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      Gay Premier League star is in therapy as he fears abuse from fans if he comes out

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      A GAY Premier League star has had therapy because he is so frightened of coming out, telling pals: “I will be crucified.”The ace revealed he has sought professional psychological help amid fears of how rival fans will react.
      A gay Premier League star has had therapy because he is so frightened of coming out, telling pals: ‘I will be crucified’
      He said: “It’s 2021 and I should be able to be free to tell everyone who I am.
      “But there are some fans on the terraces for whom it is still very much the 1980s.
      “I want to be open with people because it’s who I am and I am proud. But the truth is I will be crucified.”
      The star admitted he is riddled with doubt, saying: “When I play, I feel like the fans may guess and they are judging me.
      “Am I coming across as camp? Can they tell from the clothes I wear off the pitch? It has had a terrible effect on me mentally. It’s terrifying.”
      The top-flight British star has spoken to campaigner Amal Fashanu — niece of ex-Norwich star Justin, who came out in 1990 and took his own life in 1998.

      Amal, who fronted an award-winning documentary about her uncle, has set up a charity dedicated to helping tackle homophobia and racism within the sport.
      She is also a keen advocate for improved mental health services for professional footballers.
      Last year, it emerged two Prem stars had come out to close family and friends.
      But in an open letter to the FA, one said he was “too scared” to do so publicly.
      Amal has now introduced the pair to each other, and they are in regular contact over WhatsApp and online.
      She told The Sun: “In 2021, when we have never been so woke as a society, it feels like it should be the perfect time for a top-level player to come out.
      “But the reality is that homophobia, especially online, is more prevalent than ever. We need to protect these players.
      “I am in constant dialogue with the FA about what can be done but, unfortunately, it’s an unprecedented situation so it’s hard to put in place measures for a situation that hasn’t yet occurred.”
      In March, Amal is hosting a star- studded gala in London to raise awareness around the subject.
      Both gay players have been invited — and have said they will attend. For more information on Amal’s charity, please visit

      Amal told The Sun: ‘The reality is that homophobia, especially online, is more prevalent than ever. We need to protect these players’
      Ex-Norwich star Justin Fashanu came out in 1990 and took his own life in 1998Credit: Getty
      Premier League star says ‘I’m gay but I’m afraid to come out’ in anguished letter More

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      Just ONE England fan convicted of causing trouble at Euros

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      JUST one England fan has been convicted of causing trouble at the Euros.And police do not know if they were even among those wreaking havoc at the final.
      Only one England fan has been convicted of causing trouble at the EurosCredit: Reuters
      The Three Lions are expected to be ordered to play at least one match at Wembley behind closed doors as punishment for the fans’ rampage at the July 11 final.
      But without convictions in court, no banning orders can be issued.
      So all who shamed the country are free to continue following the national side home and away.
      The lack of action heaps more pressure on Met chief Dame Cressida Dick.
      Force figures show there were more than 150 arrests for disorder during games in England.
      Of those, 19 were charged and 26 issued with cautions or penalty notices for disorder.
      A further 104 have been released under investigation or bailed.
      But just one person has been convicted so far.
      We can also reveal just one Met officer was at a Wembley safety meeting before the security shambles at the final.
      The force said: “We refute any claim that our representation at these meetings underestimates our commitment to keeping people safe and mitigating disorder.”
      The lack of action heaps more pressure on Met chief Dame Cressida DickCredit: PA

      ITV reveal fans without tickets did manage to break into Wembley before England’s huge Euro 2020 final game against Italy More

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      Harry Redknapp: Mike Ashley offered me a private jet from Bournemouth and back EVERY DAY to take the Newcastle job

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      THE Newcastle United job was one of the most attractive out there long before the Saudi millions arrived.In fact, if it hadn’t been for a late change of heart a few years ago, I’d have ended up managing them myself.
      Harry Redknapp was offered daily flights to the north east to take the Newcastle job
      Billionaire Mike Ashley bought Newcastle back in 2007Credit: The Sun
      At the time I was Portsmouth boss when Paul Kemsley, a close mate of Mike Ashley’s, got in touch.
      Newcastle were looking for a new manager – it was after Sam Allardyce – and Mike wanted to know if I was interested… and obviously I wanted to hear what they had to say.
      What they told me was very, very tempting, too. Not least because, regardless of the flat they’d have got me, they were prepared to lay on a private plane from Bournemouth airport at 7am every morning.
      Then, about five o’clock, they would fly me back home if I didn’t want to stay up, so I could still live down here if I wanted to.
      I must admit, I gave it really serious consideration and at one stage it was very much, ‘Why not?’
      It’s such a massive club, with a massive fan base, and has always had massive potential.

      But the more I thought of it, the more I didn’t think it could work. As soon as we lost a few, the Geordies would be going off their heads at me flying up and down the country each day.
      I really didn’t fancy the prospect of that, so in the end I said no… but there’s no doubt I was really swayed for a time, because it really is a fantastic club.
      The city is buzzing, the people love their football and it’s going to be a really exciting time for whoever takes it, as I think we all know the new owners are going to appoint their own manager.
      They’ve already said they want to be signing the biggest names around and, in the long term, they’ll get them, too.
      People have said Newcastle could be challenging at the top within five years.
      But if they do it right, I think they could be doing that in a couple of years? Why not? Yet the most important appointment they make, the most crucial signing of all, won’t be the manager or the players, it will be the head of recruitment.
      If you don’t get that right, nothing else follows.
      It’s not about having a super coach, it’s about being able to spot the right players for what you need.
      In the end, it all comes down to money. If you’ve got an owner who’s prepared to spend enough, the whole thing takes off – Manchester City proved that.
      If you’re ready to buy the best, you’ve got to be pretty stupid if you are then not competing at the top.
      But, and I know that this isn’t a popular view, I actually think Steve Bruce and Mike Ashley have done a pretty decent job.
      Mike obviously came in for plenty of stick, but he kept the club going. He was right when he said he couldn’t compete with people who owned countries, not businesses.
      In that respect, the expectations have been unrealistic. With that group of players, finishing 12th or 13th is really the best you are going to get.
      I don’t know all the ins and outs, but Mike always said that the club was for sale because he hadn’t got the same money as the Saudis, or the Americans at Liverpool and Manchester United.
      Look, if you’re someone who has worked hard to make his fortune, are you going to throw it down the drain spending cash beyond your means?
      The English guys just can’t compete – and if you’ve not got it, you can’t spend it. I think he deserves a bit of credit, really, but he won’t get it.
      Nor will Brucey, but he’s done alright with what he’s had.
      He’s not been able to pay fortunes on players and he should walk away with nothing to feel bad about.
      But when it does take off – and it will – it is going to be a fantastic time for all those Geordies.
      They’ve waited for a long time to have a team to really be proud of, the last one was under Kevin Keegan.
      That side, with the likes of David Ginola, Les Ferdinand, Andy Cole and then Alan Shearer, was fantastic and played some great attacking football.
      Let’s be honest, they should have won the title in 1996, they had such a big lead. But I don’t think they’ll have long to wait before those days come again.
      And with the Saudis in charge, this time I think they really WILL go all the way.
      Redknapp faced Newcastle as Tottenham manager and was tempted to take the Toon jobCredit: Getty
      Steve Bruce’s future as Magpies boss looks set to come to an endCredit: PA
      Kevin Keegan and Alan Shearer were the pride of NewcastleCredit: PA:Press Association
      Danny Mills urges Newcastle to poach Jose Mourinho from Roma More

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      Tyson Fury fears end of boxing career as training keeps mental health demons at bay

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      BOXING champ Tyson Fury fears his boxing career coming to an end because training keeps his mental health demons at bay.The heavyweight also praised wife Paris as the only person who could “snap him out of it” when his problems hit.
      Tyson Fury fears his boxing career coming to an end because training keeps his mental health demons at bayCredit: Getty
      Dad-of-six Tyson, 33, said: “I don’t know what’s going to happen if I somehow get injured where I can’t train or whatever.
      “I fear those days.
      “I really am scared of what might be around the corner because I know, no matter what I’ve got,  it can all be taken away from me by mental health problems.
      “I believe you can never get over mental health, never.
      “But you can learn to maintain it.
      “If I don’t train for two or three days I dip.”
      Bipolar Tyson has suffered with depression and alcohol and drug problems but credits Paris, 31, with keeping him together.
      Speaking at a Wow Hydrate function before his world title fight victory over Deontay Wilder, he said: “She almost knows when I’m not well and she will say, ‘Come back to us in the living’. And it sort of snaps me out of it.”

      Champ Tyson praised wife Paris as the only person who could ‘snap him out of it’ when his problems hit
      Tyson said: ‘I really am scared of what might be around the corner because I know, no matter what I’ve got,  it can all be taken away from me by mental health problems’Credit: Getty
      Tyson Fury admits to Frank Bruno that he keeps depression at bay with training but wishes he’d seen a doctor 10 years earlier More

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      Premier League stars splash out £40,000 on crystal-encrusted toy cars for children

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      PREMIER League stars are splashing out £40,000 on crystal-encrusted toy cars for their children.The bespoke motors are covered in 100,000 Swarovski Xirius-cut crystals that take two months to apply.
      Manchester United and England star Jesse Lingard bought toy cars for his daughter Hope
      Stars to have treated their children to one include Manchester United and England winger Jesse Lingard, 28, and Southampton and Republic of Ireland striker Shane Long, 34.
      Jesse bought three-year-old daughter Hope an electric, scale model of Jaguar’s E-Type.
      It has a personalised number plate, a top speed of 15mph and a plush carpet interior, as well as hand-stitched leather seats.
      Her toy is the same price as the sporty full-size BMW 5 Series parked on the drive of Jesse’s luxury home.
      The thrilled footballer even posed in the grounds of his home and handed over a personalised United shirt to the manufacturer as a thank you.
      The motor was the icing on the cake following days of celebrations for Hope’s birthday.

      Jesse threw two parties for her and shared snaps online with his fans.
      One included a Disney Princesses bash for Hope and her pals, attended by entertainers dressed as her favourite movie characters.
      Shane, meanwhile, treated his five-year-old lad, Jax, to a model of a Jaguar XK120.
      Other stars to splash out on the replica racers include Crystal Palace forward Wilfried Zaha, 28, who also opted for a crystal-encrusted E-Type for his four-year-old son, Saint.
      Hampshire-based maker Half Scale Cars works in partnership with suppliers including luxury watch-maker Tag Heuer and Draper Tools. They sell their studded vehicles exclusively through Harrods.
      Prices for the E-Type Jag, only available on request, start at £40,000 but orders will be taken for any vehicle.
      Shane Long splashed out on a tiny XK120
      Wilfried Zaha bought a small jewel-encrusted E-type
      Jesse Lingard’s daughter Hope with her custom made car
      The blinged-up toy cars can cost tens of thousands
      Luxury custom car firm Garson showcased their Swarovski-crystal studded Mercedes-Benz SL 600 at the Tokyo car show More

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      in Soccer

      Test your footie knowledge with questions from talkSPORT’s new quiz book

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      RECKON you know your footie? Prove it with this fiendish quiz.It’s been set specially for Sun readers by talkSPORT, to celebrate its new quiz book on great and not-so-great sporting moments of the past 50 years.
      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer makes history as he celebrates scoring a 93rd minute goal to win Man Utd the Champions League and a treble in 1999Credit: The Sun
      Natasha Harding invites you to tackle the fun test with family and friends.
      Check your answers below.
      1) During which World Cup was the Mexican wave first broadcast to a global audience?
      A: 1986 B: 1998 C: 2006
      2) Which is the only country to have qualified for each of the World Cups?
      A: England B: Brazil C: Japan

      3) In Germany it’s called an elfmeter. What is it here?
      A: A handball B: Penalty kick C: Throw-in
      4) Which German team did Manchester United beat to win the 1999 Champions League?
      A: Eintracht Frankfurt B: RB Leipzig C: Bayern Munich
      5) For many matches was Arsene Wenger Arsenal boss?
      A: 826 B: 1,235 C: 987
      6) Who is France’s all-time international top goal scorer?
      A: Just Fontaine B: Thierry Henry C: Michel Platini D: Zinedine Zidane
      7) Which former Manchester United star did Wayne Rooney share the pitch with the most times?
      A: Michael Carrick B: Patrice Evra C: Ryan Giggs D: Edwin van der Sar
      8) Ian Wright appeared 288 times for Arsenal. How many goals did he score? A: 185 B: 324 C: 402 D: 244
      9) Which famous Ronaldo was Cristiano Ronaldo named after?
      A: Ronald McDonald B: Ronald Reagan C: Ronald Weasley D: Ronald Koeman
      10) Who is Croatia’s all-time international top scorer?
      A: Davor Suker B: Mario Mandzukicć C: Ivan Perisicć D: Ivica Olicć
      11) Who was the only Liverpool player to miss a penalty in the shoot-out during the 2005 Champions League final against AC Milan in Istanbul?
      A: John Arne Riise B: Xabi Alonso C: Vladimir Šmicer D: Dietmar Hamann
      12) German striker Miroslav Klose is the all-time top scorer at World Cups, but how many goals has he scored in the competition?
      A: 18 B: 17 C: 15 D: 16
      13) In the later stages of his career, Thierry Henry starred in a famous car ad where he coined the phrase “Va va voom”. But what was the make and model of the car?
      A: VW Passat B: Renault Clio C: BMW 5 Series D: Fiat 500
      14) How much did Manchester United reportedly pay out for Harry Maguire when they signed him from Leicester City in 2019?
      A: £76m B: £87m C: £69m D: £80m
      15) Who became the first million-pound football player?
      A: Colin Stein B: Trevor Francis C: Steve Daley D: Mark Hughes
      16) How many points would the surname of Romelu Lukaku score in Scrabble?
      A: 14 B: 21 C: 9 D: 17
      17) What did referee Graham Poll do during an Australia-Croatia game at the 2006 World Cup?
      A: He booked Croatian defender Josip Šimunicć three times before sending him off. B: Fell over when one of the players tapped him on the chest C: Choked on his whistle and had to get paramedics to help him D: Pulled out his passport rather than a red card when trying to send off Stjepan Tomas
      18) In what year did Alan Shearer transfer from Southampton to Blackburn Rovers?
      A: 1992 B: 1989 C: 1994 D: 1990
      19) Which club did Teddy Sheringham score the most goals for in his career?
      A: West Ham United B: Tottenham Hotspur C: Millwall D: Manchester United
      20) What did former Spurs midfielder Tom Huddlestone pledge not to do after a game against Arsenal in 2011?
      A: Cut his hair until he scored again B: Change his lucky socks C: Drink alcohol D: Dance to I’m Too Sexy.

      1. A) 1986; 2. B) Brazil; 3. B) Penalty kick; 4. C) Bayern Munich; 5. B) 1,235; 6. B) Thierry Henry; 7. A) Michael Carrick; 8. A) 185; 9. B) Ronald Reagan; 10. A) Davor Suker; 11. A) John Arne Riise; 12. D) 16; 13. B) Renault Clio; 14. D) £80m; 15. B) Trevor Francis; 16. A) 14; 17. A) Booked Croatian defender Josip Simunic three times before sending him off; 18. A) 1992; 19. C) Millwall; 20. A) Cut his hair until he scored.

      The talkSPORT Quiz Book, compiled by Nathan Joyce (HarperCollins, £12.99) is out now.

      Striker Alan Shearer as a junior at Southampton FC where he played between 1988 and 1992Credit: Getty – Contributor
      Arsenal’s legendary manager Arsene WengerCredit: Getty
      Chelsea and Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku celebrates netting a goal for his country against France in 2021Credit: AP
      Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has reintroduced Sir Alex Ferguson’s quiz night More

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      Man Utd set to name Richard Arnold as Ed Woodward’s replacement with executive vice-chairman to leave at end of year

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      RICHARD ARNOLD will be named new executive vice-chairman at Manchester United after Ed Woodward steps down.Arnold, 50, is currently group managing director.
      Richard Arnold, left, will succeed Ed Woodward as Manchester United executive vice-chairmanCredit: Getty
      He assumes the new role at the end of the year.
      That will make him the main man answering to United’s American-based owners, the Glazer family.
      SunSport understands the appointment has been ratified by co-chairmen Avram and Joel Glazer.
      But an official announcement is not due until nearer the end of the year.
      Arnold has been Woodward’s long-term right-hand man and the appointment will complete a seamless transition at the top.
      He previously worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers.

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      Arnold joined United as commercial director in 2007 and was promoted to managing director in 2013.
      He was behind the opening of United commercial offices in London, Hong Kong and New York.
      Woodward decided to step down after the club’s failed bid to join a breakaway European Super League.
      He was understood to have been opposed to the move, which sparked widespread protests at Old Trafford.
      ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford
      Avram and Joel Glazer have approved the new position for ArnoldCredit: Getty
      Hugh Woozencroft gives a passionate rant after Ed Woodward’s Man Utd resignation More

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      in Boxing

      Amir Khan’s cousin Abdul, 19, set to make pro debut in Dubai as former world champion tips him for the top

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      AMIR KHAN might be winding down his glittering career — but he is launching another Bolton banger into the fight game.Cousin Abdul, 19, will box on the undercard of a Dubai show Amir hosts on October 16 while training for his retirement clash with Kell Brook.
      Amir Khan’s cousin Abdul is set to make his pro debut this month in Dubai
      And the 19-year-old reckons Khan will get the better of Kell Brook when pair finally meetCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
      The talented teen has the same thick Northern accent and down-to-earth charm as his famous mentor.
      Abdul is even kicking off his pro career with Humphrey Harrison, the brother of Amir’s first proper trainer — the late and much respected Oliver.
      And the former light-welterweight champion, 34, reckons his  protege is ready to shine after Covid KO’d amateur boxing for so long.
      Amir said: “Abdul is a very special talent and I’m extremely excited to see him join the professional ranks.
      “I have followed his career since  his first amateur fight around seven years ago and his potential excites me.
      “With so much uncertainty around amateur boxing during lockdown, I recommended Abdul turn pro.

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      “When I’m watching him fight, it’s like looking at myself at that age, and we will have a special journey.”
      Amir enjoyed the highest of highs   — and  some of the harshest lows, from brutal knockouts to the dark side of fame. 
      Yet Abdul revealed: “He never told me to avoid boxing, but  also never urged me to get into it.
      “I just loved it growing up, with Amir and David Haye especially.
      “When the idea to turn professional started getting serious he gave me loads of advice and guidance.
      “I’d watch Amir and  he was so exciting — win or lose, he was never in a boring fight.
      I am really confident for Amir in the Brook fightAbdul Khan
      “My favourite fight of his is Marcos Maidana, where he showed such heart and proved he could fight a fighter and beat him at his own game.”
      Amir whisked Abdul out to Dubai for a few training sessions and desert runs in August and he went on the pads with the rapid-handed veteran.
      He is now in Colorado training as talks continue over a December grudge match with Sheffield hero Brook, 35.
      Abdul is confident his mentor’s last dance will be a successful one — after struggling to keep pace with the father of three.
      And his dream is to do battle with a rival prospect from Brook’s brilliant Ingle Gym to make the showdown a full-blown family affair.
      The super bantamweight said: “I am really confident for Amir in the Brook fight. I am a good runner and he has been outdoing me, even though he is older and heavier.
      “I think Amir’s speed will always be there but it even surprised me how rapid he still is.

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      “People will think I am biased, but I really think he can stop Brook.
      “I never got to go to any of Amir’s fights because I was too young, so it would be a great story if I end up  on the undercard of the first one that I can attend.”
      The inaugural Amir Khan Crypto Fight Night is taking place at La Perle, Dubai.
      Kell Brook says fight against Amir Khan is second biggest is British boxing as Eddie Hearn says he would do it More