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      Boxing champion sentenced to death in Iran for third time for ‘corruption on earth’ and ‘protesting’

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      IRANIAN boxer Mohammad Javad Vafaei-Sani is facing execution for a third time after being convicted of “corruption on earth” during anti-government protests in 2019.The 29-year-old athlete was arrested in March 2020 and accused of setting fire to a government building – which he denied.Iranian boxer Mohammad Javad Vafaei-Sani has been sentenced to death for the third timeThe 29-year-old athlete was arrested in March 2020 and accused of setting fire to a government buildingCredit: Youtube / @WIONHis death sentence is being compared to the execution of wrestler Navid AfkariCredit: AFPIt’s claimed that the boxer was subsequently put through horrific “severe physical and psychological torture”, AS reports.Vafaei-Sani’s case has been commonly compared to wrestler Navid Afkari, 27, who was accused of killing a state security guard during the anti-government protests in 2018 and hanged in 2020.Vafaei-Sani was convicted in December 2021 of “corruption on earth” – which is considered to be the most serious charge under Iran’s penal code and punishable by death.His lawyer Babak Paknia said on X that despite the Supreme Court overturning the previous verdict, “the majority opinion of the investigative judges (consultants to the Branch 3 of the Mashhad Revolutionary Court), in opposition to the Supreme Court judges, has again issued a death sentence for ‘corruption on earth’.read more world news”This ruling can be appealed.”Figures show Iran carries out around 250 executions a year, in addition to a 100 executions of children each year.The country’s barbaric system of punishments includes hanging from cranes in public, use of horrific electric shocks and flogging.Vafaei-Sani is one of the many Iranian athletes who have been sentenced to death by the government or killed during protests in recent years.Most read in BoxingAs reported by Iran Wire, volleyball player Ali Mozafari was killed during protests in 2022.Footballer Mohammad Ghaemifar was fatally shot by regime forces a month later and was reportedly targeted and cornered in an alley.And bodybuilder Ehsan Ghasemifar, 32, was killed during protests in December 2022.He was “surrounded by security forces while livestreaming on Instagram” and his family were urged to say his death was due to a “heart attack”, says Iran Wire.Other Iranian athletes have suffered the same fate for decades.Navid AfkariNavid Afkari was a champion wrestler before his deathCredit: EPAIran hanged champion wrestler Navid Afkari in 2020 on a trumped-up charge of killing a security guard during protests.He is believed to have been tortured and forced to sign a confession letter.Handwritten letters from him detailed 50 days of beatings and attempted suffocation.”The Islamic Republic of Iran is about to execute an innocent person,” he said in a final voice message.Navid was hanged – and his death sparked outrage around the world, with even then US President Donald Trump decrying Tehran.Habib KhabiriHabib Khabiri was a national footballing hero – but was killed aged just 29Credit: IranWireDescribed as the closest thing Iran has ever had to American national hero Kobe Bryant, Habib Khabiri was hanged by Iran.He was the captain of Iran’s national football team and a hero.Habib scored a dramatic winning goal in the 1978 World Cup qualifying game against Kuwait.But he was arrested and executed when he was aged just 29, being hanged for being a member of a dissident group.He was killed among 40 others at the notorious Evin Prison.”Habib was the Iranian Kobe Bryant,” commentator Manook Khodabakhshian told Sports Illustrated in 1998.”Sometimes when I watch Kobe Bryant, I see Habib Khabiri. He was only 16 or 17 when he started to play for the national team. He was a very creative player.”So young, such a happy guy.”Mahshid RazaghiHabib (bottom) also saw his teammate Mahshid Razaghi (top) be arrestedCredit: CSDHI NewsAnother footballer who played alongside Habib, Mahshid Razaghi was a member of the Iranian team that went to the Olympics.He was arrested for selling anti-government newspapers – and was sentenced to one year in prison in 1980.But the footie star was never released.Mahshid was left rotting in jail until 1988 – when he was executed along with a wave of other political prisoners as part of the infamous massacres by the Death Commission.His brother Ahmad was also executed just days later, with up to 30,000 people estimated to have been killed in the purge.Foruzan AbdiForuzan Abdi was the volleyball team’s captain – but she was executedCredit: FacebookAnother high profile athlete, Foruzan Abdi was the captain of the Iranian women’s national team.She was arrested in 1981 and sentenced for eight years in prison for supporting a dissident group.Just like Mahshid, she was never released from her prison.And she was killed along with thousands of others as part of the 1988 purge.Majid Jamali-FashiMajid Jamali Fashi claimed he was tortured and forced to confessCredit: APIran killed kickboxer Majid Jamali-Fashi after a show trial which was shown on TV.He was accused of working for Israeli spies and assassinating a nuclear scientist in Tehran.Pictures were paraded on TV of an Israeli passport said to be his – only for it to be exposed as one edited from Wikipedia.Majid is alleged to have been tortured into to confessing, and he is believed to have doomed after being mentioned in a leak by Wikileaks.He was hanged.Houshang MontazeralzohourHoushang Montazeralzohour was reportedly executed by firing squadCredit: CSDHI NewsFive years after he represented Iran at the Olympics as a wrestler, Houshang Montazeralzohour was executed by firing squad.He was a national champion in his weight class and competed for the his country at the Summer Olympics in Montreal.READ MORE SUN STORIESBut he was arrested along with 29 others in 1981.Houshang was allegedly tortured and then shot dead by firing squad. 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      Arsenal legend Jens Lehmann stopped by cops for ‘drink driving’ in Lederhosen after ‘necking steins’ at Oktoberfest bash

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      ARSENAL legend Jens Lehmann has been stopped for suspected drink-driving in LEDERHOSEN – after downing steins at Oktoberfest.The Gunners veteran – in goal for the famous ‘Invincibles’ team – was pictured partying at the huge Bavarian beer festival, in Munich, Germany, on Sunday.Jens Lehmann spotted at OktoberfestThe Arsenal goalkeeper in 2006Credit: PA:Press AssociationLehmann at Oktoberfest in 2014Credit: GettyLehmann, 54, was then pulled over by cops outside the beer extravaganza and was staggering and smelled of alcohol, Bild reports.Breath tests had to be abandoned because the ex-Emirates ace was “no longer able to blow” and instead was taken to a police station for further tests.His driver’s licence has been confiscated as a matter of procedure while cops continue looking into the case.Lehmann was earlier pictured in full traditional Bavarian dress with a beer, surrounded by female pals at the festival.Read more on footballFans also spotted him dancing in benches in the Schützenfest tent.A source said: “There are police officers lurking around the Oktoberfest who are supposed to prevent drink driving.”Senior public prosecutor Anne Leiding said: “Mr. Lehmann was subjected to a police check on September 23, 2024 at around 1:30 a.m. due to his unusual driving behavior in a car in the inner city area of Munich.”She added: “The police are said to have noticed a clear smell of alcohol and an unsafe manner.Most read in Football“A breath alcohol test did not produce any usable results, whereupon a blood sample was ordered and the driver’s licence was confiscated.“Our investigations are still pending. Suspicions of drunk driving continue.”Lehmann – who came third at the 2006 World Cup with Germany – has faced a string of trouble with police over recent years.In December 2023 he was fined £400,000 by the Starnberg District Court, in Bavaria, for chainsawing his neighbour’s garage roof to get a better view of Lake Starnberg.A court also previously heard he drove bumper-to-bumper behind a car under a barrier in order to avoid paying parking fees at Munich Airport.In 2009 Lehmann was dropped by then team Stuttgart for partying at Oktoberfest without permission.He is a regular at the festival and in 2012 was picture there with Sol Campbell in full traditional Bavarian dress. He was pictured at the festival with Didier Drogba in 2011.Lehmann famously became the first player to be sent off in a European Cup final after tripping Barcelona striker Samuel Eto’o, in 2006.READ MORE SUN STORIESJens Lehmann told Blild: “I can’t say anything about it at the moment.”A spokesman for Munich police declined to comment. More

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      Cops probing Eintracht Frankfurt’s Helge Rasche ‘find ‘child porn’ at his home after coach died in car crash aged 33

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      GERMAN cops who investigated Eintracht Frankfurt’s Helge Rasche reportedly found “child porn” at his home.Earlier this month, police confirmed that Under-19 coach Rasche’s white Hyundai veered off the road before crashing into a tree.Helge Rasche died after a traffic accident aged 33Credit: https://www.eintracht.de/But he is said to have been the subject of an investigation from German cops before he diedCredit: https://www.eintracht.de/The U19 youth coach saw his car veer off the roadCredit: https://www.eintracht.de/The 33-year-old coach is said to have died from “serious” injuries at the scene, on a road between Dietzenbach and Rodgau, to the southwest of Frankfurt. There were no other passengers in the car at the time of the horror smash.Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt also confirmed the news of his death on the club’s social media pages on September 6.However, according to BILD, Rasche had been the subject of an investigation before his death following a report to the police. Read More in FootballThe German outlet claim that a search warrant was issued by the “Frankfurt am Main District Court on suspicion of distributing pornographic content in accordance with Section 184 of the Criminal Code.””Data storage devices were seized” in the search, BILD claim after “a large number of child pornographic image files were found on the data storage devices”.Pictures obtained by BILD showed that Rasche’s Hyundai was a write-off after the accident, with the front of the car caved in.The outlet also reported that according to police investigations, it is certain that the Frankfurt coach committed suicide.Most read in FootballFrankfurt players were informed about Rasche’s passing on the day of his death.”Eintracht Frankfurt is devastated by the loss of U19 head coach Helge Rasche,” the club wrote on social media at the time. “The 33-year-old lost his life in a traffic accident yesterday. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.”Rasche began his coaching career with Hallescher FC before joining Frankfurt’s youth setup in 2020. He took charge of the Under-19 side in 2023 after previously coaching the Under-17s.He had joined Eintracht’s youth department in 2020. In 2023 he was promoted to U17 and then U19 head coach in the youth Bundesliga.Frankfurt’s Under-19 team has celebrated progress in the DFB Junior Cup just days before Rasche’s death. They beat Energie Cottbus’ Under-19 side by a goal to nil on August 31. More

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      Moment Erling Haaland caught ‘scrolling’ through his phone while driving his £250,000 Mercedes after leaving Etihad

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      ERLING Haaland has been caught appearing to use his mobile phone as he left the Etihad on Sunday night – while behind the wheel of his brand new £250,000 motor.The Norwegian goal machine, 24, was spotted driving his flash Mercedes Maybach after he scored against Arsenal in a 2-2 draw.Erling Haaland has been caught appearing to use his mobile phone while driving as he left the Etihad on Sunday nightCredit: TikTokThe Man City goal-machine was seen scrolling through his phone in his £250k Mercedes while he stopped in trafficCredit: TikTokHaaland netted against Arsenal earlier on SundayCredit: GettyIn footage viewed over 12,000 times on TikTok, it looks like Haaland brazenly scrolled through his phone while stopped in traffic alongside glamorous girlfriend Isabel Haugseng Johansen.Wearing a blue hoodie, he was filmed picking up the device as his vehicle was surrounded by fans taking pictures through the window – only briefly looking up.Haaland then put down his phone as the traffic started to move.It comes just a year after the striker was caught using his device while driving his £300k Rolls-Royce Cullinan on a dual-carriageway near to the Etihad in Manchester.Read More in FootballA source said: “Haaland’s certainly scored an own goal.“His car was surrounded by fans taking pictures and videos.“He seemed totally unfazed and didn’t think anything of scrolling through his phone while driving.“He’s a role model to so many young kids – he should know better.Most read in Football“It’s so dangerous and it’s not the first time he’s done it.”The incident occurred just hours after the £375,000-a-week footie sensation scored the first goal of the game in the ninth minute.He was criticised for his celebration when John Stones slotted a dramatic 98th-minute equaliser after he threw the ball at the back of Gabriel’s head, appearing to trigger a bust-up between the two sides.Road safety campaigners blasted his behaviour, branding it “incredibly dangerous”.Lucy Straker, Campaigns Manager at Brake, said: “It is important for any person in a position of influence to act responsibly in these situations, so that those who look up to them can follow their example.“Using any phone while driving is dangerous – driving is a highly complex task requiring a person’s full attention, as any error can be catastrophic.“The temptation of looking at a phone can never be worth someone’s life.“We are relieved that in this instance no one was hurt or killed.“We would encourage Erling Haaland to reach out to us.”Haaland’s error came despite driving rules in his homeland of Norway also banning motorists from using their devices while at the wheel.Ruth Purdie OBE, chief executive of The Road Safety Trust, said: “Using a mobile phone while driving is both illegal and incredibly dangerous, significantly increasing the risk of collisions, injuries, and fatalities on our roads.“It’s crucial that high-profile individuals, particularly those who are role models, understand the far-reaching impact of their actions behind the wheel.”Drivers caught using mobile phones at the wheel face a £200 fine and six points on a driving licence.Road safety experts are calling on tougher laws to deter motorists after usage is up 93 percent.Fresh data from the Department for Transport revealed younger drivers were found to be the most at risk, with use among 17-29 year olds higher than any other age range.READ MORE SUN STORIESAccording to the latest Reported Road Casualties Great Britain (2022), 22 people were killed and 674 injured in road traffic collisions where a driver using a mobile phone was considered to be a contributory factor.Manchester City and Greater Manchester Police have been contacted for comment.The Man City ace was driving just hours after a Premier League clash on SundayCredit: Getty More

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      Football hooligan who left England fan with broken jaw in horrific Euros attack caught using face recognition technology

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      A FOOTBALL hooligan who attacked a fellow England supporter at the Euro 2024 was tracked down using facial recognition tech. Josh Waugh, 34, broke his victim’s nose and jaw following the Three Lions’ match against Serbia on June 16 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany.Cheshire Police, the UK Football Policing Unit, and German officers collaborated to track down WaughA witness took a photo of him and gave it to policem who tracked him down using Retrospective Facial Recognition Technology (RFR) and mass messaging app SOLV, The Times reports. It is the first time the technology has been used at an overseas tournament. Cheshire Police, the UK Football Policing Unit, and German officers collaborated to track down Waugh. The picture was used in a witness appeal issued using SOLV. Read more FootballIt got more than 54,000 hits and aided the police investigation into Waugh. He appeared at Middlesbrough magistrates’ court on Wednesday and got a three-year banning order.German police have not yet taken any action against him. Chief constable for Cheshire and the head of UK Football Policing, Mark Roberts, said: “This is the first time that we have used this type of technology at overseas tournaments, but as the results demonstrate it can make a real difference. Most read in Football”Thousands of people attend football matches every week, many of them travelling long distances, so trying to identify and locate a suspect on the ground can sometimes be difficult.Sir Alex Ferguson booked me a flight home from my holiday and hauled me back to Man Utd – I hadn’t done anything wrong“However, systems such RFR and SOLV allow us to identify offenders even when they’re hundreds of miles away, so we can ensure that those who do offend are arrested and held accountable for their actions.”Josh Waugh broke his victim’s nose and jaw following the Three Lions’ match against Serbia on June 16 in Gelsenkirchen, GermanyCredit: Reuters More

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      Ex-Man Utd ace Jesse Lingard fined by South Korean police after breaking two road rules

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      JESSE LINGARD has found himself in trouble with South Korean police.The former Man Utd ace was fined after breaking two road rules during a scooter ride in Seoul. Jesse Lingard has been fined by South Korean policeCredit: RexThe former Man Utd ace was spotted on a scooter in Seoul without a helmetCredit: Instagram @jesselingardLingard went viral on September 16 after taking a kickboard through the Apgujeong-dong neighbourhood of the city.The 31-year-old uploaded a clip of him cruising through the streets, wearing a tracksuit and baseball cap. South Korean law dictates riders must hold a valid driver’s licence to operate a scooter. They must also wear a helmet when riding on the street.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLSeoul police have since confirmed they have fined Lingard a total of 190,000 Won following the incident. The fine amounts to around £106 for his two breaches of the road rules.A source close to Lingard told South Korean news agency Newsis any suggestion the player was intoxicated during the ride was “nonsense.”Per The Daily Mail, the source told Newsis: “Lingard had no idea. He didn’t know that he needed a licence to ride it.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS”His mother and younger sister came to Korea for a trip and had a meal in Apgujeong-dong. [Allegations he was] drinking is nonsense.”Lingard took to Instagram earlier this week to apologize and urge others to “check the rules” before jumping on a scooter.Former Man Utd and England star Jesse Lingard back in training just TWELVE DAYS after undergoing knee surgeryThe ex-Man Utd star told his 9.2 million followers: “I didn’t know the rules of wearing a helmet or having a license as well. “In England, and probably in Europe as well, you can just pick up an e-scooter off the street and start riding it.”Anyone visiting South Korea, obviously, you have to check the rules. “It can be dangerous. Safety first for everyone. Obviously, I won’t do that again.”Lingard, who has played 32 times for England, joined FC Seoul in February.He has since appeared in 18 games for the K-League side, scoring 4 times. The midfielder was fined £57,000 last year after admitting to drink driving last year in his £200,000 Lamborgini. Lingard was also banned from driving for 18 months after being pulled over by cops in Manchester while double the legal alcohol limit.He said in a statement last July: “I want to acknowledge my mistake and publicly apologise for my unacceptable actions.”I completely understand and accept the consequences of my mistake by putting the lives of others at risk.READ MORE SUN STORIES”I am sorry to all my fans anyone who has followed and supported me throughout my career.”I accept the sentence of the court and the fine.” More

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      Ex-Premier League star on trial accused of smuggling TWO TONS of cocaine as he’s called ‘major player in drugs world’

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      FORMER Premier League star Ronnie Stam has gone on trial – accused of smuggling TWO TONS of cocaine.And the former Wigan defender is also being investigated for alleged money laundering, together with four family members.Ronnie Stam is on trial accused of smuggling two tons of cocaineCredit: GettyStam was part of Wigan’s FA Cup-winning run in 2013Credit: Action Images – ReutersStam, 40, spent three top-flight seasons with the Latics.  He took part in their FA Cup-winning run in 2013, although missed their 1-0 final win over Manchester City.But Dutch police arrested him in June on suspicion of drug offences in 2021 and 2022.  He has been on remand since then.And a court in Breda on Thursday heard that Stam had been involved in trafficking 2,217 kilos of cocaine.A prosecutor told the hearing: “This case concerns hundreds of kilos of cocaine each time.Read More on Football”I contend that Stam was a major player in the drugs world.”Stam was not in court to hear the accusations.  He must appear before a judge on November 28.The player’s parents, brother and girlfriend were arrested alongside him in June under suspicion of the same offences after police reportedly cracked an encrypted messaging service.Cops later raided six homes and a camper van, finding €100,000 (£85,000) in cash.Most read in FootballThey seized the money, three properties, a yacht, three cars, six luxury watches and jewellery.Stam is the only family member still in custody.  His lawyer asked the court to provisionally release the ex-player.Dream Team Transfer Suggestions for Gameweek 4However the judge refused, voicing fears that Stam will flee to join his brother in Dubai.The footballer won the Dutch Eredivisie title with Twente under ex-England boss Steve McClaren in 2010.That helped him land a £2million move to the Premier League, where he made 73 appearances before leaving Wigan for Belgian side Standard Liege in 2013. More

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      Ex-Liverpool ace Djibril Cisse facing PRISON after being accused of tax evasion with Champions League winner owing £660k

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      FORMER Liverpool star Djibril Cisse is facing a prison sentence after being accused of tax evasion in France.The France striker spent two seasons at Anfield, scoring 24 goals in 82 games and winning the Champions League before leaving for Marseille in 2006.Djibril Cisse is facing a prison sentence after being accused of tax evasionCredit: ReutersCisse won the Champions League and FA Cup with LiverpoolCredit: AP:Associated PressCisse will find out the verdict on his case on November 13Credit: AP:Associated PressCisse won 41 caps for France and scored a total of nine goalsCredit: AFP – GettyCisse. 43, later played for Sunderland and Queens Park Rangers.  He now works as a DJ and a pundit.But prosecutors told a court on Wednesday that they want the ex-international to receive a one-year suspended jail term and £85,000 fine.The hearing at Bastia criminal court went ahead in Cisse’s absence.  It is due to give its verdict on November 13.The trial heard an account set up to handle Cisse’s tax affairs was £465,000 in debt.Read More on FootballProsecutors claimed the ex-player was guilty of tax evasion for not having declared this sum to France’s equivalent of HMRC.Meanwhile Cisse was said to owe a further £195,000 from failing to declare VAT revenue on his income from image rights.Cisse’s lawyer Malcolm Mouldaia told the court: “He has been going through this case for years.  He owes huge sums to the tax authorities.”There can be no case of money laundering, as there is no tax fraud on his part.Most read in Football”He has had problems with his accountancy firm, as they have not handled his case well – and they have not kept him informed.”Liverpool paid Auxerre £14million for Cisse in 2004, and he helped them win the Champions League and FA Cup.Djibril Cisse shows off new bizarre bright blue and polka-dot haircut He left for Marseille, initially on loan, and went on to play in Greece, Italy, Qatar, Russia, Reunion and Switzerland as well as Sunderland and QPR.Cisse won 41 caps for France, scoring nine goals.Cisse allso played for Sunderland before moving to Greece, Italy, Qatar, Russia, Reunion and SwitzerlandCredit: AP:Associated Press More