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      Fulham player Issa Diop released without charge after being arrested over secret ‘death threat’ recordings against ex

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      FULHAM star Issa Diop has been released without charge after he was arrested following allegations he was making ” death threats” to his ex-partner. The 26-year-old defender was arrested at the Pullman Hotel in his home city of Toulouse on Sunday evening.
      The footballer was arrested on Sunday
      Diop was accused of making threats against his ex-wifeCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      The Fulham player was detained in the Jean-Jaures area following claims of “repeated death threats” to his former partner, 29, over “alimony payments” for their child.
      An official source told the local La Depeche newspaper: “He is suspected of having repeatedly threatened his partner, aged 29, whom he is separating from.
      “Their divorce, which began months ago, is taking place in a climate of conflict.”
      But on Monday afternoon a spokesman for Toulouse prosecutors said: “The suspect has been released. There is no case to answer.” 
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      The alleged victim is said to have claimed “large sums of money that Issa Diop would not be ready to pay her”.
      La Depeche reported that “the situation is so tense” that Diop “would have mentioned the possibility of getting rid of her indefinitely.”
      The newspaper noted that Diop “has already acknowledged some of the facts, stating that his words and threats were not serious.”
      The woman filed a complaint last week, but investigators had to wait until the weekend to arrest Diop, when he arrived from the UK.
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      A local police spokesman said Diop, who used to play for Toulouse and West Ham, was in custody at the city’s Central Police Commiserate.
      Another investigating source told La Depeche: “In recent months, Issa Diop and the woman decided to split after having maintained a long relationship, during which the footballer become a father.”
      She is said to have demanded “a five-figure monthly payment” to look after the child, but Diop refused to pay it. 
      During a trip to Senegal in June, Diop left voice messages about the situation with friends, including ex-teammate Zinedine Machach, who currently plays football in Greece. 
      “On one of these recordings, the Fulham player explained his recent problems with his ex-girlfriend,” the source told La Depeche.
      “Above all, he confessed that he was thinking about making her disappear permanently to save money.”
      This conversation, which was meant to be confidential, was finally discovered by his former girlfriend last week. 
      Diop told police that he only said the words once, after “yet another argument,” according to the source.
      According to a police source in Toulouse, Diop was recorded by his ex-girlfriend saying: “She winds me up, I’m going to finish her!”
      He thought he was solely saying the words to relatives in the southwest city – not to the woman herself – and they were not meant to be taken seriously, he has told officers. 
      The telephone recording of Diop’s words was the main evidence against him, but his defence lawyers said it should be ruled inadmissible. 
      The recording was made without his consent, and was just banter with a family member, they said.  
      While Diop has mentioned being “married” in the past, the source said there was no record of a formal marriage anywhere. 
      Instead, the couple had been together for many years, and the woman believed she was owed alimony following their split earlier this year. 
      Diop, who earns more than £3million a year playing for Fulham, was in France on holiday at the weekend.
      The police source told the Franceinfo news outlet: “The pro footballer made death threats to some of his friends, after hearing how much was being claimed by his ex. 
      He said: “She winds me up, I’m going to finish her!’ while talking to the relatives, and not knowing his ex-girlfriend was secretly recording him. ”
      Diop signed a five-year contract with Fulham last August.
      The £15m move from West Ham to Fulham was completed after negotiations that lasted a month.
      A Fulham spokesperson said in a statement: “We are aware of reports emanating from France this morning regarding one of our players, Issa Diop.
      “We are currently liaising with the player’s representatives to establish the facts.”
      Diop was born in France to a Senegalese father and a Moroccan mother. 

      He started his football career at Toulouse FC, before signing for West Ham, and then transferring to Fulham.
      While at West Ham in 2020, he sparked a desperate search after losing his wedding ring during a Premier League clash with Fulham.
      Diop reportedly claimed his threats “were not serious”Credit: Rex
      The Fulham player has allegedly made “repeated threats” over “divorce payments”Credit: Getty More

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      Premier League boss quizzed by cops over ‘rape of teenage girl who was attacked when she applied for job’

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      A BOSS of a Premier League football club has been quizzed under caution over a historical allegation of rape, we can reveal.The well-known football figure raped a teenage girl a number of years ago, it is being alleged.
      A Premier League boss has been quizzed under caution over a historical allegation of rape
      Met Police detectives first received a crime report about the claim 21 months ago.
      The Prem boss named over the attack voluntarily attended a police station with his solicitor on Monday.
      He was interviewed under caution but not arrested.
      Further enquiries are being carried out before a decision is made whether to charge him or take no further action.
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      The Met Police said: “On Thursday, September 23, 2021, the Met received a crime report regarding an historic rape allegation.
      “On Monday, June 12, a man was interviewed under caution at a police station.’’
      The Sun is unable to identify the man for legal reasons. It is understood he denies the rape claim.
      One source told The Sun: “He is shocked by the allegation and totally refutes it.”
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      The accused man is said to have met the complainant when she applied to work for an organisation he was involved with at the time.
      The source stressed it had no connection to the Premier League club the man is currently involved with.
      They added: “The allegation goes back quite a few years when the complainant met the suspect after she applied for a job at a place he was involved with.
      “She was a teenage girl at the time and is now a mature woman.”
      Former Met Det Supt Michael Hames, a specialist sex crimes investigator, said: “With historic complaints in general, you lose potential evidence which could have been obtained earlier.
      “Very often it becomes one person’s word against another’s.” More

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      Manchester City fans smash up cop van and clash with riot police after side wins Champions League and completes treble

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      MANCHESTER City fans were caught smashing up a cop van and clashing with riot police after their win in the Champions League, completing a historic treble.Thousands of fans went berserk at the match in Turkey and rocked pubs, bars and fan zones across the UK as City sent Inter Milan packing with an extraordinary 1-0 win in Istanbul.
      Fans with bloodied eyes were taken away by policeCredit: LNP
      City songs also rang out from people standing on bus stops trying to get the crowd goingCredit: LNP
      A man is pinned to the floor by cops as City celebrations escalatedCredit: LNP
      Captain Ilkay Gundogan lifted the trophy at the 74,000-capacity Atatürk Olympic Stadium thanks to a 67th-minute goal by Spanish midfielder Rodri.
      Fans not lucky enough to get their hands on a ticket were overcome with emotion inside Istanbul’s Manchester City Fan Zone.
      They were pictured screaming in disbelief and hugging each other through tears as they watched their team’s first ever Champions League title come home.
      However, on the streets of Manchester, some fans took the celebrations too far.
      READ MORE ON MAN CITY
      During a disorder in Piccadilly Gardens, Greater Manchester Police were forced to intervene when rowdy hooligans smashed up one of their patrol vans.
      As a City fan climbed on top of the roof, they kicked in the windscreen and blue light bar.
      Letting off blue flares, a group of young lads then all chanted from on top of the van whilst it was caving in.
      One man was arrested on suspicion of damage to the vehicle, say cops.
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      City songs also rang out from people standing on bus stops trying to get the crowd going.
      Troublemakers with black eyes and bloodied noses were also taken away by police with some being pinned to the ground.
      Riot cops with batons were called in to help with the chaos as hundreds carried on the party well into the night.
      Chief Superintendent Rick Jackson said: “This was a momentous occasion in the history of Manchester and overall, the night passed without any significant trouble.
      “The night was the culmination of a busy one for Greater Manchester Police – from gigs and festivals to protests, we have managed a large number of operations over the last 24 hours.
      “However, our officers have shown hard-work and professionalism; the last couple of days have passed relatively smoothly and it is down to their commitment.
      “While several arrests were made in Piccadilly Gardens, the minority should not detract from what was a great night for this city.”
      Carnage also exploded inside the Depot Mayfield, in Manchester, where thousands of beer-drench fans hurled pints and cried their eyes out.
      And it was bedlam at Manchester’s Love Factory as fans roared in celebration as their team secured the treble.
      A raft of celebs were also spotted celebrating – including Oasis icon Noel Gallagher and ex-boxer Ricky Hatton.
      Noel went wild at a supporters club in San Diego, California, as his boyhood team made history.
      Meanwhile shirtless Hatton was seen earlier on Saturday soaking up the rays with a table full of beer in Istanbul.
      But it was commiserations for thousands of Inter fans who looked devastated at the final whistle.
      Some fans of the Italian side were even seen weeping into one another as their side failed to overcome City’s onslaught.
      Read more on The Sun
      Manchester City’s win marks the second Treble Pep Guardiola has won in his career.
      The first came at Barcelona in 2009 – at the end of his very first season in management.
      A group of lads let off flares from the roof of a cop vanCredit: LNP
      As City fans climbed on top of the roof, they kicked in the windscreen and blue light barCredit: LNP
      Another man is pinned to the groundCredit: LNP
      Supporters of Manchester City cheer for their team as they gather in the Fan Zone in Istanbul
      Noel Gallagher went wild at a City supporters club in San Diego, California, as his boyhood team made historyCredit: Ruaridh Connellan for The Sun
      It was bedlam at Manchester’s Love Factory as fans roared in celebration after their team secured a historic trebleCredit: Reuters More

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      Premier League legend Robbie Keane and his wife win fight to kick OAP out of their £3.8m mansion as she owes £300k rent

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      PREMIER League legend Robbie Keane and his wife have won a £300,000 fight to kick an OAP out of their £3.8m mansion.The former Spurs and Ireland striker, 42, and his TV star spouse Claudine have been locked in an emotional three-year court battle.
      Robbie Keane and his wife Claudine have been locked in a three-year court battleCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Sandi St Paul and Stewart Lawrence have been renting out their family homeCredit: Champion News Service Ltd
      The gated five-bedroom mansion is situated in HertfordshireCredit: Champion News
      Fashion boss Sandi St Paul, 74, and her musician friend Stewart Lawrence have been renting out their family home in Hertfordshire since December 2019.
      This week the Keanes told Central London County Court the pair owe them nearly £300,000 in back rent.
      Mrs Keane, 42, a former Miss Ireland contestant, claimed she had been reduced to tears and was left ‘begging’ for access to her home during the row.
      The ex-footballer and his wife let their house after Mr Keane secured coaching jobs in Middlesbrough and Ireland.
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      They became more and more at odds with Ms St Paul and Mr Lawrence, who was a drummer for sixties icon Donovan, after rent payments stopped in April 2020.
      Ms St Paul, who as well as being a property developer has run a string of fashion boutiques, told Judge Heather Baucher that she and Mr Lawrence had withheld rent on the £8,000-a-month house.
      She alleged they had been left with ‘no heating or hot water for two winters’ by their famous landlords, adding that she felt the stress of the situation had led to her having a stroke.
      But the judge has now ordered her out of the house – on pain of being evicted by High Court sheriffs.
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      Ms St Paul and Mr Lawrence were also handed a bill for £292,192 rent arrears, plus £70,000 towards Mr and Mrs Keane’s legal fees.
      The gated five-bedroom mansion boasts extensive gardens and a cinema room.
      Mr Lawrence moved out of the property around a year ago, leaving Ms St Paul, who was his guarantor for the rent, in occupation of the house, although she was not named on the tenancy.
      Ms St Paul, who attended court in a wheelchair and without a lawyer, accused Mrs Keane of ignoring ‘heartfelt emails’ which she and Mr Lawrence sent pleading for an out-of-court ‘resolution’.
      Mrs Keane explained tensions had been ramped up to fever pitch when there was a serious leak at the property and workmen were refused access to fix it.
      “When there was a leak I begged you to let workers in and you refused. I cried on that phonecall and begged you ‘please don’t destroy my property’,” she said.
      Of Mr Lawrence, she added: “We were told because he was a famous person we were not allowed to have his telephone number. We have never seen him. I’ve never been offered any money.”
      Ms St Paul, in reply, said that if she didn’t answer the door to tradesmen it was because of her health problems.
      “I was hospitalised twice and had to take bed rest,” she said. “If somebody were to knock on the door I wouldn’t hear them from my window.
      “Nobody was ever refused entry to that house. We’ve never been anything less than pleasant to anybody who came round even after my second stroke.”
      The court heard that Mr Lawrence had countersued the Keanes in a bid to offset the rent arrears against alleged failures to make repairs to the property, including a faulty entrance buzzer and to the underfloor heating system which Ms St Paul slammed as ‘absolute rubbish’.
      But the judge dismissed the counterclaim due to lack of evidence supporting it.
      Read more on The Sun
      Striking out the bid to offset the back rent, Judge Baucher said both defendants had failed to engage with the owners of the house to ‘allow access to assess disrepair’.
      Speaking outside court after the hearing, Ms St Paul said: “Somebody said he was in football. I hate football.”
      Mr Lawrence moved out of the property around a year ago
      The ex-footballer and his wife let their house after Mr Keane secured coaching jobsCredit: Rex More

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      West Ham fans clash with cops in riot gear and set off flare as celebrations get out of control after team’s Europa win

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      WEST Ham fans clashed with riot cops and set off a flare as celebrations over their side’s Europa win got out of hand last night.There were jubilant scenes inside the ground as the East London side lifted their first major trophy in 43 years with a 2-1 win over Italy’s Fiorentina.
      A West Ham fan lit a flareCredit: The Sun
      Cops moved in to remove the lad with the flareCredit: The Sun
      One witness told The Sun ‘all hell broke loose’Credit: The Sun
      As the celebrations spilled out onto the Prague streets, Hammers fans lined up against police dressed in riot gear.
      A flare was let off in the crowd with one witness saying “all hell broke loose”.
      Jurre Uijtendaal, 22, told The Sun: “Someone let a flare off – we were singing and it all got a bit too much for the police.
      “They decided to let off a strike to cool it down. They tried to take down the guy with the flare.
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      “All hell broke loose and the police noticed they were outnumbered so they formed a circle.”
      The Prague cops resorted to using pepper spray after they moved in to cart off the lad with the flare.
      Jake Masterton, 23, from Kent, said: “There was a lad holding a flare – nothing more. Nobody kicking off or anything.
      “Police just stormed through and grabbed him and wheeled him off. He was a young guy too.
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      “Then they just formed a little unit in the middle and all the fans started fighting back – then the pepper spray came out.  
      “It’s a shambolic showing from the police. We’re all just enjoying this win. We can light off a flare of two if we want.”
      Riot police in the Old Town area of the city stormed the group, with fans responding by pelting the officers with bottles and missiles.
      Earlier in the day Czech police said they had detained at least 16 Italian fans after they attacked West Ham supporters outside a bar, with videos shared on social media showing chairs and fireworks being thrown.
      Celebrations were overall good-natured after the match, with revellers hugging and kissing each other and dancing on tables in bars.
      Chants of “2-1 to the cockney boys” and “Irons” also broke out as the Londoners celebrated the win.
      The final took place at the Fortuna Arena, which has a capacity of around 19,300, with West Ham receiving an official ticket allocation of 5,000, although many more travelled from the UK to be in the city during the game.
      Supporters watched in bars around the city, including a group who went wild at McCarthy’s Pub in the Old Town area from the moment Jarrod Bowen gave the team the lead in the final minute of the second half.
      West Ham fan Aaron, 18, said it felt “unreal” to win.
      “(I’ve) never felt like it in my life,” he said.
      He said his plan for the rest of the night was to “stumble back to the hotel”.
      “How we get there I don’t care,” he added.
      It came hours after West Ham fans were ambushed by Fiorentina ultras armed with chairs and metal bars in what was called an unprovoked brawl.
      Czech police said three people were injured during the incident, with one police officer being attacked.
      One witness said fans of the Italian side were armed with “chains and belt buckles”.
      There was also controversy during the match as Cristiano Biraghi of Fiorentina was seen bleeding from the back of the head after he appeared to have been hit by an object thrown from the West Ham stand.
      Read more on The Sun
      Shortly before the game ended, the English club put out a statement condemning the behaviour of a “small number of individuals”, adding: “These actions have no place in football, and do not in any way represent the values of our football club and the overwhelming majority of our supporters, who have behaved impeccably in Prague this week and throughout our last two seasons in European competition.”
      The club said it would work with police to review the incident and take action against offenders, including implementing lifetime bans.
      Celebrations were initially good-natured after the matchCredit: The Sun
      West Ham has condemned the actions of a ‘small number of individuals’Credit: The Sun
      Cops are said to have used pepper spray to stop the disturbanceCredit: The Sun
      Trouble flared in the Old Town area of the cityCredit: The Sun More

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      Former Champions League star Ishak Belfodil, 31, arrested for ‘trying to strangle his 15-year-old sister’ in France

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      A FORMER Champions League player has been arrested after allegedly trying to strangle his 15-year-old sister.Police sources said Ishak Belfodil, 31, left his sibling with strangulation marks after an argument.
      Former Champions League player Ishak Belfodil has been arrested last nightCredit: Getty
      He is being accused of allegedly trying to strangle his younger sister, 15Credit: AFP or licensors
      Her injuries did not require treatment but Belfodil was placed in police custody.
      According to information Le Parisien reported on Monday (June 5), the striker was arrested on Sunday night at his parents’ home, in the Paris region, where he was spending a few days.
      According to the French paper, cops were called 6.45pm by Belfodil’s sister, who accused the player of having wanted to strangle her.
      Upon arrival, police found strangulation marks and scratches on her arms.
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      The footballer was then questioned by police at Elancourt.
      However, it is understood the alleged victim has not filed a complaint yet, French Football Weekly and RMC Sport reported.
      The footballer will be interviewed by the investigators and the Versailles prosecutor’s office has 48 hours to decide what to do with this case.
      A forward with Qatari club Al-Gharafa, Belfodil has played 19 times for Algeria, scoring two goals since 2013, after representing France at youth level.
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      The Franco-Algerian athlete also played for Inter Milan in the 2013/14 season.
      Belfodil came through the Paris Saint-Germain youth training system but frequently changed teams during his career with 12 clubs in 13 years.
      When playing for German team Hoffenheim in 2018, the former forward stunned Man City when he opened the scoring after just 44 seconds.
      Belfodil also notably wore the colours of French club Lyon from 2009 to 2012.
      He later had spells with Parma in Italy, Standard Liege in Belgium, and other German team Hertha Berlin before joining Qatari club Al-Gharafa last year.
      Belfodil played for Italian giant Inter Milan in the 2013/14 seasonCredit: Getty
      The 31-year-old was arrested at his parents’ home after cops were called by his sisterCredit: Getty
      The 31-year-old (centre) played for German teams Hoffenheim and Hertha BerlinCredit: AP:Associated Press More

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      Tyson Fury sends message of support to boy, 11, as he comes out of coma after being hit by police van

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      BOXING champ Tyson Fury has sent a message of support to an 11-year-old boy as he comes out of a coma after being hit by a police van.Tom White was left in a critical condition when run down by the vehicle responding to a 999 call.
      Tom White, 11, was left in a critical condition after he was hit by a police vanCredit:
      Fury also pledged ‘see you soon’ to Tom, who is still in a critical conditionCredit: Getty
      After spending nearly a week on life support, Tom began waking from the coma yesterday and was moved to the high dependency unit.
      Tom’s family posted on Facebook: “Thanks to the amazing care teams, he’s now out of a coma and is in a High Dependency Unit.
      “Until he wakes up fully, we won’t know Tom’s long term outlook, only that it’ll be a very long road ahead for him.
      “The aim of this page is to flood it with celebrity videos, surrounded by positive messages of support from the community.
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      “We’re hoping that when Tom eventually wakes up, he’ll be able to see, hear and read the various messages to help motivate and inspire him on the long road ahead.
      “Thanks to all of the celebs who have taken the time to help and send us video clips.
      “Please feel free to add your own ‘You can do it Tom!’ messages so Tom can eventually see them.
      “If you can help us source any more celeb videos please get in touch! You can do it Tom!”
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      World heavyweight champ Fury said: “Keep fighting, Tom. All the best. See you soon buddy.”
      Ex-England footballer Gary Neville also sent a message to Tom, from Lancaster, saying: “I’m sending all my love and best wishes to you.”
      Tom was injured just before 8.30pm on May 25 in Lancaster, Lancs, when he was hit by a marked police Peugeot 308 hatchback.
      He was taken to the Royal Lancaster Infirmary and later transferred to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, Merseyside.
      The Independent Office for Police Conduct will be carrying out an independent investigation. More

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      Italian footballers ‘gang rape American student after meeting her in a club on night out in Milan’

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      TWO ITALIAN footballers allegedly gang-raped a student they met in a nightclub. Mattia Lucarelli, son of ex-Livorno striker Cristiano, and Federico Apolloni, are both set to face a prelimary hearing amid the investigation.
      Mattia Lucarelli is being accused of allegedly raping a 22-year-old US studentCredit: @mattialucarelli16/CEN
      Federico Apolloni (pictured) and three friends have also allegedly participated in the crimeCredit: @federicooapolloni/CEN
      They are being accused of allegedly gang-raping a 22-year-old American woman.
      The alleged crime would have taken place on the night between March 26 and 27 last year at a private apartment in Milan.
      The city’s prosecutor’s office, through magistrate Alessia Menegazzo and deputy Letizia Mannella, requested the indictment on the charge of sexual assault for the footballers, both aged 23.
      Prosecutors also requested an indictment for the three friends who participated in the alleged rape.
      Read more sport
      According to La Presse, they also coordinated a months-long investigation to reconstruct what happened that evening by using videos found on the footballers’ mobile phones.
      Italian outlet Corriere Della Sera reported the alleged victim would have been deceived after having accepted a lift from the group of boys she met at Gattopardo nightclub, in Milan’s city centre. 
      The preliminary hearing has been set by investigating judge Roberto Crepaldi for June 13.
      Apolloni, a Livorno central midfield, and Lucarelli, who plays for Serie D side Follonica, were placed under house arrest on January 20. 
      Most read in Football
      They were obliged to stay in Livorno and were not allowed to leave their homes from 8pm to 8am.
      The measure was later revoked by the Court of Review.
      Both players have strongly denied the allegations.
      Lucarelli is the son of ex-Serie A footballer CristianoCredit: @mattialucarelli16/CEN
      Lucarelli (pictured), Apolloni, and their friends have allegedly met the woman in a clubCredit: @mattialucarelli16/CEN
      Apolloni plays as a central midfield for LivornoCredit: @federicooapolloni/CEN More