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    ‘Stop this atrocity’ – Boxing sensation aged 12 has pro debut CANCELLED as WBC president personally intervenes

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      in Boxing

      Dave Allen is the ex-supply teacher turned boxer who overcame gambling addiction to become heroic fans’ favourite

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      DAVE ALLEN has lived several lives, from supply school teacher to gambling addict and now, thankfully, a beloved boxing star. Allen started as an amateur aged 16 and had just ten bouts before turning professional in 2012 – snubbing the chance to join the GB Squad. Dave Allen opened up on his gambling addiction, which he has bravely overcomeCredit: First Round TVHe was 20 when he made his debut but only three years later Allen had only fought seven times and was in need of cash. The heavyweight made ends meet as a sparring partner – earning around £500 a week – but it was not enough. So he got a job as a supply teacher – lying on his CV to get the gig – before returning to the ring in 2015. But by then, Allen was gripped by a horrific gambling addiction which started after making a £1 bet on the horses with his dad when he was just eight. READ MORE IN BOXINGAnd after being introduced to online betting, the boxer’s life began to spiral. He bravely said on ex-middleweight champion Darren Barker’s podcast: “It just snowballed really. “I used to go to the bookies and play on the machines there, they were great times.”But the online stuff is where it got bad for me because it was so easy, it was numbers on the screen. Most read in Boxing”Probably at the worst? It’s difficult to say really. I wasn’t gambling that much in my early 20s, but I was gambling everything that I had. “As I got a bit older, I was gambling way more, tens of thousands of pounds. Maybe into hundreds of thousands overall.”John Fisher opens up on his son’s brutal fight against Dave Allen after he needed brain scan Allen – who has sparred Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk – said winning the bets was the route of his addiction not the cash. He explained: “I have no interest in the money at all. “The kind of gambler I am, it’s not about the money for me. When the money runs out, that’s the only issue.”I never wanted to withdraw any money, I just wanted to keep winning. To be honest, at that time it was like an escapism from real life.”Allen revealed his routine consisted of going to bed at 6am and waking up by 2pm to catch the first race of the day. Fortunately, Allen has overcome his addiction with the help of his sister and wife, who he shares a son and daughter with. As I got a bit older, I was gambling way more, tens of thousands of pounds. Maybe into hundreds of thousands overall.Dave Allen He said: “Since I was 26, I’ve not been in control of my own money. “So at 26, I said to my sister, ‘You’re going to have to look after my money, to be honest.'”My sister set me up a bank account and for the last seven and a half years if I want any money at all, I have to text my sister and now my missus, I get a card and they send me money.”Because, if I could still gamble now, I think I would. I’ve spent mad money on mad s***, I was spending ridiculous money and when I boxed Luis Ortiz, I did it for the money, really.”I think I owed a few quid at the time of the Dillian Whyte fight, I think I lost about eight grand on the day of the fight, I didn’t clear too much more than that really.”Allen has also become a trainer and manager to young fighters to also keep himself on track. He said: “I need it as much as them, start training the kids seven or eight years ago and that’s my sustainability really. ‘He’ll get knocked out'”It’s really kept me on the straight and narrow.”Allen initially retired from boxing in 2020 aged 28 after a brutal knockout loss to 2008 Olympic bronze medallist David Price.But he returned a year later and has fought eight times since, remaining a hugely popular figure amongst British fans. Allen, 33, is coming off a controversial split-decision loss to Johnny Fisher, 26, in Saudi Arabia last December. But the pair now rematch on Saturday at Fisher’s adopted home of the Copper Box Arena. And Allen – who dropped Fisher in round five – warned: “If he fights me May 17th he’ll get knocked out because I’ll be sharper, a little bit fitter.Read More on The Sun”If he boxes me it will be hard work, of course it is. But I don’t think at the Copper Box he’ll hold it together and box. “He’ll get in a fight at some point. I’m not the biggest puncher but I hit too hard for him and I’m too strong for him. He’s tough, though.”Johnny Fisher controversially beat Dave Allen on pointsCredit: ReutersThey rematch at the Copper BoxCredit: PA More

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      in Soccer

      Chelsea hand start to Reggie Walsh, 16, who is doing his GCSEs and becomes youngest debutant in 58 years vs Djurgarden

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      CHELSEA have handed a start to a 16-YEAR-OLD doing his GCSEs against Djurgarden.Reggie Walsh was named alongside the likes of Reece James, Jadon Sancho and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.Reggie Walsh was named in the starting XI for Chelsea against DjurgardenCredit: PAHe made a sub-appearance in the first legCredit: GettyWalsh, 16 years and 200 days, is currently in Year 11 at school and is the Blues’ youngest debutant since Ian Hamilton in 1967.The midfielder is currently in the middle of his GCSEs and may have had to skip out on some revision in order to play.Manager Enzo Maresca has spoken about the decision to hand the dream start to the teenager.The Italian claimed that Walsh has “something” and is confident in his ability.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLHe said: “His talent is very good.”Technique is fantastic. I really like him. Between the lines is good, you can see immediately he has something.”For sure at 17, 18, he needs to work hard and continue. I like also the personality, he’s worked with us during the season.”He’s not shy, he’s asking for the ball, he’s shouting and talking. I like it, he’s a good player.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSChelsea went into the Conference League semi-final second leg in a strong position.The West London outfit romped to a 4-1 win against the Swedish side at the 3Arena last week.Enzo Fernandez and Noni Madueke lead Chelsea’s dressing room celebrations after win over LiverpoolIn the first leg, Walsh made his European debut as he came on as a late sub for Tyrique George.The Blues took a four-goal lead in the match through Sancho, Noni Madueke and a brace from Nicolas Jackson.However, the minnows did get one back through Isak Alemayehu Mulugeta in the 68th minute.Former Chelsea star Joe Cole asked Maresca about Walsh on TNT Sports.Maresca claimed that the youngster “almost had the quality” of Cole as he sang his praises. More

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      in Athletics

      ‘This is not even fair’ – Olympic legend and third fastest woman of all time DEMOLISHES parents at school sports day

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      OLYMPIC legend Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce brilliantly demolished the field as she took part in a parents’ race.The Jamaican icon won 100m Olympic golds in the Beijing and London Games.Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce demolished the field at a local sports dayCredit: INSTAGRAM @_suediamondFraser-Pryce, 38, is one of the greatest sprinters of all timeCredit: ReutersFraser-Pryce remains the third-fastest woman of all time, having recorded a 10.6 second 100m dash.Now 38, the sprint star remains incredibly quick.Attending her seven-year-old son Zyon’s sports day, Fraser-Pryce had no qualms about leaving the other racers in her wake.Remarkable footage shows the eight-time Olympic medalist speeding away from the modest competition.READ MORE IN SPORTResponding to the clip, one fan wrote: “This is not even fair.”While a second gushed: “How cool is that!”And another added: “She had to do that, would be a shame to waste the talent.”This was not the first time that Fraser-Pryce has competed at her son’s sports day.Most read in AthleticsBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKAmazing footage also surfaced of her demolishing the field in 2023.Fraser-Pryce has continued to compete following Zyon’s birth in 2017.Video of Olympic sprint legend joining in parents’ race at her boy’s school sports day emergesShe won silver in the 100m sprint at Tokyo 2020, while also taking home gold in the 4x100m relay.The Team Jamaica legend competed at Paris 2024, in what she confirmed would be her final Games.Having come second in her heat, Fraser-Pryce was forced to withdraw from her semi-final due to injury.Last week, Fraser-Pryce posted a minute-long Instagram video with some of her brilliant highlights.She captioned the post: “Time will honor your greatness – 2025.”While the clip finished with the phrase: “Unfinished business.”Per NBC Sports, 2025 is set to be Fraser-Pryce’s final season.Fraser-Pryce is a Jamaican sprinting legendCredit: Getty More

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      in Soccer

      Model pupil Ethan Nwaneri handed in HOMEWORK on morning after Arsenal debut and scored 98 per cent on maths test

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      ETHAN NWANERI is not one for unnecessary fuss or over-the-top celebrations.Less than 24 hours after becoming the Prem’s youngest player – making his Arsenal debut on Sunday September 18, 2022 aged 15 years and 181 days off the bench at Brentford – he was handing in GCSE English homework at St John’s Senior School in Enfield.Arsenal wonderkid Ethan Nwaneri continues to focus on schoolCredit: GettyArsenal’s Nwaneri scored 98 per cent in a maths’ test for his school entrance examsCredit: Jamie McPhilimeyNwaneri handed in GCSE English homework right after his historic Arsenal debutCredit: Jamie McPhilimeyNwaneri spent time diligently studying in hotel rooms alongside Myles Lewis-SkellyCredit: GettyTeacher Elle Bewley revealed: “I’m not joking, he just walked into school on Monday, gave me his homework, sat down and got on with it. No discussion, no distraction. Nothing.”So, it is no surprise that Nwaneri will not be celebrating his 18th birthday on Friday like any normal teenager would. Instead, he is part of Lee Carsley’s England Under-21 camp taking on France in Lorient.The Hale End wonderboy – already with eight goals across all competitions in his breakthrough season under boss Mikel Arteta – is now technically a man.This landmark day also means he can finally get changed in the same dressing room as Arsenal’s seniors at the Emirates and their London Colney training base – safeguarding restrictions prevented him from doing so until now.Read More on ArsenalBut those that know Nwaneri best will tell you he has been a wise old head on young shoulders for some time, such is his eye-catching maturity and humble personality.It is assumed he gets that from his father, a guiding figure in his life on and off the pitch so far.At the Under-17 European Championships in Hungary back in May 2023, Nwaneri spent time diligently studying in hotel rooms – alongside pal and fellow academy grad Myles Lewis-Skelly – for his GCSE exams as his father had warned that education comes before football.At St John’s, he would ask teachers for extra revision papers to take home. For a GCSE English spoken language project, he avoided basing it on football, instead researching and presenting it on conspiracy theories.Most read in FootballJoin SUN CLUB for the Arsenal Files every Friday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from The EmiratesHis speciality was mathematics, scoring 98 per cent in his school entrance exams. His headteacher Alexander Tardios commented: “He is a very academic boy. He could have easily ended up at King’s College or UCL.”Nwaneri would order Ubers from London Colney back to his school to ensure he did not miss any tests.Ethan Nwaneri’s rise at Arsenal under Mikel Arteta’s guiseAnd on days off, Nwaneri would have childhood friend Lewis-Skelly – who lived nearby – cycle over so they could get in some extra training.Even now, as a first-team regular, he has remained down-to-earth. After training, he is often seen waiting in the car park to be picked up while his team-mates drive off in luxury sports cars.Nwaneri was first introduced to the Arsenal fans as an eight-year-old in May 2015 when the Under-9s were paraded around the pitch at half-time of a 4-1 Premier League victory over West Brom.I’m not joking, he just walked into school on Monday, gave me his homework, sat down and got on with it. No discussion, no distraction. Nothing.Nwaneri’s teacher, after his Arsenal debutFour-and-a-half years later, a 12-year-old Nwaneri was on the radar of newly-appointed manager Arteta. The Spaniard asked academy coach Dan Micciche for videos of his progress.Soon, Nwaneri was training with boys much his senior, scoring on his Arsenal Under-18s debut aged 14 having played for the Under-14s aged 12.He was also encouraged to play in numerous positions to enhance his development, toughen him up: No10, a left-sided No8, a centre-forward and winger.’Continues to develop’Ex-Arsenal midfielder Steve Morrow was the Gunners’ head of youth development when Nwaneri arrived at Hale End after a brief stint in Chelsea’s youth set-up.Morrow told SunSport: “We always had that philosophy that the players needed to be at a level where they were being more challenged than their actual age group.“The traits that he had from 11 and 12 years old, you still see. That balance, that drop of the shoulder, that power, that acceleration. How he is so direct as well.“It’s incredible how all those super-strengths that he had have continued to develop.Arsenal ratings vs ChelseaARSENAL collected three points at the Emirates with a comfortable display as they fight to keep their fading title hopes alive.“Going down to Hale End and watching him on a Sunday, he was scoring goals for fun every week with pure skill and intelligence and technique, not just physical qualities.“He didn’t always play wide, he often played centrally. That really helped his development because it gave him spacial awareness of what was going on around him.Seizing his chance“It is quite rare for young players to be such good decision-makers. He had it early and you can see it today. Ethan can go as far as he wishes.“Sometimes you see players that you think have similar levels of talent but it’s always the ones that have the right attitude, character and focus, the ones who are brave and able to deal with disappointments, who make it.”At the end of his scholarship year in the summer of 2023, he was linked with a move back to Chelsea, with Manchester United and Manchester City also sniffing around, but eventually committed to the club with his first senior contract signed in March 2024.It has paid off, seizing his chance with Bukayo Saka out for three months this term following hamstring surgery in December, shining both in the Prem and the Champions League so far.It is quite rare for young players to be such good decision-makers. He had it early and you can see it today. Ethan can go as far as he wishes.Steve MorrowCurrent Under-18s coach Adam Birchall said: “We treated him like any other person. And the parents were outstanding in understanding the importance of that.“That’s such a key thing, because it really helped in values — in everything, as people.READ MORE SUN STORIES“What I’ve seen throughout is [Nwaneri’s] application to be the best he can be, that mentality, just being relentless.“That’s what being a Strong Young Gunner is all about — that real strength as a person and understanding yourself to be able to go into that environment.” More

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      in Boxing

      Derek Chisora reveals new rivalry with childhood pal Anthony Joshua despite pair never considering fighting each other

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      DEREK CHISORA loves Anthony Joshua too much to fight him – but he wants to flatten him at the school sports day.The fearless 41-year-old warhorse adopted AJ as a little brother when he spotted him coming through Finchley ABC almost 20 years ago.Derek Chisora loves Anthony Joshua too much to fight himCredit: Richard Pelham / The SunJoshua has a close bond with fellow boxing star ChisoraCredit: GettyChisora is not planning to fight Joshua any time soonCredit: ReutersJoshua, now 35, was a tear-up loving teenage bricklayer teetering on the edge of a life of crime, while Chisora was a Zimbabwean mummy’s boy struggling to fit in anywhere.The pair bonded and – despite incredible records of fighting almost all of the best giants of this era – have never entertained the idea of a mega-money fight between themselves.But now Del’s 10-year-old daughter Angelina and the London 2012 legend’s heir JJ are at the some North London primary school, mentoring and compassion have been subbed off for teasing and competition.Ahead of his 49th professional bout with Otto Wallin on Saturday, Chisora revealed: “I wind AJ up because our kids go to the same school and I tell him they’re organising a dads’ race for sports day.Read More on Boxing“I call AJ and say, ‘It’s sports day – make sure you’re coming!’ I’m serious.“He hasn’t been for the last few but I say, ‘Bro, it’s sports day, you’re coming’.”A fleet of luxury cars belonging to the British ring heroes, as well as JLS star Marvin Humes and comedian David Walliams, drop their kids off to the same posh school.It’s unlikely any of the sporting icons or celebrities use the local bus service.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSBut 18st hulk Chisora reckons the parents could be in for a shock if they spot him or his boxing-addicted protege hanging about for public transport near the school gates.“Boxing is an addictive sport,” he said with his 50th and final fight looming. I don’t care what you say – it’s a drug sport, it’s like heroin.My champagne lunch date with Derek Chisora turned into a naked chat in a Russian sauna as he was whipped with leaves“You go to the amateur gym for the first time and all of a sudden you’re waiting for the bus shadow boxing.“And people say, ‘What the f*** is wrong with you?’ Every fighter does it, all the greatest fighters do it.“You know who the biggest shadow boxer in the world is? Anthony Joshua.“That mother f***er cannot have a conversation without jumping up and shadow boxing and I’m the same around my house.“People wonder what the f*** we are doing and tell us just to chill out.”Another thing the North London pair have in common is decision defeats to Ukraine’s undisputed heavyweight king Oleksandr Usyk.Oleksandr Usyk ‘gives PTSD’The 38-year-old Brit basher knocked Tony Bellew spark out, outpointed Chisora, left AJ in tears after back-to-back schoolings, broke Daniel Dubois with a jab and just retired Tyson Fury with two dominant displays.There is something utterly maverick about the God-fearing gap-toothed southpaw, who wears a giant Greek Orthodox cross under his latest Stone Island jumper.And, after 12 hard rounds and a couple of London sauna sessions together, Chisora can explain it better than anyone.“That Ukrainian guy gives you PTSD,” he said“He made my young brother cry on the stage, he made Tyson Fury retire. Nobody can deal with him.“I sat down with him a couple of weeks ago. I asked him where he lives now, he said: ‘Ukraine. Yesterday my security told me to go in the bomb shelter but I said ‘no’. Rockets are flying past my house but me, I sleep’.READ MORE SUN STORIES“When he’s telling me this story, I ask myself, ‘What do you have to have to beat him?’ The guy is lying down and rockets are flying past his house.“While you’re in your big house in Knightsbridge where the only problem you have is taxis beeping outside your door. How do you beat a guy like that? You have to have craziness.”How AJ punched his way to the topANTHONY JOSHUA punched his way to the top of the world before being knocked off his perch. More

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      in Soccer

      Young Newcastle fan, 9, caught skipping school after being caught on camera at Carabao Cup

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      A YOUNG Toon fan skipped school to attend the cup clash at Arsenal after his mum told teachers he was ill – only to be caught on camera celebrating Newcastle’s win.Sammy Scott, nine, was desperate to travel to London with dad Mark for the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg.Sammy Scott was desperate to see the Carabao Cup semi with dad Mark — so mum Claire told his school he was illCredit: NNPBut Sky Sports picked out Sammy screaming after Anthony Gordon scored in the 2-0 first-leg winSo mum Claire, 40, told his school he was poorly which allowed him to miss lessons and head south for the crucial game on Tuesday evening.But they landed in hot water when Sky cameras picked out jubilant Sammy clenching his fists and screaming in delight after Anthony Gordon grabbed the winner in the 2-0 victory.Mark’s phone erupted with texts from friends telling him they had been on the television.But an email from Sammy’s school also landed saying his absence would now be marked as “unauthorised”.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSPlasterer Mark, of Forest Hall, North Tyneside, said: “We were right at the front of the Emirates and were celebrating when Gordon scored.“The cameras panned round to us but obviously we didn’t know at the time that we had been on TV.“Soon after my phone started going mad and people were sending us videos and messages saying: ‘We’ve just seen you and Sammy on tele’.“We thought it was brilliant at the time but then Sky Sports News used the picture of Sammy as a still with the message ‘Geordie Joy’.“It was nice but his school obviously got to see it because we got an email saying his sick day was now an unauthorised absence.”Most read in FootballThe email from Benton Dene Primary said: “Just to let you know that Sammy’s absence from Tuesday 7th January 2025 will now be marked as unauthorised.“This is due to media footage showing him away in London at a football match. Please contact us at school if you wish to discuss further.”Rooney’s family arriving at Old Trafford for the Newcastle gameMark posted it online and thousands of footie fans responded to support Sammy.Even former England striker Peter Crouch said: “You’ve got to cut this boy some slack here. Memories for a lifetime.”Mark, 39, who also has a daughter Georgie, 12, added: “The school has been really good with Sammy actually.“His teacher is a big Newcastle fan – we even bumped into him at the Spurs game at the weekend – and he was making a joke of it with Sammy.“It’s gone crazy online. It was one of those things that snowballs and absolutely blew up.“People were sending me screenshots of accounts that had millions of followers that were posting about it including ex-players.“It has been unbelievable.“But Sammy is only nine and doesn’t realise how big it has become.“He hasn’t got a care in the world and is just getting on with stuff as normal.“He actually has a really good attendance record, almost 100 per cent. He is in the outstanding bracket at school for attendance.“He loves his football and plays twice a week for a local side and trains three times a week.”An email from Sammy’s school also landed saying his absence would now be marked as ‘unauthorised’Sammy’s dad Mark’s phone erupted with texts from friends telling him they had been on the televisionCredit: NNPNewcastle’s victory puts them in the driving seat for the second leg at St James’ Park next month.And Sammy is praying his heroes make it to the final and lift their first cup in 70 years.Mark added: “We didn’t get tickets for the league cup final against Manchester United last year and he was devastated about that.“But we are hoping we get there again and get tickets this time.READ MORE SUN STORIES“And it’s on a Sunday so there won’t be any problem with school.”A source close to the school said: “It was all quite light-hearted – the parents will not be fined.” More

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      in Soccer

      Mario Lemina and Co’s disrespectful antics are just embarrassing – deal with it the old school way and be done with it

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      A REAL team of fighters do not get involved in the sort of disrespectful antics Wolves have recently.Mario Lemina was pushing his own team-mates and coaches after they lost to West Ham this month, and then last weekend Matheus Cunha and Rayan Ait-Nouri clashed with Ipswich players and staff after falling to a late defeat.Mario Lemina clashed with team-mate Toti GomesCredit: GettyMario Lemina was held back by team-mate Toti GomesCredit: GettyIf something like that happens once, you go: Right, that’s just someone losing their cool.It’s not the right way to go about things, but sometimes emotions spill over, especially when you are under that much pressure or in a relegation battle.But for it to happen in back-to-back weeks, it looked like they were just reacting off Gary O’Neil after he asked for more ‘fight’ from his team.That is not what he meant.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLWe’re footballers, not tough guys. You want to be a boxer or a fighter? Go watch a proper fight between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk tonight.Get in the ring with them, I dare you.I wouldn’t even use the word ‘fight’ to describe what those players did.It’s petulance. It stinks of a team that is needing leadership and direction from both the top of the club and on the pitch.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSYou want to do it properly? Go old school and do what we used to do back in the day, even if it was our own team-mate we had a disagreement with.Get down the tunnel, into the boot room, have someone hold the door shut, one-on-one for a few minutes, then shake hands and it is finished.Alan Shearer left red-faced and fuming after botching question about his own career The next morning, it was back to work and we didn’t speak about it again.If it lasted longer than 30 seconds, people would dive in and break it up, but often it was just three or four punches to blow off some steam, and that happened a few times a season.But those involved at Wolves were pretending to be something they’re not, pretending to be up for a fight by getting themselves involved in something. It is embarrassing.If you fight after the final whistle, it says to me that you don’t care about fighting for the ball or for tackles or for the win during a game.And if they really were that hard or tough or up for a fight, they wouldn’t be doing what they did.It’s like that friend who says you can trust him. If you have to tell me, I don’t think I should trust you.As the saying goes: It’s easier for a nice guy to pretend to be tough than it is for a tough guy to pretend to be nice.And this Wolves group, they’re not tough, they’re just nice kids, nice people.If you fight after the final whistle, it says to me that you don’t care about fighting for the ball or for tackles or for the win during a game.Troy Deeney You wouldn’t be scared to bits if you came across them in a dark alley, would you?I saw Lemina having a go at the assistant, Shaun Derry, at West Ham.I tell you what, if Lemina had tried that on Derry a few years ago, he would have been put on the ground.And then I saw Craig Dawson try to carry Ait-Nouri down the tunnel to calm him down.As a whole, there is just a lack of respect across that whole team. There should be a genuine, healthy fear and respect of senior players or leaders in any dressing room.I saw a few of those incidents close up during my career, especially during my early days with Walsall.After something like that, we would be terrified knowing the manager would tear us a new one or the captain would have us up against the wall after making such fools of ourselves.I don’t sense that happening now. Respect your elders.But saying that, it seemed to me like the players actually liked O’Neil before he got sacked.READ MORE SUN STORIESIt wasn’t like they ever quit on him. There were so many times they could have.They followed him and liked him and respected him and didn’t want him to go.Rayan Ait-Nouri was restrained by Craig DawsonCredit: Rex More

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      Raheem Sterling opens up on ‘difficult’ upbringing as troubled kid before becoming Premier League star

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      RAHEEM STERLING has opened up on the “great support network” that saw him overcome a troubled childhood to become a Premier League star.The Arsenal winger, 29, has a foundation in his name that funds knife banks and university places for boys as well as hosting mentoring sessions.Arsenal’s Raheem Sterling has enjoyed an incredible Prem career so farCredit: GettySterling had a troubled upbringing before joining QPR and then Liverpool’s academyCredit: News Group Newspapers LtdThat foundation is supporting a campaign launched today by Multibank – a nationwide network of donation hubs designed to help those with cost-of-living struggles.Several weeks ago, Sterling spent three hours with seven young men from Brent’s youth offending service in King’s Cross to act as a mentor, giving advice and telling his own story.Sterling was born in Kingston, Jamaica before moving to London with his mother age five after his father was tragically murdered three years earlier.A difficult upbringing – including being displaced by social housing and regular school suspensions – was turned around from the age of nine when he came across Clive Ellington, a volunteer mentor to young boys who introduced Sterling to his first football club: Alpha and Omega FC in Kingsbury, Brent.read more footballCharity Multibank said one million children arrive at school with dirty uniforms as many families now see detergent as a luxury item. And some 19 per cent of parents polled by The Hygiene Bank said their kids have missed school in the past year because of shame over unwashed clothes, creating a classroom divide.Children are also isolated and made fun of with nasty comments due to poor hygiene, teachers say.On meeting Ellington, Sterling – who also has 82 caps for England – explained: “It was a real difficult period for me in my schooling because it was a time I was getting expelled from school.Most read in Football“I was moving schools, moving around a lot. [Ellington] was a massive help for me to kind of see a different perspective.“I always struggled because of circumstances at home that I couldn’t quite understand myself.“Those actions and things started to play a pattern in my school with my focus, with my behaviour and how I was within the school environment.“[Ellington] made me see different opportunities. I wasn’t too much into football before that. I wasn’t playing, just at school and stuff at home, but he brought me into it at grassroot level.“I was starting to smile again and having a place that I could express myself was a real weight off my shoulder.“Looking back now, it’s easier to see, but as a child you’re probably not understanding what’s going on, but at the same time, taking in what’s going on.“So, you can’t quite understand how to interpret that in your speech and how to communicate that with people.”At 11-years-old, Sterling was picked up by academy systems at Queens Park Rangers and then Liverpool, going on to star for the Reds as a 17-year-old.After seven years at Manchester City between 2015 and 2022 – winning four Prem titles – he joined Chelsea for around £50m before joining the Gunners on loan this summer.Sterling continued: “I give a lot of credit to [Ellington]. It is something that is vital for individuals to have a great support network around them.“Year after year, the progress in my behaviour and in my concentration and just maturing as a young man.”Meanwhile, England rugby star Maro Itoje, who is also backing the campaign, said: “It’s our duty as a society to look out for those who are coming behind us.”Entertainment platforms Sky, Prime Video, TNT Sports and TalkSport have also joined forces to support the campaign.Tottenham are one of the first Prem clubs to also align with the Multibank scheme, focusing on affording basic hygiene products, with a donation bank available at their game against Fulham on December 1.England star Itoje is also backing the campaignDonna-Maria Cullen, executive director at Spurs, said the football club has made donations to its local foodbanks ahead of Christmas in support of the most vulnerable within the community.She said: “We are certain that our football family will unite to ensure young people in our area are able to build their confidence from an early stage in life by having access to basic hygiene products.”Andy Carpenter, head of the Harlequins Foundation, said: “Given our dedication to working with young people living in the poorest areas to address the deprivation-related challenges they face, it was a no-brainer to be a part of this campaign to support those most in need in our heartlands.”READ MORE SUN STORIESMultibank said: “With two in three staff expecting the level of hygiene poverty to increase in their school, we endeavour to get soap, shampoo, shower gel, deodorant, toothpaste, and toothbrushes, in the hands of those most in need.”The Multibank’s 2024 Christmas campaign is designed to raise awareness and respond to rising issues of hygiene poverty. For more information visit: https://themultibank.co.uk/ More