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      Former Chelsea star and Champions League winner, 44, joins ARMY and serving in Amazon rainforest

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      FORMER Chelsea star Florent Malouda has joined up with the military in French Guiana.The former winger, 44, spent six seasons with the Blues, winning the Champions League in 2012.Florent Malouda has joined up with the militaryCredit: https://www.instagram.com/fmaloudaMalouda, 44, posted a series of snaps with his colleaguesCredit: https://www.instagram.com/fmaloudaThe former winger beamed as he served in the Amazon rainforestCredit: https://www.instagram.com/fmaloudaMalouda was born in French Guiana before moving to Paris as a teenCredit: https://www.instagram.com/fmaloudaMalouda played 80 times for France, having moved from Cayenne, French Guiana to Paris as a teenager.His birthplace still holds a dear place in his heart, however, as illustrated in his latest Instagram post.The former Stamford Bridge favourite posed wearing his military gear in the Amazon rainforest.Malouda has joined the 3rd Forest Infantry Regiment’s citizens’ reserve.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThis department is described by the French government as “system that enables civilians (often recognised in their fields) to make a voluntary contribution to promoting the values and missions of the military institution, without being military personnel themselves.”Malouda captioned his post: “While passing through the Amazon in my home territory, I was able to follow an initiation during the CEFE Authorities course of the 3rd REI at the Equatorial Forest Training Center.”Thank you to @3e_rei for this moment of cohesion and for these values of team spirit in the face of adversity. These are essential values in high-level sport.”Malouda played four times for French Guiana in 2017.Most read in FootballSUN BINGO GET £50 BONUS & 50 FREE SPINS TODAYMalouda was a brilliant winger for Chelsea across five seasonsCredit: PA:Press AssociationAs the territory is classified as part of France, the French Guiana team is not deemed a nation of its own – allowing Malouda to play for them.The winger hung up his boots in 2018 following a spell in Luxembourg with FC Differdange 03.Chelsea player ratings: Chalobah back with a bang but Sanchez drops 2/10 horror show in Wolves winHe enjoyed an incredibly decorated career, winning 12 major trophies.His Chelsea career ended in disappointing fashion, however, as he was frozen out for the entire 2012-13 campaign.Despite the manner of his exit, Malouda still appears to have plenty of love for the Blues.Just three weeks ago he posted a picture of himself wearing this season’s Blues away shirt.Malouda poses in this season’s Chelsea away shirtCredit: www.instagram.com/fmalouda More

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      Bolton SACK Ian Evatt after four years in charge after losing at home again and season at risk of petering out

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      BOLTON have sacked manager Ian Evatt.The League One club sit ninth in the table despite expectations of challenging for promotion this season.Bolton have sacked Ian Evatt as manager following a 2-1 defeat to CharltonCredit: GettyThe Wanderers crashed to another home defeat by Charlton last night.And club bosses decided at an emergency board meeting called after the defeat that enough was enough and pulled the plug.A club statement said: “Bolton Wanderers Football Club today announces that First Team Manager Ian Evatt has left the Club by mutual consent. “We would like to express our gratitude to Ian for his professionalism, commitment and creating a legacy during his time at the Club.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLEvatt, 43, joined Bolton in July 2020 after leaving Barrow and guided the team to promotion from League Two with a third-place finish in his first season.He was then awarded a three-year contract in 2021 and went on to win the EFL Trophy in 2023 and lead the club to the play-offs in the same season, seeing him earn renewed terms up to 2026.Bolton suffered heartbreak under Evatt at the end of the 2023/24 season as they lost in the play-off finals.But this season the wheels have come off for the Trotters, with a run of one win in six games to start their season proving difficult to recover from.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSFollowing a 2-1 defeat at home to Charlton last night, they have now lost five games at the Toughsheet Community Stadium this season.Speaking after the game, Evatt told reporters: “I can’t pick faults with the way we played. ‘Classless’ – Fans fume as EFL star’s ‘disgusting’ behaviour sparks row that sees manager sent off days after dad died-Locat”We were back to our best for large parts. But we found a way to lose which has happened too often. It can’t obviously continue.”The performance was better than most of the season, if not all of it. But we came out on the wrong side of the result. That is bitterly disappointing.”I am immensely proud when we play like that of who we are as a team.“We look at them (Charlton). They got the win but they were very direct, very simplistic. I am not sure I would want to watch that every week.”This season Bolton have won 11 of their 26 games, drawn five and lost ten.Overall, Evatt managed 261 games for the club, winning 132, drawing 52 and losing 77.My view: Phil Gradwell – SunSport’s Bolton fanIT’S a real shame Ian Evatt’s time at Bolton ended as it did – but he had outstayed his welcome.He was lucky there were no fans in stadiums in his first season as he’d have probably lasted just six months.But in the second half of that League Two campaign his Wanderers went on a fantastic run to sneak automatic promotion.But ultimately, we have spent too much time in the third tier.There have been plenty of good times – that promotion, a 6-0 gubbing of Sunderland and the Papa John’s Trophy win in 2023.That day summed up his reign – great when it didn’t really matter. Opponents Plymouth were beaten 4-0 but finished top of League One. We lost in the play-off semis, so who were the real winners?He should have gone in the summer, after one of the most abject displays of all time in the play-off final against Oxford. It shouldn’t have even come to that – we blew automatic promotion.And with us now languishing in mid-table, his departure was IanEvattable. More

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      ‘Sack every Championship official’ blast fans as goal is ‘given’ then ruled out WITHOUT VAR as Sky Sports pundits fume

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      SUNDERLAND were controversially denied a second goal against Derby last night.The Black Cats had gone 1-0 up in the 28th minute courtesy of Eliezer Mayenda’s opener.Wilson Isidor’s goal was controversially disallowedCredit: Sky SportsWilson Isidor thought he’d put Sunderland 2-0 upCredit: RexReferee Sam Allison eventually disallowed the goalCredit: RexIn the second-half, it seemed that they’d scored a second.Jobe Bellingham lofted the ball over the top to new boy Enzo Le Fee.As the covering defender attempted to tackle the Frenchman, the ball ricocheted kindly to Wilson Isidor,The forward thought he’d redeemed himself for his two penalty misses at Burnley on Friday night, when he converted past goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterstrom.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLIsidor celebrated his goal, which was initially given by referee Sam Allison.After much deliberation, however, the goal was dramatically chalked off – despite there being no VAR in the Championship.Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris was baffled by the decision, later telling the BBC: “I don’t know, really. Maybe with VAR we could analyse the first ball and maybe an offside, but I don’t think it was that decision.”It was higher up the pitch and at the moment we don’t know.”Most read in FootballSUN BINGO GET £50 BONUS & 50 FREE SPINS TODAYReplays showed that neither Le Fee nor Isidor had been offside.Sky Sports pundit Clinton Morrison couldn’t believe what he was seeing.Jonjo Shelvey completes shock Championship transfer after six-cap England star, 32, saw contract TORN UP by Turkish clubAppearing on Soccer Special, he said: “You tell me why. Because the goal should have stood. He’s gone over to the bench and celebrated, then they said he disallowed the goal.”He was onside, they showed the replay, it’s a great ball. The goal was given, it was pointed, it’s a good ball. They watched it again, Le Fee does well here. Tell me if there’s a foul in this build-up.”No foul whatsoever at all. Isidor puts it into the net, into the net, under the side of the crossbar, goes and celebrates. There’s no VAR here, the referee had pointed back to the spot, the ball was on the spot. Look, he’s onside, so why has it not stood, the goal?”Oh, please tell me this, because I’m confused there. He’s not offside. The assistant flag’s down, all the way. All the way down, he puts it in the net, the referee looks at his assistant, the assistant goes, goal stands, he goes and celebrates, then they disallow the goal.”Could be the fourth official. That’s the only thing that you can think of, because he pointed, there was a celebration. If the referee needs the fourth assistant to where he is on the touchline, wow.”‘GENUINELY OUTRAGEOUS’Fans were left in disbelief, with one writing on social media: “This is genuinely outrageous. I’m mind blown. Sack every Championship official ffs.”While a second fumed: “This should result in the ref and the linesman never officiating another game. Utterly ridiculous.”Isidor himself posted: “Don’t even know what to say…”Other fans, however, seemed to identify a reason for the goal being disallowed.As the defender got back in to challenge Le Fee, the ball appeared to ricochet off the Roma loanee’s arm, before falling to Isidor.FA rules state that an offence has been committed if a player “scores in the opponents’ goal immediately after the ball has touched their hand/arm, even if accidental”.It is not clear if that still applies in this situation, however, given that it was Isidor who scored, rather than Le Fee.READ MORE SUN STORIESSunderland’s win saw them leapfrog Burnley into third in the Championship table.Scott Parker’s side will have the opportunity to move back ahead of the Black Cats when they take on Plymouth Argyle at Home Park.Isidor and Co moved up to third in the Championship tableCredit: Reuters More

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      ‘Have you ever seen a goal like that?’ asks commentator as Barcelona score ridiculous goal in game of goalkeeper howlers

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      GOALKEEPERS were the pantomime villains in their nine-goal thriller between Barcelona and Benfica.The European giants went head to head in their penultimate Champions League league phase games of the season when the Catalan club scored THREE goals in the last 20 minutes to win 5-4.Goalkeepers were the headline makers for the wrong reasons as Barcelona pulled off an incredible 5-4 comeback against Benfica last nightCredit: RexWojciech Szczesny came out of retirement in October to seal a deal with Barcelona amid their goalkeeping crisis, but manager Hansi Flick might have felt his side would have been better served without the Polish international bothering.The former Arsenal and Juventus shot-stopper had a calamitous first half between the sticks as he dropped two clangers to concede a first-half hat-trick from Vangelis Pavlidis.There was nothing Szczesny could have done about Pavlidis’ opener, but his second and third were almost entirely down to the Pole.Just nine minutes after Robert Lewandowski had levelled the scores for Barcelona to 1-1, Szczesny inexplicably came charging out of his area to greet a “loose” ball played over the top by Nicolas Otamendi.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLInstead, he clumsily clattered into his own defender Alejandro Balde, completely wiping out the left-back and allowing Pavlidis to score the easiest goal he’ll ever score as he ran through on an open net.The third was just as much Szczesny’s fault too as he came charging off his line once again, this time sliding at the feet of Benfica winger Karem Akturkoglu and bringing him to the ground inside the area for an undeniable penalty.Pavlidis converted the spot-kick and Benfica were 3-1 up inside 30 minutes.But the action didn’t stop there with the second half throwing up even more goals, drama… and goalkeeping howlers.Most read in FootballWojciech Szczesny clattered into his own teammate Alejandro Balde to gift Benfica a golden opportunity to scoreCredit: APThe Barcelona keeper came charging out of his areaCredit: TNT SPORTSHe clattered into BaldeCredit: TNT SPORTSBenfica striker Vangelis Pavlidis picked up the loose ballCredit: TNT SPORTSHe netted one of the easiest goals he will ever scoreCredit: TNT SPORTSSzczesny brought down Kerem Akturkoglu in the box to give away a penalty tooCredit: ReutersCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSIn fact, Benfica keeper Antoliy Trubin made perhaps the worst goalkeeping mistake of the game after the break.Trubin tried to play the ball out of his own box after making a save from a long-distance Gavi effort and got the whole thing horribly wrong.Horror moment Barcelona star finds his tooth on the pitch after losing it in battle with Real Betis defender The Ukrainian goalkeeper hit his clearance straight into the head of Barca’s Raphinha, seeing the ball bounce right off the Brazilian’s head and into the back of the net. Trubin could have tried that 100 more times and wouldn’t have hit him, but the freak moment gave Barcelona a way back into the game and had TNT Sports’ commentator Ian Darke asking: “Have you ever seen a goal like that?”Despite Benfica managing to go up the other end and force a Ronald Araujo own goal just four minutes later to go 4-2 up, Barcelona’s freak goal had given them a spark to fight back in the game.Goals from Lewandowski, Raphinha and Eric Garcia did just that as the Spanish giants turned it around to score their winner in the 96th minute of the clash.All-in, the match had three penalties, nine goals, an own goal, three calamitous goalkeeper errors, six bookings, a hat-trick hero and ended with Barcelona sealing their spot in the next round of the competition.Antoliy Trubin tried to clear his lines in the second halfCredit: TNT SPORTSHe hit the ball directly onto the head of RaphinhaCredit: TNT SPORTSThe ball looped over his head and into the back of the netCredit: TNT SPORTS More

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      Forgotten Premier League star, 47, now working as fitness coach subbed on as STRIKER for non-league Wealdstone

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      A FORGOTTEN Premier League star who is now working as a fitness coach ended up being subbed on as a striker for non-league club Wealdstone.Wayne Andrews, 47, enjoyed a glittering career playing up front for the likes of Watford, Coventry and Leeds.Wealdstone fitness coach Wayne Andrews came off the bench for a surprise appearance aged 47Credit: RexThe ace enjoyed a glittering career playing for some big namesCredit: Matthew PoverHe made nine Premier League appearances during the 2004/05 season with Crystal Palace.And after retiring in 2009 with 44 goals from 230 games, Andrews moved into the world of coaching.The ace reinvented himself as a strength and conditioning expert, training the likes of Andy Cole and Jermaine Jenas.Last summer Andrews took up an official role as Head of Strength and Conditioning with non-league club Wealdstone.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut he’s now ended up putting his boots back on for a shock appearance on the field.Last night saw Wealdstone take on Brighton’s U21s in the National League Cup.With his side 1-0 down, Andrews came amazingly came off the bench in the 76th minute in an attempt to level things up.Unfortunately for the ace, he was unable to make an impact as Wealdstone crashed out by a single goal.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSBut fans were loving seeing Andrews back on the field in such dramatic circumstances.One said: “Football ay?”Football stars’ weird phobiasHe scored plenty of goals along the wayCredit: AllsportAndrews made nine Premier League appearances at Crystal PalaceCredit: ArfaAnother declared: “Legend.”One noted: “One of my favourite players as a kid.”Another declared: “What a hero.” More

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      in Motorsport

      ‘Fire’ say fans as Lewis Hamilton unveils new tattoo with sweet hidden meaning and poses in Ferrari red for first time

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      LEWIS HAMILTON unveiled his latest tattoo as he posed in Ferrari red for the first time.The seven-time world champion made the shock move to leave Mercedes and join Ferrari ahead of the 2025 Formula One season. Lewis Hamilton posed with his tattoo artist on social mediaCredit: https://www.instagram.com/mr.k_tattoo/The British racing driver got the ’11:11′ inking in redCredit: https://www.instagram.com/mr.k_tattoo/The driver left Mercedes for Ferrari for the 2025 F1 seasonCredit: https://www.instagram.com/lewishamilton/He will hope the iconic red brings him fresh joy on the track this year.But he has also got the colour inked on his skin with his new neck tattoo.And there is a beautiful meaning behind the simple bodywork.Hamilton, 40, was pictured wearing a white vest and black beanie hat with his tattoo artist Mr K.READ MORE ON F1And another pic showed a close-up of the new red ink of “11:11” in between four short lines.Mr K captioned the post: “I’m so excited about your new chapter bro. For his Mum 11:11.”And the hidden message is a nod to Hamilton’s mum Carmen who was born on November 11. That sparked a wave of classy messages of support from fans on social media.Most read in MotorsportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSOne wrote: “Sweet.”Another said: “Nice work and a beautiful tribute.”F1 star Lewis Hamilton tells us the stories behind his tattoosA third added: “Team LH approved – love this.”And a final user replied: “Bellissimo. Amazing Work.”On the same day as the news about his tattoo, Hamilton looked the part in his new Ferrari racing kit. He took to Twitter with a photo decked out in the all-red outfit and wrote “First time in red,” prompting one adoring supporter to proclaim: “This is fire.”Hamilton – who had his first day with The Prancing Horse on Monday – is desperate to secure a record-breaking eighth world crown with his new team.The Brit was cruelly denied No8 in farcical scenes in Abu Dhabi in 2021 as Max Verstappen clinched his maiden title on the final lap of the season.The Red Bull star has reigned for the following three years, while Hamilton has won just two races across that time. But after a more promising 2024 campaign, he will be hoping to match his talent and experience with a better Ferrari car than those produced by Mercedes in recent times. After his unveiling at the Scuderia where he will partner Charles Leclerc under a strict new rule, Hamilton wrote: “There are some days that you know you’ll remember forever and today, my first as a Ferrari driver, is one of those days.”I’ve been lucky enough to have achieved things in my career I never thought possible, but part of me has always held on to that dream of racing in red.READ MORE SUN STORIES”I couldn’t be happier to realise that dream today.”Today we start a new era in the history of this iconic team, and I can’t wait to see what story we will write together.”Hamilton had his first day at Ferrari on MondayCredit: PAHe was given a hero’s welcome by adoring fansCredit: Getty More

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      Man Utd ‘LOWER Alejandro Garnacho demands with wantaway forward set for cut-price transfer to Napoli’

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      MANCHESTER UNITED have reportedly lowered their asking price for Alejandro Garnacho.The Argentina international is on the radar of former club Atletico Madrid and Serie A big boys Napoli.Manchester United are said to have initially valued Alejandro Garnacho at £75millionCredit: AFPBut the Red Devils are said to have lowered their asking price for the 19-year-oldCredit: ALAMYChelsea are also said to be interested – with his agent at Stamford Bridge for the Blues 3-1 win over Wolves on Monday night.The Red Devils were initially said to be willing to part company with the winger if they received a bid in the region of £75million.But they are now claimed to have reduced their valuation of the 20-year-old by nearly a THIRD.That’s according to Sky Italia, who claim the Premier League giants are willing to sell the Argentine for £55m.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSNapoli – who are in the market for a new winger following Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s move to Paris Saint-Germain – will likely be thrilled by United’s reported lowering of their demands for Garnacho.The Italians have reportedly had a £40m offer rejected for the forward.Napoli have made no secret of their desire to land Garnacho before the transfer window shuts on February 3.And sporting director Giovanni Manna recently revealed the United star is “important” to Napoli’s plans.Most read in FootballWhen asked if they’re interested in Garnacho’s services, he said: “We are making some assessments.JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS”He is an important player, but he is not ours.“We must not get carried away even if we know that an important player has left.Which Manchester United stars should stay and go?”A top player as the manager defined him and therefore the expectations are high.”But we will do something on Napoli’s terms.”Garnacho and his Manchester United team-mates will be back in action on Thursday, welcoming Scottish giants Rangers to Old Trafford for their penultimate Europa League group match. More

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      David Beckham picks up philanthropy award for work with vulnerable children at Davos summit

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      DAPPER footie hero David Beckham is on the ball yesterday at the World Economic Forum’s gathering of the super-rich.Becks, 49, chatted to US TV anchor Sara Eisen after accepting an award for his work improving the living conditions of children.David Beckham chatted to US TV anchor Sara Eisen after accepting an award for his work improving the living conditions of children at the WEF summit in DavosZelensky spoke at the event in SwitzerlandCredit: EPAThe Unicef Goodwill Ambassador told the audience in Davos that girls are “held back” by discrimination.He said he wanted his daughter Harper, 13, to have the same life chances as her three older brothers.Becks said: “Girls need opportunities. They need collective action and they need investment.”Also speaking at the 55th annual WEF meeting in Switzerland yesterday was Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky.READ MORE ON THE BECKHAMSBeckham also recently revealed the highly contrasting reasons he and his mum idolized the same Manchester United legend.Becks as a kid had his eyes on his hero’s technique – while Sandra’s eyes were on the player’s thighs!The ex-England skipper “always waited outside” Old Trafford – to get the icon’s autograph.But when it came to watching on the pitch he regularly shared moments of awestruck wonder with his mum.Most read in FootballThe former Red Devils midfielder, 49, named ex-striker Mark Hughes as the object of his obsession.BBC Wales showed a clip of Becks as a wide-eyed child explaining to an interviewer: “I’m looking forward to seeing Mark Hughes and the stadium.”David Beckham reveals unlikely Man Utd idol and admits mum Sandra couldn’t get enough of his thighs More