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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

    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.
    Read More on Sport
    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.
    Most read in Football
    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

    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.
    Read More on West Ham
    “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.
    Most read in Europa League
    “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

    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.
    Read more sport
    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.
    Most read in Football
    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

    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.
    READ MORE TYSON FURY
    “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!”
    Most read in Boxing
    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’

    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

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    Sunderland star Jack Diamond appears in court charged with rape and sexual assault

    SUNDERLAND star Jack Diamond has today appeared in court charged with rape and sexual assault.The 23-year-old is accused of attacking a woman on two separate occasions at a home in Tyne and Wear.
    Jack Diamond, pictured in court previously, denied sexual assaultCredit: NCJMedia
    Diamond has been suspended from SunderlandCredit: Getty
    Diamond appeared at Newcastle Crown Court today where he denied one count of sexual assault.
    The winger did not enter a plea to the one count of rape he is also charged with.
    A provisional trial date was set for January 2, 2024, with Diamond released on bail.
    The alleged offences are said to have taken place between May 6 and May 9 last year.
    Read more on Sunderland
    Diamond was on loan at League One club Lincoln City, who have since terminated his contract, when he was charged.
    The forward has also been suspended from Sunderland while the criminal case continues.
    A spokesperson said: “Sunderland AFC has been notified that criminal charges have been brought against Jack Diamond by the Crown Prosecution Service.
    “The player has been suspended with immediate effect, pending the outcome of the judicial process, and his loan agreement at Lincoln City Football Club has also been terminated.
    Most read in Football
    “As this matter is subject to a legal process, the club will not be making any further statement at this time.”
    Diamond made 45 appearances for Sunderland including when they won the Papa John’s Trophy at Wembley in 2021.
    He scored eight times in 36 matches for League One club Lincoln last season.
    His rep previously released a statement, saying: “Jack Diamond strenuously denies the allegations which have been made against him.
    “Jack is looking forward to clearing his name in court.”
    Diamond his contract terminated at Lincoln where he was on loanCredit: Getty More

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    Footie fan on the run for 20 years over brutal racist attack brought to justice

    A FOOTBALL fan on the run for 20 years over a racist attack has finally been brought to justice.Gordon Colquhoun, 39, battered Dale Clark after Celtic beat Liverpool 3-1 in the 2003 Uefa Cup quarter-finals.
    Football fan Gordon Colquhoun has been brought to justice after 20 years on the run over a racist attackCredit: Supplied
    He left the victim with a split lip and black eye in the attack in Bracknell, Berks.
    Colquhoun asked Mr Clark “are you English” before laying into him with a friend.
    Prosecutor Sarita Basra said: “An ambulance was called but just after the assault they continued to shout abuse.”
    Colquhoun admitted his guilt to the police.
    READ MORE BEAUTIFUL GAME
    But he evaded justice by going into hiding in Scotland in 2004.
    Reading Crown Court heard his co-defendant had been convicted over the racially-aggravated assault soon after the attack.
    Although the race-hate assault case was abandoned, he has now been given 21 days behind bars for failing to surrender.
    Passing sentence at Reading crown court, Judge Sarah Campbell said: “You are now a grown man and have had nearly 20 years in effect to resolve the situation but you have chosen not to do so.
    Most read in Football
    “You buried your head in the sand.” More

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    British boxing legend quizzed by cops after ex-pal’s £80k car’s tyres were slashed

    BOXING legend Carl Froch has been quizzed after tyres on an ex-pal’s £80,000 car were slashed.The former unified super-middleweight world champ was snapped arriving at a police station for questioning.
    Carl Froch has been quizzed after tyres on an ex-pal’s £80,000 car were slashedCredit: Pinnacle
    The former boxer pictured at the police station in NottinghamCredit: Andy Kelvin / Kelvinmedia
    Cops want to know if he was the man who used a knife to pierce the front and rear passenger-side tyres of a Range Rover Sport.
    The vehicle was attacked at 10.30am on May 16 in the car park of the upmarket Nottinghamshire Golf and Country Club in Cotgrave.
    Witnesses are understood to have seen a man on a red £24,000 Ducati Diavel V4 park up and slash the tyres of the 4×4, causing £600 of damage.
    CCTV shows the individual then climb back on board the motorbike and roar off.
    Read More on Carl Froch
    At no point did the knifeman remove his cycle helmet.
    The Sun understands Froch, 45, accompanied by a lawyer, gave cops a short statement on Sunday evening denying he caused the criminal damage.
    The Nottingham-born dad of two, awarded an MBE, is a keen biker and was pictured on social media earlier this month doing promotional work for Ducati.
    He was said to have been handed a brand new red Ducati to test drive as part of his deal with the motor firm.
    Most read in Boxing
    Froch retired in 2015 after winning 33 of his 35 fights.
    His agent and police were approached for comment. More