More stories

  • in

    Premier League wage bill hits record £4bn – with hapless Man Utd’s bloated budget revealed…where does your club rank?

    PREMIER League wages hit a record £4billion last season, a new study has discovered.It means the 500 stars who make up Britain’s top league pocketed an average of £8million a year during 2023/24.Erling Haaland is city’s top earner after negotiating a deal worth £500,000 a week in JanuaryCredit: GettyMo Salah has pledged his future to Liverpool in a new dealCredit: GettyAnd Manchester City players were the Prem’s top earners, taking home a combined £413million.The figures have been collated by football blogger Kieron O’Connor, who runs The Swiss Ramble football finance blog.He says striker Erling Haaland is city’s top earner after negotiating a deal worth £500,000 a week in January.Liverpool came runners-up in the pay stakes, with the Anfield squad taking home £377million.Read More on SportMo Salah is the club’s top earner and recently banked a pay rise after committing his future to Anfield, taking him to £400,000 a week.All Premier League clubs have revealed their accounts from the 2023/24 season, with the figures showing the post-Covid pay bubble continues to climb.The clubs’ combined wage bill has jumped from £2.9billion in just six years, the equivalent of 38 per cent.The wage bills also show the Big Six became the Big Five, with a huge gap opening up between the highest-paying sides.Most read in FootballKieron reveals City and Liverpool are joined by Man Utd (£365million), Chelsea (£338million) and Arsenal (£328million) in the huge pay stakes.Aston Villa had the sixth-largest wage bill, which came in at £252million — a gap of £76million to Arsenal.Arsenal wages 2024-25 revealedTottenham and Newcastle also paid out more than £200million.This year’s FA Cup winners Crystal Palace were the league’s highest achievers last season, finishing tenth despite only four clubs having a smaller wage bill.Man Utd underachieved, finishing eighth, despite having the third- largest wage bill. The three clubs with the lowest wage bills were relegated last season — Luton Town, Sheffield Utd and Burnley.Luton’s wage bill was the lowest in the league, paying out £57million to its squad.The figures were released before today’s final round of games, with Liverpool already crowned champions.’A bit crazy’While Haaland himself admitted his salary was “a bit crazy” when his new ten-year deal was announced in January, wages of the best Prem stars are well below that of other sporting stars around the globe. A study by Forbes magazine put Haaland 27th on the list of top earners when comparing him with greats such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe. And his money pales into insignificance when compared to NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who signed a £410million deal in 2021.And last December the New York Mets baseball team agreed to pay slugger Juan Soto £628million for a 15-year deal.Clubs must remain vigilant as there is still much work to be done to restore pre-pandemic profitabilityAleksander Ceferin Haaland’s outgoing teammate Kevin De Bruyne has previously told how he believes top footballers are underpaid, despite earning £400,000 a week.When asked in 2022 if he got paid too much, the Belgian linked with a move to Serie A winners Napoli, responded: “No. I compare it to a singer at a concert and 60,000 people come. I look at it logically.“There are millions of people watching the football on TV, there’s 60,000 watching the games, the income of a club is £500million to £600million. Yeah, it’s a lot of money, but is it too much?“If the club can afford it, it’s not too much.”In March, figures revealed player wages across Europe had reached £15.1billion in 2023/24, up by 6.5 per cent on the previous year.Following the release of the latest Uefa Club Licensing Benchmarking Report, the governing body’s president Aleksander Ceferin warned teams about paying excessive amounts to their players.‘Players are the stars’He said: “While most clubs appear to be managing player wage increases responsibly, other costs are rising rapidly, putting greater pressure on operating margins than ever before. Clubs must remain vigilant as there is still much work to be done to restore pre-pandemic profitability.”Premier League clubs have to pay within Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) each year or face punishment. Everton and Nottingham Forest faced points deductions for breaching the rules.In February, it was reported the Professional Footballers’ Association, which acts for players, threatened the Premier League with legal action if it brought in a salary cap.Clubs voted last year to explore the introduction of a spending cap from the start of the 2025/26 season as part of a new system of financial controls.It will limit clubs to spending 85 per cent of their total revenue on wages, transfer payments and agent fees.Sponsorship consultant Nigel Currie said: “The players are the stars, they are the talent and the reason millions tune in every week and buy the kits.Read More on The Sun“The Premier League is hugely successful, the wealthiest football league in the world, and that will continue.“There will continue to be massive financial implications for players. Sponsorships will go through the roof in terms of value.”SAUDIS UP SALARIES DESPITE earning a fortune, the salaries of Premier League stars are nowhere near what is on offer in the Saudi Pro League.Here is what the big names earn each week at their clubs there.Cristiano Ronaldo,£3.2million, Al-NassrKarim Benzema, £1.6million, Al-IttihadRiyad Mahrez, £850,000, Al-AhliSadio Mane, £650,000, Al-NassrIvan Toney, £490,000, Al-AhliN’Golo Kante, £400,000, Al-Ittihad More

  • in

    Phil Foden splashes HUGE sum to buy daughter, True, 3, a Rolex – and it’s identical to one worn by A-lister’s daughter

    AT the age of three, Phil Foden’s daughter might struggle to tell the time — but Daddy has already treated her to a £10,000 Rolex.Little True was seen wearing the pricey watch in pictures posted on her Instagram page last week.Phil Foden has bought his daughter a £10,000 RolexFoden pictured with Rebecca Cooke and their childrenCredit: Instagram/officialronniefodenMan City and England ace Foden loves spending his £200,000-a-week wages on his kidsCredit: GettyEngland and Man City ace Phil, 24, and girlfriend Rebecca Cooke run the site, which has 22,400 followers. True is also seen kitted out in a £160 Monnalisa designer dress, a £40 bag from Hookd and a Pandora charm bracelet.Her Rolex is identical to one worn by Kylie Jenner’s daughter Stormi, six.Phil’s own watch collection includes a Rolex Sky Dweller and a Day Date.Read More on FODENThe midfielder, who came on as a sub in yesterday’s FA Cup final defeat to Crystal Palace, loves spending his £200,000-a-week wages on his kids — Ronnie, five, True, and baby boy Phil Junior.True was given a pony, Angus, at Christmas and is having riding lessons.A source said: “True loves anything girly, sparkly — she loves fancy things. She is the little girl that wants for nothing.” Phil recently moved the family to a mansion with a lake in the Cheshire countryside. Most read in FootballHe was brought up on a council estate in nearby Edgeley, Stockport.His mum, Claire, has revealed how much her son had changed recently.She said: “The shocking thing is I hear him ordering salmon a lot now and he never used to eat that.”’I don’t expect anything’ Roy Keane savages England star after below-par display in Thomas Tuchel’s first gameThe Rolex is identical to one worn by Kylie Jenner’s daughter Stormi, six More

  • in

    Female footballer, 18, who was banned by FA for trans comment wants body to apologise after case folded

    A TEENAGE girl footballer banned for asking a bearded transgender opponent “Are you a man?” wants the FA to apologise after the case folded.Cerys Vaughan, 18, raised safety and fairness concerns during a friendly.Cerys Vaughan, 18, raised safety and fairness concerns during a friendlyCredit: BBC SportAnti-discrimination watchdog Kick It Out complained and Cerys, then 17, was charged with breaching FA rules. Vaughan, of Leigh Genesis FC in Gtr Manchester, was banned for six matches, with four suspended for a year.She appealed against the decision and an FA board ruled the hearing “unfair” and dismissed the case. It came after the FA said transgender players would be barred from June 1 following a Supreme Court ruling that the legal definition of a woman is based on biological sex.Read More on UK NewsCerys said: “I’d like the FA to apologise for the way they treated me. “It was stressful and in the end pointless.“If the new ruling was in place when I asked the original question I’d never have been punished.” The FA said it dropped the case after the complainant withdrew for personal reasons.Most read in SportTrans ruling victory hides a terrifying reality – for years, women have been demonised simply for pointing out biological fact More

  • in

    Man City star Erling Haaland adds £320,000 yellow Ferrari to eye-watering car collection with new

    FOOTIE ace Erling Haaland has bagged this yellow £320,000 Ferrari for his luxury car collection — totalling £8million.The £500,000-a-week Man City striker, 24, already had seven motors, including a rare £4million Bugatti Tourbillon.Man City super-striker Erling Haaland has added another flash motor to his luxury car collection – treating himself to a £320,000 FerrariFans cheered as he accelerated away, showcasing the vehicle’s incredible 789 horsepower and 6.5-litre V12 engineFans cheered as he accelerated away from training in his new convertible Ferrari 812 Superfast, which lives up to its name by doing 0 to 60mph in under three seconds.One fan joked online: “Haaland casually living my dream.”Another commented: “Millionaires and their toys.”Fans cheered as he accelerated away, showcasing the vehicle’s incredible 789 horsepower and 6.5-litre V12 engine.READ MORE ON HAALANDIn March, The Sun revealed how Haaland had splashed out on a £4million Bugatti.The monster motor, featuring iconic “butterfly” doors, has a top speed of 277mph.Last September, Haaland bought a brand new £250,000 Mercedes Maybach.He also owns a £2.7million Mercedes AMG One, a £130,000 Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe AMG 63 S 4Matic and a £300k Rolls Royce Cullinan.Most read in FootballHaaland previously owned a Ferrari 812 Superfast in blue.His collection is still a far cry from Cristiano Ronaldo’s impressive haul of rare motors – estimated to be worth around £20million.Since Haaland’s arrival at City nearly three years ago, he has broken countless records, contributing to a historic Treble win in 2023 and a fourth successive Premier League title, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup success the following season.Erling Haaland looks unrecognisable in fake moustache as he stuns fans by pulling away disguise on photoshootThe motor lives up to its name by doing 0 to 60mph in under three secondsHaaland has been banging in the goals for Man City this season and could celebrate another FA Cup winCredit: GettyHaaland’s collectionTotal cost – £7.95million.Bugatti Tourbillon – £4million.Mercedes AMG One – £2.7million.Ferrari 812 Superfast – £320,000.Rolls Royce Cullinan – £300,000.Porsche 911 GT3 – £250,000.Mercedes Maybach – £250,000.Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe AMG 63 S 4Matic – £130,000. More

  • in

    Prem clubs with most arrests for Class A drugs on match days revealed – where does your club rank?

    THE most arrests for Class A drugs on match days in Premier League grounds were at Manchester’s United and City stadiums, figures reveal.The league table of shame for the past two seasons also includes West Ham, Liverpool and Newcastle among the worst offenders.The Manchester rivals account for one in five of all Class A drug arrests at the 20 Premier League grounds. Police made 15 inside both City’s Etihad stadium and at United’s Old Trafford.One in seven arrests at Prem grounds are for Class A drugs. There were 54 in 2022-23 and 99 last year. Read More on SportIpswich were the only club with none.Home Office stats were analysed by betting service TipMan Tips, which said: “These figures show that drug possession is a prevalent issue across all the Premier League clubs.“They highlight the need for a police presence at football matches to prevent drugs getting inside stadiums.“The fear is however that many more people are getting away with bringing illegal substances into football stadiums.”Most read in FootballMoment scandal-hit Prem ref David Coote snorts white powder in shocking video during Euro 2024Number of arrests for Class A drug possession inside Premier League grounds during the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasonsManchester City – 15Manchester United – 15West Ham United – 13Liverpool – 13Newcastle United – 12Arsenal – 11Fulham – 9Chelsea – 9Everton – 9Crystal Palace – 8Nottingham Forest – 7Wolverhampton Wanderers – 6Tottenham Hotspur – 6Bournemouth – 5Southampton – 4Brighton – 4Aston Villa – 3Leicester City – 3Brentford – 2Ipswich – 0The most arrests for Class A drugs on match days in Premier League grounds were at Manchester’s United and City stadiums, figures revealCredit: Getty More

  • in

    Ex-West Ham star Dimitri Payet beat me up & made me film sick sex acts, ex lover tells cops as ace faces police probe

    FORMER West Ham star Dimitri Payet has been accused of “physical, moral, psychological and sexual violence” during a seven-month affair.Ex-lover Larissa Ferrari reported the married midfielder to police last month over claims he forced her to film degrading videos and assaulted her during a ­campaign of abuse.Ex-lover Larissa Ferrari accused the ex-West Ham ace of ‘physical, moral, psychological and sexual violence’Credit: NewsflashThe footballer struck up a conversation with Larissa, 28, over Instagram last August using a fake profile, claims LarissaCredit: NewsflashLarissa showed The Sun on Sunday pictures of bruises, which she also handed to policeThe Brazilian lawyer alleged that former French international Payet, 38, even made her take part in a fake wedding and wear a ring to “prove her love”.Last night police in Rio de Janeiro — where Payet now plays — confirmed they have opened an investigation into him.Speaking in Rio, mum-of-two Larissa told The Sun on Sunday: “He’s a sick monster. I was scared for my life, and I’m still scared.“I not only want justice but to also help other women who are blindly allowing their partners to abuse them.”Read more on Dimitri PayetPayet spent 18 months with West Ham before Marseille paid £25million for him in January 2017. He then moved to Rio in 2023 after signing for Vasco de Gama.The footballer struck up a conversation with Larissa, 28, over Instagram last August. She claims that Payet, who has four children with wife Ludivine in France, used a fake profile. They then started messaging on WhatsApp.Larissa, who knew the star was married, flew 1,500 miles from her home in the state of Parana to meet him in Rio’s Windsor Hotel where his team were staying before a match.Asked for ‘weird things’She said: “He was very sweet and romantic. It was a very intense date and the following day I went to watch him play. He was so attentive and there was lots of hugging and kissing. I thought he seemed like a lovely man.”Most read in FootballAs the relationship grew, they started staying together for days at a time.Larissa said: “I opened up to him. I told him I had just come out of a relationship and that I was mentally fragile and he was very supportive. It felt like he was my shelter.”However Larissa said that in October he started to ask for “weird things” and told her to dress up as a bride.She said: “We had a fake wedding. He said it was an official moment of us entering into a real relationship.“He never mentioned his wife and I didn’t like to ask him about her. He asked me to buy a wedding ring to wear and told me that he would never leave me.”Larissa said she stopped dating other people and they acted as a “normal couple”. But in early December Larissa’s pal posted on social media a snap of two match tickets Payet had given them.Larissa claimed Payet became aggressive and screamed at her. She said: “This was the first time I saw this side of him.“He said he was the only person I could trust. He then told me he was going to punish me and would go to France for 30 days back to his family. He told me that when he came back I would be sexually punished as well.”Payet spent 18 months with Premier League side West HamCredit: PA:Press AssociationLarissa wearing bridal gear for ‘ceremony’When Payet returned to Rio in January, Larissa went to see him.She alleged he kicked her and beat her up and then had violent sex with her.Larissa showed The Sun on Sunday pictures of bruises. She also handed them to police.She recalled: “Within seconds of me arriving at his house he said, ‘Now your punishment starts’.“I felt like I deserved it though, as he had manipulated me into believing that I needed to be punished for our relationship to continue. I was vulnerable and I didn’t want him to leave me.“I knew I was being hurt but I couldn’t stop it as it felt like a condition for us to stay together.”The next day Larissa said Payet “rewarded” her and sent a driver to take her to watch him play from a VIP box.He said that we already knew that I was a ‘whore’ and that I needed to prove to him with videos reflecting that.Larissa FerrariOn January 22 another footballer reached out to her on Instagram and they started messaging but Larissa insisted it was friendly and that she told Payet.Wiping tears from her eyes, Larissa went on: “He got really mad and started calling me a ‘bitch’. He said that I was cheating on him.“He told me that I had seven days to prove that I really loved him. I didn’t know what to do to prove to him. I said I would get a tattoo of his name but he said that wasn’t enough.“He said he wasn’t with me as he was in Rio and I was home so I needed to punish myself as he wasn’t here to do it.“He said that we already knew that I was a ‘whore’ and that I needed to prove to him with videos reflecting that.”In text messages seen by The Sun on Sunday, Payet asked for “humiliating” sexual videos of Larissa. WhatsApp messages also show Payet asking for “disgusting acts” to prove her love.Payet and his wife Ludivine, a mum of fourCredit: AFPLarrisa claims Payet made her wear a wedding ringLarissa said that she sent shocking videos to Payet of her deg­rading herself as she was desperate for his approval and “really loved him”.She added: “They were really horrible things like putting my head in the toilet. He seemed happy at first that I had sent the videos he wanted, but then he kept asking for more.”Larissa said she rented an apartment in Rio in February to be close to him, only for him to leave her bruised once more.She said: “He said I was a ‘slag’ because I’m a Brazilian woman. What scared me was that I started to believe that I deserved it all.“None of my family or friends knew what was happening.”Pictures seen by The Sun on Sunday and police show bruises on Larissa’s buttocks, legs and arms.She finally gained the courage to end the relationship last month after attending therapy following a panic attack.Larissa said: “I was emotionally fragile and he knew that, which was how he was able to manipulate me so that he could do whatever he wanted with me.“I paid for every plane ticket and every stay to go and see him.“One week I had to take a bus instead of a plane and, as I was longer than he wanted me to be, he started abusing me on the phone.When I stepped off the bus in Rio I just collapsed and had a panic attack.Something in me snapped and I started having therapy which helped me realise that I didn’t deserve this.Larissa Ferrari“I got on the first plane back to my home city without seeing him.“Something in me snapped and I started having therapy which helped me realise that I didn’t deserve this.”Larissa said Payet’s behaviour changed and that he became “very sweet” and even asked her to live with him.She added: “I felt I had to try to protect myself. I went to a newspaper in Brazil to tell them about us — but at this point I didn’t mention the abuse as I wanted to go to the police first.”News broke of their alleged affair on March 22 and one week later Larissa contacted the police.Documents seen by The Sun on Sunday show she made an online report claiming she suffered “physical, moral, psychological and sexual violence”.According to the official report, Larissa’s lawyer said she was “assaulted by Dimitri Payet, which left marks on her body”.On March 30, Larissa filed an additional police report in Parana at a station specialising in assisting women requesting “emergency protective measures” against Payet.A forensic and psychological examination was carried out and police opened an investigation into her claims on March 30.Read More on The SunDefiant Larissa said: “I want to teach women the signals that sometimes we don’t see — especially if you’re a young girl falling for a powerful rich man.” Payet was approached for comment.Domestic abuse – how to get help DOMESTIC abuse can affect anyone – including men – and does not always involve physical violence.Here are some signs that you could be in an abusive relationship:Emotional abuse – Including being belittled, blamed for the abuse – gaslighting – being isolated from family and friends, having no control over your finances, what you where and who you speak toThreats and intimidation – Some partners might threaten to kill or hurt you, destroy your belongings, stalk or harass you Physical abuse – This can range from slapping or hitting to being shoved over, choked or bitten.Sexual abuse – Being touched in a way you do not want to be touched, hurt during sex, pressured into sex or forced to have sex when you do not consent.If any of the above apply to you or a friend, you can call these numbers:Remember, you are not alone.1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men will experience domestic abuse over the course of their lifetime.Every 30 seconds the police receive a call for help relating to domestic abuse. More

  • in

    Thibaut Courtois’ wife Mishel Gerzig stuns in striped bikini after topping prestigious Forbes list

    REAL Madrid Wag Mishel Gerzig has earned her stripes as an influencer – in one of the world’s most prestigious magazines.The Israeli model, 27, is wife of the Spanish club’s Belgian international goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, 32.Mishel Gerzig stuns in striped bikini after topping a prestigeous Forbes listCredit: AsosThibaut Courtois with stunning wife Mishel GerzigCredit: instagram @mishelgerzigAnd the mum of one has made the annual list of 30 personalities aged under 30 picked by international business publication Forbes.They are chosen for making an impact across a range of industries.She is owner of a sports-focused VIP concierge business called Be The One as well as a natural cosmetics company.She gushed to fans on Instagram: “So excited to share I was chosen for Forbes 30 under 30! Thankful for this recognition.”READ MORE ON WAGSMishel has amassed a huge social media following on the site with 880,000 subscribers.She married ex-Chelsea stopper Courtois in June 2023 and they have a daughter, Ellie, aged 10 months.Gerzig, who began her modelling career aged 13, has also served in the Israel Defence Forces as a navy commander.Watch Thibaut Courtois bizarrely throw cake at fan at Tomorrowland in ‘most random crossover of 2024’ More

  • in

    Mum of Man City star Phil Foden puts £3m mansion up for sale after clashing with neighbours over ‘noise’

    MAN City ace Phil Foden’s mum is moving home — after a week in which she was abused by fans.Footie star Phil bought the five-bed mansion in 2021 and lived there with mum Claire Rowlands and dad Phil Sr.Mum of Man City star Phil Foden has put her £3m mansion up for sale after clashing with neighbours over ‘noise’Credit: Peter Powell LimitedClaire and Phil Sr have been caught up in noise rows with neighbours after hosting several partiesCredit: https://www.instagram.com/p/BrOHNDrgVS0/?hl=en&img_index=1But he later moved out with fiancée Rebecca Cooke, with whom he has three young children.Now the property in the North West is on the market for offers in excess of £3million — £150,000 more than he paid for it.It boasts a swimming pool, gym, cinema room, golf simulator and a wine cellar.But Claire and Phil Sr have been caught up in noise rows with neighbours after hosting several parties.READ MORE ON PHIL FODENA source said: “Phil and his family had some great times in that house. He then moved out but it was nice that his parents were just round the corner.“They had some issues with neighbours, but Phil has now moved away to the countryside so perhaps his parents are following suit.”Phil, who was not in City’s squad yesterday for the 5-2 win over Crystal Palace, was contacted for comment.He was upset following last Sunday’s Manchester derby after United fans chanted slurs about his mother.Most read in FootballYesterday, his gran Mary Keates said: “These people need to have a good look at themselves. Claire is a wonderful woman and mother.“It really upset the whole family, it’s disgusting. It makes me feel sick.”Moment Pep Guardiola launches furious F-word rant at ‘unacceptable’ Phil Foden captured in Man City documentary More