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      in Soccer

      Footballer, 24, charged with string of sex offences including imprisoning and raping woman

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      A FOOTBALLER has been charged with a string of sex offences including rape.Harry Butters allegedly imprisoned and sexually assaulted the woman, who is aged over 16, in March.Harry Butters has been charged with raping a womanCredit: NNPThe 24-year-old appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court for a hearing.Butters is accused of two counts of sexual assault, one of rape and a count of false imprisonment.All the offences allegedly took place on March 2 in the Darlington area.Butters, who plays for Darlington FC’s under 23s, was released on conditional bail to appear at Teesside Crown Court next month.Read more newsHe has been made subject to a n electronically monitored tagged curfew between 7pm and 7am.Butters has been suspended by the club pending the outcome of court proceedings.He has so far played 21 times this season – including in Darlington’s 5-0 win over Crook Town Youth on March 1.The team said in a statement: “The player is suspended until further notice.”Most read in FootballButters plays for Darlington’s youth teamCredit: NNP More

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      in Boxing

      Floyd Mayweather on course to lose unbeaten record to unknown 42-0 boxer who feared he would die in horror kidnapping

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      ROAD WARRIOR Abel Mendoza has been been building a record that matches the great Floyd Mayweather – but it almost cost him his life. Mendoza’s undefeated 42-0 record has been flying under the radar thanks to bouts in Mexico, South America, Jamaica and even South Korea. Abel Mendoza is the 42-0 boxerCredit: INSTAGRAM @iamkingabelHe is close to breaking Floyd Mayweather’s 50-0 recordCredit: INSTAGRAM @iamkingabelHis career has been going under the radarCredit: INSTAGRAM @iamkingabelBut it was after his last win in December – a win over Yonnaiquer Rondon in Colombia – that he was left staring death in the face. Mendoza was kidnapped in the back of a taxi alongside his friend and faced a fight to survive. Recalling the harrowing experience, he told SunSport: “I thought we were gonna die. “I thought they were gonna take us, hold us for ransom. At that moment I thought, man, I was disappointed.READ MORE IN BOXING”And in that moment I thought to myself – that’s when it just kind of hit me like – no I can’t die like this. I’m not gonna die.” Before turning professional in 2016 in Texas, Mendoza says he had close to 300 amateur bouts. He even beat Lamont Roach – who most believed was robbed of victory against superstar lightweight champion Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis.Mendoza said: “I thought he beat Tank and I knew Lamont was gonna be a a hard fight for Tank, but a lot of people didn’t believe it.”Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThe 29-year-old is managed by brothers Scott and David Tetreault – who have taken his boxing career around the globe. But still Mendoza is without his big break, despite a shiny record to defend. When does WWE-backed TKO Saudi boxing league start and what does it mean for Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren?He said: “I haven’t been working with anybody or no other fighters wants to take a chance. They see my record, maybe they’re intimidated. “But I would have thought it would be the other way like, ‘Oh, he’s 42-0. Let me take his unbeaten record.’ But it’s not like that.”Mendoza took his career on the road in a bid to build his record, fighting largely in Mexico and up to EIGHT times a year.But six of his last eight have been in Colombia – with the most recent sparking his horror kidnapping ordeal. Mendoza claims he hailed down a cab after his Uber app stopped working – before a group of thugs robbed the boxer and his friend. He said: “Two guys get into the back and one of them had a screwdriver, the other one had a knife.”The driver, he turns around, he’s like, ‘Shut up, shut up, don’t talk.’ And I’m just in shock. I just couldn’t believe it.”And then they keep driving. I kept telling him like, ‘Hey man, let me go. You can take all my things here.’Mendoza has fought all around the worldCredit: INSTAGRAM @iamkingabelMendoza poses with boxing legend Manny PacquiaoCredit: INSTAGRAM @iamkingabelHere he is rubbing shoulders with UFC boss Dana WhiteCredit: INSTAGRAM @iamkingabel”They just kept telling me to shut up. They hit me, I gave him my phone, gave him everything and all the money that I had.” Mendoza spotted an ambulance – first mistaking it for a police car – when he decided to fight his way out. He said: “I look at my friend and I’m like, ‘Right now’ because they don’t know English.”So I’m like, ‘Hey, right now.’ And my friend’s like, ‘All right.’ So I punched the guy and I opened the door.”My friend kicks the seat and he grabs the guy – because you could tell they weren’t fighters – and I opened the door and jumped out and my friend did the same thing.”He grabbed him and he took the knife and he jumped out too and we ran to a gas station.”Despite the terrifying ordeal, Mendoza is still not put off boxing away from home. He said: “I’m not afraid. I’ve been to Korea, I’ve been to Mexico a lot, even in New Mexico. I probably won’t go back to Colombia.”I mean, I’ll go anywhere, it’s what I’ve always done.”No I can’t die like this. I’m not gonna dieAbel Mendoza Mendoza improved to 42 wins before the kidnap attempt – moving ever closer to Mayweather’s record-breaking 50-0.But Mendoza insists: “The goal has always been trying to win belts. “I wanna become a world champion and I really don’t care about getting to 50-0. I have a lot of fights because I like to fight. “I love to fight. I have a lot of fights, I would rather take a fight than stay inactive and that’s why I have a lot of fights.”The goal is not to get to 50-0, the goal is to become a world champion. “If I get to 50-0 while that happens, it happens but I’m just trying to become a world champion.”Mendoza thought his big break was coming in February when Floyd Schofield pulled out of fighting WBC champ Shakur Stevenson.The Texan was ready to travel 8,000 miles to Riyadh to replace Schofield – but Britain’s Josh Padley was just a seven-hour flight away.Abel Mendoza snapped with Jake PaulCredit: INSTAGRAM @iamkingabelBrave Padley was beaten in nine rounds as Mendoza said: “My team reached out to them and they were trying to make it happen.”But I guess somebody from the UK was closer so they found him and he was there. It happens.” Mendoza has also called out 11-1 YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul – despite their FIVE STONE weight difference. But he said: “I just put it out there that I’d fight Jake. I actually think Jake’s a decent fighter, so that was one of the reasons why I put that out there.”I don’t know if he’s at the elite level. I think that’s whatwe’re all waiting to see… if if he’s at the elite level.”But from what I’ve seen, he looks pretty decent.”Mendoza is now just waiting for his big opportunity – warning boxing bigwigs he is open for business. He said: “I’m ready to fight, I wanna fight the best so I can prove myself that I am the best. I’m a free agent, so that’s a good thing.READ MORE SUN STORIES”I’m able to work with whoever right now and there are a few promoters interested. “But I’m just trying to be patient and just waiting to see what happens.”Mendoza is ready for the big timeCredit: INSTAGRAM @iamkingabel More

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      in Soccer

      Premier League club to open £300million new stand within months and will be bigger than Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium

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      MANCHESTER CITY officials are aiming to open the expanded Etihad Stadium North Stand next January, according to reports.The reigning Premier League champions previously revealed that the new-look stand would open at some point during the 2025-26 season.Man City are currently in the process of expanding the North StandCredit: APCity have invested £300m in the developmentCredit: APBut, as per the Forever Blue podcast, City’s managing director of operations, Danny Wilson, has earmarked January 2026 as the main target should everything go as planned.Man City’s £300million development is set to turn the Etihad Stadium into a 61,470-seater venue.The Prem giants aim to deliver one of the best matchday experiences in world sport.Club officials also want to create an elite entertainment destination for supporters and visitors.Read More in FootballThe renovation of the North Stand will see a Sky Bar introduced, which is set to have premium seating for 450 fans.As well as development inside the ground, there’s a host of new areas being created in the renovations.The Cityzens are building a new fanzone, club museum, City Store, and a huge 400-bed hotel.However, those developments are not expected to be completed until late 2026.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSCity’s Director of Infrastructure and Development, Ed Dalton, said: “Work is progressing at pace.”The project is split into four different sections.Premier League club reach new milestone in £300m stadium expansion with special ‘bolt-on’ project set to boost capacity “We have the North Stand development, the hotel, a commercial wing, and the covered fan zone from City Square.”Over the summer and winter months, we’ve completed all ground works.”We did as much work as we could during the close season to minimise disruption to fans.” More

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      in Soccer

      England star spotted at darts in Luke Littler shirt holding up bizarre message to his Premier League manager

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      ENGLAND star Lewis Dunk was spotted holding up a bizarre sign as he cheered on Luke Littler last night.The 18-year-old sensation beat Chris Dobey, Michael van Gerwen and Nathan Aspinall en route to Premier League Darts victory yesterday.Lewis Dunk was seen holding up a sign about his manager Fabian HurzelerCredit: XThe defender was also spotted by a fan holding beerCredit: XLuke Littler won last night’s event at the Brighton CentreCredit: PAThe action on night five of the competition came from Brighton and their club captain Dunk was pictured in the crowd.Dunk was seen holding a pint of beer while wearing a replica of Littler’s trademark purple shirt.Sky Sports cameras cut to him in the stands and the defender was seen holding up a hand-written sign.It had Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler’s name scribbled on it with the words “in” and “out” crossed out several times.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLFans found it hilarious, with one saying: “Dunk with this sign cracked me up.”Another added: “Having a great time by the looks of it.”A third reacted: “Why is Lewis Dunk at the darts with a Hurzeler Out/in sign?????”Dunk is currently out injured and has not featured in the Seagulls’ last four games.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThe 33-year-old has been capped six times by England and was part of Gareth Southgate’s squad for the Euros last summer.Brighton face Fulham tomorrow and Dunk will reportedly miss out again due to injury.Luke Littler reveals ‘pint was thrown at Nathan Aspinall’ as Premier League Darts is marred by ‘crazy’ crowd incident He is not the only Premier League player to have been spotted at the darts after Tottenham pair James Maddison and Brennan Johnson were seen at Ally Pally for the World Championships just hours after drawing 2-2 to Wolves in December.Dunk’s sign was aimed at manager Fabian HurzelerCredit: Getty More

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      Ex-West Ham star’s Wag breaks down in tears after ‘scum’ burglars ransack home while they were out for son’s birthday

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      EX-WEST HAM star Nicky Maynard and his family fell victim to a burglary while out celebrating their son’s birthday.His wife Tara Maynard was left in tears as she returned home to find it ransacked.Tara Maynard broke down in tears as she revealed her home had been burgledShe spoke of an eerie feeling the morning after the incidentHandbags and watches were stolen from the propertyCredit: INSTAGRAM @taramays25Tara revealed her heartbreak as she put out an appealThe family were out celebrating son Trey’s 12th birthday at the time of the incidentCredit: INSTAGRAM @taramays25Tara, a fashion designer, revealed to her 675,000 Instagram followers that her house had been broken into.She fought back the tears as she described the extent of the burglary, with countless watches and designer handbags taken from the property.Even her antibiotics were stolen and her two boys’ safes broken into – stealing the money they had been saving up.Tara, 35, said in an Instagram video: “Well I tell you what working hard gets you girls, and going out for a meal for your son’s 12th birthday – to come home to be absolutely everything has been taken, like everything.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”We’ve been out for an hour for Trey’s birthday and they’ve literally ransacked the whole place.”Like even the little kids’ safes with the cash in that they’ve been saving for Christmas and birthdays, they’ve literally taken the lot.'”Addressing her followers, she said: ‘”If anybody hears or they’re selling any of my bags girls, everybody knows what I’ve got.”You all know what jewellery I’ve got. Then please, please tell me.’Most read in FootballShowing how the burglars even broke into their sons’ money boxes, she added: ‘Like, what scum on earth?’The family had been out celebrating their son Trey’s 12th birthday at the time of the incident.Nicky and Tara Maynard both put out appealsCredit: INSTAGRAM @taramays25Police suspect a £1million raid on Jack Grealish’s mansion may have been an inside job as devastated Man City breaks silence Maynard, 38, said he heard footsteps in the gravel as they returned home – but their neighbours were not aware of the burglary taking place.A camera was later found in the bushes outside their home which is believed to have been used to spy on them.In another video taken in the morning after the burglary, Tara again broke down in tears as she described the “eerie feeling” she has been left with.Police are investigating the incident as Tara spoke about needing her mum with her to re-enter the property.Both Maynard and Tara have put out appeals to the public to keep an eye out for the belongings, with at least 30 handbags, as well as Cartier and Rolex watches and three Van Cleef bracelets all gone.Tara believes a “highly professional” gang targeted their home following a spate of burglaries in the Cheshire area.Jack Grealish fell victim to a burglary nearby on December 27 when he was playing for Manchester City. More

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      in Boxing

      I’d be happy if Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn never fight – the feud is a gimmick and neither are a patch on their dads

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      CONOR BENN and Chris Eubank Jr reduced boxing to Donald Trump levels of boorish behaviour last week while selling their so-called family feud at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on April 26.When Eubank smashed a raw egg into the side of Benn’s face in Manchester, it was a symbolic gesture to humiliate him for claiming it was eating too many eggs which caused him to fail two drug tests.Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn are set to face off on April 26Credit: SplashThere is a big size and weight difference between the two fightersCredit: SplashIt led to a mass brawl involving promoters Eddie Hearn, Ben Shalom and the two fighters — and it was only the intervention of heavily muscled security men that prevented it from getting out of hand.For his trouble, Eubank has been called before the British Boxing Board of Control’s disciplinary committee for bringing the sport into disrepute. Let’s hope he is handed a hefty fine.This fight was supposed to have taken place 30 months ago but was called off at the last minute because of Benn’s drug test problems.Along with others, I had condemned the fight as being dangerous to the health of both men.READ MORE IN BOXINGWe had the distinct possibility of Benn, a small welterweight, going into the ring with a super-middleweight likely to be more than a stone heavier than him.The vast physical difference between them is highlighted by the fact Benn is three inches shorter than Eubank and will be outreached by five inches. When it was postponed at the 11th hour, I said in this column that boxing could heave a huge sigh of relief it isn’t facing the possibility of a catchweight catastrophe.For me, it was a blessing in disguise, as I always had grave doubts about the wisdom of allowing the fight — particularly as Eubank was asked to boil down to a skeletal 157lb.Most read in BoxingJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSAt least this time it is being held at the 11st 6lb limit, with a 170lb rehydration clause written into Eubank’s contract.This fight had no validity then and has no validity now.Chris Eubank Jr scanned by an ‘egg detector’ ahead of Conor Benn press conference after slap controversyIt is purely a money-making gimmick based on the fact Benn’s dad Nigel and Eubank’s father, also Chris, fought each other in two great world title fights in the 1990s.The two offspring are nowhere near as good as their fathers but I’m not naive enough to realise that, despite my misgivings, there will be a 60,000 sell-out crowd in North London next month.I often wonder how many who sit at big-fight ringsides worry about the safety of the boxers — particularly if they boo when a referee stops a contest to save someone from serious injury.Maybe I’m a purist, but boxing should always be a level playing field — it’s dangerous already without adding any unnecessary hazards.I know the fighters will hate me saying this, because I’m sure they have guaranteed millions, but I wouldn’t be unhappy if Benn and Eubank never did fight each other. More

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      in Soccer

      ‘Dock them a week’s wages, now’ – Fans fume as Tottenham waste dangerous free-kick with routine that ‘sums season up’

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      TOTTENHAM fans were left raging after a free-kick routine from the training ground failed in disastrous fashion.Spurs suffered a shocking 18th defeat of the season last night, losing to AZ Alkmaar 1-0 in their Europa League last-16 first leg tie.Spurs messed up a free-kick routineCredit: TNT SPORTSJames Maddison and Son Heung-min’s short passes did not workCredit: TNT SPORTSKevin Danso then chipped the ball to nobodyCredit: TNT SPORTSThe Dutch side went ahead via a comical own goal by Lucas Bergvall and things soon got worse for Ange Postecoglou’s men as they chased an equaliser.Towards the end of a frustrating first-half, Spurs won a free-kick just outside the box.Most expected a shot given James Maddison’s set-piece ability, but he instead passed short to Son Heung-min.But the pre-rehearsed routine went horribly wrong as Son’s lay back to Maddison went behind him.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAZ players swarmed the captain and he passed back to Kevin Danso, who then booted the ball out of play to ironic cheers from the home support.It left fans fuming, with one saying: “Dock them a weeks wages. Now.”Another added: “This kind of summed our season up.”TNT Sports commentator Adam Summerton called it “a real waste”.Most read in Europa LeagueJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSPostecoglou slammed last night’s performance, saying: “It was not a great night for us. We were too passive, not aggressive enough and nowhere near the level we should be at.“That’s what we will have to address. It is a disappointing result – but a really disappointing performance.’Horrendous’ – Jamie Carragher reveals moment Postecoglou’s Tottenham reign changed and they’ve been ‘awful’ ever since“We didn’t get to grips with any part of the game. We struggled to gain any momentum with the ball.“It was a tricky surface but we knew that from yesterday and just didn’t tackle the challenges we had out there.“I don’t think it’s a matter of effort or attitude. I don’t think it is going out there and not trying.“But we didn’t really have the right mindset to tackle an away fixture in Europe.”Spurs legend Les Ferdinand said he would not have used the turf as an excuse, telling TNT Sports: “I am not sure I would have blamed the pitch. AZ played alright on it.”Son was also unhappy with the display, saying: “This was nowhere near the level we should be in terms of performance.“This is very disappointing, including from myself, and  a big wake-up call ahead of the biggest game of our season next week.“It is tough playing away from home in the Europa League. We were sloppy and not performing how we should.READ MORE SUN STORIES“Everyone is disappointed and we have to look at ourselves. No excuses and it was nowhere near good enough. But it is just 1-0 and the tie is not finished.“Next week we have to be much better than tonight.” More

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      in Soccer

      Bargain Brighton signing Malick Yalcouye dubbed ‘next Kante’ and came through prestigious academy that produced Toure

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      BRIGHTON could have unearthed another hidden gem after the acquisition of 19-year-old Malick Yalcouye on a five-year deal.The midfielder left his home country, Mali, as a teenager to move to the Ivory Coast and chase his football dreams by joining the famed ASEC Mimosas academy which produced the Toure brothers, Gervinho and Salomon Kalou, among others.Malick Yalcouye is tipped to be the next big thing for BrightonCredit: PAMalick Yalcouye was named Man of the Match in the Champions League for Sturm GrazCredit: GettyYalcouye signed for Brighton from IFK Goteborg last summer for £6million, having only joined the Swedish side in the February before for around €400,000. In the Swedish Allsvenskan league, Yalcouye was dubbed the next N’Golo Kante due to his ability to cover ground and hunt the ball like the legendary Chelsea midfielder.Brighton were willing to pay the hefty fee for a player who had been in Europe for less than six months. But they immediately loaned him out to Austrian side Sturm Graz, where he has played 15 league games, helping his side top the Austrian Bundesliga.He’s also played eight times in the Champions League, gaining invaluable experience on his developmental journey.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe rationale behind the decision to loan him out, despite his strong pre-season performance, was to ensure that his young shoulders weren’t burdened with being the record sale for Goteborg, nor tasked with replacing the likes of Moisés Caicedo and Alexis Mac Allister straight away.Brighton had a similar plan for Caicedo when they first signed him from Independiente del Valle in 2021 on a four-year deal.The main midfielder at the time was Yves Bissouma, so to allow Caicedo to develop Brighton chairman Tony Bloom and the sporting directors agreed it was best for him to go out on loan to Belgian side Beerschot.By the time he returned from his loan spell, he was ready for the Premier League and stepped in perfectly under then-manager Graham Potter. Most read in FootballHis success was so evident that both Chelsea and Liverpool were willing to break the Premier League transfer record to sign him.Mac Allister also followed a similar loan development path before returning to explode at the Amex.Sun Sport sources at Brighton say the club is very happy with the midfielder’s development so far in Austria and believe he’s ahead of schedule, possibly being ready for the Premier League squad next season.Brighton players in tunnel post match after beating Bournemouth 2-1Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler also described him as a potential world-class player when he first arrived at the club.He said, “We are really pleased to bring Malick to the club. He is a talented midfielder with lots of potential to develop into a top-class player. “He’s excited about this next stage of his career, and we’re looking forward to helping him progress.” More