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      Geri Halliwell knew about female staffer before sexting scandal & approved of her working with Christian, insider says

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      GERI Halliwell was left “heartbroken and humiliated” after hundreds of sexts sent by hubby Christian Horner to a female employee were leaked.The Spice Girl, 51, touched down in Bahrain on Thursday night just as the bombshell messages began to spread around the globe.Geri Halliwell knew of the female employee at the centre of her husband Christian Horner’s texting scandalCredit: ShutterstockHorner was snapped at a practice session in Bahrain with driver Max Verstappen making preparations ahead of qualifyingCredit: APThe Sun has learned that Geri knew of the female employee at the centre of the texting scandalCredit: AFPShe is planning to be by the Red Bull F1 chief’s side on the pre-race grid for today’s Grand Prix in a public show of solidarity. But sources said last night she has been left “distraught and devastated” over the scandal, which Horner, 50, had repeatedly played down.The devastating trove of texts sent anonymously to F1 bosses and media outlets confirmed Horner did send inappropriate messages behind Geri’s back, despite being cleared in a Red Bull probe.A source close to the pop star, who was on a Bahrain-bound private jet when the messages emerged, told The Sun: “Geri is heartbroken and feels utterly humiliated. She trusted him when he tried to play down the scandal.“He always told her he’d done nothing wrong. This will really hurt Geri, who has put everything into their marriage.”READ MORE ON SEXTING SCANDALMeanwhile, The Sun has learned that Geri knew of the female employee at the centre of the texting scandal. A Red Bull insider said she even approved of the woman working in Horner’s team.Hauled in for crisis talksIt was also claimed yesterday that the employee was “unhappy” after the messages were leaked and believed the probe into his behaviour had been “one-sided”.A friend said: “We speak every day and she’s very unhappy – of course. In her way of thinking it’s all very one-sided and she has been crucified.”Horner was yesterday snapped at a practice session in Bahrain with driver Max Verstappen making preparations ahead of qualifying.Most read in MotorsportHe always told her he’d done nothing wrongSource close to GeriIt was reported that the Red Bull chief – who has won 13 world titles since heading the team as a 31-year-old in 2005 – had been hauled in for crisis talks with F1 bosses. The tension was palpable down in the paddock, with Red Bull team members avoiding mentioning the simmering scandal, other than the odd whisper.Horner was seen pacing from the hospitality area to the team’s garage, stopping only to check his phone and to sign autographs for waiting children.Christian Horner breaks silence on alleged leaksAn F1 source last night said that Red Bull workers fear there might be more leaked messages to come.The team boss refused to comment on the leaked WhatsApp sexts. Last night some of the grubby messages were reported, including a request for a “Santa PJ selfie”. He also regularly joked about Spanx, telling the woman she looks “attractive” in them.In another, Horner starts by asking: “Can I make a confession?” He then describes a trip on a private jet to Dubai where he claims that the woman got him “out of control”.Pesters woman for photosShe cuts him off by guessing that he had to nip to the bathroom.He confirms her suspicions and says he would have preferred it if she had been there with him. Horner also pesters the woman for photos. In another exchange, the pair have an innocent discussion about a photo for a travel document. Horner then writes: “You could send me a pic,” followed by a winky face emoji.At one point the female employee asked her boss how he would feel if Geri were to message someone in the way he was.I won’t comment on anonymous speculation, but to reiterate, I have always denied the allegationsChristian HornerHorner also repeatedly asks the woman — who works with him at Red Bull’s Milton Keynes HQ – to delete their chat history.The woman apparently grew tired of her boss’s pleas for pictures and sexy chat, according to the Whats- App dossier. The leak appeared to be in line with the original accusation over alleged “sexually suggestive” messages sent by Horner.It was later claimed that the internal inquiry into the team boss was into “controlling and coercive” behaviour towards the woman.On Thursday, after the messages were leaked, defiant Horner said in a statement: “I won’t comment on anonymous speculation, but to reiterate, I have always denied the allegations. I respected the integrity of the independent investigation and fully co-operated with it every step of the way.“It was a thorough and fair investigation conducted by an independent specialist barrister and it has concluded, dismissing the complaint made.”There is no suggestion that pictures featuring sexual content are included in the leaked WhatApps.READ MORE SUN STORIESGeri, who married Horner in 2015, rocketed to fame in the 1990s with the Spice Girls, whose hits included Stop. She is expected to be with her husband today for the season’s opening race, alongside Thai billionaire Chalerm Yoovidhya, who owns 51 per cent of Red Bull.Red Bull Racing have declined to comment.The texts sent anonymously to F1 bosses and media outlets confirmed Horner did send inappropriate messages behind Geri’s back, despite being cleared in a Red Bull probeCredit: PAGeri, pictured with Horner on the grid at the Monaco GP, has not been spotted at the circuit in BahrainCredit: GettyThe defiant F1 chief has joined colleagues for the opening race of the seasonCredit: APHow Christian Horner’s shock texts were leakedBy Ben Hunt

      IT was an anonymous email sent and designed for maximum impact.
      It landed in my inbox almost 24 hours to the minute since Christian Horner was cleared of any wrongdoing following Red Bull’s internal investigation.
      Other names included Liberty Media chief Greg Maffei, who owns the rights to F1. The FIA president, Mohammed Ben Sulayem and F1 CEO Stefano Dominacali.
      The F1 team bosses were also included for good measure. As was Max Verstappen’s father, Jos.
      It was from an anonymous sender, the title was simply the date – ‘Feb Twenty Nine’.
      Inside it was a Google Drive link containing 79 files claiming to be the evidence from the independent investigation.
      There is no way of knowing if they were real or fake yet irrespectively it sent another shockwave through the F1 paddock before this season had even started.
      Horner was sitting on the team’s pitwall during second practice in Bahrain when the email dropped.
      After the session, he walked out of the team’s garage and into the hospitality unit where he remained as the nuclear fallout began.
      He’d survived the outcome of the internal investigation into improper conduct following a complaint from a female colleague.
      One wonders whether he will survive this time after this very public humiliation – again, irrespective if they were indeed real or fake.
      Just hours earlier, McLaren’s CEO Zak Brown and Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, called on the sport’s governing body, the FIA, demanding transparency.
      “I just read the statement, which was pretty basic,” said Wolff. “My personal opinion is we can’t really look behind the curtain.
      “There is a lady in an organisation that has spoken to HR and said there was an issue and it was investigated and yesterday the sport has received the message that it’s all fine, we’ve looked at it.
      “I believe with the aspiration as a global sport, on such critical topics, it needs more transparency and I wonder what the sport’s position is?
      “We’re competitors, we’re a team and we can have our own personal opinions or not. But it’s more like a general reaction or action that we as a sport need to assess, what is right in that situation and what is wrong.
      “Are we talking with the right moral approach, with the values based on the speculation that is out there? As a sport, we cannot afford to leave things vague and opaque on critical topics like this, because this is going to catch us out.”
      Brown added: “It’s the responsibility ultimately of the organisers of Formula One, the owners of Formula One, to make sure that all the racing teams and the personnel and the drivers and everyone else involved in the sport are operating in a manner in which we all live by.
      “I don’t think it’s the teams’ roles and responsibilities. That’s up to FIA and Formula One to ultimately decide and ask what they feel gives them the level of transparency they need to ultimately come to their conclusion and we just have to count on them that they fulfil that obligation to all of us.”
      The emailed file will only increase that pressure in the form of scrutiny on Horner – who has always denied the accusations.
      It does also put Red Bull in a tricky position.
      Should the emailed file be legitimate and have made up elements from the initial report, which had been thoroughly examined and presented by the independent KC, then surely this is nothing new to them and their decision to stick with their team principal remains.
      To perform a u-turn on that simply now they have become public would possibly see criticism that they intended to keep their report private to save face.
      Whatever the outcome, it is a mess for the world champions.Reports of a wedge driven between Horner and Verstappen’s father have grown in recent weeks.
      So it was interesting that Jos Verstappen was in the paddock and wearing a team jacket and seemed unmoved to the chaos happening around him More

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      in Soccer

      Exiled footie star Mason Greenwood believes a return to Man Utd could save his parents’ strained marriage

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      FOOTBALL star Mason Greenwood believes returning to Manchester United could solve his parents’ marriage problems.His dad Andrew, who is also his agent, has joined him in exile in Spain while his mum Melanie has remained at the star’s mansion in Cheshire.Mason Greenwood believes returning to Manchester United could solve his parents’ marriage problemsCredit: RexHis dad Andrew joined him in exile in Spain while his mum Melanie has remained at the star’s mansion in CheshireCredit: AFPGrenwood lives with partner Harriet and their baby daughter Summer in MadridCredit: FacebookThe forced separation has put strains on the marriage and Mason now realises he may need to return to the Premiership next season.He has been on loan at La Liga club Getafe since Old Trafford bosses ruled last September that his future lay elsewhere, after attempted rape and assault charges against him were dropped.Mason lives with partner Harriet and their baby daughter Summer in Madrid. Dad Andrew has also set up a base nearby to help his son cope with life in Spain.Read More on FootballBut mum Melanie has remained at the couple’s home in Bowdon, placing a strain on their relationship.United have repeatedly insisted Greenwood’s most likely future is a permanent move away from the club.He thinks a lot of their problems could be solved if he went back to United. He’s very close to his parents, so it’s one of the reasons why a move back home could happenSun sourceBut new minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe sparked controversy last week by suggesting the club could change its mind and bring the 22-year-old striker back to Old Trafford.The Sun understands Greenwood has expected to remain in Spain, with a move to Barcelona under discussion.Most read in FootballBut helping ease the stresses on his family’s life could be a factor in favour of any potential move back.A source said: “Mason has been very happy in Spain and knows a lot of top clubs including Barcelona are interested in him.Mason Greenwood wants an investigation into whether Jude Bellingham called him a “rapist” dropped“He was annoyed with United about how they handled the situation following his charges, so has always been reluctant to return.“But his mum and dad have spent long periods apart since Mason moved to Spain and everyone knows long­distance relationships can be hard, especially given the pressures they were under ever since Mason was first arrested in January 2022.“It’s been a very difficult two years for the Greenwood family.“He thinks a lot of their problems could be solved if he went back to United. He’s very close to his parents, so it’s one of the reasons why a move back home could happen.”Greenwood has scored seven goals in 25 league games for Getafe. He remains contracted to United until 2025.Greenwood announced the birth of baby Summer with this snapCredit: Social media – Refer to sourceSir Jim Ratcliffe sparked controversy by suggesting the club could change its mind and bring the 22-year-old striker back to Old TraffordCredit: AFP More

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      How FA chiefs refuse to recognise Lionesses’ 1971 World Cup campaign – and why they punished stars when they returned

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      STEPPING out into the sweltering Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, Carol Wilson felt the ground shake as 97,000 fans went wild at the arrival of the two football teams.Aged just 19, she was the youngest player ever to captain an England team — and she was doing so with a broken foot.Manager Harry Batt with the 1971 England squad that played in the Mexico Women’s World Cup – but were shunned and punished by the Football AssociationCredit: © New Black Films ltd / MirrorpixFormer England captain Carol Wilson received a six-month suspension for taking part in the tournamentCredit: SuppliedAt the 1971 tournament Paula Raynor, above, became England’s youngest goal scorer when she netted against Argentina aged 15Credit: AlamyYet until now Carol’s heroics at the 1971 Women’s World Cup have been forgotten and the Football Association still won’t reward any of the side with a cap, the usual recognition for players who represent their country in an international match.At the same tournament Paula Raynor became England’s youngest goal scorer when she netted against Argentina aged 15.But their names are unlikely to appear in any pub quiz, as those records are very much unofficial.In Mexico we weren’t interested in the politics, all we wanted to do was play footballCarol WilsonAnd rather than being feted for representing England, the whole team which went to Mexico were BANNED from playing for between three and six months.Their crime was to have dared to stand up to the sport’s male rulers, who didn’t want women to take part in the beautiful game.But now, thanks to documentary film Copa 71, produced by tennis stars Serena and Venus Williams, their dedication to women’s football is finally being properly celebrated.Carol, 72, from Shipdham, Norfolk, tells The Sun: “I was elated to represent my country.“In Mexico we weren’t interested in the politics, all we wanted to do was play football.Most read in Football“I got injured against Argentina, but there was no way I was going to miss the game against Mexico.‘Pretty girls’“It was painful playing with a broken foot, but at times the adrenalin was so high I didn’t notice it. It was only when I came off when I went ‘Ouch’.”Paula Raynor became England’s youngest goal scorer aged 15 in the 1971 Women’s World CupWomen’s football was popular at the start of the 20th century, with fans filling stadiums. But in 1921 the game’s ruling body banned women from playing in affiliated grounds.That restriction remained in place for another half a century.At home it would only be a few friends and family watching us on the recreational pitches. We weren’t allowed in the stadiums in England Paula RaynorIt meant that neither Carol nor Paula could join a school team and had to pursue their sporting passion on park pitches in front of “one man and his dog”.Then some enterprising Mexican businessmen made plans which would change all that. They realised they could make good use of the stadiums built for the 1970 men’s World Cup in the country by holding a women’s competition the following summer.Here, Luton bus conductor Harry Batt petitioned the Women’s FA, which had only been formed in 1969, to allow him to put together a team to take to the tournament.But rather than helping, the association is said to have told female footballers they faced being black-listed if they did go to Mexico.Paula says: “The WFA restricted Harry on which players he could take. I have heard that some players were warned off going to Mexico.”But with the help of his wife June, Harry managed to convince drinks giant Martini & Rossi to sponsor the trip and found 14 women to go.Both Paula, who ran out for Chiltern Valley Ladies, and Carol, an RAF fitness instructor, had played for England at an unofficial World Cup held in Italy the previous year.Achievement ignoredThat gave them some experience of playing in proper stadiums, and Paula recalls: “We played in Milan and in Juventus (Turin).“At home it would only be a few friends and family watching us on the recreational pitches. We weren’t allowed in the stadiums in England.”The team finished third in Italy but because the tournament had been organised by the breakaway Federation of Independent European Female Football, the men’s ruling body refused to recognise the achievement.Harry’s team entered the 1971 World Cup as the British Independents to get around the FA’s rules, yet the team was listed as England by the tournament organisers and they wore the traditional all-white kit.On their arrival in Mexico the players were greeted by camera flashes as they got off the plane, with crowds outside the airport and locals throwing presents at their bus.Nearly 400 children watched their training session and the local Press wrote about England’s “pretty girls”.But nothing could have prepared them for entering Mexico City’s towering Azteca Stadium for their first match against Argentina.Paula says: “The first thing that hits you is the heat, then the noise, and then the size of the pitch. You think, ‘Oh my God’. It’s a very big pitch. It takes you by surprise, then, once the whistle goes, it blocks out.”Until Paula watched the new documentary, she could not remember scoring her equaliser.She says: “Because of how the WFA treated us, a lot of stuff was blocked because I didn’t talk about it.“I knew I scored a goal but it was not until I watched the premiere of Copa 71 that I knew I headed it in.”Carol broke her foot going for a 50-50 ball and England lost 4-1 to the South Americans.The next match against the hosts Mexico proved to be even bigger. Carol says: “I remember standing in the tunnel for Mexico and it didn’t affect me until then — my legs turned to jelly.”The 97,000-strong crowd is the biggest for an England women’s game, but sadly they lost 4-0. Yet despite the disappointment, Carol says she was not too downhearted.She recalls: “I know all the girls had tried 110 per cent and to think we had come from six people and a dog on a Sunday, I thought at the time women’s football was going to be massive.”Although they had been knocked out, England were invited to stay in Mexico until the tournament ended.They were treated as celebrities, appearing in newspapers and magazines and opening shops.The final, in which Denmark beat Mexico 3-0, had a crowd of 110,000, proving there certainly was an appetite for the women’s game.My achievements were never announced at school and because we arrived back from Mexico a week after the school term had started I got into trouble with the headmistressPaula RaynorThe tournament also showed that women could be just as hot-blooded about this physical sport as the men, because in the semi-final between Mexico and Italy play was stopped ten minutes early due to an on-field brawl. After the tournament was over, the joy for Harry’s team turned out to be short-lived.There was no one to meet them at the airport back in England and only one journalist turned up to ask them about the tournament.The WFA banned Harry from football for life, Carol received a six-month suspension and the rest of the players three months.Carol’s treatment on her return from Mexico took away the joy from playing the game she adored.The Lionesses of 1971 training in the familiar England strip – but the team’s achievements were ignored by the FACredit: MirrorpixEngland players training with coach Pat Dunn in MexicoCredit: MirrorpixWhen she attended an event at Newcastle United, the team she had supported since childhood, a compere ridiculed her on stage in front of her father.And her newlywed husband told her to give up football.Ticking off at schoolCarol recalls: “He didn’t approve. We had just been married and he didn’t think women should play football anyway and he whinged about me having to go away.”Paula, meanwhile, received a ticking off at school.She says: “My achievements were never announced at school and because we arrived back from Mexico a week after the term had started I got into trouble with the headmistress.”After leaving school she joined the RAF and kept playing until her first pregnancy at 25. Without them, and many others, the women’s game would not be where it is todayFA spokesman, 2024Today, the authorities are finally recognising these sporting pioneers.Last year a blue plaque was unveiled in Luton to honour the team and its founders Harry and June Batt.And the FA acknowledges that the players who went to Mexico changed the face of the game.A spokesman told The Sun: “The talented and courageous women who travelled to Mexico in 1971 significantly contributed to the formation of the England women’s team in 1972 and without them, and many others, the women’s game would not be where it is today.”But they still only issue caps to England’s women players who were given permission to play by the FA from November 1972 onwards.Mother-of-three Paula, 67, from Southport, Merseyside, is pleased by how much has changed for women’s football in the past few years.England’s Lionesses winning the Euros in 2022 and reaching the World Cup final last year has made modern players such as captain Leah Williamson household names.READ MORE SUN STORIESPaula says: “The women’s game is so different now, it’s fantastic. The recent growth, since the Euros, it’s phenomenal.”
      Copa 71 is in cinemas from March 8.
      Carol and team mate Yvonne Bradley arrive home from Mexico in plasterDenmark’s Inger Pedersen lifts the trophy in an echo of England’s Bobby Moore in 1966Credit: TopFotoCELEBRATE THESE COPA HEROINESBy Sandra Brobbey, Women’s Football Reporter
      IT’S a travesty that Carol Wilson, Paula Raynor and their team-mates were treated so shabbily for daring to play in a tournament worthy of more recognition than it currently gets.
      And it’s bizarre that those who chose to represent England at this unofficial women’s world cup come home to face bans and suspensions.
      While there is much to do to help the sport continue to grow, the women’s game has thankfully come a long way since England went toe-to-toe with Mexico in the Azteca stadium.
      On these shores a record crowd of more than 87,000 flocked to Wembley to watch the Lionesses win the Euros two years ago.
      The success of the 1971 tournament helped pave the way for such moments and for the women’ game to become what it is today.
      The efforts of Wilson, Raynor and all the women who competed in this contest should be more widely celebrated.
      Hopefully the release of Copa 71 will lead to that. More

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      in Soccer

      Britain’s oldest striker scores five goals for local team on his 90th birthday

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      BRITAIN’S oldest striker banged in five goals last week on his 90th birthday.Mike Fisher, nicknamed Ninja for his turn of pace in the box, plays walking football for Old Corinthians in Walsall.Mike Fisher scored five goals last week on his 90th birthdayCredit: SWNSMike, nicknamed Ninja for his turn of pace in the box, plays walking football for Old Corinthians in WalsallCredit: SWNSMike, of Bloxwich, said: “They all call me Ninja. “Because they say I’m gone in the blink of an eye, just like that.”One minute you think you’ve collared me and the next minute I’m gone and the ball is in the back of the net.”If you ask anyone if they play with Mike Fisher, they won’t have a clue who you’re on about – but if you say ‘do you play with Ninja’ they will know who you mean.READ MORE ON FOOTBALL”I still love football and I’ll keep going for as long as I can – or at least while I’m still scoring on a regular basis. “That feeling of scoring goals never gets old – even if I am.”I’ve lost count of how many I’ve scored but I get four of five a game usually and have been playing walking football three times a week regularly for eight years.”A few times I have scored ten in a match.”Most read in Football“That feeling of scoring never gets old.”The Luton Town fan’s goals came just days before Man City’s Erling Haaland hit five against, er, Luton.Erling Haaland SHOVES camera after worst-ever Man City game as Sky Blues drop points to Chelsea, More

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      Ilkay Gundogan’s stunning WAG Sara Arfaoui stuns in black lingerie as she reveals she misses Manchester

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      WAG Sara Arfaoui reveals she’s got the blues for Manchester after husband Ilkay Gundogan’s switch from City to Barcelona.The model, 29, seen in black lingerie for a photoshoot, previously slagged off the city’s restaurant scene.Sara Arfaoui looked stunning as she posed in black lingerie for a photoshootCredit: Capture Media AgencySara reveals she’s got the blues for Manchester, above with husband Ilkay GundoganBut Sara told Prime Video’s Married To The Game docuseries: “I kind of miss Manchester now.”She also previously penned a heartfelt goodbye to the city. Writing on Instagram, she said: “I can’t say much just because I’m not realising what is happening.”All I can say is thank you Manchester for giving us all this love and thank you to our friends. I will miss my City family.read more on Ilkay Gundogan”I arrived in Manchester without expectations and I leave as a wife, a mum and with the greatest friends we could wish for.”I did follow City everywhere, dreaming of winning the Champions League, but what happened was more than I dreamed of. I will keep everyone in my heart.”My @ilkayguendogan, you were amazing and I was proud of you every game. “Forever the Treble capitano!”Most read in FootballMan City star Ilkay Gundogan drives in Beverly Hills during holiday with model fiancee Sara Arfaoui More

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      in Motorsport

      Geri Halliwell ‘relieved & elated’ after weeks of hell as F1 husband Christian Horner cleared of sending improper texts

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      SPICE Girl Geri Halliwell was “relieved and elated” last night after her F1 boss husband was cleared of sending improper messages to a female employee.The 51-year-old singer had stood solidly by Christian Horner, who will stay as team principal of Red Bull Racing.Geri Halliwell has endured three weeks of torment following claims surrounding her husband Christian HornerCredit: GettyHorner, who has been cleared of sending improper messages to a female employee, with relieved wife Geri, whom he married in 2015Credit: GettyThe star had endured three weeks of torment following the claims.Yesterday Horner, 50, was told he will stay with the team until the end of the season after the woman’s claims were thrown out.Geri was said to have been delighted at the news.A source said: “This has been weeks of hell for Christian and his family.READ MORE ON GERI HORNER“As he has said all along, these claims are ‘nuts’.“An exhaustive investigation has been carried out and the allegations have proven to be nonsense.“Geri has been rock solid behind Christian — and his whole family is relieved and elated that it’s over. Those feelings are there but no one close to Christian feels like celebrating much after what he’s been through.“For the time being his focus is back fully on winning races.”Most read in MotorsportFormer racing driver Christian’s £8million-a-year job was secured after a three-week internal ­investigation dismissed the unidentified employee’s slur.He had initially been under investigation over alleged inappropriate behaviour but the probe was later said to involve sending improper messages to the woman.Geri was said to have been left “in floods of tears” when the scandal first broke earlier this month and was supported by pals including her fellow Spice Girls.The Sun’s 60 Second News Briefing: Episode 32Christian, who married the pop star in 2015, had always vehemently denied the claims and vowed to fight to clear his name.The F1 boss flew out to Bahrain ahead of the F1 season’s opening race where Red Bull’s world champ Max Verstappen will lead the team’s latest push for glory.There are now no question marks over Christian’s characterA statement confirming Christian had been cleared was released by Red Bull Racing’s Austrian parent company within minutes of his private jet’s arrival.It said: “Red Bull can confirm that the grievance has been ­dismissed. Red Bull is confident that the investigation has been fair, rigorous and impartial.“The investigation report is ­confidential and contains the ­private information of the parties and third parties who assisted in the investigation, and therefore we will not be commenting further out of respect for all concerned.“Red Bull will continue striving to meet the highest workplace standards.”The team’s parent company confirmed the complainant, who is understood to still be working at the team’s Milton Keynes HQ, “has a right of appeal”.Christian, who has a six-year-old son with Geri and two children from a previous marriage, had been quizzed by an independent barrister on February 9.READ MORE SUN STORIESA source told The Sun last night: “Christian’s career, his marriage and his reputation were attacked but there are now no question marks over his character.“There is no shadow. But questions are being asked about how this happened, why it happened and who was responsible.”Christian had always vehemently denied the claims and vowed to fight to clear his nameCredit: GettyA source has revealed that Horner’s focus is ‘back fully on winning races’Credit: RexWhat has been claimed?
      F1 was rocked earlier this month by the sudden news that the sport’s longest-standing team principal had been placed under investigation by Red Bull’s Austria-based parent company.
      This was thought to be over a “dossier of incriminating material” regarding “inappropriate and controlling behaviour” towards one female, The Telegraph reported.
      Red Bull’s Austrian parent company flew an independent lawyer to the UK to question the multi-millionaire race ace and his accuser.
      The former racing driver, who runs world champion Max Verstappen’s all-conquering Red Bull team, endured an eight-hour grilling over the claims last week.
      Most recently however, more allegations have come out as the De Telegraaf reported that Horner allegedly sent sex messages to his employee “over an extended period of time”.
      Messages were said to have been saved and presented as evidence to the external ­barrister running the inquiry after the woman made a complaint last December.
      Mr Horner categorically denied the new allegations and is thought to be taking legal action against De Telegraaf.
      An F1 source told The Sun last week that “Christian has not been sacked or asked to resign and he is not going to resign”.
      The investigation raises the question of who could take over the helm of the all-conquering racing team of world champion Max Verstappen.
      His wife Geri Halliwell is also said to be “terrified her life will unravel” amid Horner’s “inappropriate behaviour” probe.
      The ex-Spice Girl, who was “in floods of tears” when the Red Bull boss was hit with the bombshell allegations, fears the drama will drag on for years, a source has claimed. 
      But Geri, 51, is understood to be standing by her husband.
      She has told pals: “Christian has done nothing wrong.”
      Horner has overseen a huge period of success for the racing team – winning multiple F1 championships with Sebastian Vettel and Verstappen.
      Red Bull has won seven Formula One world drivers’ championships and six world ­constructors’ titles under Horner’s leadership.
      Last season, the team won 21 of the 22 races on the global F1 tour, and Verstappen, 26, won the drivers’ crown.
      Horner was awarded a CBE for services to motorsport in the 2024 New Year’s Honours List. More

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      Mason Greenwood wants investigation into whether Jude Bellingham called him a ‘rapist’ dropped

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      MASON Greenwood wants an investigation into whether Jude Bellingham called him a “rapist” dropped.Real Madrid’s Bellingham appeared to mouth a slur after tackling the Getafe player this month.
      Mason Greenwood wants an investigation into whether Jude Bellingham called him a ‘rapist’ droppedCredit: Getty
      Real Madrid’s Bellingham appeared to mouth a slur after tackling the Getafe player this monthCredit: Ruckas
      Spanish footie bosses launched a probe, which could see England star Bellingham 20, hit with a ban.
      But a source said: “Mason has told them he doesn’t want Jude to be punished and has asked them to drop it.
      “He doesn’t want bad publicity and wants to get on with playing football.
      “He was very upset at the time as he didn’t expect it from someone like Jude.
      READ MORE ON MASON GREENWOOD
      “But he knows he’s always likely to be a target for that kind of stuff so he’s accepted he’ll need a thick skin.”
      Greenwood, 22, was loaned from Man United last September after bosses ruled he needed to rebuild his career away from Old Trafford — despite charges of attempted rape, assault and controlling behaviour being dropped.
      He has settled in Spain with his partner and baby and is being pursued by Barcelona after scoring seven goals with five assists in 25 league games.
      United’s minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe last week appeared to open the door to a return, saying: “The process will be to understand the facts, not the hype and then come to a fair decision on the basis of values — which is basically, ‘Is he a good guy or not?’.”
      Most read in Football
      Mason Greenwood reveals ‘best feeling so far’ in rare interview after Getafe aces ‘take Man Utd loanee under their wing’ More

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      Arsenal star David Raya is training banned XL Bully as bodyguard after string of violent break-ins targeting footballers

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      PREMIER League goalie David Raya has a banned XL Bully dog to guard him, The Sun can reveal.The Arsenal ace, 28, has vowed to keep pet Goku following a string of terrifying raids on the homes of football stars.
      David Raya has a banned XL Bully dog to guard himCredit: Alamy
      Spaniard Raya has shared snaps of him cuddled up with the glaring beast on the sofaCredit: Jam Press/@d.raya1
      Goku lives in a secure cage at the couple’s multimillion-pound home in North LondonCredit: Jam Press/@t.trouboul
      The breed was outlawed after several attacks, but Raya has an exemption certificate.
      An expert said last night: “He’s a responsible owner.”
      Raya and model girlfriend Tatiana Trouboul, 27, are said to adore the mutt, even though new laws are in place outlawing XL Bullys after a string of attacks.
      Goku lives in a secure cage at the couple’s multimillion-pound home in North London.
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      Spaniard Raya has shared snaps of himself cuddled up with the glaring beast on the sofa.
      Tatiana has also been seen taking him for walks.
      Raya, who is currently on loan to the Gunners from Brentford, wants the pooch to guard their property after fellow stars suffered a series of violent break-ins.
      He has hired experts from Elite Protection Dogs to train Goku.
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      A spokesperson for the firm said: “David Raya has one XL Bully. He is called Goku, he is a one-year-old. David’s had him since a puppy.
      “Everyone with XL Bullys is ­worried. But David is a responsible owner, he wants to be responsible with him.
      “We are training Goku on a long-term contract.”
      Tearful owner of XL bully begs for breed to be ‘wiped out’ after they killed grandma at his home
      Elite Protection Dogs has 35 years’ experience training canines, charging up to £20,000.
      In 2022, Aston Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez got a Belgian Malinois from the firm in the same month he landed a prized World Cup ­winner’s medal with Argentina.
      New laws have come in over the past two months after a rise in maulings from XL Bullys, including those previously regarded as “soft and loving”.
      On December 31 it became illegal for an XL Bully to be out in public without a lead and muzzle.
      It is also an offence to sell, breed, give away or abandon the dogs.
      And this month it became illegal to own an XL Bully in the UK without an exemption certificate, which Raya possesses.
      The dogs must be microchipped, neutered and kept in a secure place. Owners must also have third-party liability insurance.
      Meanwhile, dog shelters have seen a huge increase in XL Bullys being handed in or abandoned.
      Fatally attacked
      The first reported attack on a person was in Liverpool in 2017, when a toddler was severely injured by four dogs.
      Their owner, Andrew McGowan, was subsequently jailed.
      In 2021, ten-year-old Jack Lis was killed by an XL Bully in Caerphilly, South Wales, while visiting a friend, after which two people were put behind bars.
      A month later Adam Watts was killed by an XL Bully at his dog shelter in Kirkton of Auchterhouse, Scotland.
      A further eight people were killed by the dogs in 2022 and 2023, including 54-year-old father-of-one Ian Langley, near Sunderland, in October last year.
      This month grandmother Esther Martin, 68, was the latest person to be fatally attacked by the breed – days after the ban came into force.
      She was killed by two XL Bullys owned by her son-in-law Ashley Warren, 39, who begged for the breed to be banned.
      Warren, of Jaywick, Essex, said: “If my dogs did that to her, when I had never seen anything but love from them, then that breed just has a killer switch.
      “I honestly thought the ban was a stupid government plan to wipe out a breed which I had never seen anything but softness and love from. Now I think they need to be wiped out.”
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      The breed was said to be responsible for 20 per cent of dog attacks in 2023.
      The Sun approached Raya and Arsenal for comment.
      Raya vowed to keep the mutt following a string of terrifying raids on the homes of football starsCredit: ReutersPrem protection

      SEVERAL Prem stars have bought dogs for protection following a string of terrifying break-ins.
      Man City ace Jack Grealish posed with a £25,000 Belgian Malinois this month after raiders broke into his home while his family were in.
      He got the dog from Chaperone K9, which is popular with footballers.
      Grealish’s City and England team-mate Kyle Walker bought a £40,000 Doberman from the firm.
      The majority of dogs they provide are German Shepherds or Belgian Malinois, with each put through a rigorous 12-month training ­programme so the dogs are able to recognise threats including burglaries, attacks and robberies.
      Other current and ex-Prem stars to use the firm are Marcus Rashford, Mark Noble, Phil Jones, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Jesse Lingard.
      Similar firms like Elite Protection have also sold pets to protect stars such as ex-Spurs goalie Hugo Lloris. More