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      I won Wayne Rooney’s Street Striker but then got banned from football… three years later I was in prison

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      TRAVIS BECKFORD had the world at his feet when he won Wayne Rooney’s Street Striker.But then he got banned from football and three years later ended up in prison.Travis Beckford won the first edition of Wayne Rooney’s Street StrikerCredit: Wayne Rooney’s street strikerThe first series was filmed in 2008Credit: News Group Newspapers LtdRooney crowned Beckford the championCredit: PA:Press AssociationBeckford – brother of ex-Leeds and Leicester striker Jermaine and grime artist Marci Phonix – stunned Rooney with his tricks and skills in a Stockport car park.So much so that he was crowned the inaugural winner of the TV competition show in 2008 by the Manchester United and England hero.Aged just 16, the emotion of the moment took over and he burst into tears.The victory should have been the kickstart his footballing career needed.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLAfter all, he earned himself a cash prize, a trip to Brazil and the attention of plenty of professional clubs.Beckford joined the Leeds academy but struggled with the physicality and was left unable to walk for a month with an injury.That injury sparked a return to West London – where his parents moved him away from after he was stabbed aged 14.It was also where his late sister Sabrina was in and out of hospital during her battle with Crohn’s disease.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSAnd an incident while playing for his local team Hanwell Town proved a sliding doors moment in his football career – and his life.An opponent hit out at the Hanwell captain and a mass brawl ensued.’I’m not playing for you’ – Wayne Rooney could’ve played for different country before breaking England goal recordBut Beckford was picked out in the aftermath as the FA handed him a one-year ban.From there, without football to keep him on the right path, the teenager turned to making money on the streets, including selling drugs… until one day it all imploded.Beckford, 32, told the Daily Mail: “I thought, ‘How is this happening to me when there were another 10, 12 people involved that weren’t banned?’ At that point, I was ready to just turn my back on football.“I was very upset, I was very deflated about it. I just thought, how could it go from being so good to so bad in the space of six months?“It was very bad in my area, there were a lot of shootings, murders, stabbings, there was a lot of drug dealing and gang problems,’ says Beckford. ‘People I knew got killed.’“Sabrina always used to say about staying focused and to stop running around the streets or you’re going to end up getting hurt or go to prison – but I never really used to listen to anyone.“I got deeper and deeper into street lifestyle, selling drugs. It turned into conversations with a few of my peers at the time – why are we getting all of these drugs and selling them, why don’t we just rob the drug dealers of the money, because they can’t go to the police about it?Travis is the brother of Jermaine BeckfordCredit: PA:Press AssociationThe striker is best known for his time at LeedsCredit: PA:Empics SportTravis started his prison sentence at Feltham Young Offenders InstituteCredit: PA:Press AssociationA visit from DJ Target proved life changing for BeckfordCredit: Getty – Contributor“That was our mindset: get their money and just leave. It got more and more serious and then, one particular evening, it just went completely left.“It all kicked off in this house, and a few people in there got hurt. It was a very bad situation. I got hurt, and so did my co-defendant.“It was one of the worst days of my life. There was knife crime involved, stabbings, it was just a mess, if I’m honest.“We got arrested shortly after that, there were police helicopters and dogs, it was very serious.”Beckford was denied bail and was initially handed a ten-year sentence two days after his 19th birthday.This was reduced to six years and eight months on appeal and he served two-and-a-half years behind bars.He started at Feltham Young Offenders Institution but was moved to the “incredibly violent” Isis prison in South-East London – but was determined to take the time to get himself back on track.Beckford added: “It was enough time for me to get myself together if I started immediately.“That’s what I started thinking about: what am I going to do, who am I going to be, when I get released?“All I’d ever known was playing football and being on the streets. Who was Travis Beckford going to be, post-Wayne Rooney’s Street Striker, post all this street stuff, post being a local [drug dealer] – who’s that going to be? I spent a long time working on myself.“My sister was dying, I needed to sort my life out. I felt incredibly bad because I was f***ing up, I’d made selfish decisions.I’ve managed to change people’s perception of what a prisoner isTravis Beckford“There’s this quote, ‘The road to hell is paved with good intentions.’ Even though I was doing bad things, I was doing it for the right reasons. I felt really bad about my mum and my sister, all the people who had believed in me.”A visit from Jason Mitchell and Chris Chalaye, who ran music production and radio broadcasting courses in the prison, proved critical.Mitchell introduced Beckford to BBC Radio 1 DJ Target and the pair reconnected following his release after he gained a place on a BBC apprenticeship scheme.That in turn led to meeting various others in the music industry and gave him a footing to break into the industry.Beckford landed another short-term contract with Sony before a full-time job at their Epic Records label and has even worked with the likes of Polydor, Modest Management and Nike.Now he focuses on his own projects including a platform to help young people break into music as well as a marketing and promotion company that has collaborated with Borussia Dortmund and Anthony Joshua.Beckford concluded: “I met loads of great people and 95 per cent of them really took to me.“But some of them heard where I came from, and they weren’t happy that the BBC had brought me in.“They thought, ‘This guy’s just been released from prison, there’s other kids out there that haven’t gone to prison, so why is he getting this opportunity?’Read More on The Sun“They made that very known, and it was very uncomfortable at one point.“But I’ve managed to change people’s perception of what a prisoner is, and now it’s got to a point where people are willing to listen.”The show lasted for three seriesCredit: Action ImagesTravis won a trip to Brazil and a cash prize from his successCredit: Wayne Rooney’s street strikerHe had a stint in the Leeds academy but suffered a bad injuryCredit: Wayne Rooney’s street strikerA non-league scrap saw him banned for a year and his life flippedCredit: Wayne Rooney’s street striker More

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      in Motorsport

      Tai Woffinden health update: Speedway star in coma after horror crash as wife flies across world to be at his side

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      TAI WOFFINDEN remains in a “stable condition” after sustaining multiple injuries in a horror crash in Poland.Britain’s most successful speedway rider of all-time was airlifted to hospital in Krosno on Saturday after the dreadful first bend incident.Tai Woffinden remains in a ‘stable condition’Credit: Taylor LanningWoffinden was airlifted to hospital in Krosno on Saturday after the dreadful first bend incidentThe 34-year-old crashed at high speed while racing for his club RzeszowCredit: XWoffy, 34, was caught in a three-rider pile-up and smashed into the airfence at high speed while racing for Rzeszow. He was airlifted from the circuit by helicopter to hospital with suspected injuries including a broken femur, both hands and ribs.The Rzeszów club have released this statement today: “The patient was transported to our hospital by Air Ambulance ok. the hours are 7:00 pm. “He was admitted to the hospital with a multisocial injury, numerous fractured limbs and a chest injury. He was operated on by the orthopedic and surgical team until 2:00 a.m.READ MORE IN SPORT“At the moment his condition is stable, mechanically ventilated and remains in a pharmacological coma. “He is in the Intensive Care Clinic where he remains under the care of his doctors. Decisions regarding further treatment will be made after further orthopedic consultations.”Woffinden’s wife Faye, who plays a huge part of his racing team, has flown from Australia to Poland to be with him. His mum Sue also travelled out to be by his side.His UK club Sheffield have also released a statement, adding: “As you are most likely aware, Sheffield racer Tai Woffinden was involved in a crash whilst racing in Poland on Sunday.Most read in MotorsportWoffinden has spoken about the dangers of the sport in the pastCredit: Taylor Lanning“Whilst we understand the concern for Tai’s health and wellbeing, Sheffield Speedway will not be going into any further detail at this stage.“We are in constant communication with his family – who have confirmed that reports in the Polish media have gone out without their permission or approval.“Members of Tai’s family will be flying to the hospital later on Monday evening, where he is currently being treated, and will provide the club with a full update as and when they have learned the full facts and when they are comfortable in doing so.“Sheffield Speedway once again politely asks supporters not to respond to rumours out of respect to Tai and his family.”It was Woffinden’s second competitive meeting back racing after another horror crash ended his 2024 season with a shattered elbow, also in Poland late last June.Good wishes have poured in for the Scunthorpe-born rider. His good pal, ex-World Champion, and fellow Monster Energy ambassador, Greg Hancock said: “Feeling for Tai. Racing can be brutal.”His former Polish club Wroclaw stated: “Unfortunately a very serious accident in Krosno was reported by Tai Woffinden. We’ll keep our fingers crossed.”Woffinden has won everything in the sport with three World Championship titles and the Speedway of Nations for Great Britain. Yet has been cursed with bad luck sustaining injuries over the past few years. He has broken his back, hand, shoulder blade and collarbone twice over the years.In an interview last year with SunSport, he admitted: “You get injured when you are pushing the boundaries and you are trying 110 per cent. That’s normally when you crash and get injured. “That’s when I’m putting in the effort. Sometimes you do go home in an ambulance but that’s what we do, right?“I’m used to it. I don’t think the fans realise, especially the ones that give you a roasting now and again, I’ve been injured every year since 2019. And I’m still at the top of my game. “In 2019 I broke my back and shoulder blade year after tore ligaments in my foot twice and finished the season with two broken bones in my hand. Read More on The Sun“In 2021 smashed my shoulder and was out for a month and then crashed in Manchester in the Speedway of Nations. Then more over the past two years. “I’ve worked it out, my accumulative injuries since 2019, has caused me to miss a whole season if you put all the time off put together.” Woffinden is Britain’s most successful Speedway riderCredit: Taylor LanningHis wife and mother have flown to be by his sideCredit: Taylor Lanning More

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      in Motorsport

      ‘Lewis Hamilton was surprised to hear what happened’ – Timo Glock opens up on death threats after Brit’s maiden F1 title

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      TIMO GLOCK was scared to leave the house after being hit with death threats over claims he helped Lewis Hamilton win the world title in 2008. It was the German who was overtaken by Hamiltonon the last corner, of the last lap, of the last race 17 years ago in Brazil to win his maiden title by a single point.Lewis Hamilton won his maiden world title in 2008 with McLaren in the dying moments of the last race of the yearCredit: AFPHamilton overtook Glock who was struggling on dry tyres on an increasingly wet surfaceCredit: Getty Images – GettyHis girlfriend at the time Nicole Sherzinger celebrated wildly at the last-gasp winCredit: YouTube/FORMULA 1The whole McLaren garage went bezerk as Hamilton overtook Glock on the last corner of the last lapCredit: YouTube/FORMULA 1The title fight between Hamilton at McLaren and Ferrari’s Felipe Massa that year went down to the final race. Victory for Massa and a sixth place or lower finish for Hamilton would have secured Massa the title at his home race.Starting the final lap, Hamilton was in sixth place,  but overtook Glock at the final corner as the German driver struggled with dry tyres in the rain.Ferrari’s garage even began boisterous celebrations before victory was snatched away from them in the dying moments, leaving Massa’s dad stunned and a mechanic headbutting the wall in frustration. read more F1 storiesFormer F1 driver and Sky Sports pundit Glock told casino.org: “I don’t think he (Hamilton) ever realised the full impact of it all. “I was happy social media wasn’t as big then as it was now, or I’d definitely have been in even more trouble than I was.”It didn’t have an impact on my career. I just thought about what happened there, and I don’t think I did anything wrong.“Felipe or Lewis didn’t realise what was going on in the background, or what was going on with my side of things. Most read in Motorsport”I had an interview with Lewis two or three years ago, where we talked about 2008. He was surprised to hear what happened with me, in the aftermath of it all.”Timo Glock has opened up about that dayCredit: GettyFelipe Massa’s dad thought his son had won the title in Brazil but was left stunnedCredit: YouTube/FORMULA 1A Ferrari mechanic even headbutted the wall in frustrationCredit: YouTube/FORMULA 1Hamilton went on to win six more titles, leaving him the joint all-time record holder with Schumacher on sevenCredit: HandoutGlock, who was driving for Toyota at the time, received death threats after the raceCredit: AFPGlock had to get a police escort to the airport following the race in Sao Paulo, with officers walking him on to the plane. He received hate mail telling him he should be banned from racing and death threats once returning home. Many people’s views of events changed after F1 released in-car footage of Glock struggling to keep a dry-shod car on track amid increasingly wet conditions.He added: “I think because social media wasn’t as prominent, nobody saw what was happening. In general, I just tried to get on with my job. “It was still weird to go to Brazil the following year, or years even, but at the end of the day, it was a big story and it’s still mentioned whenever that race comes up in the calendar. “Overall, I have no problems with it. It’s all in the past now.” Glock reckons Hamilton can grab a record eighth title with Ferrari, with him currently level with Michael Schumacher on seven. Hamilton suffered heartbreak at the Chinese Grand Prix last time out when he was disqualified for the skid block on his car being half a millimetre under the minimum width. Ferrari need to get their act together in Japan on April 4-6 with his teammate Charles Leclerc also disqualified after the race due to his car being underweight. This came after Hamilton’s heroic victory in the sprint race on Saturday, which bagged him eight points in the table. Glock said: “I think he can win a title with Ferrari. “If the car suits him and the package is there, he will be challenging at the right end of proceedings for sure. It’s of course his ultimate goal.Read More on The Sun”He will push and try everything to reach that. It will be interesting to see how his first part of the season goes. “I think it will give us a good idea of how he will get on generally at Ferrari after the first half of the 2025 season.”  More

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      in Soccer

      ‘Shown us what courage means’ – Ex-Arsenal star, 29, rips up contract after being diagnosed with rare brain condition

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      FORMER Arsenal star Kristoffer Olsson has agreed to terminate his Midtjylland contract after being diagnosed with a rare brain condition.The 29-year-old has not played football since suffering blood clots to his brain in February last year, which required intensive care in hospital. Kristoffer Olsson has mutually terminated his contract with MidtjyllandCredit: APThe midfielder got an emotional sendoff during Midtjylland’s home game against Brondby on SundayCredit: APHe was rushed to hospital after losing consciousness at his home and eventually diagnosed with an inflammation of the cerebral blood vessels.Olsson has spent the last year building his fitness levels back up and is now looking to make a full return to the pitch.But in order to do so, the midfielder has decided to leave Midtjylland and return to Norrkoping, his home town, to be closer to his family.He will join his local club, IFK Norrkoping, in a bid to get regular first team football.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLOn Olsson’s departure, Midtjylland’s deputy football director, Kristian Bach Bak, said: “Kristoffer has been a fantastic footballer from day one and an equally great person off the pitch.”Before the illness, he was an important part of our team – with his eye for the game, his technical quality and his way of bringing people together.”He has helped lift us as a club, and we have been proud to have him at FC Midtjylland.”Meanwhile, football director Peter Sand added: “We will never forget the speech he gave before one of the crucial matches.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS”It was a powerful and unifying moment that is still clear to both players and staff.”He had not been on the pitch for months, but he found the strength to contribute to the team and give something of himself. It says everything about him as a person.”Inside a day in the life of an Arsenal player as newly promoted goalkeeper, 19, gives glimpse behind the scenesOlsson got an emotional sendoff during Midtjylland’s home game against Brondby on Sunday.The midfielder said: “When I look back on my time at Midtjylland, I first and foremost feel great gratitude.”I have been here several times, and every time I have been met with warmth, care and respect.”When I was struck by the disease, it felt unfair – but I am happy that I was right here, where people knew me and understood who I was.”The club, the people, everyone around me – they were there from the first second. I will be grateful for that for the rest of my life.”FC Midtjylland is not just a football club, it is a place that takes care of people.”First and foremost, I still dream of being a footballer. To be able to train fully and feel that I am contributing to a team.”Every week I feel progress, and I am more hungry and motivated than ever. Having the opportunity to do it at home in Norrkoping, close to my family and friends, means a lot. The feeling is just right.”OLSSON’S CAREEROlsson spent three years at Arsenal between 2011 and 2014 but made just one senior appearance.He then spent three years at Midtjylland before returning to the club in 2023.Read More on The SunBetween his two spells with the Danish side, he spent time in Sweden, Russia and Belgium.The 29-year-old won two Superliga titles with Midtjylland and a league title with AIK.Olsson made one senior appearance for ArsenalCredit: Getty More

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      in Boxing

      ‘You’re lost to me brother’ – Jake Paul’s incredible bust-up with Logan over Mike Tyson fight revealed in documentary

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      JAKE PAUL had an explosive argument with brother Logan before his fight with Mike Tyson. YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake was initially due to face Tyson last July when the heavyweight great was 57. Logan Paul and brother Jake at the premiere of their new TV seriesCredit: The Mega AgencyThe bout was marred in controversy amid the age gap and became a topic of conversation on Logan’s podcast which he co-hosts with Mike Majlak.And leading the criticism was Jake’s biggest rival KSI, who said: “Mike Tyson is 57 years old. “Like, yes in his prime this would’ve been crazy. Now it’s just like, sad.” Jake opened up on the brotherly feud in episode one of his family’s new eight-part reality show Paul American – airing on HBO’s Max. READ MORE IN BOXINGHe said: “Logan is constantly undermining me any chance he can get. “He’s siting there with my biggest enemy talking s*** about the biggest accomplishment of my life.”It’s just not what brothers should do.”Logan was doing a photoshoot for Prime – which he co-owns with ex-boxing opponent KSI – when he got an angry phone call from Jake. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSAnd Logan, 29, says: “No one’s not going to watch Mike Tyson because I said he was old. Everyone knows he’s old.” But Jake, 28, argued: “You are the closest person to it and you’re undermining it. Sitting there with KSI talking s*** about it.”My dad pitted me and Logan against each other growing up… but my kids will NEVER be like that, says Jake PaulLogan responded: “Bro, what the f*** podcast did you watch? I upped you the whole time. “I said you could knock him out in the second if you two were to actually go at it. You’re going to beat him.”A heated argument broke out when Jake says: “You’re so lost to me, brother.”And Logan fired back: “Who are your yes men? I’m not that. “I’m not that. Get other people to tell you it’s going to be a good fight against Mike Tyson, he’s f***ing old.”Jake replied: “I have amazing friends and family. You don’t even have a single f***ing friend, bro. Mike’s a f***ing paid friend.”Logan countered with: “You live in a house with your paid homies.” Before calling his brother a “f***ing b***h” for hanging up. The camera cuts back to Jake, who said: Jake: “Sometimes I just don’t get why Logan treats me this way. “It’s sociopathic lack of empathy for his younger brother and he’s constantly trying to tear me down.”We can go from hating each other to loving each other. And that’s what being a Paul is all about.Jake Paul The row did not stop there as the two then took the debate to text messages – which were shown on screen. Jake wrote: “You are truly a gaslighting, delusional, ego driven narcissist whoI can’t even trust, man. You need a lot of help, I pray for you.”Logan text back: “You are surrounded by yes men who will do anything to make the next check off you.”Moral compass skewed in directions I’ll never understand. “Lie to yourself and your friends, then call me a narcissist. Grab a mirror fam.”What is most impressive is amid the falling out, the two were pitching their all-access show to TV networks. And despite the behind-the-scenes civil war, the two managed to ace their interviews with top telly execs. Eventually the show landed on Max meanwhile Tyson was forced out of the fight against Jake due to a health precaution. They eventually fought in November with Jake winning on points and over 100 MILLION watching on Netflix. The warring brothers quickly reconciled – making it just another chaotic day in the Paul household. Read More on The SunJake said: “Logan and I have a history of going at each other’s throats. “We can go from hating each other to loving each other. And that’s what being a Paul is all about.”Jake Paul beat Mike Tyson on pointsCredit: Getty More

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      in Soccer

      Dani Alves’ wife reveals she’s pregnant after three miscarriages in emotional post days after he was was cleared of rape

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      DANI ALVES’ wife has announced she is pregnant – THREE DAYS after the footballer had his rape conviction overturned on appeal.Joana Sanz, 32, revealed on Instagram – where she has 928,000 followers – that they are set to welcome a baby girl into the world.Dani Alves was last week cleared of raping a woman in Barcelona in December 2022Credit: THE MEGA AGENCYThe Brazilian’s wife, Joana Sanz, stood by him during the trialCredit: GETTYThe 32-year-old has revealed they’re expecting their first child just days after Alves’ clearingCredit: INSTAGRAM@JOANASANZBut in the message, the Spaniard bravely fought back the tears as she revealed she’d previously suffered three miscarriages.She said: “I didn’t want to say anything until it was more than obvious but I wanted to share it for those who are in the battle themselves.“I’ve had to deal with questions like, ‘When’s the baby due?’ since I was twenty-two years old …what scary social pressure.“I never had a mother instinct, that desire to have kids or that I’d like to carry someone’s baby.READ MORE SPORTS NEWS“Over the years, my group of friends were having babies and social media was filled with births (I guess age is what matters).“There is so much ignorance about the reproductive age of a woman and it is not so easy to get pregnant.”Five years ago I thought of being a mother with great fear, afraid because a human being will depend on me to survive, afraid of not working, afraid of losing myself as a woman… but this is another story.“What I came to tell you is that a healthy twenty-seven-year-old woman had two IVFs, three losses and the latest a salpingectomy added to the onset of endometriosis.”Most read in FootballJoana Sanz bravely revealed she’d previously suffered three miscarriages in her announcement videoCredit: EPAThe model continued: “The frustration and why ‘everyone’ gets pregnant like magic plagued me.“I’m used to achieving what I set my mind to with hard work, effort and perseverance, but this doesn’t go like that.Former Barcelona star Dani Alves cleared of raping woman at nightclub after appeal “I lost my mother two years ago, I have no parents or siblings, the feeling of orphanage and emptiness has followed me until the day I heard my baby’s heart for the first time.“My last frozen embryo, my last hope to have that reason to be strong in life. Here she is, healthy and growing.“And I know that it was my mother who sent her to me so that I never feel alone again.”So that I can make her want to live and have this rainbow full of love after so many storms.“I still can’t believe it and I wake up in the morning in fear of seeing the sheets covered in blood or close my eyes on the ultrasound until I hear everything is perfect. Everything comes, don’t give up.”Sanz’s revealing of her pregnancy came days after her husband – who she’s been married to for eight years – was cleared by four Catalan High Court judges of raping a woman at a plush Barcelona nightclub in December 2022.Joana Sanz felt as if she was the one on trial during husband Dani Alves’ rape caseCredit: EPAFollowing the clearing of her husband, who spent 14 months on remand before being bailed, Sanz issued a statement revealing she felt as if she was the one on trial.She wrote on Instagram: “I was singled out, insulted, threatened and persecuted for two years. As if I were the one in the dock.“Despite so much media/public damage, I am still standing, not lacking work as so many wanted it to happen, faithful to my beliefs and defending what I think without being intoxicated by others.”Sanz added: “I invite you to stop venting your hatred on people you know nothing about.Read More on The Sun”To get informed and educated, so you don’t have to bite your tongue, which sometimes poisons.”Alves’ accuser plans to launch a last-ditch appeal to Spain’s Supreme Court after her lawyer’s previous attempts to get Alves jailed for 12 years on conviction. More

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      in Soccer

      Baller League EXACT time: When is Night 2 kicking off TONIGHT?

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      BALLER LEAGUE is back TONIGHT after the competition kicked off in spectacular style last weekThe Baller League will be headed up by president KSI, who recently sold out Wembley in the Sidemen Charity Match.KSI is the president of the Baller League after selling out the Sidemen Charity MatchCredit: GettyThe first night of the Baller League took place last weekThe YouTuber-turned-boxer put on a great show as Sidemen FC fell to defeat on penalties to YouTube Allstars, and Baller League promises to be another success.Twelve teams will compete, with the top four after 11 games going into the play-off round to determine the winner.The 12 teams will be managed by some huge stars, ranging from Premier League winning captain John Terry to musician Dave.Sky Sports has picked up the Baller League and it started to great excitement last week – with AngryGinge’s Yanited taking an early lead in the standings.Read more baller leagueThe action all comes from the Copper Box Arena in Stratford.When does Baller League start, how can I watch it and is there a live stream?Baller League started on March 24 and will run for 11 consecutive weeks every Monday.Each match is six-a-side and played in two 15 minute halves.In the final three minutes of each half there will be new rules introduced, such as the keeper being unable to use hands or the teams going down to 2-vs-2Nightly action can be watched on UK TV on Sky Sports Mix.The action is also available to be live streamed on YouTube and Twitch, as well as on SkyGO for Sky Customers.Coverage begins at 5.15pm with the first match kicking-off at 5.35pm GMTAlternatively, SunSport will live blog all the action. More

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      in Motorsport

      Former MotoGP champion Marc Marquez deliberately causes chaos on the grid before crashing out of race

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      MARC MARQUEZ caused chaos at Sunday’s MotoGP race as he bolted from the grid before the start of the race.The motorcycle racing championship was at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) this weekend – Formula One will race there in October – for the third race weekend of the season.Former MotoGP world champion Marc Marquez sparked chaos before Sunday’s raceCredit: ReutersMarquez was waiting on the grid after some rainfall at the trackCredit: RexBut he suddenly bolted from his spot and into the pitlane to get a new bike with slick tyresCredit: X @bikesontntMarquez admitted he played the rules to ensure he would not get a penaltyCredit: ReutersHowever, changeable conditions at the track sparked a bizarre sequence of events led by Marquez before the race had even started.Ahead of the scheduled start of the race, Marquez was sitting on his bike, which had been equipped with wet weather tyres following pre-race rainfall.But the six-time champion then suddenly bolted back to the pitlane to retrieve another bike, this one fitted with slick tyres for a dry track, for a pit lane start.The move from the 32-year-old prompted many of his rivals to follow suit and also change bikes from a wet to a dry fit, with three others gambling on slicks from the very beginning.READ MORE IN MOTORSPORTNormally such a move would lead to a penalty, however, if enough riders change vehicles then no penalties are applied and a new race start procedure takes place.And sure enough race director, Mike Webb, declared the race start would be delayed and take place under the original grid order – with Marquez on pole – and no penalties applied.Speaking following the race, the Spaniard revealed the act had been done on purpose after admitting the original strategy was not correct. He said: “I really know the rules and how to do that, and how to be on the limit all the time.Most read in MotorsportBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK“I asked to [Marco] Rigamonti (engineer) seven minutes before the start if the second bike was ready. He said to me yes, and then I said to him maybe I will leave the grid.“Why? Because I predicted that when I leave… I saw that the rain tyres was not the correct strategy.Ex-World Speedway Champion Tai Woffinden airlifted to hospital after horrifying crash“And then I predicted that more than 10 riders would follow me, and then they would stop the race. So, it’s what happened.”Marquez later added to TNT Sports: “Because I already know that if I leave the grid most people will follow and then the start will be delayed.”I understand with the Michelin guide that three or four riders were already with the slicks. “I saw that our strategy on wet was not a good one and then I forced that situation.”Marquez’s ingenious gamesmanship looked to have worked wonders after building up a two-second lead as the race approached the halfway stage.However, disaster struck at Turn 4 of lap nine when he suddenly crashed on the inside kerb of the corner.Marquez, who won the first two feature races and all three sprint races this season, rejoined the race on a badly damaged bike before retiring on lap 13.Ducati team-mate Pecco Bagnaia raced through to take the lead before converting it into his first win of the season.The Italian acknowledged the victory had only come about because of his team-mates crash, but was “very happy” to achieve his first win at COTA.Marquez’s crash allowed his brother Alex Marquez, who is riding for Gresini, to take a one-point lead in the rider’s championship.Read More on The SunMarquez, 28, has finished runner-up in all six races so far this season but is now leading the championship for the first time in his premier-class career.The next race weekend of MotoGP takes place in Qatar on April 13. More