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    Manchester City hooligan fined for throwing flare onto pitch which landed close to goalie Ederson

    A MANCHESTER City hooligan has been fined for throwing a flare onto the pitch during the Champions League semi-final – which landed close to goalie Ederson.Bradley Holden, 24, celebrated when his team went 2-0 up against Real Madrid at the Etihad.
    Bradley Holden has been fined for throwing a flare onto the pitch at the EtihadCredit: STEVE ALLEN
    The flare landed close to goalkeepr EdersonCredit: Getty
    He was caught on CCTV later removing his top in a bid to avoid detection but was arrested at the game.
    Holden, a season ticket holder, tried to claim that he threw the flare in “panic” because he was so concerned about a fellow fan having an asthma attack.
    Miss Emily Potter, prosecuting at Manchester Magistrates’ Court, said his actions had shown “disregard” for the safety of his fellow supporters and the police sought to impose a football banning order against him.
    Holden told the court that he hadn’t lit the flare and only became aware of it after another fan pointed at it on the floor.
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    He said: “I looked down and heard an elderly male say, ‘What the…I’ve got asthma.”
    “I had a blind panic and wanted to get it away as quickly as possible.”
    He said that he had a friend who’d died from an asthma attack six years ago and he was also aware of the dangers from discussions with his primary school teacher partner
    CCTV footage revealed the flare landed near City goalie Ederson.
    Most read in Football
    Holden, who pleaded guilty to charges of throwing a missile onto a football pitch and possession of a flare at an earlier hearing, also denied trying to disguise his identity by removing his top.
    Mark Kelllett, defending, said Holden was a man of good character who had never been involved in any other incidents at football matches, and a football banning order was unnecessary.
    Read More on The Sun
    District judge Joanne Hirst agreed and said she had “taken into account the unusual circumstances” and believed Holden had shown an “instinctive reaction” on seeing the lit flare and it was clear he hadn’t brought it into the stadium.
    She handed Holden, of Hyde, Gtr Manchester, a £500 fine and ordered him to pay £85 costs and a £50 surcharge. More

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    Goal machine Erling Haalan reveals the secret of his success – special specs to help him sleep

    GOAL-grabbing Erling Haaland has revealed the secret of his success — special specs to help him sleep.They filter out blue light from gadgets and the harsh glow from lamps and fridges.
    Goal-grabbing Erling Haaland has revealed the secret of his success — special specs to help him sleepCredit: AFP
    The Manchester City striker has scored 14 times already this seasonCredit: AFP
    The Manchester City striker, 22, who has scored 14 times already this season, puts them on in the hours before turning in to ensure he gets better quality kip.
    The £51million star also avoids electronic devices two hours before bed.
    Norwegian Erling said: “I wear these glasses in the evening. They help me get deeper and better sleep.
    “I see this as key to improving performance by even just a few percentages. It’s a matter of mentality.”
    READ MORE ON MANCHESTER CITY
    Haaland joined City from Borussia Dortmund in June.
    The striker eats a mountain of food a day to stay in peak condition.
    He demolishes plates of chicken and pasta cooked without salt or oil and grub like swordfish, sea bass and sea bream – all cooked with veg.
    And he also mainly drinks water and avoids sugary snacks and frozen food, opting to eat fresh produce only.
    Most read in The Sun
    While at German giants Borussia Dortmund he gained 12 kilos of muscle in 15 months – and once split a punch bag.
    “His body responds so well to training because his genetics are privileged,” former trainer Erase Steenslid revealed.
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    “He gained 12 kilos of muscle in 15 months. It was crazy. We built his muscle from scratch. He was always the closest to the buffet and his plate was literally a mountain of food.
    “I designed a circuit for him where at one of the stations he had to hit a sack… and one day he split it in half.” More

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    Female football fans risk jail or flogging at World Cup if they are raped in Qatar

    FEMALE England fans risk jail or flogging at the World Cup if they are raped in Qatar.Women at the tournament in November face prosecution if they report offences in the Muslim country.
    Female England fans risk jail or flogging at the World Cup if they are raped in QatarCredit: Reuters
    Qatar’s strict Islamic code outlaws all sexual contact between unmarried couples — and there are 100 prosecutions a year.
    Even rape victims have been hauled into court and handed sentences ranging from seven years in jail to flogging.
    May Romanos, a Middle East expert at Amnesty International, said: “You go to the police, and instead of being the victim, you become the accused.”
    The Detained in Dubai legal aid group has an app to help World Cup fans in trouble.
    READ MORE ON QATAR
    Director Radha Stirling said: “The UAE has a long history of penalising rape victims.”
    Figures show football stadiums in the past have become sex assault hotspots at tournaments.
    There were 72 sex attacks reported in Brent, North London, when the Euro 2020 semis and finals were played at Wembley in July last year — while there were 39 cases at the same tournament in Seville, Spain.
    A Qatar spokesman said the country “promotes the rights of women, and this extends to all women visiting”.
    Most read in The Sun
    Fifa said: “Any fan who reports a sexual assault will have access to Qatar’s ­high-quality healthcare system irrespective of marital status.” More

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    Harry Redknapp reveals how he feared for wife Sandra after serious bout of Covid left her barely able to breathe

    HARRY Redknapp has revealed how he feared for his wife Sandra after a serious attack of Covid left her barely able to breathe.The ex-football manager says Sandra could not talk and had to communicate with people by writing notes as well as having a problem swallowing which he feared could lead to her choking.
    Harry Redknapp has revealed how he feared for his wife Sandra after a serious attack of Covid left her barely able to breatheCredit: The Sun
    Former I’m A Celeb winner, Harry, 75, said: “The symptoms weren’t good, if I’m truthful.
    “You start to think about all kinds of sinister things. It’s been a real worry.
    “Sandra has suffered. Her voice had packed up and she was struggling for breath.
    “Even swallowing food became difficult. She could choke on food easily if we weren’t careful.”
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    The virus attacked pre-existing problems with Sandra’s vocal cords.
    Thankfully, she is on the mend – and national treasure Harry is fighting fit too.
    Former hairdresser Sandra was laid low with Covid in January after a New Year’s Eve visit to a restaurant.
    She said: “I think Covid attacked previous surgery that I’d had on my neck.
    “You don’t realise what your vocal cords do until they’re not working, because it affects breathing as well as talking.
    Most read in The Sun
    “The shortness of breath was very difficult. My voice would vibrate and was very weak.”
    Sandra added she struggled for around seven months as the couple attempted to work on a new book, When Harry Met Sandra, which will be released this week. More

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    Model Courtney Renniers stuns in a blue bikini as she takes a dip in a pool

    MODEL and bodybuilder Courtney Renniers shows she’s racy both at work and at play.The South African, 28, is engaged to fellow countryman and MotoGP rider Brad Binder, 27.
    Courtney Renniers is engaged by Moto GP rider Brad BinderCredit: Sean Levitt
    Courtney is a World Fitness Federation bikini pro ­competitorCredit: Instagram @courtneyrenniers_wffpro
    He competes for the KMT factory team and is 7th in the driver standings.
    Courtney — a World Fitness Federation bikini pro ­competitor — announced their engagement online in July.
    She gushed: “You’re the best thing I’ve ever waited for.
    “And of course I said YES”. He’s got her in a spin.
    Courtney and Brad Binder celebrated their engagement in JulyCredit: Courtney Renniers instagram
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    Chelsea star Ben Chilwell signs up to celeb dating app Raya after split from Too Hot To Handle star Holly Scarfone

    ENGLAND and Chelsea defender Ben Chilwell is back on the market again and using A-list dating app Raya to meet potential sweethearts.In June the footie ace was snapped in LA with star of Netflix show Too Hot To Handle Holly Scarfone but since then the pair have gone their separate ways.
    Ben had been pictured in LA with stunning model Holly ScarfoneCredit: @hollyscarfone
    Chelsea and England defender Ben Chilwell is looking for love on RayaCredit: Getty
    This week Ben’s profile popped up in Birmingham.
    He said he was “visiting from London” and shared a series of snaps with his famous footie pals, including Dele Alli and Mason Mount, set to a Burna Boy soundtrack.
    Get swiping, ladies.
    READ MORE BEN CHILWELL
    Most read in The Sun More

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    Sun reporter told to wear hijab to interview Iran’s football team… in Austria

    A SUNSPORT reporter was compelled to wear a hijab headscarf to quiz Iran’s football team after a match — in Austria.Stunned Isabelle Barker was told she could only speak to the international squad players and manager Carlos Queiroz if her hair was covered.
    A Sunsport reporter was compelled to wear a hijab headscarf to interview Iran’s football team after a match — in Austria
    Stunned Isabelle Barker was told she could only speak to the international squad players and manager Carlos Queiroz if her hair was covered
    Furious Isabelle considered staging a one-woman protest outside the team’s hotel in Vienna but, like a true professional, got on with her job.
    The hijab demand came from the squad’s security staff ahead of a press conference at the hotel yesterday, the day after Iran beat Uruguay 1-0 in a friendly.
    Public protests have been taking place in Iran after police allegedly beat a woman to death for wearing a headscarf the wrong way.
    Isabelle said she tried to buy a hijab after the order but the shops had shut so she made one from a T-shirt.
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    She said of the ultimatum: “I couldn’t believe what was being asked of me and I even thought about staging my own protest. But I had a job to do so my only real option was to comply.”
    England play Iran in their World Cup opener in Qatar on November 21.
    Isabelle stressed that the hijab order had not come from the team’s press officer, former Man United coach Queiroz or any of the players, who include Omid Ebrahimi, “all of whom were friendly and co-operative”.
    The Iranian Football Federation had earlier barred all media from reporting on ­Friday’s game before making a U-turn.
    Most read in The Sun
    Tensions ignited during the match when two fans were ejected from the NV Arena for unveiling an anti-Iran sign.
    Protesters in Iran have been burning hijabs in solidarity with Mahsa Amini, 22, who died after allegedly being beaten by the nation’s morality police on September 16.
    The hijab demand came on Friday from the squad’s security team just hours before Iran played Uruguay in a friendly, winning 1-0Credit: Reuters More

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    Tyson Fury set for surprising new career before historic fight against Anthony Joshua

    WORLD heavyweight boxing champ Tyson Fury is thirsting for a new challenge — to take over a pub.Fury, 34, is said to have made an offer on one after two undercover visits.
    World heavyweight boxing champ Tyson Fury is thirsting for a new challenge — to take over a pubCredit: Rex
    He charmed ex-miner Barry Brown, 65, who has put The Brick and Tile up for sale for around £300,000
    He charmed ex-miner Barry Brown, 65, who has put The Brick and Tile up for sale for around £300,000.
    He said: “Tyson’s brother-in-law is local and he was the one who told me he was interested and he brought him in.
    “When he’s visited, it’s always been when the pub is closed because he is a man who likes a bit of peace and quiet.”
    Fury came down to see the boozer in Retford, Notts, from his home in Morecambe.
    READ MORE ON TYSON FURY
    He announced his retirement from boxing after beating Dillian Whyte in April.
    But the 6ft 7in Gipsy King could fight Anthony Joshua this December.
    Barry said: “Fury is a great character and it has been nice meeting him.
    “It’s amazing how tall he is though, he really has to duck down when he comes into the pub.
    Most read in The Sun
    “He told me he’s not looking to change much about the place.
    “I’ve built it up myself because we did a full refurbishment when I took it on and we’ve now got a lovely lounge on one side of the bar and a sports bar on the other.”
    Local Portia Crossley said: “That is very exciting. I think we’ll go in out of curiosity.” More