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    Newcastle United fans revel as Geordie club becomes richest on planet

    STRIPPED to the waist and spraying lager like champagne, the Geordie faithful celebrated as Newcastle United became one of the richest football clubs on the planet.The wild scenes outside St James’ Park on Thursday evening marked the rebirth of one of British football’s grand old clubs.
    The Geordie faithful celebrated as Newcastle United became one of the richest football clubs on the planetCredit: AFP
    St James’ Park dominates Newcastle city centre and the black and white Magpies stripes everywhere and for 128 years United has helped define TynesideCredit: Alamy
    But the raucous behaviour is best not repeated in downtown Riyadh should the Magpies tour new benefactor Mohammed bin Salman’s ultra-conservative Saudi Arabian homeland this summer.
    Known as MBS, the ruthless Crown Prince presides over a state accused of serial human rights abuses and hacking a journalist to death.
    Yet, in footballing terms, the Toon Army’s unrestrained glee at the takeover is understandable.
    St James’ Park dominates Newcastle city centre and the black and white Magpies stripes everywhere.
    A one-club city, for 128 years United has helped define Tyneside.
    The 14-year “slow puncture” of Sports Direct chief Mike Ashley’s St James’ Park reign — two relegations, no cup semi-finals and turgid football — had sapped supporters’ morale.

    Now the Ashley yoke has been removed with a £305million buyout led by Saudi’s Public Investment Fund (PIF).
    On hearing the deal had gone through, Newcastle fans Ant and Dec tweeted: “Oh what a beautiful day.”
    PIF, which now owns 80 per cent of the club, is worth a staggering £700billion amassed from the desert kingdom’s oil reserves.
    That’s 50 times the wealth of Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich. Manchester City’s Sheikh Mansour is worth a relatively paltry £23billion.
    Little wonder, then, that new co-owner Amanda Staveley said the ambition is for Newcastle — which last won England’s top flight in 1927 — to become another Manchester City or Paris St Germain.
    “Do we want to win the Premier league within five to ten years? Yes,” she insisted.
    Yesterday the club proudly tweeted that the next home match, against Tottenham on Sunday, is a 52,304-seat sell out.
    “It’s great to see such a massive investment coming into one of Britain’s oldest football clubs. We now must see this money trickle down both to grassroots football and the wider region.”Jake Berry MP
    The epitome of the football cliche “sleeping giant” — they won the last of their six FA cups in 1955 — Newcastle is back among the big boys.
    Doubtless, marquee signings will arrive. Could Harry Kane be tempted to the Tyne? Will French hotshot forward Kylian Mbappe soon be supping in the Bigg Market?
    Yet, as the Toon Army dreams of assembling a squad to match Brazil’s 1970 World Cup winning team, they’ve had to come to terms with just where the cash is coming from.
    Amnesty UK chief executive Sacha Deshmukh said: “The human rights situation in Saudi Arabia remains dire, with government critics, women’s rights campaigners, Shia activists and human rights defenders still being harassed and jailed, often after blatantly unfair trials.”
    The CIA claim MBS “approved” the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi — whose body was dismembered with a bone saw.
    The Saudi government strongly denied the allegation. Yet it led some to refer to MBS as Mr Bone Saw.
    Khashoggi’s widow, Hatice Cengiz, opposed the takeover, saying it would allow MBS to “wash his reputation and sully the name of sport”.
    Channel 4 News’ Alex Thomson tweeted of the buyout: “As a lifelong Newcastle United supporter I feel sick this morning.
    “No time for Ashley but he doesn’t murder and dismember journalists or chop people’s heads off or treat women as third-class humans on an industrial scale.”
    Match Of The Day host Gary Lineker replied to the tweet: “Football fans want their clubs to succeed, but at what price? The dilemma facing @NUFC supporters.”
    A Newcastle United supporters’ trust survey found 93.8 per cent of members in favour of the takeover
    The Saudis are accused of “sports washing” — using Newcastle, a global sporting brand in the world’s most popular football league, to improve their reputation.
    Co-owner Amanda Staveley said: “Human rights? It is something we take very seriously, but our partner is not the Saudi state. Our partner is PIF.
    “It’s very much public investment in a fantastic club.”
    A Newcastle United supporters’ trust survey found 93.8 per cent of members in favour of the takeover.
    Geordie indie singer Sam Fender, 27, appeared worse for wear on BBC Breakfast yesterday, saying: “It is obviously quite a contentious situation but I am just really happy for the fans.”
    The North Shields-born star and sax player Johnny “Blue Hat” Davis had travelled to St James’ Park for a mass singalong with supporters on Thursday night.
    It’s now hoped the takeover will see money pour into Tyneside.
    Former northern powerhouse minister Jake Berry MP told The Sun: “It’s great to see such a massive investment coming into one of Britain’s oldest football clubs.“We now must see this money trickle down both to grassroots football and the wider region.”
    The new owners will want to modernise St James’ Park stadium— beginning by taking down 140 signs advertising Ashley’s Sports Direct.
    And they will want to upgrade the training ground. Currently there is no swimming pool or hydro facility so injured players’ recovery takes place at a nearby health club.
    Keen to win favour, the new owners want club legends Kevin Keegan and Alan Shearer to take on ambassadorial roles at the club.
    The Saudis will certainly want to see the Magpies flying high — with their cash luring some of the world’s greatest footballers to the North East
    After receiving criticisms for welcoming the Saudi takeover, Newcastle fans have pointed out that Britain is an ally of the desert kingdom that sells them arms as part of £8.5billion in annual trade.
    Still grinning from ear to ear after the takeover, Steven Tribe, a delivery driver, of Jarrow, South Tyneside, said: “I’m ecstatic. I’ve supported Newcastle for 25 years.
    “We just want investment and for the team to do well.”
    Geordie Lauren Mole, a 22-year-old student who lives in the city, is “delighted” by the takeover.
    She said: “The UK still trades with Saudi Arabia so if it’s good enough for our Government it’s good enough for Newcastle United.
    “The criticism is unjust. People are jealous. If it was their club they wouldn’t turn it down.”
    Though none with a reputation as tarnished as MBS’s, in truth football club ownership has always attracted the vain, avaricious and sometimes crooked.
    A club’s true custodians have always been the fans. And they will now be keen to see how Saudi’s modernising agenda plays out.
    The Saudis will certainly want to see the Magpies flying high — with their cash luring some of the world’s greatest footballers to the North East.
    And that means plenty more lager-drenched traditional topless celebrations from the Toon Army.
    Newcastle United’s Directors are Mehrdad Ghodoussi and Amanda StaveleyCredit: Getty
    The Saudis are accused of “sports washing” — using Newcastle, a global sporting brand in the world’s most popular football league, to improve their reputationCredit: AFP
    ‘The human rights situation in Saudi Arabia remains dire, with government critics, women’s rights campaigners, Shia activists and human rights defenders still being harassed and jailed’Credit: EPA
    A Newcastle United supporters’ trust survey found 93.8 per cent of members in favour of the takeoverCredit: Twitter @ARoyalAgency
    The Saudis will certainly want to see the Magpies flying high — with their cash luring some of the world’s greatest footballers to the North EastCredit: Reuters
    After receiving criticisms for welcoming the Saudi takeover, Newcastle fans have pointed out that Britain is an ally of the desert kingdomCredit: PA:Press Association
    Sun’s Head of Sport, Shaun Custis gives his verdict on Saudi takeover of Newcastle United More

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    England boss Gareth Southgate could play ‘B’ team against Andorra with fears over plastic pitch

    GARETH SOUTHGATE is ready to send out his England ‘B’ team on Andorra’s plastic pitch.The Three Lions boss will field a much-changed side from the one which drew 1-1 in Poland last month.
    The England players and boss Southgate are preparing to play on a plastic pitchCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    The Three Lions squad boarded a flight to Andorra on ThursdayCredit: Getty
    There are concerns over captain Harry Kane and whether he will play on the artificial surface due to his history of ankle issues.
    The Spurs striker wants to play but is set to be on the England bench.
    Chelsea left-back Ben Chilwell is in line to start following his call-up this week.
    Harry Maguire’s calf injury has ruled him out of these two World Cup qualifiers so there will be a change at centre-back.
    And Kalvin Phillips’ withdrawal could mean a return for Liverpool’s Jordan Henderson.
    Manchester United’s Jadon Sancho may feature in midfield, along with Southampton skipper James Ward-Prowse.

    A number of players who do not usually start could feature for England on SaturdayCredit: Getty
    Luke Shaw, meanwhile, says Sancho is showing his Manchester United team-mates what an “unbelievable talent” he is.
    And the full-back, 26, thinks it is only a matter of time before the £73million man’s Old Trafford career blooms.
    Sancho, 21, has yet to shine for the Red Devils since his move from Borussia Dortmund.
    But Shaw told talkSPORT: “Sometimes it takes time. I don’t think he’s struggling, he’s working extremely hard.
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    “He’s training really well and looking sharp. He just hasn’t had that bit of luck that sometimes you need for your first goal or first assist.
    “I’ve got no doubt in my mind it’s coming. The talent he has is unbelievable.
    “It’s just about staying focused, keep doing what he’s doing in training and working hard. His time will come.” More

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    Mike Ashley admits ‘it didn’t work out on the pitch’ after his 14-year reign as Newcastle owner finally ends

    MIKE ASHLEY finally succeeded in selling Newcastle and told the celebrating Toon Army: “I know it didn’t work out on the pitch.”The 18-month battle to  complete his flog on the Tyne ended with a £300million deal with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.
    Mike Ashley finally succeeded in selling NewcastleCredit: AP
    And the sportswear billionaire conceded that the new Toon owners do have the deep pockets required to actually transform the club’s fortunes.
    Speaking to SunSport,  Ashley said: “Owning a football club gets into your blood and l would love nothing more than to see Newcastle winning trophies.
    “I accept that during my time at Newcastle we have not achieved the club’s full potential on the field.
    “But I do believe that away from the pitch we got many things right.
    “I am proud to leave the club on a solid financial footing with no debts, which is obviously a good foundation for the club going forward.”
    Ashley, who reportedly spent £134m and took on debt on acquiring his stake in Newcastle in 2007, has been attempting to get out of the club for much of the past four seasons.

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    His departure was cheered by fans but Ashley maintained he had no ill-will despite the flak that has come his way.
    He added: “I’m pleased that a consortium backed by PIF is the new owner of Newcastle United. I am sure this will deliver the success that fans deserve.
    “I’ve always said that I would only sell to a new owner if they can invest the necessary funds to enable Newcastle United to compete at the very highest level.
    “I believe this change of ownership is true to that principle.”
    Financier Amanda Staveley arrives at Jesmond Dene House, NewcastleCredit: PA
    Newcastle fans celebrating the takeoverCredit: PA More

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    Amanda Staveley vows to win Prem title at Newcastle but gives no job assurances to Steve Bruce after Toon takeover

    AMANDA STAVELEY has vowed to land Newcastle’s first-ever Premier League title.But the club’s new joint-owner refused to back manager Steve Bruce after finally buying the Magpies from Mike Ashley for £300million.
    Staveley has set her sights on the club winning the Premier League titleCredit: PA
    Bruce is under increasing pressure as he fears being sackedCredit: Getty
    Newcastle have not won the league since 1927 but are now the RICHEST club in the world with the backing of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.
    Asked if the landing the Premier League was the target, the new Queen of the North said: “Absolutely. We have the same ambitions as PSG and Manchester City in terms of trophies.
    “Premier League football is the best in the world, and Newcastle United is the best team in the world.
    “We want to see it get those trophies. At the top of the Premier League, In Europe, but to get trophies means patience, investment time.
    “Newcastle United deserves to be top of the Premier League and we want to get there. It’ll take time but we’ll get there.”

    Thursday’s confirmation of the end of Ashley’s controversial 14-year reign sparked a huge party outside St James’ Park and across the city as fans chanted: “We’ve got our club back.”
    Staveley added: “Our ambition is aligned with the fans – to create a consistently successful team that’s regularly competing for major trophies.
    “Do we want to win the Premier League within five to 10 years? Yes.”
    Analysts predict Newcastle will be able to spend well over £200million on new players in the next three years without breaching Financial Fair Play rules.
    And Staveley added: “The PIF is obviously very wealthy and that’s sometimes quite daunting, but they are also very commercially astute as partners.
    “It’s going to make the most incredible investment.
    “We have big ambitions, and we love the FA Cup. Newcastle last won the FA Cup in 1955 – that’s a long time.”
    Staveley spoke to under-fire boss Bruce on Thursday but did not give the Geordie any backing with Newcastle 19th in the league.
    She added: “We’re painfully aware of the relegation issue and we’re going to do everything we can to make sure the club is not relegated. It is a concern.
    Newcastle fans celebrated the takeover outside St James’ ParkCredit: Reuters
    “But all decisions about players and manager are for another day.
    “I did speak to the manager and say hello and introduce ourselves. We look forward to speaking to him over the next few days.
    “We’re going to do a review right through the football operations and come back and make some decisions.”
    Fans are desperate for Bruce to leave, who has presided over a winless start after seven games.
    Unpopular Bruce, who has been in charge since July 2019, admits he could face the chop under the new owners.
    While no decision has officially been made yet, the Geordie is soon set to be handed a hefty pay-off of around £4million.
    And Bruce told The Telegraph said: “I want to continue, I’d like the chance to show the new owners what I can do, but you have to be realistic and they may well want a new manager to launch things for them.
    “New owners normally want a new manager. I’ve been around long enough to understand that. I will accept what comes my way.”
    Yorkshire-born financier Staveley helped broker Sheikh Mansour’s takeover of Manchester City in 2008.
    But Staveley, 48, always had bigger plans and now she has the Citizens — and the rest of football’s global elite  — in her sights.
    She said: “Newcastle United deserves to be top of the Premier League and we want to get there. It will take time but we will get there.
    “We are here to invest. Not just in players but also the community and the academy.
    “This is long term and we are excited about the future prospects for Newcastle United. We intend to instil a united philosophy across the club, establish a clear purpose and help provide leadership that will allow Newcastle United to go on to big achievements over the long term.
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    “Our ambition is aligned with the fans — to create a consistently  successful team that’s regularly  competing for major trophies and  generates pride across the globe. We have big ambitions.”
    Staveley spoke to manager Bruce last night but said no decision has been made on his future.
    While it feels inevitable he will soon be gone, it was business as usual for the Geordie yesterday as he took training.
    Bruce feels his time could well be up on TynesideCredit: Getty
    The Toon Army came out in their droves to party outside their team’s stadiumCredit: Reuters More

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    Cristiano Ronaldo’s sexual assault case sensationally recommended for DISMISSAL by judge

    A JUDGE dramatically recommended that a lawsuit against Cristiano Ronaldo by his rape accuser be dismissed last night.The Manchester United winger, 36, who returned to Old Trafford in August, has fought off Kathryn Mayorga’s civil case – two years after a criminal probe against him was dropped.
    Football ace Cristiano Ronaldo’s lawsuit accusing him of rape was dropped by a judge last nightCredit: PA
    The Manchester United winger, 36, battled a two-year criminal probe against Kathryn MayorgaCredit: AP:Associated Press
    His lawyers attempted to get the lawsuit thrown out, alleging her attorney got his hands on hundreds of pages of stolen correspondence between Ronaldo and his team.
    The ‘Football Leaks’ documents were allegedly hacked from the Portuguese forward and his representatives, before being passed to her legal team.
    US Magistrates Judge Daniel Albregts agreed last night and concluded lawyers for Ms Mayorga had erred when they got hold of stolen documents.
    Peter Christiansen, Ronaldo’s lawyer, said last night: “We are pleased with the Court’s detailed review of this matter and its willingness to justly apply the law to the facts and recommend dismissal of the civil case against Mr Ronaldo.”
    Ms Mayorga alleged Ronaldo had sexually assaulted her in a Las Vegas hotel room in 2009.
    Her initial claim against Ronaldo was originally settled out of court in 2010. She received a £375,000 lump sum from the ex-Real Madrid footballer.

    ‘Past pain and suffering’
    However, in 2018 she re-launched her civil case in a bid to have her initial settlement overturned. She argues the original deal was signed under duress.
    She wanted £18million for “past pain and suffering”, a further £18million for “future pain and suffering” plus another £18million in punitive damages.
    But Ronaldo’s legal asked for the lawsuit to be dismissed, claiming Ms Mayorga’s lawyers secretly gave stolen papers to police in Las Vegas, to try and get the case re-opened.
    They claim lead attorney Leslie Stovall failed to disclose hundreds of documents relating to the police investigation, hacked by the Football Leaks site.
    In his recommendation last night, Judge Albregts said: “The court cannot parse out which facts in the complaint come from Mayorga’s own independent recollection and those which come from the Football Leaks documents.
    “There is no possible way for this case to proceed where the Court cannot tell what arguments and testimony are based on these privileged documents.”
    The allegations of sexual assault against Cristiano Ronaldo cannot be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.The Clark County District Attorney’s office, in Las Vegas
    Ms Mayorga’s representatives have 14 days to appeal the ruling. They were contacted for comment last night.
    The Clark County District Attorney’s office, in Las Vegas, announced in 2019 that it would not prosecute him.
    In a statement, it said: “Based upon a review of the information presented at this time, the allegations of sexual assault against Cristiano Ronaldo cannot be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. Therefore, no charges will be forthcoming.”
    The star’s lawyers fought off the civil case by alleging her attorney got his hands on hundreds of leaked documents from the defenceCredit: PA
    Judge Daniel Albregts concluded lawyers for Ms Mayorga had erred when they got hold of stolen documentsCredit: AP:Associated Press
    Ms Mayorga’s representatives have 14 days to appeal the rulingCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    Jesse Lingard hails Cristiano Ronaldo’s ‘brilliant’ leadership and says he’s a perfect for Man Utd More

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    Fury exposed Wilder as a crude banger and an easy target to hit last time… expect him to pick up where he left off

    TYSON FURY is expected to start where he left off and batter Deontay Wilder to another humiliating defeat — even if the American enters the ring stark naked.Wilder was stopped in the seventh round after his trainer, Mark Breland, threw in the towel — a merciful gesture that got him the sack — when they last met 20 months ago.
    Tyson Fury will pick up where he left off against Deontay WilderCredit: The Mega Agency
    Fury demolished Wilder in their rematch last FebruaryCredit: Getty
    The Bronze Bomber lost not only his WBC world heavyweight title, but also his unbeaten record and his credibility.
    His ludicrous excuse that his crushing loss was because he tired himself out under the 40lb weight of his bizarre Star Wars ring-walk costume belongs in the ‘dog ate my homework’ category.
    The simple truth is Fury exposed Wilder for what he was — an unskilled, crude banger who was an easy target to hit.
    Tyson was on fire and still fuming at being robbed when their first clash was considered a highly dubious draw 14 months before.
    At last, after two frustrating postponements, they come face to face in what could turn out to be a thrilling and titanic Trilogy in Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena. 
    If it’s as good as the two most famous heavyweight trilogies between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier and Evander Holyfield v Riddick Bowe, fans who pay £24.95 to see it on TV in the early hours of Sunday won’t be able to claim they didn’t get value for money.

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    If the Gypsy King can emphatically demolish Wilder as he did before, it could end Deontay’s career.
    But hanging in the air  is the thought that perhaps Wilder under new trainer Malik Scott — his one-time sparring partner — has managed to iron out many of his boxing imperfections so he can gain sweet revenge.
    Remarkably, Fury and Anthony Joshua between them  dominated the heavyweight division for six years.
    How Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder stack up ahead of the trilogy fight
    That is until Joshua’s abject failure against Oleksandr Usyk when he waved goodbye to the WBA, IBF and WBO belts, which may have killed off the £200million fight with Fury at Wembley  forever.
    Joshua seemed to have completely lost his  fighting spirit and like my local petrol pumps, his tactical ideas were running on empty. 
    And the way Joshua was laughing, joking and fist-pumping with his fans as he strode to his downfall made me think he was more suited to star  at The London Palladium than Madison Square Garden.
    Fury enjoys a bit of fun in the build-up to his fights but when it comes to working hours he’s all serious business.

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    He knows any complacency or a single slip in concentration and his crown could be packed in Wilder’s luggage on its way  to Alabama.
    Deontay still carries dynamite in his right fist.
    Scott said proudly: “Deontay’s defence is impeccable right now. But one thing you can never change is his God-given power.”
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    Tyson Fury jokingly staggers around and pretends to fall into bin after being asked if he is ready to face Deontay Wilder More

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    Footie ace John Stones’s girlfriend causing controversy by reposting anti-vaxx messages online

    THE partner of England football star John Stones is causing controversy by reposting anti-vaxx messages online.The revelation comes after The Sun revealed on Saturday that at least five Three Lions’ players have refused to have Covid jabs.
    England football star John Stones’s partner Olivia Naylor is causing controversy as she reposted anti-vaxx messages online
    She wrote ‘Perfectly spoken’ in response to a post featuring basketball ace Jonathan Isaacs who said that natural immunity would protect him
    It is feared the reposting by beauty clinic boss Olivia Naylor — who has 45,000 Instagram followers — will dissuade others from having the vaccine.
    She applauded a recent post featuring Orlando Magic ­basketball ace Jonathan Isaacs, 24, who declared that natural immunity would protect him from the virus.
    He said: “I understand the vaccine would help if you catch Covid and you’ll be able to have less symptoms from contracting it. But with me having Covid in the past and having antibodies, with my current age group and my fitness level, it’s not necessarily a fear of mine taking the vaccine.”
    He added: “It does open me up to the albeit rare chance but the possibility of having an adverse reaction to the vaccine itself.
    “I don’t think being unvaccinated means infected or being vaccinated means uninfected. You can still catch Covid with or without having the vaccine.”
    Wag Naylor responded by writing: “Perfectly spoken”.

    The video was originally posted by theright­­winged­angel, run by self-proclaimed “right wing warrior” and anti-vaxxer Oliver Mac.
    It is not known if Manchester City defender Stones, 27, shares the same views.
    He is in Gareth Southgate’s 23-man squad heading out to Andorra this week for the Three Lions’ latest World Cup qualifer on Saturday.
    Organisers of next year’s finals in Qatar are planning to ban unvaccinated players.
    Fears are rising as the beauty clinic boss – who has 45,000 Instagram followers — may dissuade others from having the vaccine
    It is not known if Stones, here with Gareth Southgate, shares the same views
    England’s World Cup hopes thrown into disarray after it emerges at least five players are refusing to be vaccinated More

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    Cristiano Ronaldo supporting best friend Jose Semedo after the sudden death of his wife

    CRISTIANO Ronaldo is supporting one of his best friends following the sudden death of his wife.Former Charlton and Sheffield Wednesday star Jose Semedo’s other half Soraia, 34, passed away on Thursday morning following health complications caused by an infection.
    Semedo and Soraia had been together for more than 15 years
    The former Sheffield Wednesday and Charlton ace is great friends with Ronaldo
    She was pronounced dead in the early hours at Curry Cabral Hospital in Lisbon.
    Ronaldo became friends with Jose at Sporting Lisbon’s youth academy and has holidayed with him in the Med.
    It’s said he phoned his footballer pal to comfort him and offer his support.
    Jose, 36, a defensive midfielder currently playing for Portuguese side Vitoria FC, has also been receiving support from fans on social media.
    Alongside a photo Jose posted earlier this year of him cuddling his wife, who he described as ‘My Queen’, one said: “I am thinking of you and sending you lots of hugs.”
    Another added: “Be strong Jose. I hope your friends and family can help you at this difficult moment in your life.”
    Ronaldo and Jose, who spent most of his career playing in England, are understood to have forged their close bond after the Man United striker protected his pal when the Sporting Lisbon youth academy director tried to expel him.

    The dad-of-four reportedly used his influence as the academy’s best player to stop it.
    They have holidayed regularly together in the Med.
    Jose has previously said:” I owe Ronaldo everything. If it wasn’t for him I would have been expelled from the academy and returned to the neighbourhood when I grew up.
    “Many of my childhood friends are in jail or have got hooked on drugs.
    “Nothing makes me think I wouldn’t have followed the same path.
    “I owe my sporting career, my children and my wonderful life to Cristiano.”
    Sheffield Wednesday, where he spent six years and was voted Player of the Year in his first season in 2011, said in a statement: “Everyone at Sheffield Wednesday sends our heartfelt condolences to Jose Semedo following the tragic passing of his wife, Soraia.
    “The Wednesday family are with you at this terrible time, Jose.”
    It’s said he phoned his footballer pal to comfort him and offer his supportCredit: Getty
    Man Utd’s Bruno Fernandes reveals gut feeling Cristiano Ronaldo would score Villarreal winner More