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    Four arrested after masked men in hearses storm football pitch during Gateshead vs Dunston clash

    FOUR arrests have been made after masked men drove onto a pitch in a hearse during a football match.Gateshead FC were playing at Dunston UTS FC in a friendly when the hearse, along with a silver Subaru, drove onto the pitch on Friday night.
    The hearse was dumped on the pitch before the men made off in a second carCredit: Archie Clark/NCJ Media
    Police attended the ground on Friday nightCredit: NNP
    Footage taken by shocked spectators showed a group of masked men men performing donuts and drifting across the pitch while a number of posters were thrown from the car windows.
    The hearse was left in the middle of the pitch, with the referee having to abandon the match at half time with the score 1-1.
    Four men have now been arrested in connection with the stunt, understood to be a protest over the ownership of Dunston.
    Two 19-year-old men, along with a 32-year-old man, have been arrested on suspicion of affray.
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    A fourth man, 41, was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit criminal damage.
    All four men remain in custody at this time, Northumbria Police has said.
    A spokesman for the force said: “Four men have been arrested following a disturbance during a football match in Gateshead on Friday evening.
    “An investigation was immediately launched – and extensive enquiries have been ongoing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the report, and locate those involved.”
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    One fan in attendance described the stunt as a “terrifying experience”, adding that there had been “plenty of children about” at the time.
    A police statement added: “Disorder will not be tolerated in the community, and anyone found to be involved will be dealt with robustly.
    “Officers would like to thank members of the public who have come forward to assist the investigation to date. People are also reminded to continue to avoid any speculation online and on social media as enquiries continue.
    “Police will remain in the area throughout the weekend – and those with concerns and information are encouraged to speak with an officer on duty.
    “Enquiries are ongoing and we would urge anyone with information or footage, who has not yet spoken to police, to get in touch. Your information, no matter how small, could prove vital to our enquiries.
    “Anyone with information can speak with an officer on duty, contact police using the ‘Tell Us Something’ page of the Northumbria Police website or call 101 quoting reference number NP-20230721-1154.”
    A Dunston UTC club statement said: “We are all deeply saddened at the events that took place last night. Thankfully nobody was physically hurt or injured.
    “The club would like to put on record that one individual named on the leaflets distributed during the pitch invasion, has had no connection with Dunston UTS FC, in any official capacity, for over two years.
    “The other individual has no connection with our club whatsoever.”
    The match had to be abandoned at half timeCredit: PA
    Shocked spectators watched on as the cars drove onto the pitchCredit: PA More

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    My son Ryan Giggs is a rat & a womaniser… when I heard about the affair with his brother’s wife I was almost arrested

    RYAN Giggs’s dad has blasted his own son a womaniser and “rat” – but admits he’s a chip off the old block.Danny Giggs has spoken once to his football icon son in 33 years following a turbulent childhood plagued by Danny’s own unfaithfulness.
    Danny Giggs has blasted his own son a womaniser and ‘rat’Credit: James Davies – The Sun
    Ryan’s dad says he was nearly arrested when he learnt his own son had been having an affair with his brother’s wifeCredit: PA
    Now, the security guard has revealed he was nearly arrested after discovering Ryan was having a long-term affair with his own brother’s wife.
    Speaking to the Daily Mail, the 67-year-old fumed: “The rat. I can’t understand how anyone could do that to his brother.
    “I read about it in a Sunday paper, jumped in my car and zoomed up the M4 towards Manchester. God knows what I’d have done to him but it wouldn’t have been nice.”
    Danny says he was pulled over for speeding twice before a copper told him to take a breather and turn round, which he did.
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    The extraordinary 2011 episode came after The Sun exposed Ryan for his eight year affair with brother Rhodri’s wife Natasha Lever.
    Ryan first met Lever in a Manchester nightclub in March 2003 and the pair spent the night romping in a hotel while Giggs’ pregnant fiancée Stacey Cooke was at home.
    Lever hooked up with Rhodri two months later but continued having sex with Ryan in hotel rooms and vacant properties she had access to through her job as an estate agent.
    The United ace, married to Stacey at the time, was alleged to have got Lever pregnant during their affair.
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    The 2012 Big Brother contestant later claimed she aborted the baby two weeks before her marriage to Rhodri in Las Vegas.
    Ryan’s dad says his sons antics are unsurprising, with Danny admitting his own partner Dawn is the only woman he has ever been faithful to.
    Despite his own cheating past, Danny blasts his son as having “never been put in his place” and acting the “big-un”.
    “No one has ever challenged him. If I’d been allowed to see him I wouldn’t have let him behave like this”, he added.
    On November 3, 2020, Ryan was arrested on suspicion of two counts of assault against his ex-girlfriend, Kate Greville, and her younger sister, Emma.
    In April 2021, he was charged with assault causing actual bodily harm as well as coercive and controlling behaviour against Kate, and common assault against Emma.
    Giggs denied the charges and a jury were unable to reach a verdict at trial last August.
    He confessed in court that he had never been faithful to ex-wife Stacey, with whom he has two children, Libby, 20, and Zach, 16, or to any of his other girlfriends.
    But on Tuesday, Giggs, 49, was acquitted of all charges two weeks before he was due to face a retrial.
    Reflecting on his son’s acquittal, Danny said that while Ryan is “womaniser” it “doesn’t make him guilty of assault”, adding that he was pleased with the outcome.
    Ryan Giggs made 672 appearances for Manchester United between 1990 and 2014.
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    The former-midfielder is one of only 28 players in football history to have been capped over 1,000 times.
    He managed the Wales national team from 2018-2022 and in 2014 took over League Two side Salford City alongside a raft of Man United legends.
    Giggs was arrested on suspicion of two counts of assault against his ex-girlfriend, Kate Greville, he has been cleared of all chargesCredit: Refer to Caption
    Ryan Giggs made 672 appearances for Manchester United between 1990 and 2014Credit: AP:Associated Press More

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    I was ‘raped’ by Premier League star when I was a teen – he FILMED it & showed pals.. I keep seeing his face on TV

    A WOMAN has claimed she was raped by a Premier League star as a teen in a bombshell interview.The alleged victim – who has not been named – says she was 19 when the footballer “attacked” her in her own bedroom during a house party eight years ago.
    A woman has claimed she was raped as a teen by a Premier League footballer (stock image)
    The woman said the footballer probably wouldn’t remember her ‘if we walked past each other’
    She told The Daily Mail the footballer, who she had never met before the party, probably wouldn’t remember her “if we walked past each other” – but the memory of that night is seared into her mind.
    The woman says she was “unable to move” during the alleged assault.
    She said: “The next thing I remember is my housemate back at my room, banging on the door, asking, ‘What’s going on?'”
    She claimed the footballer filmed the horrifying attack – and that footage was allegedly already circulating among guests.
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    However, she admits that she has not seen the film herself and does not know if it still exists.
    The woman said she had never met the player before and they have not met since – but she has not reported the attack to the police or her parents.
    She speculated that her drink may have been spiked, but insists she was not just drunk and never consented to the sex, saying there was “no way” she was intoxicated enough to not remember.
    Finally, she alleges that the player – who is now signed to a Prem team – returned to her house in the early hours and banged on the locked door, as well as texting her incessantly.
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    She is scared of reporting the case given the low prosecution rate for rape, especially so long after the attack allegedly took place, the Mail reports.
    The woman said: “Honestly, why would I consider the police when I know how incredibly difficult it is to even get it through the Crown Prosecution Service?
    “If it gets to court, you are completely annihilated by a lawyer who makes you feel worthless.
    “The system isn’t there to protect victims of sexual violence. What other crimes do you report and you’re instantly accused of lying?”
    And her pain is only deepened by the fact that she sees his face on TV regularly while watching football with her partner.
    She now faces either reliving her experience each time he appears or giving up watching a sport she loves. More

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    Top footballer punched woman, 60, and left her unable to speak in bloody queue row at nightclub

    A FORMER Premier League footballer is facing jail after he punched a 60-year-old woman and left her covered in blood following a nightclub row.Marcus Maddison insulted the victim’s daughter before launching the brutal assault which left the older woman unable to speak due to her facial injuries.
    Maddison started out at Newcastle but played most matches for PeterboroughCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    Maddison attacked his victim after spending time at The Gate nightclub in DarlingtonCredit: The Gate/Facebook
    The attack happened after the ex-pro – who rose through the youth ranks at Newcastle United – left The Gate nightclub in Darlington in the early hours of September 25 last year.
    Teesside Crown Court has now heard how he got into a row with two women for apparently jumping the queue in a kebab shop close to the nightclub in County Durham.
    Prosecutor Robin Turton told how Maddison threatened: “You come near me and I’m going to pelt these cheesy chips at you.”
    Mr Turton added: “As the defendant threw the chips he fell backwards and he punched the victim with his right clenched fist.
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    “There was a steady stream of blood coming from what appeared to be a broken nose. She was unable to speak due to her injuries.
    “The victim was taken to hospital and a CT scan revealed complex midfacial bone fractures.
    “She reported that she continues to suffer numbness to the teeth, diminished sense of taste and smell and is now reluctant to go out on her own.”
    Maddison was arrested and later pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm.
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    He now faces sentencing on August 8.
    The judge, Mr Recorder Paul Reid, extended his unconditional bail while an updated victim impact statement is prepared and a medical carried out on the victim.
    The 29-year-old midfielder scored 52 goals in more than 200 appearances during a six-year stint at League One side Peterborough United.
    He also played for former Premier League sides Hull City, Charlton Athletic and Bolton Wanderers.
    He also won two caps in 2014 for England C, the team representing the country for non-league level footballers.
    Maddison signed for National League North club Darlington in June last year but had his contract ripped up days after the assault.
    Darlington FC said: “The club were made aware of an alleged incident and conducted an immediate disciplinary investigation.
    “After discussions with the player concerned, the club agreed to mutually terminate his contract with immediate effect at that time.
    “Darlington FC is a fan-owned club and has a zero tolerance towards discrimination, violence of abusive behaviour.
    “It would be inappropriate for Darlington FC to comment further at this time.”
    Read More on The Sun
    Maddison took time off from football in March 2001 for mental health reasons, having played ten matches for Bolton on their way to promotion from League Two.
    Speaking a year later, he said: “Things didn’t go well at Bolton and, headspace, I just wasn’t in the right way to play football anymore.” More

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    Prosecutors reveal why Ryan Giggs’ domestic abuse charges have been dropped – and ex-footballer WON’T face second trial

    PROSECUTORS have revealed why Ryan Giggs’ domestic abuse charges have today been dropped. It was this morning revealed that the ex-footballer, 49, won’t face a second trial for allegedly attacking his former partner Kate Greville.
    A prosecutor has revealed why charges against Ryan Giggs have today been droppedCredit: Reuters
    The former Man Utd ace was accused of assaulting the 36-year-old at his £1.7million home in Worsley, Greater Manchester, on November 1, 2020.
    He was also charged with attacking her sister Emma Greville on the same date and controlling or coercive behaviour against Kate over a three-year period.
    The Crown Prosecution Service today revealed it had abandoned the charges ahead of a retrial set to kick off in coming weeks.
    Prosecutor Peter Wright KC told Manchester Crown Court they were formally offering no evidence.
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    The barrister said Kate had “indicated an unwillingness” to give evidence in a re-trial as giving evidence in the first trial had “taken its toll” on her and her sister Emma.
    Mr Wright told the court: “This is not a decision taken lightly.”
    He explained there was no realistic prospect of a conviction on the count of coercive control, telling the court it was no longer in the public interest to proceed to prosecute on the other charges of assault.
    The prosecutor added: “That being the case, we formally offer no evidence on counts one, two and three.”
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    Judge Hilary Manley then told the court: “I formally enter not guilty verdicts in respect of those counts.”
    Speaking after the decision, Giggs’ lawyer said he was “deeply relieved” after “fighting throughout” for three years to clear his name.
    Chris Daw KC said: “Mr Giggs is deeply relieved the prosecution has finally come to an end after almost three years in which he’s been fighting throughout to clear his name.
    “He will now seek to rebuild his life as an innocent man.”
    Last August jurors failed to reach a verdict following a three-week trial, with a re-trial scheduled to begin on July 31.
    In the wake of the allegations last year Giggs stepped down as manager of the Wales international team.
    The ex-footballer, who won 64 caps for his country, had been on leave from his post since November 2020.
    Giggs had a glittering playing career with Manchester United, winning 13 Premier League titles, two Champions League trophies, four FA Cups and three League Cups.
    He is also a co-owner of League Two side Salford City.
    Kate met Giggs when she was working on PR for his Hotel Football business venture, opposite Manchester United’s Old Trafford stadium.
    In April 2018 she was appointed head of PR and communications for GG Hospitality, the hospitality management firm co-owned by Giggs and former United team-mate Gary Neville.
    She was involved in the launch of their Stock Exchange Hotel in Manchester city centre before she took up a new PR consultancy post last July with a former employer.
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    Giggs denied causing her actual bodily harm and engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour between December 2017 and November 2020.
    He also pleaded not guilty to the common assault by beating of Emma Greville. More

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    River Plate star Elias Gomez’s mum and sister killed in horror car crash while travelling home from title celebration

    RIVER Plate star Elias Gomez’s mum and sister have been killed in a horror car crash in Argentina.The football club shared the tragic news on Twitter earlier this morning.
    Elias Gomez’s mum, Zunilda, 66, was killed in the horror car crashCredit: Instagram
    The football star’s sister, Melani, 25, was killed in crash alongside her mother
    The horror crash saw Zunilda and Melani’s car becoming trapped under a truckCredit: CADENA 3
    The pair had been returning from celebrating River Plate winning the league titleCredit: EPA
    The star’s mum, Zunilda, 66, and sister, Melani, 25, were reportedly killed instantly in a road crash that involved two cars and a truck with a trailer.
    The horror accident took place in Ramallo, Buenos Aires.
    The pair’s car was left crushed under the truck’s trailer while the other vehicle involved was left overturned on the highway as they tried to avoid the crash.
    Local media has reported that the truck driver, a 44-year-old man, was arrested by Ramallo authorities on suspicion of manslaughter.
    READ MORE ON RIVER PLATE
    Zunilda and Melani had been returning from celebrating River Plate winning the league title with Elias, who plays as a left-back for the club.
    The Buenos Aires giants won the elite Argentina’s Professional League Primera Division title with two match days to spare – finishing with a 3-1 home win over Estudiantes.
    The football club wrote on social media: “We embrace and accompany our player Elias Gomez in pain at the unfortunate news of the death of his mother Zunilda and his sister Melani in an accident.
    “Strength, Elias. All River is with you”.
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    It comes after Melani wrote “We will meet again” in an eerily-prescient Instagram post dedicated to her late boyfriend, Luciano Biglione, in December.
    She wrote: “Chanchito, today I still don’t understand the hours or the days; only that I no longer have you here.
    “Only pain and emptiness. I don’t know how the days will go on without you. For two years, I woke up every day to your ‘good morning, love’ and fell asleep beside you.
    “My companion for everything, the one who supported me and followed me everywhere, the one who taught me to live differently, to slow down, to enjoy the simple things, to be grateful for everything we had.
    “I don’t know how to go on, my love; I am so grateful for what we lived. I always thanked you for sharing your most precious treasure with me, your beautiful Matu.
    “I hold on to the peace of knowing that we always said everything we felt, with the intensity we lived it, with mate tea anywhere, from our trips, from sharing everything with Matu, from our endless conversations, from the teachings, from the mistakes.
    “Everything we experienced was what life wanted us to experience, and I will remember it forever. We will meet again, you know?
    “And we will do everything that is still pending. I pray not to forget your caresses, your kisses, the feeling your ‘I love you’ from the heart gave me, those hugs that went beyond the skin.
    “I love you with my entire soul, my love. A part of me went with you forever.”
    Fans across social media have paid tribute to the athlete’s late mum and sister with one writing: “It’s amazing how life can change from one moment to the next.
    “Football takes a backseat when these kinds of tragedies happen. Strength to him and his entire family. An immense pain to have to communicate this news. RIP”.
    And a River Plate fan account on Twitter said: “All of River accompanies Elias Gómez in these difficult times for him, may the Club provide him with everything he needs and support him at this time”.
    Elias, 29, began his career in professional football in 2006 after joining the Rosario Central youth team.
    He quickly shot through the ranks and in 2016, he began playing for Defensa y Justicia, playing twelve matches before returning to Rosario in June 2017.
    In January 2019, Elias joined Argentinos Juniors on loan and scored his first senior goal the following month against Estudiantes.
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    In January 2020, the club purchased Elias permanently as the defender signed a three-and-a-half year contract with Argentinos.
    At the end of January 2022, the star joined River Plate on a deal until the end of 2025.
    The pair were reported to have died instantlyCredit: CADENA 3
    River Plate announced the tragic news on Twitter this morningCredit: Getty
    Elias Gomez plays as a left-back for River PlateCredit: Getty More

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    Football star, 20, found dead at home as tributes pour in for ‘amazing’ player who ‘had a bright future’

    A STAR football player has been found dead in her home with tributes pouring in for the “amazing” player.Thalia Chaverria was a junior at New Mexico State University when she was found in her Bakersfield, California home on Monday.
    She helped lead her team to their first conference win in historyCredit: nmstatewsoc instagram
    She had just turned 20 when she diedCredit: nmstatewsoc instagram
    The Las Cruces Police Department have said the death is not thought to be suspicious at this time.
    Tributes have poured in for the gifted young woman.
    Mario Moccia, the director of athletics at NMS, said: “Yesterday, we lost an amazing young woman, and we are deeply saddened by the untimely passing of a member of our Aggie family.
    “Thalia had a vibrant personality and those who were fortunate enough to spend time with her knew she had a bright future ahead of her.”
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    Thalia helped the football team earn its first conference title in history, friends said.
    She starred in 20 games and was entering her third season as a defender for the Aggies.
    Head coach Rob Baarts said: “The sudden loss of Thalia has completely rocked our Aggie soccer families’ world.
    “She was an inspiration and rock to this team. She will be missed but not forgotten.
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    “Her spirit will be with us everyday, on and off the pitch. I will always love you T!”
    The star football player was found in her homeCredit: nmstatewsoc instagram More

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    Bristol Rovers star Jevani Brown spat at and slapped woman outside nightclub after she tried to stop row with bouncer

    A FOOTBALLER spat at and slapped a woman outside a nightclub after she tried to stop a drunken row with a bouncer.Bristol Rovers striker Jevani Brown left Cara Hutchings with bruises on both sides of her face in the attack.
    Jevani Brown slapped a woman outside a clubCredit: BPM
    The footballer, who was playing for Exeter City at the time, also left another woman terrified he would assault her.
    Brown, 28, has now been fined £5,000 after he admitted assault and criminal behaviour at Exeter Magistrates’ Court.
    He was also ordered to pay £350 compensation to both victims and £2,135 in costs and victim surcharge fees.
    The court heard Brown got into an argument with Ms Hutchings and Sophie Davey outside the Vaults nightclub in Exeter in February.
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    The footballer, who did not know either women, had got into a row with a bouncer before turning on Ms Hutchings as she stepped in.
    Brown then spat at the woman, causing her to pull his dreadlocks, before he slapped her twice in the face.
    Ms Davey had rushed over to help her pal when Brown took a step towards her and told her not to get involved.
    She then called police in tears to report the attack and the star was detained.
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    Torell Hector, defending, read a letter from Brown saying he was “truly sorry” and that alcohol had been a huge factor in his life.
    He also confirmed he is receiving support from the PFA’s Sporting Chance clinic.
    The letter added: “If I had not been under the influence of alcohol the outcome would have been different and I have taken steps since to address my behaviour.”
    Brown began his career at MK Dons before joining Peterborough United.
    He also had stints at Cambridge United and Colchester United before he was signed by Exeter in 2021.
    England-born Brown, who represents Jamaica at an international level, was Exeter City’s top scorer this season with 14 goals and nine assists.
    Brown was playing for Exeter at the timeCredit: Rex More