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

    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.
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    “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.
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    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

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

    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.
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    “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.
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    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

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

    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.
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    “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.
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    “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

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

    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.”
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    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.
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    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

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

    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.
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    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.
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    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

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

    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.
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    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

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    Robbie Williams prepares bid to buy club he’s supported since a lad – with potential Wrexham-style TV deal in the works

    ROBBIE Williams is preparing a shock bid to buy his beloved Port Vale football club.The former Take That star, 49, has been backed by a consortium to take over the League One side — with a potential lucrative TV spin-off.
    Robbie Williams was named as Port Vale’s president at the weekend and hinted at the behind-closed-doors talks
    Robbie has been backed by a consortium to take over the League One sideCredit: PA
    Robbie — who co-created the Soccer Aid charity football matches — was named as club president at the weekend and hinted at the behind-closed-doors talks as he posed in a team shirt, with the caption: “Up The Vale.”
    If it goes through, Robbie could land a lucrative streaming deal, similar to the Wrexham takeover by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.
    A source said: “It’s really early days, but Robbie’s been formally approached to see if he’s interested in fronting a bid. Port Vale remains one of his greatest loves, and it’s always been a dream to be more involved. He’s had a couple of meetings, and his backers are incredibly excited.
    “They feel Robbie would add the star quality, and make Port Vale a major player.
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    “Seeing what Ryan and Rob have done with Wrexham — the increased footfall, merchandise sales and general profile build — is inspiring. Port Vale fans love Robbie and, on paper, it’s a match made in heaven.”
    Local lad Robbie played for his side at Vale Park in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, in a 2001 testimonial, and later helped design their shirts. He also founded his own US-based team in 2005 — Los Angeles Vale.
    Port Vale have never been in the top flight of English football. After being named president, Robbie posed in a club shirt and name-checked one of its stands.
    He said: “My life is bizarre and wonderful and has taken many turns and twists and to find myself from the Railway Paddock to be ‘El Presidente’ is pretty special. It feels as though I need to be doing more in and around this place.”
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    Since actors Ryan and Rob completed their purchase of Wrexham in 2020, the Welsh club’s value has increased by more than 300 per cent.
    Their docu-series Welcome To Wrexham, charting the takeover, became a hit on Disney+.
    If he takes over, Robbie can call on advice from star pals Sir Elton John — ex-Watford chairman — and David Beckham, co-owner of US side Inter Miami.
    The Angels singer co-created the Soccer Aid charity football matchesCredit: Alpha Photo Press Agency More

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    Fears for Marcus Rashford after boozing, split from childhood sweetheart and ‘warning’ from Ten Hag

    IT WAS only last summer that striker Marcus ­Rashford had the world at his feet — but critics say he’s now out of control.The boyhood Manchester United fan had just signed a new five-year, £325,000-a-week contract running until 2028 — giving him a guaranteed £84.5million in salary.
    For the first time, Marcus Rashford’s Old Trafford future is being seriously questioned by fans and critics after he went out clubbing the night before training and rang in sickCredit: Getty
    The news of Rashford’s split with his fiance Lucia Loi, his childhood sweetheart, after he was pictured walking back into a Miami hotel with personal trainer Courtney CaldwellCredit: Getty
    Marcus now faces some time off the pitch as he tries to regain Ten Hag’s trust and simplify his life away from footballCredit: Getty
    All he had to do was keep ­performing on the pitch.
    Smiling for the camera with boss Erik ten Hag, he said at the time: “I will give everything to help the team reach the level we are capable of. I couldn’t be more excited for the future under this manager.”
    But for the first time, his Old Trafford future is being seriously questioned by fans and critics after he went out clubbing the night before training and rang in sick.
    Ex-Premier League star and BBC pundit Chris Sutton yesterday told the It’s All Kicking Off podcast: “He thinks he’s untouchable.
    READ MORE ON MARCUS RASHFORD
    “This hasn’t been the first time he’s had a misdemeanour. It’s been continuous. He has no respect for the manager and no respect for his teammates. That’s the bottom line.
    “He’s probably thinking he is going to outlast Ten Hag, but he’s out of control as far as I can see.”
    Fellow BBC pundit and Newcastle legend Alan Shearer added: “Something is wrong — either at home or in his relationship with the club.
    “He can’t keep doing this, he can’t keep wasting his talent. He needs strong management, someone to get hold of him and tell him there’ll be huge regrets come the end of his career if he continues doing this.”
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     Rashford’s latest actions have presented a huge challenge for disciplinarian Ten Hag, who has already put his foot down with stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho and forced them out of the club.
    The only thing that may save his longer-term future at the club is a heartfelt apology to the Dutchman and the fact United are in dire need of attacking options.
    An Instagram apology to the fans will no doubt follow and a promise to improve on his total of four goals in 26 appearances this season.
    But the signs of a troubled life off the pitch were there before United announced in July last year that the 26-year-old had signed a new deal after a superb season saw him score 30 goals in 56 games.
    A month earlier, The Sun told how Rashford had split with his fiancée Lucia Loi, his sweetheart from school. The news emerged after he was seen walking into a Miami hotel with personal trainer Courtney Caldwell during a holiday.
    Rashford then appeared to be among players warned by Ten Hag ahead of this season that they needed to live their life right, on and off the pitch.
    He said: “When you are not living the right life, you get killed. What is important? Sleep, recovery, nutrition. Three key areas and when you don’t do this right, you can’t perform.
    “So when you ask me about Rashford, the same also counts for Rapha Varane and for every player. You will not reach the levels when you don’t do the things right.”
    When asked directly, “Is there a concern that Marcus or any other player has a problem with their lifestyle?”, Ten Hag refused to take a backwards step.
    He responded: “In general, when I came in at Man United, the standards were not right. That’s true.
    “I demand the highest standards in sleep, recovery and nutrition because that makes the difference if you can perform every third or fourth day. At Man United we are demanding the highest standards.”
    Rashford should not have been surprised by the warning as Ten Hag previously dropped him from the starting line-up against Wolves in December 2022 for being late for a team meeting.
    He responded by coming on as a sub and scoring the winner, and later insisted in an interview he understood the decision.
    He said: “I never made a thing out of it because if I was a coach, I’d have done the same.”
    But in June, 2023, his personal life was being questioned when he was spotted in Malibu, California, with American Caldwell and Love Island’s Natalia Zoppa.
    And three months later, he pranged his £700,000 Rolls-Royce.
    Then, in October 2023, he incurred Ten Hag’s wrath again when he decided to go out to ­Chinawhite nightclub in Manchester to celebrate his birthday after United were beaten 3-0 by rivals Man City.
    Ten Hag later said: “I spoke with him about it. It’s unacceptable. He apologised and that is it. For us it’s an internal matter. He’s very motivated to put things right.” That night out came nine days after his brother Dane was arrested on holiday with his partner in Miami on suspicion of battery.
    The Rashford family closed ranks but Dane’s mugshot emerged online the following month — causing a split between Dane and Marcus’ other brother Dwaine Maynard, who looks after his career.
    A source said: “The arrest was embarrassing and has caused a lot of problems within the family. Marcus is firmly in the middle of it and trying to keep everyone happy, which is making him unhappy.” Dane has since been cleared of any wrongdoing.
    But the Rashford family were dealt a further blow when a cousin passed away, with Marcus paying tribute to him by looking up to the sky after scoring. Marcus now has to regain Ten Hag’s trust and simplify his life away from football.
    Many fans are baffled how it has gone so wrong for the footballer, who could do no wrong in the public’s eyes early on in his career.
    He earned widespread praise for his charity work and campaigning on food poverty. This led to him being awarded an MBE in 2020, when he was 22. He successfully lobbied the Government during the pandemic to U-turn on its policy of stopping free school meals for primary kids at the summer holidays.
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    And his motivational children’s book You Are A Champion won Book Of The Year in 2022.
    The star was snapped partying with pals in Malibu, CaliforniaCredit: Apex
    The star was involved in a late night crash in his £700,00 Rolls-RoyceCredit: Ketts News – The Sun More