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    West Ham defender Kurt Zouma filmed KICKING and slapping his pet cat in horrific video

    PREMIER League ace Kurt Zouma has been filmed booting his cat like a football across his kitchen floor.The West Ham star, 27, was also seen slapping his pet’s face.
    West Ham has condemned Kurt Zouma’s actionsCredit: Shutterstock
    Horrifying sight . . . footage begins with West Ham star Zouma dropping the cat and booting it across the kitchen floor, before the petrified puss scrambles away
    The club condemned Zouma’s actions and fined him £250,000, which they state is the maximum fine they are able to hand out.
    The West Ham defender is seen attacking the pet at his £2million mansion while his brother films him.
    Zouma, 27, drops the moggy and boots it in mid air across the kitchen floor.
    The French international then chases the animal around his dining room in front of a child as the cameraman laughs.
    Zouma also hurls a pair of designer shoes at the pet — which frantically tries to escape.
    In a final clip, he is seen forcefully slapping the cat in the face — and out of the child’s arms.

    It comes as:

    Zouma’s cats have now been rescued by the RSCPA after thousands of people lodged complaints.
    Last night, Zouma issued a grovelling apology for the attack and insisted it was an isolated incident.
    He said: “I want to apologise for my actions. There are no excuses for my behaviour, which I sincerely regret.
    “I also want to say how deeply sorry I am to anyone who was upset by the video. I would like to assure everyone that our two cats are perfectly fine and healthy.
    “They are loved and cherished by our entire family, and this behaviour was an isolated incident that will not happen again.”
    It is understood the £30million former Chelsea player was furious that the Bengal — an expensive breed of domesticated cat that looks like a small leopard — messed up his house.
    A source said: “It seemed that Kurt had got angry at the cat for accidentally smashing some sort of vase and tearing down a light fixture from the kitchen cupboard.
    “But what he does next is completely unacceptable. Kurt kicks it, throws shoes at it and then slaps it. The poor cat looked so scared.”
    The disturbing footage was filmed by Zouma’s brother Yoan and posted to Snapchat on Sunday afternoon — a day after the centre-back appeared for West Ham in the FA Cup.
    The first clip was captioned “sa commence”, which translates into English as “it is starting”. It is replaced with a dozen laughing face emojis in later clips.
    Forceful swipe . . . the French international lashes out as child clutches cat on table — slapping pet around the face & out of the youngster’s arms — in disturbing final clip
    An RSPCA spokesperson said: “This is a very upsetting video. It’s never acceptable to kick, hit or slap an animal, for punishment or otherwise.”
    Dr Maggie Roberts, of charity Cats Protection, said: “Any person seen or suspected of treating an animal badly, whether this is physical violence, neglect or any other form of cruelty should be reported to the RSPCA.
    “The police work closely with the RSPCA to investigate cases of animal cruelty. Cats are sentient beings and experience pain and fear. Beating up a cat will only cause it to suffer physically and mentally.
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    “We noticed that some people viewing the video online thought it was funny. We can assure them that this is not a laughing matter.”
    Zouma — who won the Premier League twice with Chelsea after joining them in 2014 — has scored one goal in 12 games since moving to the Hammers in the summer.
    Emojis on footage as Zouma hurls designer shoes at pussFive years in jail under tough new laws

    ANIMAL abusers now face tougher prison sentences under a new bill passed in Parliament last year.
    The worst offenders can be caged for five years instead of just six months under the Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Bill.
    Dog fight organisers, farmers who neglect horses and thugs who abuse puppies or kittens can all be hit by the long jail term.
    The new legislation — championed by PM Boris Johnson and his animal-loving wife Carrie — came after a four-year campaign by Battersea Cats & Dogs Home in London.
    It makes CCTV mandatory in every slaughterhouse in England and bans the export of live animals for fattening and slaughter.
    Standards in zoos must be improved and household pets even have their feelings protected.
    The law says animals with a backbone have a right to happiness as well as avoiding suffering.
    The Battersea home launched the crusade after discovering fly-tippers were given harsher sentences than animal abusers.
    When the bill came into effect last June, comedian Ricky Gervais, 60 — a dedicated animal rights campaigner — said: “Justice will finally be served to anyone who perpetuates animal cruelty and a proper punishment brought in.
    “It’s one I hope will serve as a deterrent to anyone who’d contemplate harming an innocent creature.”

    £2,000 prized puss
    BENGALS are one of the UK’s most expensive and rarest domesticated cats.
    The breed originated in the US in the 1970s from wild Asian leopard cats crossed with tabbies.
    Bengal kittens now cost around £2,000 each.
    Their spotted coats make them look like mini-leopards and their athletic, slender physiques have seen them become prized pets in the cat world.
    They are known for their extremely friendly personalities and are loved for being similar to dogs with displays of loyalty.
    Celebrity owners include Twilight star Kristen Stewart, 31, TV favourite Jonathan Ross, 61, and reality star Kourtney Kardashian, 42. More

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    Grandad, 85, wins £2,686 after placing a 3p bet at odds of 90,000-1

    AN 85-year-old grandad has won £2,686 after placing a 3p bet.Janus “George” Wagonback put his loose change on an accumulator, betting ten football matches would be draws at odds of 90,000-1.
    Janus “George” Wagonback, 85, has won £2,686 after placing a 3p betCredit: PA
    Bookmaker Betfred usually has a minimum stake of 5p but let him place it as he is a regular customer.
    George, of Sutton-in-Ashfield, Notts, and originally from Hungary, said: “I didn’t know I’d won until I checked the paper the next day.
    “I did feel good, but I can’t jump around much these days — only little jumps.
    “I’ve had some significant wins on the football over the years.
    “My ambition is to skin Betfred for a million.”
    Betfred boss Fred Done said: “I cannot remember anyone winning so much from just three pence.”
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    I was felt sick after watching Kurt Zouma kick a cat – he should volunteer his time to work with abused animals

    I’LL never forget how Arsenal manager George Graham used to tell us: “Remember who you are, where you are and who you represent.”Kurt Zouma has very clearly lost sight of who he is representing and has really let his team down.
    Kurt Zouma should volunteer with abused animals after sick cat-kicking video, says David Seaman
    David Seaman says he and wife Frankie felt ‘sick’ after watching the video
    After The Sun published the video of him abusing that poor cat, so many fans were rightly disgusted.
    To see him starting on Tuesday night horrified many Hammers supporters.
    When me and my wife Frankie saw the video we felt sick.
    We found it really hard to sleep that night. We’re relieved to hear his cats have been taken into care.
    Both of us have always had cats and now we have two rescues from Cats Protection — Willow and Smokey.
    We also often foster pregnant and feral cats which we keep in their own room — some having been treated horribly in abusive situations.
    This episode really shows that, no matter who you are, abusing animals is never OK.
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    The RSPCA confirmed it is investigating the disturbing footage
    We’d love to see him volunteer his time to maybe work with abused animals.
    The public will need to see something being done to make up for such cruelty.
    This shouldn’t just be swept under the carpet.

    DAVID and Frankie foster for Cats Protection, the UK’s largest cat welfare and rehoming charity. Visit www.cats.org.uk More

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    West Ham ace Kurt Zouma filmed KICKING and slapping his pet cat in horrific video

    PREMIER League ace Kurt Zouma could be prosecuted after being filmed booting his cat like a football across his kitchen floor.The West Ham star, 27, is also seen slapping his pet’s face.
    West Ham has condemned Kurt Zouma’s actionsCredit: Shutterstock
    Horrifying sight . . . footage begins with West Ham star Zouma dropping the cat and booting it across the kitchen floor, before the petrified puss scrambles away
    The club has condemned his actions and will “deal with the matter internally”.
    The West Ham defender is seen attacking the pet at his £2million mansion while his brother films him.
    Zouma, 27, drops the moggy and boots it in mid air across the kitchen floor.
    The French international then chases the animal around his dining room in front of a child as the cameraman laughs.
    Zouma also hurls a pair of designer shoes at the pet — which frantically tries to escape.
    In a final clip, he is seen forcefully slapping the cat in the face — and out of the child’s arms.
    Last night, Zouma issued a grovelling apology for the attack and insisted it was an isolated incident.
    He said: “I want to apologise for my actions. There are no excuses for my behaviour, which I sincerely regret.
    West Ham statement
    “West Ham United unreservedly condemns the actions of our player, Kurt Zouma, in the video that has circulated.
    We have spoken to Kurt and will be dealing with the matter internally, but we would like to make it clear that we in no way condone cruelty towards animals.”

    @font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:500;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-stretch:semi-condensed;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:normal;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:condensed;font-display:swap;}.css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-zkaekv{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-zkaekv::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -1px);}.css-zkaekv::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}Most read in Football.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
    “I also want to say how deeply sorry I am to anyone who was upset by the video. I would like to assure everyone that our two cats are perfectly fine and healthy.
    “They are loved and cherished by our entire family, and this behaviour was an isolated incident that will not happen again.”
    It is understood the £30million former Chelsea player was furious that the Bengal — an expensive breed of domesticated cat that looks like a small leopard — messed up his house.
    A source said: “It seemed that Kurt had got angry at the cat for accidentally smashing some sort of vase and tearing down a light fixture from the kitchen cupboard.
    “But what he does next is completely unacceptable. Kurt kicks it, throws shoes at it and then slaps it. The poor cat looked so scared.”
    The disturbing footage was filmed by Zouma’s brother Yoan and posted to Snapchat on Sunday afternoon — a day after the centre-back appeared for West Ham in the FA Cup.
    The first clip was captioned “sa commence”, which translates into English as “it is starting”. It is replaced with a dozen laughing face emojis in later clips.
    Forceful swipe . . . the French international lashes out as child clutches cat on table — slapping pet around the face & out of the youngster’s arms — in disturbing final clip£2,000 prized puss

    BENGALS are one of the UK’s most expensive and rarest domesticated cats.
    The breed originated in the US in the 1970s from wild Asian leopard cats crossed with tabbies.
    Bengal kittens now cost around £2,000 each.
    Their spotted coats make them look like mini-leopards and their athletic, slender physiques have seen them become prized pets in the cat world.
    They are known for their extremely friendly personalities and are loved for being similar to dogs with displays of loyalty.
    Celebrity owners include Twilight star Kristen Stewart, 31, TV favourite Jonathan Ross, 61, and reality star Kourtney Kardashian, 42.

    Disgusted animal welfare charities slammed the Premier League ace — who could now face a criminal probe.
    The Sun understands that the RSPCA has received at least one complaint about the video, which could give the charity leeway to pursue a prosecution.
    An RSPCA spokesperson said: “This is a very upsetting video. It’s never acceptable to kick, hit or slap an animal, for punishment or otherwise.”
    Dr Maggie Roberts, of charity Cats Protection, said: “Any person seen or suspected of treating an animal badly, whether this is physical violence, neglect or any other form of cruelty should be reported to the RSPCA.
    “The police work closely with the RSPCA to investigate cases of animal cruelty. Cats are sentient beings and experience pain and fear. Beating up a cat will only cause it to suffer physically and mentally.
    “We noticed that some people viewing the video online thought it was funny. We can assure them that this is not a laughing matter.”
    Last night, West Ham issued a statement “unreservedly condemning” their player’s actions
    Zouma — who won the Premier League twice with Chelsea after joining them in 2014 — has scored one goal in 12 games since moving to the Hammers in the summer.
    Emojis on footage as Zouma hurls designer shoes at pussFive years in jail under tough new laws

    ANIMAL abusers now face tougher prison sentences under a new bill passed in Parliament last year.
    The worst offenders can be caged for five years instead of just six months under the Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Bill.
    Dog fight organisers, farmers who neglect horses and thugs who abuse puppies or kittens can all be hit by the long jail term.
    The new legislation — championed by PM Boris Johnson and his animal-loving wife Carrie — came after a four-year campaign by Battersea Cats & Dogs Home in London.
    It makes CCTV mandatory in every slaughterhouse in England and bans the export of live animals for fattening and slaughter.
    Standards in zoos must be improved and household pets even have their feelings protected.
    The law says animals with a backbone have a right to happiness as well as avoiding suffering.
    The Battersea home launched the crusade after discovering fly-tippers were given harsher sentences than animal abusers.
    When the bill came into effect last June, comedian Ricky Gervais, 60 — a dedicated animal rights campaigner — said: “Justice will finally be served to anyone who perpetuates animal cruelty and a proper punishment brought in.
    “It’s one I hope will serve as a deterrent to anyone who’d contemplate harming an innocent creature.” More

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    Heavyweight boxing champ Tyson Fury launches his own brand with Iceland

    TYSON Fury is aiming to become a big hitter with shoppers — by launching his own brand with Iceland.The 6ft 9in heavyweight boxing champ, 33, has agreed a tie-in with the budget supermarket for his upcoming range called “Furocity”.
    We imagine what the boxing champ would look like after taking a trip to Iceland
    His deal is to create food and drink supplements, but could branch out into “junk” products.
    The first product to hit the shelves will be an energy drink with as much caffeine as two cups of coffee that comes in cherry, apple and raspberry flavours.
    A source said: “Tyson’s deal with Iceland will give customers healthy options certified by him.
    “But the trademarks for the line also include pizzas, pastries, confectionery and even beer.”
    Packaging for Tyson’s new drink has a shiny black and red design, with a photo of his face.
    It appears alongside the slogan: “Unlike my opponents, Furocity packs a real punch. It’s about hitting your day harder and making the moment count. It’s a feeling you can’t bottle. So I put it in a can.”
    Another source said: “You would have thought he would have been trying to flog healthy food and drink — not something like this.”
    @font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:500;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-stretch:semi-condensed;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:normal;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:condensed;font-display:swap;}.css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-zkaekv{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-zkaekv::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -1px);}.css-zkaekv::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}Most read in Boxing.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);} More

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    Wayne Rooney admits booze almost broke up his family after ‘self-binges’

    WAYNE Rooney admits booze almost broke up his family after a series of drunken “mistakes” — but insists he is not an alcoholic.England’s record goalscorer revealed he went on two-day benders alone while at Man United.
    Wayne Rooney admits booze nearly broke up his family after a series of drunken ‘mistakes’ — but insists he is not an alcoholicCredit: Getty
    Wife Coleen has forgiven him following a number of high-profile incidents over the years, including being pictured asleep in a hotel room with girls in July.
    Rooney, 36, admits having tough discussions with his wife.
    The dad of four said: “There have been mistakes in the past, which I have always held my hands up to.
    “When tough moments have come up, we have spoken about them and figured out how we’re going to get through it.
    “The first thing you see is her forgiving some of the stuff I’ve done but then we’ve always been open about it and figured out what is best for us as a family.”
    He told how he used eye drops to cover his “self-binges” as he struggled to cope with football stardom.
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    And he said it often led to “explosions”.
    The Derby boss recalled: “Coleen could see it coming every time. I’d say, ‘F*** it’ and go out and make silly mistakes.”
    We revealed on Saturday Coleen now insists on him being chaperoned on nights out to save their 13-year marriage.
    But, ahead of new Amazon biopic Rooney, he said: “My relationship with drink now is fine.
    “No problems. I still have a drink now and again. Not like I used to. Not like when I was playing. It’s well in control.
    “It was never at a stage where I thought I was an alcoholic.”
    Rooney, pictured with wife Coleen, said: ‘There have been mistakes in the past, which I have always held my hands up to’Credit: AFP
    Rooney added: ‘Coleen could see it coming every time. I’d say, ‘F*** it’ and go out and make silly mistakes’Credit: Getty More

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    I don’t feel any different – my goal is to play at World Cup, says Christian Eriksen

    SHROUDED from view by his weeping teammates, Christian Eriksen “died for five minutes” as millions of Euro 2020 viewers looked on aghast.Today, less than eight months after having a cardiac arrest on the pitch while playing for Denmark, he’s preparing for a Premier League return as he begins training with his new team.
    Immediately after the harrowing collapse, Eriksen told the mother of his one-year-old daughter and son Alfred, three, there was ‘no way’ he would return to footballCredit: Instagram @chriseriksen8
    A trainer performed chest compressions on stricken Eriksen as the crowd fell eerily silentCredit: EPA
    We imagine what Erikson will look like in his Brentford kit
    And loyal girlfriend Sabrina Kvist Jensen is supporting his fairytale comeback at West London club Brentford — which he hopes will be the first step in fulfilling his dream of playing in this year’s World Cup.
    Midfielder Eriksen, 29, who spent six and a half  years at Tottenham, said: “If Sabrina had said, ‘I don’t want you to play any more,’ this would be a very different situation.
    “Of course, we have a trauma from June 12, but since then we have found our bearings so that Sabrina is OK with me going to the gym for a few hours and to the practice field.
    “She trusts that when I go, I always come back.”
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    Immediately after the harrowing collapse, Eriksen told the mother of his one-year-old daughter and son Alfred, three, there was “no way” he would return to football.
    The distraught hairdresser leapt over the barriers to be at his side when he collapsed at  Copenhagen’s Parken Stadium.
    According to Denmark’s legendary goalie Peter Schmeichel — whose son Kasper was their keeper that day — devoted Sabrina, now 27, initially assumed her partner was dead.
    Ex-Manchester United star Peter said: “You could see from the reaction of Kasper running over to her to say Christian is breathing, she actually believed he had passed away.”
    The Bees’ new signing will play with a pacemaker-type device called an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) — and he is the only known Premier League player who has the  implement, which can restart his heart.
    He revealed: “Worst case, if it happens again, this thing helps me right away. It’s very reassuring.”
    But he isn’t content with merely returning to British top-flight football.
    Eriksen revealed: “My goal is to play at the World Cup in Qatar. This has been my mindset all along.
    “I’m sure I can come back because I don’t feel any different. Physically, I’m back in top shape.”
    Another person who will be delighted with Eriksen’s progress is his former team mate at Spurs, Harry Kane. The England skipper was “numb with shock” after the Dane’s horror collapse at the delayed Euros.
    The Three Lions striker led well-wishes to Eriksen as he lay in hospital. His wife Katie, 29, also called Sabrina to offer her support.
    The two couples would go out as a foursome after Eriksen signed for Spurs in 2013. They were spotted together at Zuma sushi restaurant in Knightsbridge and a Bruno Mars concert at the O2 Arena.
    The teatime Euro 2020 fixture between Denmark and Finland, when Eriksen collapsed, will remain indelibly etched on the minds of all who witnessed it.
    In the 42nd minute Eriksen — waiting to receive a throw-in — stumbled and fell forwards.
    The Danish players — some crying and others with their hands clasped in prayer — gathered around the fallen superstar to shield him from view.
    A trainer performed chest compressions on stricken Eriksen as the crowd fell eerily silent.
    It was nearly 20 minutes before the player was transferred to a stretcher and carried off the field.
    Fans around the globe were buoyed by the sight of a conscious Eriksen resting his hand on his forehead.
    Recalling the build-up to the game, he told Danish TV station DR1 last month: “I felt like normal. I remember (Joakim) Maehle’s throw-in. I remember being hit by the ball and I passed it back using my shin.
    “I felt a small cramp in my calf and then I blacked out.
    “When I woke up from the CPR it was like waking from a dream.
    “I don’t remember a thing from when I passed out. I’m on my back when I wake up. I feel them pressing on me. I struggled to breathe — and then I heard faint voices and doctors talking.
    “I’m thinking, ‘This can’t be me lying here, I’m healthy’. My first thought is that I broke my back. ‘Can I move my legs? I can move my toes . . . ’”
    The Danish team’s talisman clearly recalls fans singing his name as he was stretchered to an ambulance.
    He revealed: “I remember the white linen around me to shield me from view.
    “I look up and see the fans singing. I get carried out to the ambulance.
    “It’s not until I’m in the ambulance that I realise I had been dead.
    “I’m thinking, ‘Keep my boots, I won’t play again’.
    “I tell my fiancée Sabrina the same — ‘I’m not going to play again, no way’.”
    The then-Inter Milan midfielder added: “At the hospital, they kept saying I’d received more and more flowers. I didn’t expect people to send flowers because I’d died for five minutes.
    “It had an impact on so many people, and they felt a need to let me and my family know. That makes me very happy.”
    The footballer was fitted with an ICD and has returned to full health.
    ‘Besides being a superstar, he is very down to earth’
    Dr Malcolm Finlay, a consultant cardiologist  at London Bridge Hospital, describes an ICD as a “parachute”.
    He said: “It listens to the heartbeat and if the heart runs to a crazily fast rhythm, then the computer delivers an electric shock to the heart.”
    As Denmark progressed through the tournament to a semi-final encounter with England at Wembley, Eriksen admits he craved being out on the pitch. He explained: “I was happy they got so far, but I wanted to be there.”
    At just 29, the lure of top-flight football was still strong for this supreme competitor as the months went by. A wealthy man following a stellar career at Ajax, Tottenham and Inter, he still felt he had a footballing itch to scratch.
    To regain full fitness, he worked with a personal trainer at Swiss club FC Chiasso, a one-hour drive from his Milan apartment.
    Yet he could not continue with Inter as rules in Italy forbid players from competing with heart-monitoring devices.
    On transfer deadline day last week,  Brentford announced they had got their man on a six-month deal — the highest-profile player in the club’s history.
    Brentford’s Danish manager Thomas Frank, 48, said: “Besides being a top player and superstar, he is very humble and down to earth. That is a big quality. Because of what happened, some of the bigger clubs weren’t interested to take the chance.”
    Eriksen’s arrival has prompted  Brentford strips to sell at 30 times the usual rate as fans from South Korea, the US, Australia and Greenland snap up the red-and-white shirts.
    Brentford said for confidentiality reasons it won’t be releasing details of the stringent medical tests Eriksen has had.
    But Frank said: “The specialists that have seen him know that everything is perfect.”
    Professor Aneil Malhotra, lead cardiologist for clubs including Manchester United, Manchester City and Leeds, called Eriksen’s return “groundbreaking”.
    But ex-Bolton Wanderers star Fabrice Muamba, who retired from professional football after a cardiac arrest on the pitch, said he was “worried” about  Eriksen’s return. Muamba, 33, who also has an ICD, collapsed on the pitch at  Tottenham in 2012 and was resuscitated after 78 minutes.
    He revealed on his YouTube channel:  “I’m not saying it’s going to happen again but the medical staff will always say to you it might happen.”
    However, Eriksen says he’s not worried “in the slightest” about collapsing again.
    He said: “I have been cleared and monitored and tested.
    “I worried I would be afraid there (the pitch) but I’m not. So people can stop worrying.”
    After his first training session with the Bees today, manager Frank will assess when he can start his first game.
    The club’s head coach said: “It is going to be an unbelievable day when he steps on to the pitch.
    “It is a little bit of a miracle that he wants to play football again.”

    Players who got extra time
    CHRISTIAN Eriksen is not the only footballer to play on with an ICD.
    German Daniel Engelbrecht was 22 when he had a cardiac arrest on the pitch playing for third-tier Stuttgarter Kickers in 2013.
    The former striker said: “The love of football was bigger than the fear of dying. That was the reason I played again.”
    The ICD came to his rescue three times – in hospital, in a match and in training – before he hung up his boots in 2018.
    He told The Telegraph: “I wanted to play football at 100 per cent – and I only had 60 or 70 per cent.
    “The second point was that, every day I went to training, I was afraid to die.
    The third point was that my family told me their biggest fear was calling me after training or a game and never getting an answer.”Belgian defender Anthony Van Loo, 33, was diagnosed with a heart condition in 2008 but played on after getting  an ICD.
    YouTube footage from 2009 shows him collapsing during a match before a jolt from his ICD made him spasm and sit up.
    He collapsed during a game once more in 2018 and, despite making a recovery, he retired from football for good.
    In 2019, former Manchester United defender Daley Blind was fitted with an ICD after feeling dizzy while playing for Ajax. He was diagnosed with heart muscle inflammation known as cardiomyopathy.
    The next year his ICD went off during a pre-season warm-up match. He sat down but was able to walk off the pitch.
    Blind, 31, has continued playing, making 27 appearances for Ajax last season.

    Loyal girlfriend Sabrina Kvist Jensen is supporting his fairytale comeback at West London Club BrentfordCredit: chriseriksen8/Instagram
    The distraught hairdresser leapt over the barriers to be at his side when he collapsed at  Copenhagen’s Parken StadiumCredit: AFP
    Christian could not continue with Inter as rules in Italy forbid players from competing with heart-monitoring devicesCredit: AFP More

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    Wayne Rooney admits booze nearly broke up his family after ‘self-binges’

    WAYNE Rooney admits booze nearly broke up his family after a series of drunken “mistakes” — but insists he is not an alcoholic.England’s record goalscorer revealed he went on two-day booze benders alone while at Man United.
    Wayne Rooney admits booze nearly broke up his family after a series of drunken ‘mistakes’ — but insists he is not an alcoholicCredit: Getty
    Wife Coleen has forgiven him following a number of high-profile incidents over the years, including being pictured asleep in a hotel room with girls in July.
    Rooney, 36, admits having tough discussions with his wife.
    The dad of four said: “There have been mistakes in the past, which I have always held my hands up to.
    “When tough moments have come up, we have spoken about them and figured out how we’re going to get through it.
    “The first thing you see is her forgiving some of the stuff I’ve done but then we’ve always been open about it and figured out what is best for us as a family.”
    He told how he used eye drops to cover his “self-binges” as he struggled to cope with football stardom.
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    And he said it often led to “explosions”.
    The Derby boss recalled: “Coleen could see it coming every time. I’d say, ‘F*** it’ and go out and make silly mistakes.”
    We revealed on Saturday Coleen now insists on him being chaperoned on nights out to save their 13-year marriage.
    But, ahead of new Amazon biopic Rooney, he said: “My relationship with drink now is fine.
    “No problems. I still have a drink now and again. Not like I used to. Not like when I was playing. It’s well in control.
    “It was never at a stage where I thought I was an alcoholic.”
    Rooney, pictured with wife Coleen, said: ‘There have been mistakes in the past, which I have always held my hands up to’Credit: AFP
    Rooney added: ‘Coleen could see it coming every time. I’d say, ‘F*** it’ and go out and make silly mistakes’Credit: Getty More