More stories

  • in

    Fans can’t believe their eyes as WWE legend The Undertaker unveils Serie A minnows’ kit in ‘greatest collab ever’

    WWE legend The Undertaker has amazed football fans after he unveiled a historic new kit for Genoa.The Serie A outfit revealed an all-new black third kit, the first in the club’s 131-year history.The Undertaker stunned fans as he helped to launch Genoa’s all-new black kitCredit: Instagram @genoacfcIt features a gold trim and is part of the club’s ‘Golden Dark Side of Genoa’ campaignCredit: Instagram @genoacfcThis new kit features the usual sponsor symbols and club crest woven in gold on a black background, also complete with a golden trim.Genoa teased the kit at noon on Tuesday by releasing a video on their social media pages. The video featured a panning high shot of the city paired with the unmistakable theme music of The Undertaker. The video then switched to a view of a puddle, before a person in a black leather boot stepped through it.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe next shot saw the silhouette of a figure with an open crown design hat.The next chime of bells saw the camera swap to a close-up shot of the club’s crest.And then, three hours later, Genoa revealed a picture of The Undertaker posing in their new kit in all its glory while he rocked a black bandana.Follow-up images showed off the back and sleeves of the shirt, with the text on them keeping the gold trim seen on the front, while another showed The Undertaker doing a “cut-throat” pose.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSIn a statement, Genoa said: “The entertainment, music, artists and sports genre is enriched with the wrestling champion Undertaker.”He is in the Olympus of ring legends in a beloved and transgenerational sport.”Fans absolutely love Cristiano Ronaldo’s ‘fan boy moment’ as WWE legend The Undertaker makes shock Saudi appearanceReacting to the new kit, one social media user said: “Is Genoa trying to recruit me as a fan? I can feel it.”A second said: “No idea how this crossover happened but what a kit!”A third added: “A collaboration we didn’t know we needed.”Another said: “Things I never thought I really needed to see for 1000.”The Undertaker – real name Mark William Calaway – retired from wrestling in November 2020 but has made the odd cameo comeback appearance much to fan’s delight.It is not the first time he has collaborated with football either.The WWE icon left Cristiano Ronaldo starstruck as he made a shock appearance at a pre-season friendly between Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal.The Genoa kit is the latest in their “Golden Dark Side of Genoa” campaign, which began last December with Rita Ora as the face of a Golden kit launch for the club’s 130th anniversary.Genoa stands as the oldest existing club in Italian football and have nine championships to their name, but none since 1924.READ MORE SUN STORIESThey currently sit 17th in the Serie A, having won just two of their 12 matches in the league this season.Former Manchester City and Liverpool star Mario Balotelli signed for the club last month in a free transfer. More

  • in

    Damon Hill vs Michael Schumacher: 30 years on Brit lifts lid on infamous F1 title-wrecking crash with ‘ruthless’ rival

    DAMON HILL was the ultimate victim of Formula One’s original Dick Dastardly.Wednesday marks the 30th anniversary of the controversial Australian Grand Prix clash with Michael Schumacher which cost Hill the championship by ONE point.Michael Schumacher, right, rammed into Damon Hill, left, and ultimately forced both of them to retireCredit: Sporting Pictures (UK) LtdSchumacher flipped and ended up in the wall, while Hill made it to the pits before abandoning the raceCredit: WilliamsF1The result meant Schumacher won the title by just one pointCredit: AlamyHill still laments Schumacher’s sportsmanship 30 years onCredit: GettyF 1 icon Schuey came off the track on lap 36, skimming a wall and damaging his Benetton, allowing Hill to catch him in the season’s title-decider in Adelaide.But the German got back into the race and rammed Hill’s Williams off the track in a spectacular collision.Schumacher harpooned a tyre wall and was out of the race — but, crucially, Hill’s car was also damaged.The Brit — son of motorsport legend Graham Hill — had to pull into the pits and a damaged front-suspension wishbone meant he also had to retire and ensured Schumacher held off his challenge to seal the first of his seven titles.READ MORE ON F1It capped an incredible season in which Hill received DEATH THREATS and had to be SMUGGLED into the German Grand Prix through a forest by POLICE.Hill, 64, recently compared current world champion Max Verstappen to Wacky Races’ cartoon villain Dick Dastardly after the Dutchman was hit with a combined 20-second penalty for two incidents involving Lando Norris in Mexico last month.Asked about his experience of Schumacher’s infamous shunt, Hill claimed: “It has become a blemish really on his incredible career.“What happened in Adelaide was a bit disappointing, the way it ended. Disappointed in him, let’s say. That’s the way he went about things.Most read in MotorsportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS“You look at someone like Roger Federer, who’s had an outstanding career, and there’s not a blemish on it.“A total sportsman the whole way through.Inside Michael Schumacher’s decade-long recovery from ‘desperately cruel’ ski crash as brother shares devastating update“Why would you not want that for your legacy?“And some people just can’t help themselves. They’re just very, very ruthless in competition. And that’s how Michael went about things.“It’s one I think he knew was perhaps regrettable.”Hill’s legendary Williams team-mate Ayrton Senna and Simtek rookie Roland Ratzenberger had both been killed at the San Marino Grand Prix in Imola earlier that season and there had been a string of serious accidents.Schuey and his Benetton team emerged as the pacesetters in the face of allegations of cheating, a controversy Senna had stoked before his death.In the Brazilian’s absence, Hill stepped up and emerged as the main challenger to Schumacher.Tensions rose when Schumacher was disqualified from second place at July’s British GP for ignoring a black flag that obliged him to pit.And Hill received a death threat from a Schumacher fan ahead of the German Grand Prix three weeks later.Hill, now 64, recalled: “A guy had written to the police and said, ‘If Damon Hill qualifies ahead of Michael, I’m going to shoot him’. So we had all this security for the whole weekend.“I had to be secreted into Hockenheim in the back of a police car. They literally took me through the woods!”Schumacher’s campaign was disrupted by a ban from two further races and Hill went into the season finale one point behind his rival.Hill added: “There were questions raised about the way Benetton went racing during the ’94 season.“Ignoring the black flag at Silverstone and so on. We kind of knew they were a little bit on the edge with regard to how they raced. But I had no inkling that he would be prepared to cut me off like that. That was the next level, really.“With hindsight you can say this is what we would have expected him to do.Hill ended up winning the world title two years later in 1996Credit: Getty“But at the time we didn’t know that about him. We were still learning.”At the Monaco Grand Prix in 2010, Hill was acting as a steward when Schumacher was called up and penalised for an overtaking offence — and once again he received death threats from disgruntled German fans.Hill explained: “The only time I really spoke to Michael about Adelaide was at Monaco and we had to have him up in the office, because he had overtaken Fernando Alonso on the last lap after the safety car came in.“That’s the last time I spoke to him. I was having to ask him what he thought about what he did, whether it was within the rules. Which is quite ironic!“And I felt a bit awkward. I knew what would happen if I voted he had broken the rules, everyone would just say it was a vendetta, revenge and so on.“And sure enough, I got death threats because we took his place away!”’I was deeply upset’Schuey, 55, won seven Formula One crowns, a record he holds jointly with Lewis Hamilton.Sadly, Hill did not get the chance to make peace with his rival in retirement.In December 2013, Schumacher suffered a serious head injury while skiing with his son Mick — himself now a racing driver — and has been out of the public eye ever since.Hill, whose dad Graham died in a plane crash in 1975, added: “I was deeply upset, because to be with your son skiing, you’re out for a lovely day — it’s just horrible what happened. I know what it’s like to lose your dad.“Michael was astonishingly brilliant and changed the sport because he was unemotional.“He somehow managed to do things clinically and to break records with apparent disregard for a reason as to why they shouldn’t be broken.“Alain Prost retired at four. To think in terms of seven titles… to go to six, OK, you’ve done it. Why not seven?READ MORE SUN STORIES“I found it difficult to know why you’d want to keep bagging them. It seemed an awful lot to me!“But that’s the difference between someone like Michael and ordinary drivers like me. There’s no barrier to their limits.” More

  • in

    Rodri hopes to be back BEFORE end of Man City’s season as injured Ballon d’Or winner eyes another trophy

    RODRI hopes to be back in action for Manchester City before the season ends.The Ballon d’Or winner, 28, has been sidelined since injuring the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee against Arsenal on September 22.Ballon d’Or winner Rodri hopes to return from injury before the end of the seasonCredit: RexHe suffered an ACL injury against Arsenal in SeptemberCredit: EPAMan City boss Pep Guardiola said it would be the start of the 2025-26 campaign by the time the Spanish midfielder was fit again.But Rodri is aiming for Fifa’s Club World Cup, which takes place in the US in June and July.City’s talisman said: “The seasons are getting longer and this one has the Club World Cup.“It is good to have a challenge and I have it in my head to return this season — we’ll see when.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe Prem champions hope to persuade Rodri to extend his Etihad deal, which runs until 2027.He joined City from Atletico Madrid in 2019 and has not ruled out a return to his homeland.Rodri added: “Renewal with City is not my priority right now. “I want to recover and we’ll see.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS“I have a contract and I’m very, very happy.“But I see the Spanish league and I’m not closing doors.”Inside Rodri’s humble lifeOne factor which could affect his decision is whether Guardiola stays beyond the end of his current deal next summer.Rodri said: “When I signed, I was told he would leave the following year… and we are still like that five years later.” More

  • in

    ‘I don’t like it’, says Jake Paul’s ex-coach after YouTube star’s dramatic body transformation for Mike Tyson fight

    JAKE PAUL has been warned by one of his ex-coaches that piling on the pounds to fight Mike Tyson could come back to haunt him. The YouTuber-turned-boxer faces the returning Tyson on Friday in Texas for a clash that has attracted controversy due to the age gap. Jake Paul has bulked up to heavyweightCredit: Esther Lin/ Most Valuable PromotionsIt will be Jake Paul’s biggest ever weightCredit: Esther Lin/ Most Valuable PromotionsHe is coming up from the 200lb cruiserweight limit of 14st 4lbCredit: GettyNot only will it mark Netflix’s first move into live boxing but also Paul’s debut fight at heavyweight. He has boasted at weighing as much as 225lb (16 stone) which is almost TWO STONE heavier than his last bout at cruiserweight. BJ Flores – who spent three years as Paul’s head trainer – cast concern over the sudden jump up in weight. Flores told SunSport: “Sometimes you go where the money’s at and the opportunity was big for Jake to fight Mike on Netflix.READ MORE IN BOXING”Obviously at 225lb – that’s what they’re saying he’s weighing – that’s a little big for me.Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson predictions and betting tips”I like Jake at 200lb, fighting at 200 then going straight to 225, I don’t care who you’re fighting that’s a big jump, but there’s a lot of adjustments Jake’s gonna have to make.”Hopefully he’s made them in camp but once you get in there, you feel the weight, you do feel the extra weight when your last fight was at 200, now you’re at 225. It’s a big difference.”So that will be the interesting thing to watch with this fight. Mike is naturally walking around at 235/240. He’s used to that.Most read in BoxingJAKE PAUL VS MIKE TYSON: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF HUGE BOUTCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”Jake’s not used to going from 200 to 225 though. And that’s going to be interesting to see how he deals with that if he’s made those adjustments in camp.”Jake Paul wears ROOSTER hat in open workout for Mike Tyson fightUnder Flores, Paul campaigned mainly at 190lb (13st 5lb) and even as light as 185 (13st 2lb). So he is expected to jump almost THREE STONE by the time he shares the ring with heavyweight great Tyson. But Paul has talked up a move down to cruiserweight straight after – where he set his sights on a lofty world title challenge. So Flores is warning ahead of time that his former pupil faces a fight to just to get the weight off first. He said: “I don’t like it. I think it’s tough to go up and go down in weight. I think it’s very hard on the body, especially at a young age.”We’ve seen guys try to do it before Chris Byrd. We’ve seen Roy Jones try to do it. “We’ve seen other guys, other fighters try to go up and then back down. It’s always been tough.”So I would advise Jake kind of staying up in weight, kind of keeping it up right there and not trying to drop back down to 200.”BJ Flores formerly trained Jake PaulCredit: Instagram More

  • in

    Refs chief Howard Webb breaks silence over shocking X-rated David Coote as he promises ‘we are taking it very seriously’

    REFS chief Howard Webb has broken his silence over David Coote’s X-rated leaked video.Premier League official Coote has been suspended after he labelled former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp a “German c**t” on camera.Howard Webb has broken his silence over David Coote’s X-rated videoCredit: PASunSport understands Coote will quit his role before he is firedCredit: XReferee body PGMOL have launched an investigation into the footage, with the FA also conducting their own probe.And SunSport can exclusively reveal that Coote is expected to quit before he is sacked.PGMOL chief Webb was forced to break his silence after appearing on Sky Sports show Mic’d Up last night.And he insisted his organisation are taking Coote’s video “very seriously.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHe said: “We became aware of a video that was being circulated on social media that we are taking very seriously.“We’ve instigated a full investigation. One of our referees, David Coote, has been suspended with immediate effect pending the outcome of that investigation.“There’s not much more I can say at this stage until we’ve worked through that investigation.”The sensational minute-long clip looks set to end Coote’s career and cost him a fortune in lost earnings.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSHe stands to lose his job as a Select Group 1 referee that pays him at least £100,000 a year.Fifa are also looking into his part-time position with them.Premier League referee David Coote SUSPENDED as video appears to show him calling Klopp a ‘c***’ in anti-Liverpool rantAnd he has already been booted off Uefa’s matchlist for a Nations League game during the current international break.Referencing Klopp’s nationality also means Coote faces stiffer sanctions from a potential aggravated misconduct charge.And the Nottinghamshire official has no hope of keeping a role within the PGMOL once he hangs up his whistle — like many of his peers.A source told SunSport: “He’s looking at more than a million quid down the drain there when you add it all up.”Shocking David Coote video in fullFirst videoFirst man: “What did you think of the Liverpool game earlier when you were fourth official?”Second man (allegedly Coote): “Erm Liverpool were s***.”First man: “What did you think of Jurgen Klopp?”Second man (allegedly Coote): “C***, absolute c***.”First man: “Why would you say that Jurgen Klopp is a c***?”Second man (allegedly Coote): “Erm, aside from having a right pop at me when I reffed them against Burnley in lockdown.”Then, he accused me of lying and then just had a right f***ing pop at me – and I’ve got no interest in speaking to somebody whose f***ing arrogant.”So I do my best not to speak to him. [James] Milner is alright, I get on with Milner.”First man: “James Milner, he gets on with James Milner.”Second man (allegedly Coote): “You can see me there with mask on.”First man: “Mask on, obviously.”Second man (allegedly Coote): “Yea Covid, got to be done. Social distancing right? We’re two meters apart.”First man: “We have to social distance.”Second man (allegedly Coote): “Yep, so but [exhales] my God. German c***, f*** me.”First man: “Long story short, Jurgen Klopp’s a c***, Liverpool are all f***ing b******s, we hate Scousers.”Second videoSecond man (allegedly Coote): “Right just to be clear, that f***ing last video cant go anywhere, seriously.”First man: He’s a Premier League referee, let’s not f***ing ruin his career.”Like let’s face we’re good blokes but we can’t ruin a bloke’s career. We’re not that bad. Also he’s a f***ing legend.”Second man (allegedly Coote): “So, yeah.”First man: “So lets not ruin his career.” More

  • in

    Mike Tyson nearly KOs his own trainer in open workout just days before Jake Paul fight… after making shock admission

    MIKE TYSON only narrowly avoided knocking out his own trainer just days before attempting to flatten Jake Paul. The heavyweight great returns to face YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul on Friday in Texas for a clash that has attracted controversy amid the age gap. Mike Tyson almost KOs his trainer Rafael CordeiroCredit: APTyson cuts a mean look in the open workoutCredit: SportsfileBut in their open workout to kick off fight week, Tyson attempted to put fearful fans at ease by rolling back the clock with a devastating pads display. Iron Mike bobbed, weaved and fired off blistering combinations like he was in his 1980s prime when he first won the belt aged 20. And MMA mastermind Rafael Cordeiro was the brave soul holding the pads and withstanding the power of boxing’s youngest heavyweight champion. On more than on occasion Tyson was a whisker away from laying out Cordeiro with a horrifying hook. READ MORE IN BOXINGCordeiro was in Tyson’s corner four years ago when the ring icon returned for an exhibition bout with Roy Jones Jr. But this time around, he is back for real with the fight against Paul to be professionally sanctioned but over eight two-minute rounds. It will be Tyson’s first real fight in almost 20 YEARS – and even he was left questioning why he signed up for it. Tyson, 58, said: “I’m tougher than I believed I was.Most read in Boxing”Because actually, when I agreed to this fight and I started training, I said, ‘What the f*** was I thinking of?’ “And I finished the process and now the fight is the party. All the hard work is done.”Jake Paul wears ROOSTER hat in open workout for Mike Tyson fightPaul, 27, is just 11 bouts into his pro career with just a single loss to Tommy Fury, 25, blemishing his record. But the American social media sensation – who wore a red rooster hat – said his career begins for real with a victory over Tyson. He told the Irving crowd: “This is the start of an amazing journey, what I’ve done so far doesn’t matter. Friday night my career starts.” Jake Paul wears a red rooster cap ahead of his fight with TysonCredit: Sportsfile More

  • in

    Jake Paul shows off dramatic new look by wearing ROOSTER hat in open workout for Mike Tyson fight

    JAKE PAUL was in peck-tacular form ahead of his fight against Mike Tyson – working out with a ROOSTER hat on. The YouTuber-turned-boxer – who gave himself the nickname El Gallo which translates to The Rooster – faces Tyson on Friday in Texas. Jake Paul wears a rooster cap ahead of his fight with Mike TysonCredit: SportsfileJake Paul calls himself The RoosterCredit: SportsfileAnd the two kicked off their fight week schedule with an open workout at the Toyota Music Factory in Irving. Paul rocked up wearing a red rooster cap and performed to the crowd, also revealing his bulked up frame. And he wrapped up his slot by showing off some combinations and even turning southpaw in a hopeful bid to throw off 58-fight legend Tyson. Paul – only 10-1 himself after four year as a professional prizefighter – claimed his career will just begin with a victory over Tyson.READ MORE IN BOXINGJake Paul vs Mike Tyson predictions and betting tipsHe said: “It’s not about how long you’ve been doing something, it’s about how good you do it. “And on Friday night people are going to see me outbox the person who’s been doing it their whole life because of my team, everyone who put in the work with me. “Coach Third, coach J’Leon, coach Larry, we’re an unstoppable force. Friday, my dreams come true and career starts. “This is the start of an amazing journey, what I’ve done so far doesn’t matter. Friday night my career starts.” Most read in BoxingJAKE PAUL VS MIKE TYSON: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF HUGE BOUTCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSTyson, 58, returns for his first professional fight in 20 YEARS for a bout that has attracted huge controversy amid the age gap. The last time Iron Mike was in the ring was four years ago for an exhibition with Roy Jones Jr which proved to be nothing but a glorified spar. Mike Tyson almost KOs his coach in open workout for Jake Paul fightBut against Paul, 27, records are to go on the line over eight two-minute rounds – opposed to the usual three. And even with bigger 14oz gloves – instead of regular 10oz – the social media sensation warned to expect a quick fight. He said: “I feel really good, sharp, powerful, explosive. It’s going to be a short night for Mike.” Mike Tyson ahead of his fight with Jake PaulCredit: Sportsfile More

  • in

    David Coote expected to QUIT as referee before he’s sacked with X-rated Klopp rant to cost official more than £1MILLION

    DAVID COOTE can kiss goodbye to more than £1MILLION after his astonishing X-rated rant at Jurgen Klopp.The under-fire Premier League referee faces ruin having been caught on video labelling Liverpool’s former boss a “German c***”.Referee David Coote was caught on video labelling ex-Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp a ‘German c***’Credit: XCoote is expected to quit as a referee before he’s sackedCredit: ReutersCoote unleashed an astonishing rant at ex-Liverpool boss KloppCredit: APRefs’ chiefs at the PGMOL are investigating but believe Coote will quit before he gets sacked.The FA have also launched their own probe. VAR specialist Coote, 42, was booted off Uefa’s matchlist for a Nations League game during the international break following his foul-mouthed remarks.Referencing Klopp’s nationality means Coote faces stiffer sanctions from a potential aggravated misconduct charge.Fifa are now looking into his part-time position with them.Read More on FootballPGMOL boss Howard Webb said: “We became aware of a video on social media that we are taking very seriously. We have instigated a full investigation.“David Coote has been suspended pending the outcome. There’s not much more I can say at this stage.”The sensational minute-long clip looks set to end Coote’s career and cost him a fortune in lost earnings.He stands to lose his job as a Select Group 1 referee that pays him at least £100,000 a year.Most read in FootballAnd the Nottinghamshire official has no hope of keeping a role within the PGMOL once he hangs up his whistle — like many of his peers.A source told SunSport: “He’s looking at more than a million quid down the drain there when you add it all up.”Premier League referee David Coote SUSPENDED as video appears to show him calling Klopp a ‘c***’ in anti-Liverpool rantA video was posted online on Monday showing Coote laying into Klopp and labelling him “f***ing arrogant”.He also said Liverpool were “s**t” in the footage, which was recorded several years ago.Coote has not denied the authenticity of the video but “does not recall” making it.The official has history with Klopp, who left the Kop giants in May.Shocking David Coote video in fullFirst videoFirst man: “What did you think of the Liverpool game earlier when you were fourth official?”Second man (allegedly Coote): “Erm Liverpool were s***.”First man: “What did you think of Jurgen Klopp?”Second man (allegedly Coote): “C***, absolute c***.”First man: “Why would you say that Jurgen Klopp is a c***?”Second man (allegedly Coote): “Erm, aside from having a right pop at me when I reffed them against Burnley in lockdown.”Then, he accused me of lying and then just had a right f***ing pop at me – and I’ve got no interest in speaking to somebody whose f***ing arrogant.”So I do my best not to speak to him. [James] Milner is alright, I get on with Milner.”First man: “James Milner, he gets on with James Milner.”Second man (allegedly Coote): “You can see me there with mask on.”First man: “Mask on, obviously.”Second man (allegedly Coote): “Yea Covid, got to be done. Social distancing right? We’re two meters apart.”First man: “We have to social distance.”Second man (allegedly Coote): “Yep, so but [exhales] my God. German c***, f*** me.”First man: “Long story short, Jurgen Klopp’s a c***, Liverpool are all f***ing b******s, we hate Scousers.”Second videoSecond man (allegedly Coote): “Right just to be clear, that f***ing last video cant go anywhere, seriously.”First man: He’s a Premier League referee, let’s not f***ing ruin his career.”Like let’s face we’re good blokes but we can’t ruin a bloke’s career. We’re not that bad. Also he’s a f***ing legend.”Second man (allegedly Coote): “So, yeah.”First man: “So lets not ruin his career.”They clashed after Liverpool’s 1-1 draw with Burnley at Anfield in July 2020 during the pandemic-hit season.The explosive comments cast serious doubt on his impartiality and suitability to referee in English football again.His remarks about Liverpool mean he could no longer referee their games with a shred of credibility.But neither can he take charge of matches involving their rivals in case his decisions indirectly affected them.And any club with a German boss or player could claim they would not receive fair treatment from Coote.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe man who filmed Coote’s anti-Liverpool rant has been named as former Nottinghamshire cricketer Ben Kitt.Kitt has also reportedly been suspended from his job. More