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      Cristiano Ronaldo wants to buy and demolish golf club ruining view from £17million mansion

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      CRISTIANO Ronaldo wants to buy a posh golf clubhouse next to his £17million Portuguese superhome — then demolish it because it spoils his view.The billionaire Manchester United ace is offering to relocate the entire building and its car park.
      Cristiano Ronaldo wants to buy a posh golf clubhouse next to his £17million Portuguese superhomeCredit: Getty
      The billionaire Manchester United ace is offering to relocate the entire building and its car park
      Dad-of-five Ron, 37, wants to ensure his privacy and create a drive to the property
      Dad-of-five Ron, 37, wants to ensure his privacy and create a drive to the property.
      He plans to move there with partner Georgina Rodriguez, 28, and his five children.
      Sources close to his ultra-modern “Ron Designs” dream home say he has also added a garage equipped with elevators to the plans, to house 30 supercars.
      It will enable the £500,000-a-week Portugal captain, tipped to leave United, to select a motor at the touch of a button.
      Read more on Cristiano Ronaldo
      And he is even said to be mulling over buying an Italian quarry to ensure his pad’s marble remains exclusive.
      The Sun revealed earlier this year that the cost of the property at Quinta da Marinha on the Portuguese Riviera rocketed from £10million to £17million.
      But is set to soar still higher as he fine-tunes plans with top architect, Vitor Vitorino.
      Work on the 12,000 sq ft property is due to be completed early next year.
      Most read in Football
      It features vast bedroom suites, all with stunning sea views and both indoor and outdoor swimming pools.
      Blueprints also include a cinema, spa, games room and office on the site a short walk from Cascais village.
      A source close to the project said last night: “The clubhouse was a problem for him so he wants the problem removed.
      “Cost is not an issue – he is a perfectionist who can afford perfection.”
      Read More on The Sun
      The star’s lawyers were yesterday reported to be in negotiation with Oitavos Golf Club owner, Miguel Champalimaud.
      Mr Champalimaud did not respond to requests for comment.
      Ronaldo’s dream home will also feature a garage equipped with elevators to house 30 supercars More

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      Ryan Giggs jury retired to consider verdicts after being told ‘this is not a court of morals’

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      THE jury in womaniser Ryan Giggs’ assault trial retired yesterday to consider its verdicts after being told: “This is not a court of morals.”Judge Hilary Manley said the Manchester United legend had been “serially unfaithful” — but was not in the dock for cheating on his ex.
      The judge in Ryan Giggs’ assault trial said he had been ‘serially unfaithful’ but was not in the dock for cheating on his exCredit: Ryan Jenkinson/ Story Picture Agency
      Judge Hilary Manley told the jury: ‘This is not a court of morals’Credit: BackGrid
      Giggs, 48, is accused of assaulting Kate Greville, 38, in a drunken row when she found out he slept with up to 12 women behind her back.
      The attack is alleged to have occurred at his £1.7million home in Worsley, Gtr Manchester, in November 2020.
      Giggs is said to have assaulted Kate’s sister Emma, 26, at the same time.
      The former Wales player and manager is also accused of having exerted a coercive control over PR executive Kate’s life for more than three years.
      Read More on Ryan Giggs
      She told police he rang her up to 50 times in an hour during one of many dodgy spells during their relationship, the court heard.
      She said that when she blocked Giggs on her phone and social media, he would ring her from his son and daughter’s phones and from unknown numbers.
      Summing up yesterday, Judge Manley asked: “Was this, as the defence suggest, a relationship which had its ups and downs — albeit with many more ups than downs — which ultimately veered off the rails only because of the complainant’s inability to accept Ryan Giggs’ serial womanising?
      “And has Kate Greville exacted her revenge for that womanising by twisting and exaggerating their routine arguments to a portrait of control, violence and abuse?
      Most read in Football
      “Or was the relationship much darker and sinister in which a man exacted and exploited his power over a vulnerable woman — and when he realised that power was not working, he lost his self-control and physically attacked his partner and her sister?
      “The defence have pointed out to you, Ryan Giggs is not on trial for being unfaithful in his relationships.”
      She added: “This is not a court of morals.”
      Read More on The Sun
      Giggs denies controlling and coercive behaviour.
      He also denies assaulting Kate and sister Emma. More

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      Ryan Giggs has ‘two sides’ of his personality and it’s ‘time for him to pay the price’, prosecutors claim

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      FOOTIE legend Ryan Giggs has two “very different” sides to his personality and it is “time for him to pay the price”, a court heard.The ex-Man United ace, 48, is said to have used “physical domination” as his “ultimate trump card” when he allegedly attacked partner Kate Greville, 38.
      Ryan Giggs has two ‘very different’ sides to his personality and it is ‘time for him to pay the price’, a court heardCredit: PP.
      He is said to have used ‘physical domination’ as his ‘ultimate trump card’ when he allegedly attacked partner Kate Greville, 38Credit: Refer to Caption
      Jurors heard the couple exchanged 19,671 messages during their six-year relationship.
      Prosecutor Peter Wright QC said yesterday that when Giggs was “riled”, he responded with “hate-filled outbursts of bile”.
      He added that these were sent to “the very same woman moments earlier he had professed to love and care for”.
      During his closing statement at Manchester crown court, Mr Wright said there were “two very different Ryan Giggs”.
      Read more on Ryan Giggs
      He added: “The one who is exposed for public consumption and the one who exists on occasion behind closed doors.”
      He said Giggs thought he could “get away with it” — but a 999 call made by Kate’s sister Emma, 26, in November 2020 from his home in Worsley, Gtr Manchester, was a “microcosm of the entire case”.
      He added: “The truth has caught up with him and now it’s his time to pay the price.”
      Chris Daw QC, for Giggs, said the case was about infidelity and Kate was a “scorned” woman “furious” about his inability to remain faithful.
      Most read in The Sun
      Giggs denies charges of coercive control and ABH.
      The case continues. More

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      Benjamin Mendy accuser ‘looked like she’d seen a ghost’ after ‘being raped three times’

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      A WOMAN who claims she was raped three times by footballer Benjamin Mendy “looked like she’d seen a ghost” minutes later, a court heard.A friend who drove her to the Man City player’s mansion for a 2020 party said the woman later tried to “brush off” the alleged attacks in a locked room.
      A woman who was allegedly raped three times by Man City footballer Benjamin Mendy ‘looked like she’d seen a ghost’ minutes later, a court heardCredit: Andy Kelvin / Kelvinmedia
      The witness told a jury yesterday that four girls went to his home from a bar in Alderley Edge, Cheshire.
      They had to hand over their phones.
      She saw her friend on a landing.
      The witness said: “She looked like she’d seen a ghost.

      “She looked blank and scared.”
      Mendy, 28, and Louis Saha Matturie, 41, of Eccles, Gtr Manchester, deny eight counts of rape.
      Most read in The Sun
      The trial continues at Chester crown court. More

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      Inside Ryan Reynolds’ takeover of Wrexham FC — as he brands being a chairman ‘financially idiotic and utterly addictive’

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      HE is used to being adored as a Hollywood hero, but Ryan Reynolds was terrified his takeover of Wrexham FC would see him branded a villain.The struggle is painted on his face as the Deadpool actor stands on the empty pitch at the Racehorse Ground alongside his co-chairman, fellow actor Rob McElhenney.
      Ryan Reynolds was terrified his takeover of Wrexham FC would see him branded a villainCredit: instagram/vancityreynolds
      Ryan’s actress wife Blake Lively doesn’t feature in the documentary but he says she is just as enthralled with the rollercoaster.Credit: Rex
      Ryan’s new role as co-chairman of the tiny North Wales football team is his toughest role to date — and the club’s fans are his harshest critics.
      He muses: “There is a version of the story where we are villains. It doesn’t work, we have to sell it, and we’re the bad guys.”
      For a second, Ryan looks genuinely terrified, before regaining his composure and saying: “F*** that. It’s gonna work.”
      Ryan and his buddy Rob — who stars in smash-hit US sitcom It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia — shook the football world when they announced their intention to buy Wrexham FC in 2020.
      Read more on Wrexham
      But fans were optimistic, and season ticket sales more than doubled on the 2019/2020 season’s 2,609, with 5,892 sold — while the new season’s tally is up to 6,800. Shirt sales have also boomed to 14,000, far out-stripping the previous record of 3,896.
      And this year the stadium — the world’s oldest international football ground still in use — saw a National League record crowd of 10,118 for Wrexham’s 3-0 win over League title rivals Stockport County.
      GLOBAL FORCE
      The club’s standing in the National League means they are one tier below the top four divisions of English football. Now, with a full season under their belts, Ryan and Rob, both 45, are the subjects of a Disney+ documentary series as they try to turn the team into a Premier League force to be reckoned with.
      Last season Wrexham were two goals away from promotion, losing the play-off semi-final 5–4 to Grimsby Town after extra time and finishing second in the League.
      Most read in Football
      The six-part documentary series, Welcome To Wrexham, reaches TV screens this week. In one candid moment before their first season as chairmen, Ryan says to Rob: “I want to get there soon before anything’s even happened, because everyone likes us still.
      “If s**t goes south all of a sudden, hopefully it’s in 25 years and they’re in the Premier League.”
      And he adds: “Neither of us are in it for the money. We want to build something sustainable.
      “We love sports. We love storytelling through sports. You have to run it as a business, but mostly with business like this, you are just trying to get them into the black.
      “I believe this is a club that can go a very long way, hopefully in a short time. We do feel Wrexham can be a global force.”
      It’s the kind of optimism Ryan needs. After handing over some £2million, the men watch Wrexham lose their first match.
      Ryan glumly concedes: “Our investment just took a hit.”
      So as one of Hollywood’s most bankable leading men, why did he decide to take a chance on a lowly British football club?
      The motivation was deeply personal. Getting emotional, he says: “The main place I got validation from my father was when I was good at sports.
      “So I played sports long past the point where I was really driven to play sports.
      “My dad has been dead for years, but this stuff doesn’t really go away.
      Neither of us are in it for the money. We want to build something sustainable.Ryan Reynolds
      “It’s easy to think of him the way I’m describing him as a hard-ass. He would have thought all this was wild, he didn’t really see any of this stuff — Deadpool forward — so he would have thought it was pretty crazy.”
      “Crazy” is a word that many used to describe the duo’s dream of taking Wrexham to the big leagues.
      In never-before-seen footage in the documentary, the stars hold a Zoom call with Wrexham FC to make their early pitch to buy the club.
      Ryan explains: “It is about putting Wrexham on the world stage. It is an underdog story, and that is a story I love.” Later, he paces his New York mansion, waiting to hear if their bid has been successful.
      He says: “I don’t care if you’re a movie star or you’re driving a forklift, when you’re in a situation when you’re seeking approval from other people, your brain is going, ‘They’re going to say no’. Impostor syndrome is in full effect.”
      After getting the nod, the lads swiftly become swept up in the day-to-day running of the club.
      The series follows their ambitious signing of Paul Mullin, who was the 2020–21 EFL League Two top scorer with Cambridge United. And it covers Rob’s vigorous and ultimately successful bid to get Phil Parkinson — who transformed Bradford FC — as Wrexham’s star manager.
      But there have been low points. The documentary also sees the Hollywood duo having to cut some players from the team.
      Ryan, dad to Inez, Betty and James, says: “A lot of these players are playing for their lives.
      “They don’t have these Premier League contracts to fall back on where they can retire tomorrow.”
      And when Wrexham fail to make the play-offs for promotion in the 2020/2021 season, the stark reality of owning a football club hits.
      I don’t care if you’re a movie star or you’re driving a forklift, when you’re in a situation when you’re seeking approval from other people, your brain is going, ‘They’re going to say no’. Impostor syndrome is in full effect.Ryan Reynolds
      Ryan says to Rob: “I hate this. But we’re gonna have to rebuild.”
      A less optimistic Rob asks: “There’s so much riding on a team’s promotion or relegation. If we don’t win, what are we going to do?”
      FINANCIALLY IDIOTIC
      Ryan insists: “Or goal is to get the f*** out of this league, that’s it. If you don’t get promoted, this is our fault.”
      Despite the pressure, it’s clear the gamble has paid off. In a moment of self-reflection, Ryan says: “I’ve only been owner of a football club for a short time.
      “But so far I’ve found it to be very time-consuming, emotionally exhausting, financially idiotic and utterly addictive.”
      Yesterday Ryan shared an update on Radio 4’s Today programme.
      He said: “I’m obsessed with Wrexham now. I will admit that at the beginning I wasn’t sceptical, but I wasn’t hooked in the way I am now.
      “Part of me wishes I hadn’t found football, I feel it’s legal poison. My joy lives and dies on the Saturdays when the club is playing.
      “I try not to get totally wrapped up in it, but I do feel it chews my organs and spits them out each week, win or lose.
      “It’s a hell of a ride.”
      And while Ryan’s actress wife Blake Lively doesn’t feature in the documentary, he says she is just as enthralled with the rollercoaster.
      He adds: “We all went to the FA trophy match with David Beckham and it was wild to watch it through his eyes. It was interesting to hear his analysis. Blake is obsessed with it now as well. After the match we were lying in bed and she said, ‘I get it’.”
      In a sign of its confidence in the documentary, Disney+ has already given the go-ahead for a second series of Welcome To Wrexham, before the first has even begun.
      So how long will Ryan and Rob’s saga run?
      Read More on The Sun
      Ryan says: “I am in it as long as I can be meaningful. Hopefully one day when they are in the Championship or Premier League.”

      Welcome To Wrexham is on Disney+ each Thursday, starting this week.

      Ryan and Rob McElhenney shook the football world when they announced their intention to buy Wrexham in 2020Credit: instagram/vancityreynolds
      Ryan said: ‘We all went to the FA trophy match with David Beckham and it was wild to watch it through his eyes’Credit: Rex
      The series follows their ambitious signing of Paul Mullin, who was the 2020–21 EFL League Two top scorer with Cambridge UnitedCredit: Gemma Thomas Photography More

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      Brave Ukrainian footballers resume training as game returns to Ukraine for first time since Russia’s invasion

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      FOOTBALLERS train ahead of the sport’s return to war-ravaged Ukraine today for the first time since Russia invaded.Its Premier League is kicking off again — but only in grounds with air raid shelters.
      Footballers train ahead of the sport’s return to war-ravaged Ukraine today for the first time since Russia invadedCredit: Chris Eades
      Champions Shakhtar Donetsk take on Metalist in Kyiv, but there will be no fans in the 70,000-seater stadium with all matches behind closed doorsCredit: Chris Eades
      Anti-missile systems will be on alert amid fears Russia’s tyrant Vladimir Putin will stage an attack.
      Champions Shakhtar Donetsk take on Metalist in Kyiv, but there will be no fans in the 70,000-seater stadium with all matches behind closed doors.
      Arsenal’s Ukrainian ace Oleksandr Zinchenko has welcomed football’s return there.
      Shakhtar player Mykhaylo Mudryk said it was a reminder to the world “that Ukraine exists”.
      Read more on Ukraine
      He added: “Everyone must help us beat this evil.”
      Last season was due to restart after the February winter break.
      But it had to be scrapped when Russia invaded.
      Most read in Football
      Arsenal’s Ukrainian ace Oleksandr Zinchenko has welcomed football’s return to UkraineCredit: Getty More

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      Ukrainian boxing champ Oleksandr Usyk slams ‘weak’ Vladimir Putin after defeating Anthony Joshua

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      CHAMP Oleksandr Usyk took aim at “weak” Vladimir Putin after defeating Anthony Joshua.The Ukrainian boxer said of the Russian president: “Everything he shows is just to show that he’s strong, but he’s not.
      Oleksandr Usyk took aim at ‘weak’ Vladimir Putin after defeating Anthony Joshua.Credit: Getty
      He said ‘everything he shows is just to show that he’s strong, but he’s not’Credit: Alamy
      “Otherwise he wouldn’t show how strong, how big he is. In reality, he is very weak.”
      Usyk, 35, wore the blue and yellow of his homeland throughout his time in Saudi Arabia for the bout and added: “I boxed for the whole country and half of the world.
      “Now the whole world knows Ukraine is defending itself from the second biggest army in the world. And we stand strong and we give Russia a lot back.”
      It comes as Volodymyr Zelensky hailed Usyk’s brilliant victory over Joshua.
      READ MORE ON UKRAINE
      The Ukrainian president, 44, gushed with pride over his compatriot’s amazing triumph against a game AJ.
      Hoping to inspire the people of war-torn Ukraine, Zelensky tweeted: “Difficult, but so important and necessary VICTORY @usykaa!
      “Defending the title of the world champion is a symbol of the fact that all Cossacks will not give up theirs, will fight for it and will definitely win!”
      On what’s next, Usyk added: “I’m sure that Tyson Fury is not retired yet.
      Most read in The Sun
      “I’m sure, I’m convinced he wants to fight me.
      “I want to fight him and if I’m not fighting Tyson Fury, I’m not fighting at all.” More

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      Tyson Fury’s cousin Rico Burton killed ‘after getting into row inside pub before going outside for a ‘straightener’

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      BOXING champ Tyson Fury spoke of his agony yesterday after his cousin was stabbed to death outside a bar.Revellers looked on in horror as a knife was plunged into the neck of Rico Burton, 31, in a 3am “bloodbath” in Altrincham, Greater Manchester.
      Boxing champ Tyson Fury spoke of his agony yesterday after his cousin was stabbed to death outside a barCredit: Rex
      Revellers looked on in horror as a knife was plunged into the neck of Rico Burton, 31, in a 3am ‘bloodbath’ in Altrincham, Greater Manchester
      Tyson, 34, called for tougher sentences for ‘idiots carrying knives’
      Tyson, 34, called for tougher sentences for “idiots carrying knives”.
      He said: “Life is so precious and it can be taken away very quick, enjoy every moment. RIP Rico, may the lord God grant you a good place in heaven.”
      Former youth boxing star Rico had been watching the Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk fight with pals in a pub before going to another several miles away in Altrincham.
      It is believed he got into a row inside, before going outside for a “straightener”.
      Read more on Tyson Fury
      But after a fist fight, it is thought Rico’s attacker pulled a knife and stabbed him in the neck.
      One witness said: “It was a bloodbath. Other people were trying their best to save his life, giving him first aid but there was so much blood. Nobody could have saved him.’’
      In an emotional Instagram post, The Gypsy King Tyson said: “My cousin was murdered last night, stabbed in the neck. This is becoming ridiculous idiots carry knives. This needs to stop, ASAP.
      “The Government needs to bring higher sentencing for knife crime.
      Most read in Boxing
      “It’s a pandemic and you don’t know how bad it is until it’s one of your own!”
      A 17-year-old, believed to be a relative of Rico, was also injured in the attack and was taken to hospital.
      Police held a 21-year-old man at the scene and later arrested another, aged 20.
      Both were in custody last night and a murder probe has been launched.
      Supt Ben Ewart, of Greater Manchester Police, said the stabbing was a “senseless act” that cops believe was “unplanned.” He said Rico should have been “enjoying being out with friends” and that it was a “tragic end.”
      Jim Flanagan, 75, said he saw Rico watching the heavyweight bout in a nearby pub and had given him a hug and bought him a pint hours before he was killed.
      He said: “He was just so full of life. To hear that he’s gone, it’s heartbreaking.
      “He was such a nice guy, my thoughts are with all his family and our condolences are with all of them. He was one of the good ones.”
      Tributes have poured in for Rico, including from his and Tyson’s former boxing coach, Steve Egan, 60.
      He said: “I taught Rico, he was a lovely lad. I’m devastated. I feel like crying, he was a fantastic fella. He was a great laugh, there wasn’t a bad bone in him.”
      Rico’s death comes amid a wave of knife and gun violence across the UK.
      At least 11 people have been stabbed in England and Wales since last Monday.
      Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper last night said: “Knife crime is destroying lives and devastating families.
      Read More on The Sun
      “This is yet another horrific killing on Britain’s streets.
      “It is becoming a national crisis and we need urgent action from ministers before more lives are lost.”
      Ex-Tory MP and anti-knife campaigner Nick De Bois added: “The new PM needs to grip this to make our streets safer and stop this senseless waste of life.”
      Additional reporting: RICHARD MORIARTY & AMIR RAZAVI
      Police held a 21-year-old man at the scene and later arrested another, aged 20Credit: ASP More