get you. Be warned.”
      Mr Beck said he asked his Italian counterpart to show the email to Italian authorities and the game was called off after security chiefs responded: “We are very concerned.”
      The Italian Football Federation has now informed Mr Beck the game has been cancelled after leas from the English FA.
      Mr Beck said: “They are treating it very seriously and have judged it to be a viable threat. Safety has to be our priority and we would have been an easy target for these people.
      “They normally come tooled up to the hilt so it could have been a very nasty situation had I not opened that email.”
      Mr Beck said England fans had played their Italian counterparts in Milan in September last year – to coincide with a Nations League game – without any issues.
      Read More on The Sun
      He said: “There’s been no hint of anything until I opened that email.
      “We’re just out there to get together with whoever it is we’re playing, have a game of football, have a few beers and go off to the match, it’s nothing more than that really.”
      Hooligans linked to Napoli are also known for their extreme violenceCredit: AFP
      Eintracht Frankfurt fans during a Champions League match against NapoliCredit: Getty
      The carnage spilled onto the streets of Naples following a clashCredit: Rex
      Cars were torched and shop fronts were vandalised near the Diego Armando Maradona StadiumCredit: Rex More

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      Hooligan chaos fears as ultras from West Ham and Lazio join forces to ambush Napoli fans ahead of England’s Italy clash

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      FEARS of football yob mayhem led by “twinned” hooligan firms spiralled today ahead of tomorrow’s European Championship qualifier between Italy and England in Naples.Sources in Rome reported English West Ham hooligans had arrived in the Italian capital and had joined “ultra” comrades from the city’s Lazio club.
      Ultras linked to Serie A team SS Lazio are said to be backing English supporters ahead of Thursday’s big game in NaplesCredit: Getty
      The hooligans from Lazio have a notorious reputationCredit: AP:Associated Press
      It’s feared Hammers hoolies and Lazio ultras are planning to ambush fans of Lazio’s hated rivals NapoliCredit: Corbis – Getty
      Police and security forces were said to be on “maximum alert” amid reports the teamed-up troublemakers were heading 140 miles south east to Naples.
      Hammers hoolies and Lazio ultras were planning to ambush fans of Lazio’s hated rivals Napoli ahead of the England game, it was claimed.
      Corriere dello Sport, Italy’s leading sport paper, reported sweaters bearing West Ham logos were seen on Sunday when violence erupted at Lazio’s derby game against Roma.
      It could not be verified that the wearer of the Hammers shirts were English – but the paper reported authorities were taking the threat of further coordinated violence in Naples seriously.
      READ MORE ON HOOLIGANS
      Corriere dello Sport reported: “Some West Ham sweatshirts were glimpsed in the scuffles near the Ponte della Musica … the threat could still materialise in Naples between Italy and England.”
      The two football heavyweights have enjoyed a strong alliance that stems back almost two decades.
      Carlton Leach, a former member of England’s feared ICF hooligan firm, told The Sun Online both clubs had deep respect for each other.
      He said: “We [West Ham fans] started to go out to Lazio about 15 years ago.
      Most read in Football
      “It all stems back from the Paolo Di Canio days.
      “We would go to their club house and drink with their top boys – they looked after us.
      “It is a relationship built on strong mutual respect and you had to earn it, but we call them our ‘Italian brothers’.
      “La Familia.”
      Leach said he was not aware of Hammers’ fans heading to Naples for a scrap.
      He said: “I am 64 and am out of that scene but I cannot see English supporters going over there to cause disrespect to them.
      “You know, 30 years ago, in the ICF days I could definitely see something erupting at a European qualifier but today I doubt it – it has changed a lot.”
      However, if the Italian media’s claims are true, the coalition of supporters could walk into a cauldron of violence.
      Only last week, 470 Eintracht Frankfurt ultra fans – who had been banned from Naples’ Diego Armando Maradona Stadium for a Champion League match against Napoli – ran riot.
      Cars were set on fire and cops pelted with missiles as they struggled to separate the Germans from 300 Napoli Ultras, who also turned on security forces.
      In September 2019, two Liverpool fans were hurt by flying bottles hurled by Napoli yobs – who are famed for cowardly “calling card” knife attacks to their victims’ buttocks.
      But Italy’s football federation decided to stage the Three Lions’ crucial Euro qualifier in Naples – their first match since the Qatar World Cup – despite security concerns.

      Are you a fan in Naples? Have you seen any fan violence or are you aware of any hooligan threats? Email james.liveris@the-sun.co.uk and worldnews@the-sun.co.uk or WhatsApp 07741005808 for free if you have any information.

      It has been reported that West Ham hoolies have landed in RomeCredit: AP
      A picture from a fans’ forum showed the two clubs sharing a ‘coalition’ flag at a match in 2013Credit: Social Media
      The flag incorporates the West Ham ‘hammers’ and the Lazio badgeCredit: Social Media
      Carlton Leach, pictured in the centre, alongside Lazio ultras at a previous matchCredit: Carlton Leach
      Around 2,500 England fans are due to begin arriving in Naples today ahead of the big game.
      The Corriere dello Sport report added: “The gaze of the Ministry of the Interior is directed already at Thursday’s match when over two thousand English fans will be in Italy.
      “It is feared that someone might give life to a new urban warfare as happened in Naples with the Eintracht Frankfurt fans.”
      Naples’ Il Napolista newspaper added: “West Ham ultras are already in Rome, preparing for guerrilla warfare in Naples.
      “The alert for the match between Italy and England at Maradona is maximum.
      “What is especially worrying are the ultras of West Ham, twinned with those of Lazio, who attempted to attack the Roma fans.
      “They remained in the city because they intend to provoke clashes in Naples too, on the occasion of Italy-England.”
      Describing West Ham yobs’ alleged involvement in trouble before the Lazio v Roma game on Sunday, Il Napolista said: “The fuse off the pitch was lit before the initial whistle. 
      “During the influx of fans at Ponte della Musica, Lazio supporters together with some West Ham fans – who have always been twinned with the Biancocelesti (Lazio fans) – risked coming into contact with the Roma fans. 
      “Danger was thwarted by the timely intervention of the police.”
      Lazio’s feared ultras were also reported to have been joined by other “twinned” yobs from across Europe who connect using social media and the dark web.
      Levski Sofia in Bulgaria and Real Madrid have ties with Lazio while Roma were said to be backed by foreign legions from Dinamo Zagreb and Atletico Madrid.
      Security concerns rose after a “friendly” football match between England and Italy supporters was axed on Monday after notorious Naples hooligans warned they would launch an attack.
      The game was due to be played before tomorrow night’s Euro qualifier clash with Italy in the crime-plagued the Italian city.
      But Italian “ultra” yobs emailed the England fans’ team boss warning 60 soccer savages would “get them” – forcing the game to be called off.
      Garford Beck, the boss of England men’s supporters’ team, said the threatening email he received read: “You advertise this game for us to see where you’ll be – we will be there. 
      “60 ultra to get you. Be warned.”
      Mr Beck said he asked his Italian counterpart to show the email to Italian authorities and the game was called off after security chiefs responded: “We are very concerned.”
      The Italian Football Federation has now informed Mr Beck the game has been cancelled after pleas from the English FA.
      Mr Beck said: “They are treating it very seriously and have judged it to be a viable threat.
      “Safety has to be our priority and we would have been an easy target for these people.
      “They normally come tooled up to the hilt so it could have been a very nasty situation had I not opened that email.”
      Mr Beck said England fans had played their Italian counterparts in Milan in September last year – to coincide with a Nations League game – without any issues.
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      He said: “There’s been no hint of anything until I opened that email.
      “We’re just out there to get together with whoever it is we’re playing, have a game of football, have a few beers and go off to the match, it’s nothing more than that really.”
      The hooligans linked to Napoli are known for their extreme violenceCredit: AFP
      Last week in Naples, German fans were rolled by Napoli ultras after a Champions League matchCredit: Getty
      The carnage spilled onto the streets of Naples following a clashCredit: Rex
      Cars were torched and shop fronts were vandalised near the Diego Armando Maradona StadiumCredit: Rex More

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      F1 legend Jenson Button’s model ex-wife arrested in drug bust as cops raid hotel ‘after MDMA package addressed to her’

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      F1 LEGEND Jenson Button’s model ex-wife Jessica Michibata has been arrested for allegedly possessing MDMA. The model was detained by Japanese police after the psychoactive drug was found a package sent to her hotel room in Tokyo.
      Jessica Michibata and Jenson Button were together from 2008 to 2015Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      Michibata has denied the allegationsCredit: Getty – Contributor
      She is a famous model in Japan and now mainly resides in the US
      Michibata, 38, is being held on suspicion of violating the narcotics special measures law, according to the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
      She denies the allegations.
      The drug was allegedly discovered inside the parcel by customs officers when it arrived in Japan from overseas.
      Police traced the address to a hotel and room where the model was staying alongside another person.
      The other individual has been described as an “acquaintance” of Michibata, reports Mainichi Shimbun and The Japan Times.
      Michibata, a mum-of-one, is currently living in the United States but was born in Japan. 
      In a statement, her modeling agency Revive said: “We apologise to everyone for any concern the reports of Jessica Michibata, which belongs to our company, have caused
      “We are currently unable to contact Michibata directly and we are collecting information to confirm the facts.
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      “Since the incident is under investigation by the police, we will refrain from disclosing any further details.”
      F1 champ Button – who won the title in 2009 with Brawn GP – was in a long term relationship Jessica from 2008 to 2015.
      They got married in December 2014 – but separated on good terms in 2015.
      Button raced in F1 from 2000 to 2017 – winning 15 races and scoring 50 podiums.
      They were regularly seen together in the F1 paddockCredit: Getty More