More stories

  • in

    Argentina World Cup star Claudio Caniggia accused of sexually assaulting his ex-wife

    EX-RANGERS star Claudio Caniggia has been prosecuted for “aggravated sexual abuse” following accusations made by his ex-wife.Former partner, Mariana Nannis, accused the Argentina striker of “beating and threatening to kill her” in a hotel room in 2018.
    Caniggia helped the Rangers win an SPL title, two Scottish Cups and two League CupsCredit: Kenny Ramsay – The Sun Glasgow
    Ex-Rangers star Claudio Caniggia has been accused of aggravated sexual assaultCredit: EPA
    Mariana Nannis showed leg bruises from the alleged crimeCredit: Nosotros a la mañana
    Mariana was married to the player for 31 years, and they have three children togetherCredit: Social Media
    Caniggia, 56, was prosecuted on Monday without pretrial detention, Argentine newspaper Clarín reports.
    Authorities established that Caniggia “should refrain from maintaining any kind of contact with the complainant, Mariana Belén Solange Nannis Silles, be it in person, telephone, text messages, social networks, emails or WhatsApp, instant messengers or an intermediary person.”
    He will also have to “inform and prove, more than five business days in advance, when he will leave the national territory of the Argentine Republic, expressly indicating the destination to which he will go and the time that he will remain present in foreign territory.”
    Authorities have also issued an embargo on the footballer’s assets for £15,400 – or five million Argentine pesos.
    Read more on football
    It was established that this amount must be deposited in the country’s public bank, Banco Ciudad, “at the disposal of this judicial headquarters within the term of three days of notification of this order.”
    Caniggia was married to Mariana for 31 years, and they have three children together.
    The couple split in 2019 after he got together with model Sofia Bonelli – who he wed that year.
    Mariana filed her complaint to the prosecutor’s office of Dr Carlos Velarde in February 2020.
    Most read in Football
    After months of investigation, it was determined that the alleged crime happened in the early hours of May 5, 2018, after the couple left a wedding party in Buenos Aires and headed to Residencias del Hotel Faena, also in the Argentine capital.
    According to the file, Caniggia tried to have sexual relations with his then wife, but when she refused, he threatened to kill her, Clarin reported.
    He then “failed to punch her in the face as she covered herself with her hands, but then hit her in the arms and hands,” according to Mariana’s account, who claimed that she was sexually abused after the assault.
    The ex-wife’s complaint also mentioned that Caniggia’s alleged violence “affected her and the couple’s children, as well as some aspects of family privacy.”
    In March last year, the World Cup star appeared in court after being accused of rape.
    However, Judge Pablo Ormaechea ruled that there was not enough evidence to make a decision, and had asked the prosecution to continue investigating.
    The player is now no longer being accused of rape, but instead, he is being prosecuted for aggravated sexual abuse.
    In Argentine law, both aggravated sexual abuse and rape are serious offences, but they are defined and treated differently.
    Aggravated sexual abuse refers to any sexual act without consent, involving violence, threats, or abuse of authority.
    It can also include situations where the victim is unable to give consent due to factors such as age or disability.
    On the other hand, rape, known as “abuso sexual con acceso carnal” in Argentina, specifically involves non-consensual sexual intercourse or penetration.
    It typically carries more severe penalties compared to aggravated sexual abuse.
    Caniggia helped the Rangers win an SPL title, two Scottish Cups and two League Cups after a 2001 move from Dundee.
    He scored seven goals in 21 Dundee appearances following his 2000 arrival from Atalanta.
    Read More On The Sun
    The striker also played for River Plate, Hellas Verona, Roma, Benfica, Boca Juniors and Qatar SC.
    Last week, the ex-footballer attended the opening of Legends: The Home of Football museum, in Madrid, Spain.
    Mariana filed her complaint in February 2020Credit: YouTube/Susana
    Last year, the Argentina World Cup star appeared in court after being accused of rapeCredit: AFP
    Caniggia (pictured left) with fellow Argentine Diego MaradonaCredit: Reuters More

  • in

    Watford FC physio Phil Edwards ‘carried out horrifying sex attacks on 29 teen boys at club’, report claims

    A WATFORD FC physio sexually abused 29 teenage boys while working at the club, a report has found.The Championship side investigated allegations against Phil Edwards, who is thought to have killed himself in 2019 while facing claims he had assaulted a boy.
    Watford’s investigation found 29 potential victims of football physio Phil EdwardsCredit: Getty
    Paedophile physio Edwards is believed to have killed himself in June 2019Credit: UPPA/Photoshot
    It has now been revealed that as many as 29 potential victims were contacted by Watford, as well as six members of staff.
    The inquiry heard how Edwards was known to some at the Hertfordshire club as “Paedo Phil” and “Feel me up Phil”.
    Some 18 of the survivors provided signed accounts of their alleged abuse by Edwards when they were aged between 13 and 15.
    Edwards was arrested in June 2019 on suspicion of sexual activity with a child at his Woodside physiotherapy clinic in Watford.
    Read More On Football Abuse Scandal
    A fortnight later the 60-year-old was found dead at the home where he lived alone, with police suggesting he killed himself.
    Another 18 police complaints were filed against him for alleged child sexual offences between 1998 and 2019.
    Edwards is believed to have abused players at Watford’s Vicarage Road ground as well as his private clinic and his home in the 1980s and 1990s.
    The details have been revealed in a newly-published addition to Clive Sheldon KC’s independent report into child sexual abuse in football.
    Most read in Football
    Some of the assaults are alleged to have happened at Watford’s Vicarage Road groundCredit: Getty
    The inquiry found English football did not do enough to protect children from predatory coaches from 1970 to 2005, cataloguing failings by eight clubs – including Chelsea and Manchester City – to act on concerns.
    Watford has now apologised to all victims they contacted, today’s addendum to the report says.
    Survivors told of Edwards carrying out unnecessary groin examinations, ordering them to strip naked and squat before he lay alongside them, given boys alcohol and showed them pornography, as well as encouraging them to “perform sexual acts”.
    Some also described how “Edwards appeared to enjoy inflicting pain on them and laughed or shouted at them if they cried”.
    Watford said they could find no payroll record nor personnel file to “show that Edwards was ever employed” by them, though acknowledged he provided physiotherapy services there and held “a position of influence and access within the club”.
    They also said the former members of staff they contacted “all denied any knowledge of the alleged abuse by Edwards”.
    One survivor alleged that club legend and former England manager Graham Taylor was told of the accusations against Edwards while he was Watford boss but “nothing was done”.
    Two members of staff who allegedly witnessed the conversation have denied doing so and Mr Sheldon accepted Watford’s insistence there was “no corroborating evidence to support that any staff member knew that the alleged abuse by Edwards was taking place”.
    He also highlighted the importance of Taylor, who died aged 72 in January 2017, being unable to contribute to the investigation.
    Lawyers representing the club reached out-of-court settlements in January with five former youth team players who said Edwards sexually abused them.
    In a statement, Watford said: “As a club, Watford FC wishes to apologise to all young people who experienced the behaviour perpetrated by the late Phil Edwards, while holding a position of influence and access within the club.
    “We thank the survivors for their courage and dignity in all of their dealings with Watford FC, their patience also which allowed us to both conduct a thorough internal investigation and work with Clive Sheldon KC and his team with regards to their own independent findings.
    “We are doing, and will continue to do, everything we can to ensure that the boys, girls, men and women who play for this club – and indeed anyone who works for or with the club – will not have to endure the experiences these young people did.
    “Watford FC will continue to champion best practice in relation to the safeguarding and welfare of the people in its charge.
    “Further, the input and observations of survivors, based on their experiences, will always be welcome in the future.
    “Support remains available for anyone who believes it would be beneficial to them.”
    Football’s abuse scandal was exposed in 2016 with allegations about former youth coach Barry Bennell, who is now serving a 34-year prison sentence for sex offences against young boys.
    Among the ex-players who came forward to reveal they had been abused by Bennell when youngsters were former Bury and Sheffield United footballer Andy Woodward, the first to speak out, and then ex-England, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool star Paul Stewart.
    Former Chelsea youth player Bennell worked for Crewe Alexandra in the 1980s and 1990s and also had links with Manchester City and Stoke City.
    The FA said in today’s statement: “We continue to offer support to anyone who has been impacted by non-recent child sexual abuse in football.
    Read More On The Sun
    “If anyone is ready to come forward at this time, they can do so without waiving their anonymity and there is support in place if they want to access it.
    “Abuse can be reported via the NSPCC Helpline on 0800 023 2642 or the police.”
    Football’s abuse scandal was exposed in 2016 with accusations against serial offender Barry Bennell, now serving a 34-year jail term for abusing young boysCredit: PA More

  • in

    ‘Devil Baby’ influencer who stalked Chelsea star Mason Mount after one-night stand breaks silence following conviction

    A MODEL who branded herself ‘Devil Baby’ as she stalked Mason Mount after a one-night stand has spoken for the first time.Orla Melissa Sloan, 22, created 21 phone numbers and told the Chelsea star she wasn’t eating as she hounded him online.
    Orla Melissa Sloan branded herself ‘Devil Baby’ as she stalked Mason Mount after a one-night standCredit: orlamelissa
    Mason Mount was left terrified of obsessed SloanCredit: Getty
    Sloan said she was ‘stuck in her own world’ while stalking the three Prem stars
    She also targeted Ben Chilwell, 26, and Brighton’s Billy Gilmour, 21, in a relentless ‘kiss and troll’ crusade after meeting the Premier League trio at a house party.
    During her harassment campaign, Sloan created sinister collages of Chilwell and Mount, 24, with other women and demanded apologies from the players for ignoring her messages.
    And Gilmour was left taking sleeping pills, cutting ties with his family and having his security beefed up after she falsely claimed she was pregnant despite the pair never having sex.
    On Tuesday, Sloan – a former OnyFans model – was spared jail when she was sentenced at Westminster Magistrates’ Court.
    Read More on Devil Baby
    She was handed a 12-week sentence suspended for 18 months and told to pay the millionaire stars a total of £1,100 in compensation – £500 to Gilmore and £300 to Chilwell and Mount.
    But speaking for the first time since her sentence, Sloan says she regrets her behaviour but claims it was down to “loneliness”.
    She told The Mail on Sunday: “I didn’t see it coming. I was very stuck in my own world.
    “I didn’t meet many people. I was quite lonely and being on OnlyFans just made me more lonely.
    Most read in Football
    “It’s only until it got to the point where I had to go to court, and potentially to prison, that I could see what I had done.”
    Sloan’s harassment exploded after she was invited to a party at England international Chilwell’s house after meeting him over social media.
    She slept with Chelsea team-mate Mount, who has 36 England caps, and the pair chatted “sporadically” for around six months until he cut things off.
    Sloan, from Exeter, Devon, then started stalking the 24-year-old and changed her number 21 times when he kept blocking her.
    She also sent him a screenshot of her paying £12.99 for a new number from Apple, saying: “I’m not buying food anymore so I can get more numbers.”
    ‘DEVIL BABY’
    And in the grips of obsession, she told him: “You must apologise or you will unlock a new character – Devil Baby. So let me apologise and make it right.”
    She told The Mail on Sunday the name was only meant to be “a joke”.
    Mount was left terrified that she would show up at the Chelsea training centre after she was unable to contact him.
    Speaking of her interactions with Mount, Sloan said she “thought it was going somewhere” but in reality there was no chance of a relationship.
    She also made an Instagram account with the username DevilBaby_10, which she used to create collages of Chilwell with other women.
    Gilmour was then bombarded with messages about Mount after the England star refused to message back.
    The stalker tagged his family and friends in the “completely fictitious” posts which ended in her claiming she was pregnant, despite the pair never having sex.
    Gilmour, who has been capped 16 times by Scotland, said her messages had a “huge impact” on his life following his switch from Chelsea to Brighton last September.
    He told the court: “I have not been able to sleep and have had to take sleeping tablets. It’s had a negative effect on my performance and professional life.”
    The court was told by Sloan’s mum, who describes herself on Facebook as a Reiki and Shamanic healer, that her daughter is “addicted” to social media.
    Following her trial, Sloan says she never intended to harm the three players but has learnt that online actions have real world consequences which she did not anticipate at the time.
    The influencer previously admitted one count of harassment, one of stalking and one count of stalking involving fear of violence or serious alarm or distress.
    The latter charge carries a maximum sentence of ten years in prison.
    Read More On The Sun
    Sloan admitted stalking Mount between June 19, 2022 to October 28 and Scots international Gilmour between September 10 2022, and October 28.
    She also pleaded guilty to harassing Chilwell between October 20 and 29. More

  • in

    Benjamin Mendy RELEASED by Man City as he faces retrial for rape

    BENJAMIN Mendy has been released by Man City as he faces a retrial for rape. Mendy was listed as released by City on the Premier League website – but the club has not published its own list yet.
    Benjamin Mendy has been released from Man City ahead of his retrial for rapeCredit: AFP
    Mendy, pictured with Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, appears on the list of players let go by the teamCredit: PA
    The footballer is set to go to trial again later this monthCredit: PA
    The former France international currently awaits a retrial for rape.
    It comes after he was found not guilty of six rapes and one sexual assault against four women during a high-profile trial in January.
    Jurors could not reach verdicts on one count of rape and one of attempted rape against two other alleged victims after 67 hours and 17 minutes of deliberations.
    Mendy’s lawyer said he was “delighted” to have been cleared of sex attacks and “look forward” to clearing his name at re-trial.
    Read more on football
    He will return to court on June 26.
    Mendy signed a six-year £28million contract with Man City, which included an annual average salary of £4,680,000, in 2017.
    He managed just 75 appearance in all competitions across six seasons.
    The defender was suspended by the Sky Blues last season as he stood trial.
    Most read in Football
    Mendy played no role in City’s historic treble-winning season this year.
    His contract expired this month. More

  • in

    Brit footballer ‘carried out sex attack on sleeping woman then went to training’, court hears

    A SCOTS footballer went to training after an alleged sex attack on a sleeping woman.Salim Kouider-Aïssa, 27, is claimed to have inappropriately touched the 23-year-old at a flat in Kirkintilloch, East Dunbartonshire, on October 31 2021.
    Salim Kouider-Aissa in action for AirdrieCredit: SNS
    The star in action for Partick ThistleCredit: The Sun
    The woman said she went to a spare bedroom alone and was “shocked” to wake up to the Airdrie forward with hands on her.
    Kouider-Aïssa told a jury that he initially went in the same bed to have a “good sleep.”
    He added that he believed the woman was awake and consenting before carrying out a sex act on her.
    Kouider-Aïssa, also of Kirkintilloch, denies the single charge of sexual assault at Glasgow Sheriff Court.

    The court heard Kouider-Aïssa played for Airdrie at Alloa that day – picking up an injury.
    He initially went home to Kirkintilloch before picking up friends in Glasgow’s west end.
    The footballer drove the men to friend Scott Spinelli’s flat where they drank and listened to music.
    The alleged victim and another woman later joined the men at the flat.
    Most read in Football
    Jurors were told that the woman went to Mr Spinelli’s spare bed.
    The court heard Kouider-Aïssa was told by Mr Spinelli to stay in the living room.
    The woman said: “I woke up and I could feel someone behind me, that’s when I realised what he was doing.”
    She described that Kouider-Aïssa intimately touched her.
    She added: “I woke up really shocked, I went into bed myself and was shocked to have someone behind me.
    “I was shouting ‘what are you doing’ and he said ‘I thought you were awake, what have I done’.
    “I didn’t really know what to do, he went to get my friends for me.
    “They came rushing in…he told them that he thought I was awake.
    “It wouldn’t matter if I was as there was no consent.”
    Kouider-Aïssa stated in his evidence that he had difficulty sleeping on the couch.
    He said his reason for entering the bed beside the woman was to “get a good sleep.”
    Kouider-Aïssa claimed that the woman brushed his legs and put her leg over his, before he stroked her leg.
    He said: “I was questioning myself if she was awake.”
    Kouider-Aïssa stated the woman turned his back to him before spooning her then kissed her on the neck.
    He added that he went on to carry out a sex act on her stating: “I had belief she was consenting by the way she was moving about the bed, moving her body to me.”
    Kouider-Aïssa stated after the woman woke up and confronted him, he told Mr Spinelli: “I’ve f***ed it, I thought she was awake.”
    Kouider-Aïssa claimed he waited in his car before contacting teammate Max Currie.
    He said: “It was about 8am and Max came and picked me up and we went to get changed (at his flat) for physio.
    “I went to training, it was a Sunday, the football was on so I went to my uncle’s house to watch football.”
    Kouider-Aïssa handed himself into the police that night.
    Mr Allan said “You entered the bedroom of a stranger while she was sleeping?”
    He replied: “Yes.”
    Mr Allan asked what steps Kouider-Aïssa took to check that getting into bed was okay with the woman.
    He replied: “None.”
    Mr Allan said: “There is one easy way to make sure she was awake isn’t there?”
    Kouider-Aïssa: “I suppose so.”
    Mr Allan: “You didn’t ask her if she was awake during any of this?”
    Kouider-Aïssa: “No.”
    Kouider-Aïssa stated that he believes the woman was asleep after hearing the woman’s position at court.
    He later said: “There obviously has to be doubts, to this day, it’s been a while since… I still have a reasonable belief that she was awake for the last part and giving consent as well as that’s obviously why we are here.”

    The trial continues tomorrow before Sheriff Matthew Jackson KC.
    Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page More

  • in

    Boxing champ Devin Haney reveals he stopped eight-week sex ban before fights after having to having too many WET DREAMS

    DEVIN HANEY stopped his eight-week sex ban before fights after having too many WET DREAMS. The old boxing myth suggests avoiding sex builds up testosterone, despite studies debunking the theory.
    Devin Haney ahead of his next fightCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    And Haney, 24, found out the hard way not to refrain for too long.
    He said on the Pivot Podcast: “I used to do the eight weeks, the weight week thing.
    “And I couldn’t do it cause’ I started getting like wet dreams when it got closer to my fight.
    “One day I had a wet dream the day of the fight, so I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t do it.
    READ MORE IN BOXING
    “When you’ve got too much testosterone, like too much built up, then your body is going to find a way to release it.
    “So when you go too long, it’s too long.”
    YouTuber-turned boxer Jake Paul, 26, infamously partially put down his loss to Tommy Fury, 24, on having a wet dream before the fight.
    Haney returns to the ring on Saturday in Las Vegas, defending his undisputed lightweight titles against Vasiliy Lomachenko, 35.
    Most read in Boxing
    CASINO SPECIAL – BEST ONLINE CASINOS FOR 2023
    The American won the belts against George Kambosos Jr, 29, last June and defended them in an immediate rematch in October.
    But defending his WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO belts against Lomachenko acts as the biggest night in his career.
    Haney said: “I’m going to put on a dominant victory.
    “I’m going to go in there and impose my will on Loma and show the world how great Devin Haney really is, how versatile, how strong, how young, and how experienced I am in that ring.
    “This is all a dream come true. I thank God for this every day. I watched fighters make their grand arrivals when I was a young kid.
    “This is all a blessing, and I’m excited for Saturday night.”
    Devin Haney and Vasiliy Lomachenko ahead of their fightCredit: AP More

  • in

    I had a sex ban before all of my fights, it helped me punch harder because women weaken legs claims Carl Froch

    CARL FROCH followed the advice of Rocky Balboa’s fictional trainer Mickey Goldmill during his career – by banning sex while in training. The old boxing myth suggests avoiding sex builds up testosterone, despite studies debunking the theory.
    Rachael Froch with Carl in 2014Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
    Rachael Froch with husband CarlCredit: Instagram @rachaelfroch
    Rachael Froch admitted she struggled with Carl’s sex banCredit: Instagram @rachaelfroch
    During a famous Rocky scene, his coach Mickey tells Balboa: “Listen kid, you lay off that pet shop dame. Women weaken legs!”
    The advice was good enough for the beloved Hollywood character to listen to and apparently ex-world champion Froch felt the same.
    Opening up about his sex ban, he told OLBG: “Women weaken legs! Old Mickey quote from Rocky and it’s true. Well I think so anyway!”
    Froch, now 45, retired in 2014 after knocking out George Groves in front of 80,000 fans in their Wembley rematch.
    READ MORE IN BOXING
    And his model Rachael had to endure a period of not sleeping with her husband.
    She said at the time: “The sex ban is so hard for me – but Carl tells me he isn’t that bothered because he’s exhausted and it’s the last thing on his mind.
    “After such a long wait it’s really good to have our sex life back to normal and to have that closeness again, to be able to have sex like a normal young couple.”
    Froch has been happy to stay out of boxing since his retirement but does pitch in with the occasional punditry work.
    Most read in Boxing
    CASINO SPECIAL – BEST ONLINE CASINOS FOR 2023
    Although he teased a comeback after being called out by YouTuber-turned boxer Jake Paul, 26, earlier in the year.
    Paul went on to lose to Tommy Fury, 24, but Froch admitted he would still consider the fight if the price is right.
    He said: “I would always be interested in fighting someone who can’t fight like Jake Paul. It’s like someone giving you a suitcase full of money – you won’t say no.
    “I would train for it, I stay in the gym anyway and keep myself in good shape. Right now I am 45 and I retired at 36-37.
    “There is a reason that I retired as after a certain age, the weight cut becomes way too difficult. I wouldn’t make the weight for Jake Paul – I would be 14 stone.
    “If a fight was on the cards – which it isn’t because Paul realised he can’t fight after losing to Tommy Fury and he wasn’t even British level at the time, then I would fight him because like I said before it is easy money.”
    George Groves was knocked out by Carl Froch in their rematchCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd More

  • in

    Ronaldo’s bodybuilder ex Michele Umezu reveals using steroids gave her ‘insatiable’ appetite for sex

    BRAZIL legend Ronaldo’s ex Michele Umezu has revealed using steroids sent her libido into overdrive.The pair have a child together named Alexander but only dated for short spell.
    Michele Umezu revealed she once took steroids to help her bulk up
    But the drugs sent her libido into overdrive
    Michele has been a bodybuilder for several years
    She has a child with Brazil legend Ronaldo
    Michele is an avid bodybuilder and once used steroids to aid her bulk, but it had some unwanted side effects.
    The Brazilian revealed drug use resulted in hair loss and acne, while also increasing her sexdrive significantly.
    She told local media: “I didn’t understand much about the subject during that period.
    “My ex administered everything incorrectly, and I had acne, thicker body hair, hair loss, and my voice changed at the time.
    READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
    “In fact, there are some hormones like testosterone that increase libido, and usually women who use them have a high libido… I became insatiable.
    “This is not healthy, it was already a collateral problem of the hormone as well. They say testosterone is a youth hormone drug.”
    Michele, 41, is still a fitness fanatic and regularly shares photos and videos from the gym on social media.
    She boasts 207,000 followers on Instagram and last year revealed she was searching for a husband.
    Most read in Football
    BETTING SPECIAL – BEST NO DEPOSIT CASINO OFFERS
    Michele even underwent a procedure so she could get married in a church as a “virgin”.
    She said: “I’m looking for a man with the same purposes and faith as me.
    “I’m not ashamed to say this, because it’s what I really want.” More