The Sun Newspaper

Subterms

    More stories

    • 200 Shares129 Views

      in Soccer

      Premier League star becomes first footballer to go to rehab for addiction to illegal laughing gas

      by

      A PREMIER League star has become the first footballer to go to rehab for an addiction to laughing gas.He will be followed by other addicted stars, as sources warn that usage is rife among elite players despite it now being illegal.
      A Premier League star has become the first footballer to go to rehab for addiction to laughing gas (stock image)Credit: Getty
      Nitrous oxide, also known as ‘hippy crack’, comes in canisters and was made a Class C drug last NovemberCredit: Getty
      The player was admitted to a medical centre after his worried family asked his club for help.
      Police had stopped a car in which he was a passenger and found dozens of canisters in the footwell.
      The incident a few weeks before Christmas did not lead to police action as they could not prove who they belonged to.
      But a source said: “His family became aware and asked the club for help.

      “The player was told if he wanted to save his career, he had to go to a specialist residential centre and get some help.
      “He’s basically undergoing detox in the same way you would if you were hooked on alcohol or any other drug.
      “He’s the first Premier League footballer to be treated for addiction to nitrous oxide but, given how rife its use is among players, it’s unlikely he’ll be the last.”
      Nitrous oxide, also known as “hippy crack”, comes in canisters — sometimes super-sized — that are used to fill balloons, which are then inhaled repeatedly.
      Most read in Football
      It gives a quick high but comes with the risk of heart attacks, strokes and brain damage, while some users have died after taking it.
      Prolonged use can also lead to depression, memory loss, incontinence, hallucinations and nerve damage.
      The law was changed last November to make it a controlled Class C drug, with possession for inhalation now a criminal offence.
      It would be almost impossible for any footballer convicted to play where there are strict drug laws, such as the US and Saudi Arabia.
      However, a source said dozens are heavy users, with many starting in lockdown.
      Routine drugs tests are also unlikely to detect it.
      The source went on: “One Premier League star recently celebrated his birthday and splashed out on almost £10,000 of canisters.
      “Loads take them because they can’t get caught with it in their system.
      “It’s happening at all clubs and some of those using are very well-known players. I’m not sure any of them know it’s now a Class C drug.
      “No footballer would dream of having a stash of cannabis in their house, but many have a supply of balloons for them and their pals.
      “They seem to have no idea just how dangerous using it can be.”
      Websites sell a canister and nitrous oxide for a few quid, after the buyer confirms it is for food production and they are over 18.
      Previously users would buy single-shot canisters but many have switched to super-sized tubes delivering 80 times the usual dose.
      Stephen Ream, of solvent abuse and drugs charity Re-Solv, said: “The new large canisters are a real worry. One young man we’ve been supporting was using ten a day.
      “When you are doing the little ones, you know how many you’re getting through, but when you use a big one, you lose track.”
      In 2022, Kayleigh Burns, 16, of Liverpool, died after inhaling gas at a party in Leamington Spa.
      She had complained of feeling “too hot” before she collapsed.
      Sport science professor and former FA performance head John Brewer warned players to steer clear as it can reduce levels of vitamin B12.
      He said: “B12 is essential for nerve function.
      “So if you are a top-level footballer trying to make skilful movements and pass a ball effectively, you don’t want your nerves to be damaged in any way because you need that peripheral ability to sense movements.”
      He also said that it can cause anaemia, which reduces stamina levels.
      The star is set to be followed by other players (stock image)Credit: gETTY
      STARS ON THE GAS
      A STRING of Premier League players have been caught using nitrous oxide.
      In 2013, then-Spurs star Kyle Walker was pictured inhaling it.
      Jack Grealish was snapped inhaling from a balloon in 2019
      Leon Bailey also filmed himself inhaling in a car after partying all night last March
      Raheem Sterling was seen doing the same two years later, getting a rebuke from Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers.
      In 2018, Arsenal stars Mesut Ozil, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette and Matteo Guendouzi were filmed taking it at a pre-season bash.
      The following year, Jack Grealish, then at Aston Villa, was snapped inhaling from a balloon.
      Last year, Everton midfielder Dele Alli was pictured at a do surrounded by gas canisters and alcohol.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      Villa’s Leon Bailey also filmed himself inhaling in his car after partying all night last March.
      None of these players are the ace in rehab. More

    • 225 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Premier League fans most likely to go topless at winter games revealed – where does your club rank?

      by

      NEWCASTLE United fans are the most likely to strip off and go bare-chested at games in the winter, a poll found.A shocking seven per cent of the Toon faithful said they had stripped off in all weathers to show their passionate support for the team.
      Newcastle United fans are the most likely to strip off at winter gamesCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      The trend for fans to strip to the waist even in freezing weather has caught on in the Premier League.
      Overall four per cent of fans said they have done it in the heat of the moment to show their passion.
      But a further nine per cent said they had been tempted to do it but didn’t want to be seen by family and friends on TV.
      Arsenal fans are the least likely in the Premier League to strip off with less than one per cent saying they had done so.
      READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS
      Betting site freebets.com asked 2,000 Premier League fans if they have ever taken their top off at a game.
      Spokesman Tim Agnew said: “You can understand fans stripping off when the season starts at the end of summer in order to top up their tan.
      “But we were curious about how many fans do it in the middle of winter when temperatures are hovering around freezing.
      “It seems it is one of those crazy trends that has caught on with some fans – especially Newcastle fans – warming to it more than others.”
      Most read in Football
      Sheffield United fans are the second most likely to brave the cold with six per cent having gone bare-chested followed by Nottingham Forest, Everton and Burnley fans in joint third place on five per cent.
      In joint fourth place on four per cent came Wolverhampton Wanderers, West Ham United, Manchester City, Manchester United and Aston Villa.
      Liverpool, Chelsea, Bournemouth, Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace fans came joint fifth on three per cent with Fulham, Brentford, Brighton and Luton Town fans joint sixth on two per cent.
      Just one per cent of Arsenal fans said they have stripped off at a match in the winter making them the least likely to show their naked passion for their club.
      Percentage of Premier League fans by club who have stripped to the waist in all other weather
      Newcastle United – 7 per cent
      Sheffield United – 6 per cent
      Nottingham Forest – 5 per cent
      Everton 5 per cent
      Burnley – 5 per cent
      Wolverhampton Wanderers – 4 per cent
      West Ham United – 4 per cent
      Manchester City – 4per cent
      Manchester United – 4 per cent
      Aston Villa – 4 per cent
      Liverpool – 3 per cent
      Chelsea – 3 per cent
      Bournemouth – 3 per cent
      Tottenham Hotspur – 3 per cent
      Crystal Palace – 3 per cent
      Fulham – 2 per cent
      Brentford – 2 per cent
      Brighton & Hove Albion – 2 per cent
      Luton Town – 2 per cent
      Arsenal – 1 per cent More

    • 263 Shares129 Views

      in Soccer

      Blow to Jack Grealish as cops probing £1m raid on his mansion suspect overseas gang was involved and have ‘zero leads’

      by

      POLICE investigating a £1million raid on Jack Grealish’s mansion suspect an overseas gang was involved.Cops have “zero leads” on the break-in at the footie star’s home despite exhaustive inquiries.
      Police suspect the £1 million raid on Jack Grealish’s mansion was the work of an overseas gangCredit: Getty
      Jack’s fiancée Sasha Attwood was in at the time of the raid and raised the alarmCredit: Instagram
      And they are now increasingly convinced the burglary on December 27 — as he played for Man City but while relatives and his fiancée Sasha Attwood were at the property — was the work of a gang with foreign links.
      Reports have previously suggested it could have been an inside job.
      But a security source said: “The fact police have made so many inquiries locally, and come up with nothing, has made them think it is linked to a foreign gang.
      “That, of course, makes it much harder for them to be traced, especially if they have flown into the UK and then fled abroad.
      READ MORE JACK GREALISH
      “The talk among players and their security teams is it could be linked to a South American gang, who have been known to target homes of the wealthy here before.
      “It makes it seem increasingly unlikely it will be solved.
      “Jack will then become the latest in a long line of footballers who have had their properties raided with no one caught.”
      The raiders struck at the £5.6million Cheshire pad as Grealish, 28, played in City’s 3-1 win at Everton.
      Most read in Football
      Terrified Sasha, 27, heard movement upstairs and raised the alarm but the gang fled within minutes with watches and gems worth £1million.
      Footie stars have been plagued by raiders, amid fears that “away-day” gangs are jetting to the UK specifically to carry out burglaries.
      Last August two Chilean women who flew to Britain as “burglary tourists” and raided a businessman’s home were jailed.
      Cheshire Police confirmed they had made no arrests and inquiries continued. More

    • 175 Shares179 Views

      in Soccer

      Marcus Rashford developed his taste for tequila after watching Netflix drama Narcos in lockdown

      by

      FOOTIE ace Marcus Rashford developed his taste for tequila after bingeing on hit series NarcosThe Manchester United star phoned in sick for training after a bender last week.
      Marcus Rashford developed his taste for tequila after bingeing on hit series NarcosCredit: Getty
      The Man United star phoned in sick for training after a bender last weekCredit: The Sun
      Rashford went for drinks at Lavery’s after arriving in Belfast
      A waitress said he asked for tequila with his lunch
      And he brought out his own bottle for dinner.
      We can reveal he started buying the Mexican hard stuff during lockdown, as he watched the Netflix drama based on Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar
      A source said: “Marcus loved Narcos and would binge-watch it, like lots of people.
      Read More on Football
      “He saw episodes where they were drinking tequila and thought he’d give it a try so he began ordering on the internet.
      “He got a taste for it and started buying really expensive bottles, spending thousands having them imported from the US and Mexico.”
      Rashford’s favourite brands of tequila, made from the blue agave plant growing in the Mexican desert, include £50 to £80 bottles of Artenom Seleccion de 1146 and Patron.
      He was dropped for Sunday’s FA Cup win at Newport and fined two weeks’ wages of £650,000.
      Most read in Football
      But he was back for last night’s Prem match at Wolves and was soon on target, scoring after just four minutes.
      Warning by Gazza
      By Joe Morgan
      PAUL Gascoigne has warned Rashford to avoid the road he went down.Gazza, 56, battled with booze during his career.
      He said he was a fan of Marcus but “you can tell things are just not right for him right now”.
      He said: “I’d say to him, ‘Don’t make the same mistakes as me’. He may need the help of the players around him, the staff to bring him round.
      “Marcus is earning a fortune at one of the biggest clubs in the world, and everyone thinks you do not have a care in the world. But the ­pressure is not always easy.”

      Rashford started buying the Mexican hard stuff as he watched Narcos based on Colombian drug lord Pablo EscobarCredit: Netflix
      Rashford,’s favourite brands include £50-£80 bottles of Artenom Seleccion de 1146 and Patron More

    • 225 Shares169 Views

      in Soccer

      Play about thug who put lit flare up his bum at Euros final set to premiere in London

      by

      A PLAY about the Euros footie yob who put a lit flare up his bum is getting the big-stage treatment.One-man show Why I Stuck A Flare Up My A*** For England is based on fan Charlie Perry.
      Play Why I Stuck A Flare Up My A*** For England is coming to the London stage
      Yob Charlie Perry put a lit flare up his bum before the England vs Italy final at Wembley in 2021Credit: 2021 Elliott Franks
      Minutes later: Perry bends over and places lit flare between bare cheeks
      He is reimagined as Billy, whose pals urge him to try ever-more dangerous stunts before the England vs Italy final at Wembley in 2021.
      Alex Hill, 23, wrote and starred as Billy in its Edinburgh Fringe debut last year.
      He is bringing the show to London’s Southwark Playhouse from April 17 to May 4 — ahead of Euro 2024’s kick-off in Germany on June 14.
      Alex said: “I had a photo of the bum-flare man on my wall for months and kept circling back to it and seeing how I could make it work.
      read more on football
      “He was the guy in Leicester Square but it happened a few times on the day.
      “It was such an epic thing but totally ludicrous.
      “In a way it was theatre within itself.
      “A lot of men go to the football and put on a massive act, as that’s their window to be whoever they want to be every weekend.
      Most read in Football
      “But that sort of behaviour has consequences, and that’s the basis of the story.
      “I read a lot of interviews with bum-flare man and a lot of people had said that everyone should cut him some slack.
      “He’s welcome anytime.
      “How we pull off the stunt is the magic of theatre — you’ll have to come along to find out.”
      Perry sank ciders and took cocaine before his stunt.
      He said after: “It was very irresponsible.”
      Perry said he sank ciders and took cocaine before his stuntCredit: The Sun More

    • 238 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      Wayne and Coleen Rooney set for fly-on-the-wall series covering highs & lows of Wagatha trial & Birmingham City sacking

      by

      WAYNE and Coleen Rooney are set to make a fly-on-the-wall documentary featuring the couple’s domestic lives with their four sons.It comes after the success of Tyson Fury’s Netlfix series, which followed the life of the champion boxer and his family.
      Wayne and Coleen Rooney are set to make a fly-on-the-wall documentary covering their lives with their four sonsCredit: Instagram
      The show on Wayne, 38, and Coleen, 37, could spark a bidding war among streaming giantsCredit: Reuters
      Coleen’s Disney+ documentary on the Wagatha trial was a hitCredit: Disney+
      The show on former Manchester United and England legend Wayne, 38, and Coleen, 37, could spark a bidding war among streaming giants.
      A TV insider said: “The couple have starred in documentaries for different streamers and the feedback from viewers was that they’re most intrigued by what life is like behind the doors of Chez Rooney.
      “Wayne and Coleen live in a sprawling £20million mansion in leafy Cheshire with six bedrooms, a wine cellar and accommodation on their 40-acre estate for 14 horses.
      “Then there’s the fact they’ll soon be navigating the minefield of having four lads aged five to 13 growing up with famous parents and the luxuries that come with that.”
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      The source added Fury had shown “a sports star’s domestic life can be just as intriguing as a rock star or style icon”.
      Hit Disney+ documentary Coleen Rooney: The Real Wagatha Story gave her side of the High Court libel clash with Rebekah Vardy.
      Amazon Prime Video’s Rooney, looking at his life and career, came out in 2022.
      Both were made by Lorton Productions, who recently said they were launching the third TV project with the couple.
      Most read in Football
      It was originally believed to focus on Wayne’s coaching career, but that seems less likely after Birmingham City fired him last month.
      Instead it could now follow eldest son Kai, 14, who is in Man United’s youth academy, and brothers Klay, ten, Kit, eight, and five-year-old Cass.
      A spokesman for the Rooneys declined to comment.
      Wayne enjoyed a glittering career as a player becoming Man Utd’s all-time top scorerCredit: Getty
      Tyson Fury’s Netlfix series following his life and his family has been a huge successCredit: Courtesy of Netflix More

    • 250 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Marcus Rashford’s ‘party’ lifestyle ‘worried Man Utd staff as long ago as 2021’ – as Rooney reaches out to ex-team-mate

      by

      MANCHESTER United staff had worries about Marcus Rashford’s “party lifestyle” as long ago as autumn 2021, insiders claim.Concerns were raised about the star enjoying boozy nights out and holding rowdy house parties with pals.
      Wayne Rooney decided to get in touch with Marcus Rashford amid worries about his ‘party lifestyle’Credit: Getty
      Old Trafford bosses became concerned about worrying allegations regarding Rashford’s behaviourCredit: Getty
      Wayne Rooney, who had himself hit troubled patches in his career, decided to get in touch with his former team-mate.
      The Sun understands that Reds ­legends David Beckham and Rio Ferdinand have also been in contact.
      Their interventions came after Old Trafford bosses became concerned about a series of worrying allegations about England international Rashford’s behaviour.
      And The Sun told how Rashford went on a 12-hour bender in Belfast last week then rang in sick for training on Friday.
      READ MORE ON MARCUS RASHFORD
      He was dropped for Sunday’s 4-2 FA Cup win over Newport and will be fined two weeks of his £325,000 weekly wage.
      He expressed remorse for his actions during a tense meeting with manager Erik ten Hag and United’s director of football John Murtough on Monday.
      The club said the matter was now closed and he would be considered for selection for the game against Wolves tomorrow.
      But earlier alarm bells included Rashford’s relationship with the fans — usually rock solid given his status as an academy graduate.
      Most read in Football
      They suffered when he clashed with a supporter at Old Trafford who criticised his performance against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.
      He was alleged to have confronted the fan saying “Who the f**k do you think you are you silly c**t, come round the back and say it to my face”. He later denied it.
      Rooney, who like Rashford burst into the public eye as a teenager, was only too happy to help.
      A source said: “The club were alerted to some issues which ­concerned them. People around Marcus believed one solution could be to ask Wayne if he would be good enough to contact Marcus directly and offer support.
      “Wayne was only to happy to help. Marcus has always looked up to Wayne — he’s one of his idols — so he was really happy to hear from him.”
      Reds legends David Beckham and Rio Ferdinand have also been in contact with RashfordCredit: Getty
      Marcus Rashford’s turbulent relationship with childhood sweetheart Lucia Loi broke downCredit: Getty
      Rooney, who by that time had retired and was manager of Derby County, contacted Rashford by phone.
      He gave him words of encouragement and made clear he was available if Rashford ever needed to seek his advice.
      Rashford said in a 2023 interview with Gary Neville how grateful he was for Rooney’s support.
      He said: “I always think to myself like how can I help other players like ­certain players have helped me.
      “I feel like I’m in the right position and stuff to genuinely help them in the beginning of their careers. I’m trying to set them off in the right direction the same way that people like Wazza [Rooney], Carrars [Michael Carrick], Juan [Juan Mata] all set me off in the right direction.”
      But despite the support offered to Rashford, some have remained concerned that his love of nightlife has been adversely affecting his performance on the pitch.
      The 26-year-old has been spotted going into casinos, including Manchester’s 235 casino and Genting in the city’s Chinatown district.
      Rashford is understood to have started playing poker at home with some of his United team-mates and is said to have then begun to visit casinos to play in private VIP rooms, knocking back beers.
      Customers at one casino gathered by the door to try to see him. A source said: “Marcus loves playing poker and has been doing it for years. He might have a couple of bottles of beer — nothing crazy, but he didn’t used to so it wasn’t great.
      “When Marcus was challenged about it, he would always push back and say it wasn’t an issue.”
      Another source said: “Marcus loves the nightlife but the concern is that he’s been doing just too much of it. His house has been a party house.”
      More upset came when his turbulent relationship with childhood sweetheart Lucia Loi, 25, broke down.
      The couple met while pupils at Ashton-on-Mersey school while Rashford was a United scholar.
      A source said: “Lucia is great for Marcus because she’s a normal girl and knew him before all the money, the cars and the jewellery.
      “When you strip back his personality he isn’t the most confident around women and has the same insecurities most people have.”
      Marcus, right, with brothers Dane Rashford, left, and Dwaine Maynard, centreCredit: Instagram
      Rashford is so close to brothers Dwaine and Dane that they all live in mansions in the same road along with mum MelanieCredit: PA
      Another issue which has weighed heavily on Rashford recently is supporting his extended family.
      He is so close to brothers Dwaine and Dane that they all live in mansions in the same road along with mum Melanie.
      But those relationships have been put to the test following Dane’s arrest on suspicion of battery in October while on holiday in Miami with his partner.
      The police case was dropped but the fallout has seen Dwaine put his home up for sale and caused friction within the family.
      A source said: “Marcus loves all of his family dearly but it is draining for him.”
      Rashford has also bought properties for extended family members but that has added to his stress levels, as some have expected him to provide further for them.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      The source added: “Marcus is really struggling. Anyone who cares for him needs to step up and start helping him, rather than expecting it to be the other way round.
      “He might be a wealthy footballer but he’s a young man who has lost his way. The sooner he finds it, the better.” More

    • 238 Shares159 Views

      in Soccer

      Man Utd squad ‘tired of Marcus Rashford’s selfish behaviour’ and ‘distant’ star faces battle to win them back over

      by

      MARCUS Rashford faces an uphill battle to win over the Manchester United dressing room as his teammates have grown tired of his selfish behaviour.The academy graduate was previously regarded as one of the team’s leaders and was surrounded by pals including Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard, Jadon Sancho, and Brandon Williams.
      Marcus Rashford’s Man United teammates have grown tired of his ‘selfish behaviour’Credit: Getty
      Manager Erik ten Hag held Rashford in such high regard that some within the dressing room believe the Dutchman was happy to let players who he feared were a bad influence on Rashford to leave.
      But despite being at the club since he was a boy, the 26-year-old has now been left feeling isolated after his mates were either sold or sent on loan.
      A source said: “When the manager first arrived he made a beeline for Marcus and made clear to him just how much he rated him.
      “He helped him get his form back and he put in a string of really good performances.”
      READ MORE ON MARCUS RASHFORD
      Last season Rashford bagged an incredible 30 goals in 56 appearances, but has just four to his name this season.
      And he has cut a miserable figure on far too many occasions, both in training and in games, driving some of his colleagues to despair.
      The source said: “Marcus no longer has the same lads around him and doesn’t get involved in the banter as much. He can be very moody in training and in games and just doesn’t seem happy. He doesn’t really hang around with any of the players anymore and seems distant.”
      Manager Erik ten Hag previously held Marcus Rashford in high regardCredit: AP
      The 26-year-old has now been left feeling isolated after his mates were either sold or sent on loanCredit: Getty
      He now faces a battle to win over his teammates again after two nights out clubbing in Belfast last week saw him ring in sick for training on Friday.
      Most read in Football
      He was dropped for the 4-2 FA Cup win over Newport and will be fined two weeks of his £325,000 weekly wage.
      He expressed remorse for his actions during a tense meeting on Monday with manager ten Hag and United’s director of football John Murtough.
      The club said the matter was now closed and that he would be considered for selection for the club’s next game against Wolves on Thursday.
      Ten Hag is due to give a press conference tomorrow at noon.
      United were contacted for comment. More