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      Woman and man accused of ‘blackmailing’ top F1 racing team boss have charges dropped

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      TWO people charged with blackmailing a top F1 executive have had all charges against them discontinued.Ryan Hilton, 42, and Sarah Surita, 31, were accused of demanding cash from a former high-ranking team chief.The alleged blackmail relates to an ‘unwarranted demand of money’ in November 2014 (stock image)Credit: GettyThe alleged blackmail related to an “unwarranted demand of money” in November 2014, according to court papers.The pair had not entered pleas and yesterday the charges against them were formally discontinued in a two-minute hearing at Reading Crown Court, which neither defendant attended.Defence barrister Nadia Shabat said: “This case should not have been on the listings as the matter was discontinued.”As such, the prosecution was told they would not be required to attend.”Read More on F1Judge Amjad Nawaz confirmed: “This is a discontinuation hearing.”The matter will not be called on. The case is discontinued.”The judge did not explain why the case was called off but said he believed the decision to end proceedings was taken too late for it to be pulled from court listings.Hilton, from Maidenhead, Berkshire, had faced two counts of fraud by false representation.Most read in MotorsportHe was also charged with stalking without fear, alarm or distress relating to “repeated social media posts of a derogatory nature”.Surita, 31, who also uses the surname Westbury and lives in Slough, faced one charge of fraud by false representation.Cost of an F1 carIt is understood they were set to deny the charges.The Crown Prosecution Service was invited to comment on why the charges were dropped.At a hearing earlier this year held at East Berkshire magistrates’ court in Slough, the pair, understood to have been charged in January, were released on bail — but ordered not to contact their alleged victim.The court heard they denied making threats or that their actions amounted to blackmail.They also claim the alleged victim’s complaint to the police was inaccurate, it was said. More

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      Scotland & Man Utd ace Scott McTominay’s fiancee’s investment firm being probed by ‘fraud cops’ as star faces £1m loss

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      COPS are investigating an alleged “investment fraud” that left Scott McTominay facing a £1million loss.The Scotland idol invested in a failed firm run by fiancée Cameron Reading and her dad Ashley.Cops are investigating an alleged investment fraud that left Scott McTominay facing significant lossesCredit: Kenny RamsayThe failed firm was run by Cameron Reading and her dad AshleyCredit: InstagramBoyzone star Shane Lynch was reportedly an investor in the firmCredit: PA:Press AssociationTOWIE’s Mario Falcone allegedly gave money to Fortress Capital PartnersCredit: GettyFortress Capital Partners went bust in September last year.The firm owed £18million and left 230 people out of pocket.It reportedly borrowed money from investors including Boyzone star Shane Lynch and Mario Falcone from TOWIE, then lent it out at higher interest rates.It has now emerged the firm is the subject of a probe by officers at the Metropolitan Police.The force said: “We can confirm that officers from the Met’s Economic Crime Team are investigating allegations of fraud made to police on 10 November 2023 following a referral from Action Fraud.”There have been no arrests. Enquiries are ongoing.”The Readings splashed out millions on luxury investment properties in the UK, Dubai and Spain. McTominay, 27, lent Fortress £1million to buy one in Portugal.Most read in FootballThe footie star now stands to get back just £100,000 after administrators confirmed investors are expected to get just 10p of every £1 they put in.One investor told of their anger over Reading’s social media posts flaunting her “luxury lifestyle”.Man United’s Scott McTominay faces losing nearly £1million after investing in a failed firm run by his fianceThey told the Sun on Sunday: “There is a photo of Cam blowing a kiss with a glass of Champagne at a Claridge’s hotel room with Scott. It really rubs salt in the wound for those of us who’ve lost our life savings or face losing their homes.”There’s another pic from Instagram of Ashley, his wife, Cam and her sister. They always seemed to be going on holiday. At one point, they were in Dubai for months and months.”Cameron has been forced to sell properties in Dubai and Spain to help settle her debts.She was approached for comment by The Scottish Sun. More

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      Sheffield United may have to return £10MILLION to Nigerian businessman charged with fraud in the USA

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      SHEFFIELD UNITED face having to pay back £10million pumped into the club by a Nigerian businessman who failed to buy the Premier League strugglers last year.The cash-strapped Blades have been warned by lawyers they will have to return £8.85m plus interest if Dozy Mmobuosi is found guilty of fraud charges made against him in the United States.A legal case across the pond could prove costly for Sheffield UnitedCredit: GettyDozy Mmobuosi is at the centre of fraud charges, having previously tried to buy the Blades as well as showing interest in other Prem clubsThe cash blow comes with Chris Wilder’s side on the brink of relegation from the Prem, which would cost them £100m.Lawyers warned: “Should the charges prove to be accurate, up to £8,850,000 plus interest could potentially be recovered from the club.”No date has been set for the trial.Mmobuosi, 45, disappeared from his luxurious London home in January after US authorities charged him with securities fraud, making false filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and conspiracy following an FBI investigation.READ MORE TOP STORIESMmobuosi, who had also shown interest in investing in Crystal Palace and Southampton, was touted as a potential saviour for the Blades after he was linked to a £115m takeover bid.He agreed terms with United’s owner Prince Abdullah and said he paid the cash as a deposit.But the EFL asked him and the club to answer further questions.Talks then broke down between the Prince and the African businessman.Most read in FootballThe Blades return to Prem action after the international break at home to Fulham.But the bottom side face a huge task to stay up as they are eight points from safety.Shaun Custis and Martin Lipton discuss the possibility of Manchester United going for Gareth Southgate as their new boss More

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      in Soccer

      Alex Scott sends warning to fans over FAKE Instagram accounts being made in her name as she blasts ‘annoying scam’

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      ALEX SCOTT sent a warning to her fans over FAKE Instagram accounts being made in her name and blasted the “annoying scam”. The ex-Arsenal and England star insisted she has just one Insta handle and urged followers to ignore any others posing as her.
      Alex Scott sent a warning to her fans over FAKE Instagram accounts being made in her nameCredit: @alexscott2
      She blasted the ‘annoying scam’Credit: @alexscott2
      Speaking on her verified @alexscott2 account, she said: “I’m getting quite a lot of messages – thank you for actually sending me the messages.
      “I keep having fake IG accounts made in my name which is so annoying because I keep having to go and report them and they put up another one.
      “So just to let you all know that I only have one real IG account. The one which has a blue tick – wahey – so you know it’s me.
      “I don’t have any ones the side, no ones for family and friends, just the one.
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      “So please don’t follow or press the link that it says to buy my book on those other ones because it’s all a scam. Scam, scam, scam.
      “So just wanted to let you all know. And thanks for all sending me the messages to let me know that these people keep trying to do this, which is so annoying.”
      Scott released her book, How (Not) To Be Strong, in 2022 and it chronicles her life and career.
      The former footballer – who made 140 international appearances with 12 goals – retired in 2017.
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      She has since moved into presenting and punditry and in 2021 made history as the first first full-time female host of Football Focus.
      Scott also recently went public with partner Jess Glynne and the happy couple holidayed in Mexico.
      The pair are believed to have been officially dating since November.
      The former footballer moved into presenting and punditry after retirementCredit: The Mega Agency
      Scott shared snaps from her romantic getaway with singer Jess GlynneCredit: instagram
      The pair are believed to have been officially dating since NovemberCredit: Alex Scott/instagram More

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      in Soccer

      £550m Everton takeover could be OFF as US ‘investigates buyers over money laundering allegations’

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      A US Department of Justice prosecutor’s investigation could kill off the planned £550m Everton takeover by 777 Partners.Nicolas Roos, as assistant attorney in the Southern District of New York, is understood to be probing money-laundering allegations against the Miami-based company.
      Everton’s buy-out could now be uncertainCredit: Getty
      While 777 Partners have robustly denied all allegations against them, the launch of a formal investigation would allow Premier League chiefs to block the deal on the spot.
      New rules, introduced unanimously by the 20 top-flight clubs in March, granted the League “the power to stop” potential club bosses who are “under investigation for conduct that would result in a ‘Disqualifying Event’ if proven”.
      Those ‘Disqualifying Events’ now include “violence, corruption, fraud and tax evasion”. It doesn’t augur well.
      Farhad Moshiri agreed in September to sell his 94% stake in Everton to 777 Partners.
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      And the 12-week timeline initially given for that sale is now up.
      But before news of the US investigation the Toffees were still confident the deal could be completed by Christmas.
      The Prem are currently putting 777 co-owners Josh Wander and Steven Pasko through the Owners and Directors’ Test.
      Everton are already reeling from having ten points deducted for a single breach of Prem financial rules.
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      That means Sean Dyche’s men will enter Thursday’s home clash with Newcastle in the relegation zone.
      But Dwight McNeil’s fine goal last Saturday clinched the Toffees’ 1-0 at Nottingham Forest, their first victory since that points penalty. More

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      in Soccer

      Shakira’s lawyer blames ex PIQUE for £7m tax fraud bill & says she’d have saved a fortune if she fell for Ramos instead

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      SHAKIRA’S lawyer has blamed Gerard Pique for her tax woes – and said she would have saved £100million by dating his rival star Sergio Ramos instead.Pau Molins said her 11-year romance with the retired Barcelona footballer led to her facing six tax fraud charges instead of three.
      Shakira’s lawyer Pau Molins blamed Pique for her £7million tax fraud billCredit: Getty
      He said the pop star would have saved millions of pounds dating Sergio Ramos insteadCredit: Instagram @sergioramos
      The Colombian singer arrived at Barcelona’s court with her lawyer Pau MolinsCredit: AFP
      After finalising a plea deal yesterday, the lawyer claimed Spain’s tax laws are not fair to everyone.
      He said residents in Madrid – where Ramos played for Real – do not pay wealth tax.
      But those living in Catalonia, where Shakira lived with Barca ace Pique, are required to pay wealth tax.
      In turn, if Shakira had lived with Madrid-based Ramos, she would have saved around £100million due to the Real player not residing in an area where a wealth tax is paid.
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      Currently, Andalucia and Madrid are the only regions in Spain where wealth tax is exempt.
      Speaking on the singer’s relationship with Pique, Molins said: “Shakira’s infatuation has cost her 120million euros.
      “If she had fallen in love with Sergio Ramos instead of Gerard Pique, it would have cost her a lot less”.
      He went on to add: “They go on about the equality of all Spaniards, but it turns out that if you’re resident in Catalonia you can go to jail for a crime they couldn’t imprison you for in Madrid.”
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      He claimed this boiled down to the fact that there was no wealth tax in the Spanish capital.
      Molins also insisted he had wanted to go to trial, saying: “I thought we could have won,” but said Shakira had decided to make a deal.
      He went on to defend his client, claiming: “With international artists, it’s very difficult.
      “Where do they live if they spend all their lives travelling? In 2011 Shakira did a world tour and visited 74 countries.
      “It’s very complicated to determine where they should pay their taxes.”
      Shakira admitted six counts of tax fraud yesterday at a court in Barcelona and agreed to pay £7million in a deal to dodge a lengthy eight-year prison sentence.
      She said she accepted the charges for the sake of her sons Milan, ten, and Sasha, 8, and so she can move on with her career.
      In a statement issued through her representatives, Shakira said her lawyers were confident she would win the case but she opted to avoid a trial that would likely span several months.
      The singer said: “Throughout my career, I have always strived to do what’s right and set a positive example for others.
      “While I was determined to defend my innocence in a trial that my lawyers were confident would have ruled in my favour, I have decided to finally resolve this matter with the best interest of my kids at heart who do not want to see their mom sacrifice her well-being in this fight.
      “I need to move past the stress and emotional toll of the last several years and focus on the things I love – my kids and all the opportunities to come in my career, including my upcoming world tour and my new album, both of which I am extremely excited about.
      “I admire tremendously those who have fought these injustices to the end, but for me, today, winning is getting my time back for my kids and my career.”
      The prosecution case is centred on whether Shakira was a resident of Spain or the Bahamas between the start of 2012 and the end of 2014.
      She claimed she was a resident in the Bahamas between the three years in dispute – and says she shouldn’t have been considered a Spanish resident for tax purposes, despite starting to date her ex Gerard Pique in 2010.
      Her court trial, due to last until December 20 over 12 sessions, did not go ahead as a result of the plea bargain deal.
      Judge Manuel del Amo confirmed in open court after hearing the singer’s guilty plea that in light of the agreement, he was handing her a three-year prison sentence – six months for each of the six counts of tax fraud she had admitted to.
      He then added her prison time would be replaced by a fine.
      Earlier this year it emerged Shakira is also facing a separate tax probe in Spain, and is running separately to the case that went to trial on Monday.
      Officials confirmed in July a court near Barcelona had agreed to investigate her at the request of state prosecutors for suspected 2018 tax breaches.
      The wealth tax in Spain is an annual tax payable on the total net value of assets held on December 31.
      Spanish tax residents pay tax on their worldwide assets.
      Shakira arrived in Barcelona last weekend from Miami ahead of her performance at the annual Latin Grammys in Seville on Thursday where she scooped up three awards.
      Spain football star Ramos handed her an award at the ceremony – where she took a brutal swipe at Pique in her acceptance speech.
      She returned to Barcelona with her brother Tonino, assistant Lili Melgar, and her two children and spent the weekend at her old family mansion in nearby Espluges de Llobregat.
      Shakira said she struck the last-minute deal for her children
      Shakira celebrates at the Latin Grammys with sons Milan and Sasha More

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      in Soccer

      Piers Morgan calls out ‘total fraud’ Erik ten Hag and issues damning reminder of Man Utd transfer decision

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      PIERS MORGAN labelled Erik ten Hag a “total fraud” after reminding Manchester United of Cristiano Ronaldo’s sizzling form.Morgan pointed out old boy Ronaldo has netted 43 times this year – whereas Ten Hag’s Red Devils are struggling for form and goals.
      Erik ten Hag faced more criticism from Piers Morgan over Cristiano Ronaldo’s exit after Man Utd’s 3-0 home defeat against neighbours CityCredit: Getty
      Ex-United striker Ronaldo has been in hot scoring form for Al-NassrCredit: Getty
      Sunday’s 3-0 home humbling by Manchester City was United’s fifth defeat in ten Premier League games this season.
      The Red Devils are only eighth after scoring just 11 Prem goals.
      And Ronaldo’s latest successor Rasmus Hojlund has so far drawn a total blank in the league – just like Wout Weghorst did.
      Hojlund is goalless from seven Prem matches despite United paying Atalanta £72million for the 20-year-old in the summer.
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      Last season’s surprise loanee Weghorst ended up with no goals in 17 league games.
      Sun columnist Morgan posted: “As Manchester United get humiliated by City at home, a reminder that Erik Ten Hag drove @Cristiano out of the club and said he’d lose no sleep over it… and that the same @Cristiano has since scored 43 goals for club & country this year.
      “The guy’s a total fraud.”
      Many fans agreed with the talkSPORT presenter and Arsenal fan, whose interview with Ronaldo last November eventually led to the superstar’s departure over New Year.
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      But others reckon a bigger factor is the long-term issue of the club’s owners, the Glazers.
      Five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ron, 38, is on fire for his Saudi club Al-Nassr as well as reaching 127 goals from 203 games for Portugal.
      One supporter posted: “Thank you for your reminder Piers” and another added: “Ronaldo deserves an apology from Eric Ten Hag”.
      “Total fraud, I agree,” said a third.
      A fourth fan compared Ron’s falling out with Ten Hag to that of an England winger currently frozen out by the same manager.
      That supporter wrote: “Cristiano Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho were right.”
      One observer said of Ten Hag: “He has this overhyped ego…he is still waiting for apologies from Sancho.”
      But some fans took a deeper look at United’s problems.
      Such views included: “As long as the owners are the same and Ten Hag is the coach, the dream theatre team will never wake up.”
      But a few fans questioned whether Ron should ever have come back in August 2021 for his 16-month second spell at Old Trafford.
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      One said: “Ronaldo’s return was the worst thing to happen.”
      And another argued: “Ole (Gunnar Solskjaer) agreed. It destabilized the team Ole had built. I stand on this.”
      Morgan feels Ten Hag should rue Ron leaving more than everCredit: The Mega Agency More

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      Fraudster conned football charity out of £200K and used the cash to fly to Qatar for World Cup

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      A FRAUDSTER who conned a football charity out of £200,000 used the cash to fly to Qatar to follow England at the World Cup.Fraser White, 24, splurged £7,000 of his loot on designer clothes and posed for photos with a Three Lions banner.
      Fraser White conned a football charity out of £200,000 and used the cash to fly to Qatar to follow England at the World Cup
      White was jailed for 32 months at Reading crown court
      He attended qualifier matches in Malta, Spain and Italy — and shared photos of his travels, including at Qatar’s Lusail Stadium during the tournament in December 2022.
      As director of a youth academy, he used his ­knowledge of the industry to defraud the Football Foundation, the UK’s biggest sports charity.
      He made 34 false grant applications claiming to be for nine real clubs across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire between June 2020 and February 2023.
      White bought subscriptions for computer programs to create forged documents with false aliases and he set up ten different bank accounts.

      Prosecutor Jack Walsh said he applied for £231,038 and obtained £199,433 — all of which he had spent.
      The Football Foundation told a court it was oversubscribed for grants to help save clubs after Covid so some missed out because of the fraud.
      White, of Maidenhead, Berks, ran the All Star Football Academy in the town and worked as a ticketing executive at Reading FC.
      He admitted what the judge called a “well-planned and sophisticated fraud” and was jailed for 32 months at Reading crown court.
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