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      Man Utd star Nicky Butt’s 50th party at centre of police probe after ‘head-butt’ left security guard with ‘broken nose’

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      MANCHESTER United star Nicky Butt’s 50th birthday party is at the centre of a police probe after an alleged head-butt left a security guard with a suspected broken nose.Cops are questioning witnesses and scouring CCTV footage from celeb haunt Soho Farmhouse, Oxfordshire.Ex-Manchester United player Nicky Butt’s 50th birthday party is at the centre of a police probeCredit: PAGary Neville was at the event where an alleged head-butt left a security guard with a suspected broken noseCredit: GettyFellow class of ’92 star Paul Scholes also attendedCredit: AlamyGuests included David and Victoria Beckham, plus Class of 92 pals Paul Scholes and Gary Neville.A source said: “There was blood everywhere. People were shocked.”The clash followed an afternoon of drinking after 30 people moved on from the private dining room to a bar area at Soho Farmhouse near Great Tew, Oxfordshire.Trouble is said to have flared between 7pm and 8pm after a man left the bar to go outside.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSThe security guard is said to have spotted the man relieving himself against a courtyard wall.He approached the man and remonstrated with him.It is alleged the man then snapped in a drunken fury and head-butted the guard.Police said they received a report of the alleged assault at 9.15pm, around two hours after it happened and as the extent of the guard’s injuries became known.Most read in FootballOfficers then turned up at the members-only club which also offers £800-a-night cabins.A source said: “The guard went to have a word with the guy causing offence and was then head-butted in the face.Gary Neville tells Match of the Day legend ‘please stop putting me forward as Man Utd manager’“There was blood everywhere and people were shocked as the guard came inside with his face in a total mess.”The Beckhams — who have a £12million estate around the corner from Soho Farmhouse — returned home soon after the ­incident.Butt, Neville, Scholes and their partners also left to be driven back to their homes near ­Manchester.The wounded guard was taken to hospital for treatment to facial injuries.He has given police a full statement and is said to be currently off work recovering from his injuries.Thames Valley Police confirmed their attendance and investigation.Nobody has been arrested so far.Midfielder Butt turned 50 on January 21 and had invited a host of friends to the lunch party last Friday, January 24.They included his teammates from the Class of 1992, a crop of exceptional young United talents who emerged that year and remain close friends.The source added: “There were a few well-known faces there ­including some of the 1992 class and their wives and girlfriends, including Victoria Beckham. “They were there for a lunch to celebrate Nicky Butt’s 50th birthday and the drinks were flowing all afternoon.”The class of ’92 were a cohort of youth players who ascended to the Man U first team in 1992Credit: GettyThe venue was celeb haunt Soho Farmhouse, OxfordshireCredit: soho farmhouseGuests included David and Victoria BeckhamCredit: GettyThe source added: “It’s the very last place you would expect to hear of that kind of behaviour going on. “Soho Farmhouse is very upmarket and fashionable.“This kind of incident is certainly not a regular occurrence there.“The other guests and staff alike were all shocked about what happened. “It ruined a lovely day.”A police spokesman confirmed: “An assault at a business premises in Great Tew was reported to Thames Valley Police at about 9.15pm on January 24.“It is alleged that a man assaulted a member of security.“Thames Valley Police is conducting a thorough investigation, including taking a statement from and supporting the victim, obtaining and reviewing any CCTV available and taking witness statements.“No arrests have been made at this time.”The Class of 92 formed the nucleus of the Manchester United team which went on to win more than 20 trophies under legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson. Butt, Becks, 49, Scholes, 50, Ryan Giggs, 51, and brothers Gary Neville, 49, and Phil, 48, featured in a 2013 ­documentary about their rise and stellar careers.A second series was made in 2016 and featured the ex-players — minus Beckham — buying Salford City FC.Butt had been CEO of League Two Salford until quitting last year.The six Class of 92 players ­collectively won an extraordinary 120 trophies between them — including two Champions Leagues.Giggs lifted 35 trophies in 963 games for the Red Devils while Butt won 14 in 387 matches.Beckham won 12 in 394 games, Gary Neville got 20 in 602 games and brother Phil, now based in the US, lifted 14 in 386 games.Meanwhile, Scholes won 25 trophies in 718 games.Former England captain Beckham and some of his four children are said to be regulars at Soho ­Farmhouse, which featured in the acclaimed Netflix documentary about him in 2023.A Soho Farmhouse spokesperson declined to comment last night.Nicky Butt played for United between 1992 and 2004Credit: News Group Newspapers LtdGary Neville captained Manchester United for many yearsCredit: PA:Press AssociationPaul Scholes is considered one of the best midfielders to play for the clubCredit: GettyDavid Beckham won many league titles with United, before transferring to Real Madrid in 2003Credit: GettyButt playing in a Manchester United charity gameCredit: GettyWhere the rich relaxULTRA-exclusive Soho Farmhouse has been touted as a “hamlet of hedonism” and “the country retreat for people who would otherwise never go to the country”.Deep in the Cotswolds, it is part of the international Soho House private members club and hosted Meghan’s hen party before her 2018 wedding to Prince Harry.Soho Farmhouse has been touted as a ‘hamlet of hedonism’Credit: Free for editorial useReality TV queen Kourtney Kardashian and pop star Dua Lipa have visited. Guest speakers have included ex-England and Liverpool footballer Jordan Henderson and actress Billie Piper.Entry is strictly members-only, with a hefty price tag attached.Rooms in the Grade II-listed farmhouse start at £295.Cabins set in its 100 acres cost even more.The rich and famous can relax at the luxury health club, heated pools, and country pub.There is a “lazy lake” with sunken hot tubs, an infrared sauna, plus steam and ice rooms.A “wellness barn” offers pilates, meditation, and fitness classes.Punters also have access to manicures and pedicures, facials and massages. Outdoor pursuits include horse riding, boating, clay shooting or tennis.READ MORE SUN STORIESGuests can marvel at original artworks and tuck into food from top-tier Japanese cuisine to a classic Sunday roast.Soho House owns a range of other swanky spots across the globe, including New York, Paris, Rome and Amsterdam. More

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      When is the Champions League last 16 draw and when do the play-offs take place?

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      THE expanded Champions League has delighted and confused fans in equal abundance so far this season.More teams and more matches – plus a league table to contend with – have left many fans wondering what exactly is going on.Liverpool are already into the hat for the Champions League Round of 16 draw – but will have to wait to find out who their opponents areCredit: APThere is just one round of matches to play after Wednesday’s fixtures, with all remaining games set to take place on January 29.But then what?There will be a draw next week – but with some teams already into the knockout phase, it’s not how it was before.Here’s everything you need to know about the Champions League knockout draw and stages.When is the Champions League knockout stage draw?The main draw for the knockout phase takes place on Friday, February 21.However, there is ALSO a draw taking place for the knockout phase play-offs.Under the new league table format, which has 36 teams, the top eight teams in the table are automatically put into the Round of 16 and are seeded.Most read in Champions LeagueThe bottom eight teams are eliminated from European competition, with no move into the Europa League like in previous years.The next 16 teams – those that finished between 9th and 24th – then head into the knockout phase play-offs.The teams that finished 9th to 16th will be seeded and drawn against teams that finished 17th to 24th (unseeded).The draw for that round of games take place on Friday, January 31.While Liverpool have already guaranteed qualification, fellow English sides Arsenal, Aston Villa and Man City still have it all to play for.New Champions League format is a snorefestBy Dan KingUEFA sold the idea of expanding the Champions League from 32 to 36 teams, with each playing eight games instead of six in the opening phase, as a way of creating more competitiveness and excitement.The biggest clubs would have two matches against their peers, rather than having to wait until the knockout stage to meet.The smaller clubs would meet teams of a similar level twice and have a chance of tasting victory that was so hard to achieve if you were the bottom seed in a group of four.Ignoring for a moment the fact that the real motivation was the simple equation of more games = more money, the theory itself already looks flawed.None of the matches between European giants has delivered a compelling contest yet.And why would they? At the start of the long season with more matches in it, why would any team with ambitions to win things in the spring, go out all guns blazing in the autumn?Especially when they know they have six games NOT against big sides to make sure they accrue enough points to qualify at least for the play-off round (and even more games).There is even less jeopardy than before.Read the full column on the Champions League format fail and why everyone – including YOU – needs a rethink.When does the Champions League knockout phase play-offs take place and when is the Round of 16?Teams that finished in the top eight and automatically reached the Round of 16 have a little bit of a wait on their hands.After the final league phase game on January 29, the likes of Liverpool and Barcelona will not play their Champions League last 16 games until March.Those fixtures are scheduled to take place on March 4-5 and 11-12.For the knockout phase play-offs, there is a slightly shorter wait – those two-legged games take on February 11-12 and 18-19.What was the final Champions League league phase standings?Liverpool (straight into last 16)Barcelona (straight into last 16)Arsenal (straight into last 16)Inter (straight into last 16)Atletico Madrid (straight into last 16)Bayer Leverkusen (straight into last 16)Lille (straight into last 16)Aston Villa (straight into last 16)Atalanta (into last-16 play-off)Borussia Dortmund (into last-16 play-off)Real Madrid (into last-16 play-off)Bayern (into last-16 play-off)AC Milan (into last-16 play-off)PSV (into last-16 play-off)PSG (into last-16 play-off)Benfica (into last-16 play-off)Monaco (into last-16 play-off)Brest (into last-16 play-off)Feyenoord (into last-16 play-off)Juventus (into last-16 play-off)Celtic (into last-16 play-off)Man City (into last-16 play-off)Sporting (into last-16 play-off)Club Brugge (into last-16 play-off)Dinamo Zagreb (eliminated from Europe)Stuttgart (eliminated from Europe)Shakhtar Donetsk (eliminated from Europe)Bologna (eliminated from Europe)Crvenza Zvezda (eliminated from Europe)Sturm Graz (eliminated from Europe)Sparta Praha (eliminated from Europe)RB Leipzig (eliminated from Europe)Girona (eliminated from Europe)RB Salzburg (eliminated from Europe)Slovan (eliminated from Europe)Young Boys (eliminated from Europe)Who can play who in the Champions League last 16 play-off?Because of the way the format has been decided teams already know the options they may face.And it’s very bad news for Man City despite qualifying on the final day.Pep Guardiola’s team can only be drawn against one of Bayern or Real Madrid.Here’s how the English clubs are shaping up.Play-off roundManchester City vs Bayern Munich/Real MadridREAD MORE SUN STORIESLast 16Liverpool vs PSG/Benfica/AS Monaco/BrestArsenal vs AC Milan/PSV Eindhoven/Feyenoord/JuventusAston Villa vs Atalanta/Borussia Dortmund/Sporting /Club Brugge More

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      Do Champions League teams drop into the Europa League if they don’t qualify for the last 16?

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      THE final night of the Champions League is HERE – and it’s win or go home for many teams.Manchester City are one such side after a horror Champions League campaign culminated in a 4-2 capitulation against Paris Saint-Germain last week.Man City must win to avoid Champions League eliminationCredit: PARafa Benitez led Chelsea to Europa League success in Amsterdam in 2013Credit: Getty ImagesYet while City needed a win to have any chance of qualification – they are now staring down the barrel of elimination.Pep Guardiola’s side have to beat Club Brugge and then hope other results go their way.Do Champions League teams drop into the Europa League if they don’t qualify?In previous years, teams that struggled during the Champions League group stage always had the safety blanket of dropping down into the Europa League.Chelsea famously became the first team to win the Champions League and Europa League in consecutive seasons in 2012 and 2013.The Blues won in Munich under Roberto Di Matteo but six months later were dumped out of the group stage – costing Di Matteo his job – and moved into the secondary competition.Rafa Benitez took charge and lead the team to Europa League glory in Amsterdam.But teams won’t be able to go down that route anymore.The expanded Champions League – which has seen an increase in teams and a dramatic change in the format – means teams will no longer drop into the Europa League.The new 36-team format sees the top eight in the league phase qualify automatically for the last 16.Teams that finish 9 to 24 are then entered into a draw to play a two-legged tie to make it into the last 16.The teams that finish 25th to 36th are then ELIMINATED from ALL European competition. More

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      Shock moment Aston Villa & Celtic fans clash before Champions League showdown as FLARE launched towards home supporters

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      THIS is the shocking moment Aston Villa and Celtic fans clashed on the streets of Birmingham before tonight’s Champions League clash. It’s always a fiery encounter when one of England’s top clubs face a Scottish heavyweight in Europe. Celtic and Aston Villa fans clash near Villa ParkCredit: X / hooliganscz1999Flares were launched towards the home fansCredit: X / hooliganscz1999And punters tried their best to crank the heat up even further after going head-to-head in an encounter just a short walk away from Villa Park.Footage shows Aston Villa fans gathering on Witton Road – less than half a mile away from the stadium. Moments later the supporters were seen walking towards Witton Station before stopping on the street and standing their ground with a section of Celtic fans appearing to be at other side of the road. The two sets of supporters shouted and chanted at each other and flares were seen being launched in the direction of the home fans.Cops swarmed the scene in an attempt to get the situation under control and the street was later closed to the public.The fiery encounter appeared to take place around 5.30pm – two-and-a-half hours before kick-off. The road was then reopened at 6.30pm.West Midlands Police confirmed to SunSport that there were no fans injured during the incident.Most read in FootballA police spokesperson said: “A small number of flares were lit by Celtic fans as they arrived on Witton Road, Aston, for today’s Aston Villa vs Celtic game. There were no injuries and the fans were quickly dispersed.”Celtic and Aston Villa face off tonight in a huge blockbuster showdown to finish their league phase campaign. Both teams already have their spots in the play-off secured but a win for either side could see them take their place in the top eight. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page More

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      What do Arsenal need to do to guarantee qualification to the Champions League Last 16?

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      ARSENAL are among the favourites to advance straight to the last 16 of the Champions League.The Gunners are fifth in the League Phase table with eight points separating them from high flying Liverpool, but Mikel Arteta’s men have a game in hand.Arsenal might need only one more win to advance to the Champions League’s Last 16Credit: GettyThe North Londoners have two more games to go in the revamped first round consisting of 36 teams.Mikel Arteta’s men face Dinamo Zagreb tonight at the Emirates and then visit Girona on January 29.Arsenal have amassed 13 points from six matches of which they won four and lost only once.Just one more win from the final two games could send the Premier League giants straight into the Round of 16.Read More on ArsenalThe teams who finish in the top eight spots automatically qualify for the Last 16.And those who find themselves between ninth and 24th place will face off in the play-offs to determine the other eight teams that make it to the next round.Arsenal are currently five points ahead of Dinamo, who are 25th in the Champions League table.Opta found that in 99 per cent of their simulations, teams who collected 10 points made it into the play-off round, which means Arteta and co might already be guaranteed at least a spot in those.Most read in Champions LeagueEven nine points proved to be enough in 69 per cent of the simulations, which were run 50,000 times.But Arsenal will want direct qualification for the Last 16.16 points proved to be enough in 98 per cent of the available scenarios.Arsenal ratings: Trossard turns creator to put Gunners in driving seat but Merino and Partey lapses cost Arteta’s sideAnd 15 points were sufficient for eighth place in 73 per cent of the simulations. On the other hand, 14 points were enough in just 28 per cent of the supercomputer’s simulations.That means 15 points could be the magic number for Arsenal to avoid two crunch clashes amid their gruelling bid for a first Premier League title since 2004.That would mean one win from their final two games will likely be enough. More

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      What do Aston Villa need to do to guarantee qualification to the Champions League last 16?

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      DESPITE the loss to Monaco last week, Aston Villa are still contenders for automatic Champions League qualification.The Villans’ high flying Champions League campaign took another hitch as an uninspiring 1-0 defeat in Monaco left them outside the top eight – which guarantees progression to the last 16.A win in Villa’s final league game will give them a chance of qualifying for the Champions League last 16Credit: ReutersUnai Emery’s men are ninth in the League Phase table, joint on 13 points with five other teams, including Bayer Leverkusen, who occupy the final automatic spot. So far, Villa have won four, drew once and lost twice.What do Aston Villa need to do to guarantee Champions League round of 16 qualification?Their final game, Celtic at home, provides an enticing affair where only a win will give them a chance to go straight into the Round of 16. The opportunity arose after Bayern Munich’s shock defeat to Feyenoord and Brest’s defeat.read more on aston villa Those not in the top eight positions either fall into the play-off spots – ninth to 24th – or are immediately eliminated.Villa are offered the security blanket of at least a play-off spot.Opta have calculated that the Midlands side are favourites to scrape the all-decisive eight spot.A supercomputer simulation – that estimates the likelihood of teams finishing in the competition – has Villa down for a 52.6 per cent probability of clinching it.Most read in Champions LeagueFor that to happen, Villa will have to beat Celtic and also need one of Bayer Leverkusen, Atletico Madrid, AC Milan or Atalanta to not follow suit. The teams behind Villa – Monaco, Feyenoord, Lille and Brest – can also match the former’s final tally but their goal difference is inferior.Champions League club send Micah Richards shirt with very cheeky nickname on the back thanks to his Brest obsession Villa’s potential for a seeded spot will likely hinge on Atalanta and whether they can beat Barcelona – which would be needed to stay in the top eight. All outcomes are permutation-driven and ultimately out of Villa’s hand, who can only win to give themselves the best possible chance. More

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      David Luiz picks out key player who could bring Premier League title to Arsenal despite Liverpool dominance

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      ARSENAL boss Mikel Arteta should not give up hope of winning the Premier League, according to David Luiz.Liverpool chief Arne Slot is ahead in this year’s race, while Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City bagged the previous four titles.Former Arsenal defender David Luiz, pictured with the FA Cup in 2020, reckons his old club can still win the Premier LeagueCredit: GettyCaptain Martin Odegaard is key to Arsenal’s title chase, says LuizCredit: RexLuiz is also impressed by his fellow Brazilian centre-back GabrielCredit: Sunday TimesLuiz, who won the Prem while at Chelsea, played for the Gunners under Arteta before leaving in 2021. And he said: “Arsenal haven’t won the league already because there are other amazing clubs such as City.“Guardiola has turned City into a machine but also Liverpool now with the new coach are amazing. “Arsenal have to keep fighting . . . maybe one day Chelsea and Arsenal are gonna win the Premier League again. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”The mentality has to continue this way, with ambition. That’s how you achieve something special.”Brazilian Luiz believes keeping ‘world-class’ captain Martin Odegaard fit is vital to Arsenal’s hopes.He said: “Martin has grown a lot and is now a world-class player. He’s an amazing person and he’s turned into a great leader.”And Luiz loves how a fellow Brazilian central defender has blossomed under Arteta.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSHe added: “Gabriel has the power of a monster —  he can score in every single match!“He’s a powerful guy. I hope he continues this way with the help of Arteta who gets the best out of him every day.”What makes William Saliba and Gabriel the Premier League’s best More

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      Champions League clash DELAYED with conditions unplayable after smoke from flares covers entire stadium

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      REAL MADRID’S showdown with Brest was delayed by around five minutes due to flares let off by supporters.Smoke from the flares severely affected visibility, with kick-off in the Champions League clash pushed back to allow the air to clear.Smoke caused by flares led to kick off being delayedSupporters let off flares ahead of kick-offCredit: ReutersAfter a delay of around five minutes, the match was finally able to get underway.With all 18 Champions League games on Wednesday supposed to kick-off simultaneously, the delay caused a headache for Uefa bosses.Ligue 1 side Brest are enjoying their first-ever European campaign.But they have not been able to play matches at their Stade Francis-Le Ble home, as it does not meet Uefa regulations.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLInstead they have had to host Europe’s elite at Stade de Roudourou in Guingamp, around 70 miles away.Despite the distance, their supporters have done their best to make the 19,033-capacity stadium home for their European games.Surprise packages of this season’s Champions League, the French debutants have already beaten PSV Eindhoven and Sturm Graz in Guingamp, while they have drawn with German champions Bayer Leverkusen at their temporary home.Real Madrid appeared unbothered by the slight delay to proceedings.Most read in Champions LeagueSUN BINGO GET £50 BONUS & 50 FREE SPINS TODAYKylian Mbappe returned to France to face BrestCredit: EPAWinger Rodrygo gave the European heavyweights the lead shortly before the half hour, before they powered to a 3-0 victory. The two sides met on a chaotic final matchday in this season’s Champions League league phase.Ally McCoist explains the new Champions League format Brest had gone into the match a point ahead of their esteemed visitors and will now contest the playoffs for a spot in the last-16.Elsewhere on the night, Manchester City hosted Belgian side Club Brugge.Ahead of the game emergency services had to be called after a huge fire broke out just outside the Etihad Stadium.The incident occurred under two hours before kick-off, with footage showing a City club merchandise van up in flames.The match was able to kick-off at 8pm as planned.City booked their place in the Champions League play-offs with a 3-1 win – but not without a scare first. Emergency services were forced to be called to the EtihadCredit: AP More