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      Luis Rubiales detained on arrival at Madrid airport as former Spanish FA chief is transferred to police headquarters

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      ‘KISSGATE’ scandal former Spanish FA boss Luis Rubiales was met by police today as he flew back to Spain from the Caribbean.Detectives were waiting for him as he stepped off an Air Europa flight from the Dominican Republic which landed at Madrid’s Barajas Airport just after 10.30am local time.Luis Rubiales has been arrested on alleged corruption chargesCredit: EPARubiales has been embroiled in scandal since his ‘unwanted’ kissing of Jenni Hermoso following Spain’s World Cup victoryCredit: GettySpeculation rose overnight the 46-year-old father-of-three would be arrested and brought out of the arrivals area in handcuffs to be met by an army of journalists and photographers waiting for him.In the end he was driven away in a police van waiting for him on the runway.He is set to be taken to a police station where he is expected to be formally read his rights and handed a court summons as part of an ongoing corruption probe linked to his time as head of the Spanish FA.The investigation focuses on business deals thought to include one to hold the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia.READ MORE ON LUIS RUBIALESA judge is expected to question him in a closed court hearing in the coming days before being released on bail pending an ongoing probe.The investigation, led by a judge based in Majadahonda on the outskirts of Madrid, is unrelated to the separate ‘Kissgate’ probe.Last month public prosecutors involved in that case said they were seeking a two-and-a-half year prison sentence over the “unwanted” kiss Rubiales gave footballer Jenni Hermoso following Spain’s World Cup women’s team’s finals victory over England last August.They said in an indictment sent to Madrid-based judge Francisco de Jorge they wanted him jailed for a year if he was found guilty at trial of sexual assault and another one and a half years for coercion linked to his alleged attempts to get the footballer to speak out in his defence following his World Cup kiss.Most read in FootballHermoso recently testified at a Madrid court – a trial has not yet been setCredit: EPACASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSAround the same time Spanish public prosecutors asked for Rubiales to be arrested over alleged financial irregularities while he was in charge of the Spanish FA.Rubiales’ home in the southern Spanish city of Granada was one of several properties searched on March 20 but he was already in the Caribbean.Disgraced Spain FA chief Luis Rubiales’ mum ‘rushed to hospital’ on 3rd day of her hunger strike over kiss scandalRubiales had already said he would return to Spain and insisted it would be on April 6 but overnight it emerged he had changed his travel plans.He is thought to have avoided an embarrassing arrest, and a photo of him in handcuffs, after confirming his voluntary return ahead of and after a Spanish police operation in the Dominican Republic on Monday with assistance from local officers.He rescheduled his return to Madrid after Spanish police investigators flew to the Caribbean and confiscated his phone and laptop during a reported search of the property he has been staying at on the Caribbean island.Rubiales has denied any wrongdoing in both the ongoing corruption probe and the ‘Kissgate’ case.In a TV interview with Spanish journalist Ana Pastor, set to be screened tonight on La Sexta, he will deny  allegations he embezzled millions of pounds from the Spanish FA and insist: “My money is the product of my work and my savings.”He is also expected to accuse the judge who charged him with coercion and sexual assault over his ‘unwanted’ Jenni Hermoso kiss of manipulation by saying: “I think his way of describing my words is manipulative.”His mother had locked herself in a church in Granada as part of a hunger strike, she was rushed to hospital three days laterCredit: APFurious demonstrations demanded the removal of Rubiales following the World Cup last yearCredit: APA clip of the interview released overnight shows Rubiales, who went to the Dominican Republic earlier this year for work reasons, reacting angrily to claims by Ana Pastor his defence has involved attacking the football player.Pastor was on the same plane as the former Spanish FA chief, who had seat number 25L, and described the flight as ‘eventful’ saying there had been turbulence and several people had fainted.Defiant Rubiales promised to “defend his innocence” after announcing on September 10 last year he was quitting as Spanish FA president following the ‘Kissgate’ scandal. He was subsequently banned from football by FIFA for three years.He tweeted as his resignation decision to resign was made public: “I will defend my honourability. I will defend my innocence.“I have faith in the future. I have faith in the truth. Thanks to everybody.”He finished his tweet by posting a photo of the Spanish flag.Rubiales, who had apologised for grabbing his crotch during the post-final World Cup celebrations in front of Spain’s Queen Letizia and her 16-year-old daughter, had said in a lengthy statement before announcing his decision to quit: “The spontaneity and happiness of the historic moment led us to carry out a mutual and consensual act, a product of great enthusiasm.“At no time was there any aggression, indeed, there was not even the slightest discomfort, but an overflowing joy in both of us.”He resigned as Spanish FA Chief in September last yearCredit: ReutersRubiales’ 72-year-old mum Angeles Bejar went on hunger strike at a church in her son’s hometown of Motril near Granada for two days after being rushed to hospital 48 hours into her protest.She said at the time she had launched it to get Jenni to “tell the truth” about the kiss.Speaking from the inside of the church before falling ill, she said: “I just want the truth to be told.“She knows my son is very honest. If she tells the truth everything will be fixed.”No date for his trial over his Jenni Hermoso kiss has yet been announced.Rubiales has not been formally charged with any crime as part of Operation Brody, the ongoing probe linked to alleged irregularities while he was still Spanish FA president.READ MORE SUN STORIESA judge is however investigating him on suspicion of crimes including corruption and money laundering.Overnight respected Spanish daily El Mundo said police investigators have concluded Rubiales diverted at least EUROS 3.8 million (POUNDS 3.25 million) from the Spanish FA to a construction firm that paid him kickbacks through a company controlled by a close friend. More

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      Man Utd make unusual change to travel plans for 8pm Brentford clash in desperate bid to have crocked stars available

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      MANCHESTER UNITED have made the rare decision to travel to an away match on the day of the game. United face Brentford at 8pm tonight and would usually fly into the capital a day before kick off.Rasmus Hojlund smiles as he makes his wayCredit: Eamonn and James ClarkeHarry Maguire made the tripCredit: Eamonn and James ClarkeAs did the returning Lisandro MartinezCredit: Eamonn and James ClarkeBruno Fernandes grabbed a morning coffeeCredit: Eamonn and James ClarkeBut the club decided to travel just hours before the match is due to start. Capitalising on the late kick off time, it allows United’s crocked stars extra time to recover from injury or illness.Newly-capped England international Kobbie Mainoo missed training on Thursday as he was unwell but returned to Carrington on Friday.United usually tell unwell players to stay away from the first team to reduce the risk of a virus spreading.READ MORE ON MAN UTDManager Erik ten Hag said on Friday: “Yesterday he skipped training because he was ill. I don’t know (if he will be fit for Brentford). “We hope. Today he is there (in training), not fully recovered but we still have many hours before tomorrow with kick-off at 8pm.”The Dutchman was givena huge boost by Lisandro Martinez, who is poised to return for the first time in eight weeks after being sidelined with a medial collateral ligament.Casemiro is back doing outdoor training after missing the FA Cup quarter-final win over Liverpool with a hamstring injury. Most read in FootballTen Hag suggested the Brazilian would return to the squad against Brentford.Alejandro Garnacho was snapped making his wayCredit: Eamonn and James ClarkeMason Mount was all smiles in Man Utd gearCredit: Eamonn and James ClarkeRaphael Varane made his wayCredit: Eamonn and James ClarkeCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSUnited are due to make a late assessment on Jonny Evans’ fitness after the centre-back picked up a knock in recent weeks.Harry Maguire also sustained injury on international duty with England and remains a doubt for the Brentford clash, even though he did travel0It was not clear though whether Mainoo was on the plane to London, with doubts remaining over his availability.Luke Shaw shows off his football skills at Man Utd training More

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      England face nightmare SIX-HOUR coach trip for crunch Euro 2024 clash after new rule bans them from catching flight

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      ENGLAND’S stars are facing a potential SIX-HOUR round coach trip for the European Championship group clash with Denmark.And the gruelling journey is all down to Uefa’s sustainability rules.
      Gareth Southgate’s England are doing their part to help Uefa make Euro 2024 greenCredit: PA
      The Three Lions face a potential six-hour round trip to their second group gameCredit: Getty
      European football’s governing body are spending £25m on several sustainability measures after vowing to make the tournament in Germany the greenest ever.
      One of those measures is asking qualified nations to avoid travelling to matches via air wherever possible.
      The Daily Mail have stated that Uefa’s guidance is believed to have stated “that it is reasonable to expect sides to make journeys of around three hours by road or rail in order to cut emissions”.
      However, it was also reported that this has not been mandated.
      READ MORE ON FOOTBALL
      Now the same publication is claiming that after talks with England boss Gareth Southgate, the Football Association have decided that they will follow Uefa’s directive.
      The Three Lions’ second game in Group C is in Frankfurt, which is 180 miles from their Golfrestort Weimarer Land training camp near Leipzig, against Denmark.
      England’s two other group games, against Serbia and Slovenia, will be staged in Gelsenkirchen and Cologne, which are both over four hours away from their base.
      Therefore, coach travel “has been deemed impractical” for those journeys but is being planned for the Denmark showdown.
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      The FA declined to comment.
      Such a long trip by road has become somewhat of a rare occurrence, much to the dismay of environmental campaigners.
      Euro 2024 draw live coverage hit with ‘sex noises’ as Gary Lineker prankster strikes again
      Players have become more used to travelling to games in flights in just a matter of minutes, with Arsenal flying to Norwich and Manchester United jetting to Leicester both being heavily criticised over recent years.
      The nearest airport to England’s base is 30 miles away at Erfurt-Weimar.
      Finalised travel plans must be submitted to Uefa by England and the other qualified nations by February 24.
      The Olympic Stadium in Berlin is the only other stadium within driving distance of England’s tournament HQ.
      But even that is further than Uefa’s three-hour guidelines. More

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      Premier League star spoken to by manager for taking EIGHT MINUTE flight to training as fans say ‘sport is finished’

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      EVERTON boss Sean Dyche reprimanded Arnaut Danjuma for flying from Manchester to Liverpool for training.Villarreal loanee Danjuma has reportedly been commuting from Manchester Airport to Liverpool airport to link up with his team-mates.
      Everton ace Arnaut Danjuma takes eight-minute flights to trainingCredit: Getty
      Everton boss Sean Dyche spoke to Danjuma describing his commute as ‘excessive’Credit: Getty
      And that is a flight that takes only EIGHT minutes give or take.
      Dyche revealed he had a sit-down with the winger to address this bizarre travel arrangement.
      The 52-year-old tactician described it as “excessive” and hinted this is just part of “modern players'” mentality.
      Dyche said during the pre-match press conference before Sunday’s Premier League clash with Aston Villa: “Well, I had a word with him.
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      “I said it seems excessive to go from Manchester Airport to Liverpool Airport for training.
      “But you know, these modern players… Personally I would use a car but that’s the modern players.
      “You know, they need to look after themselves and get their rest.”
      Shocked fans took to social media and reacted with absolute disbelief upon hearing about Danjuma’s commute.
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      One fan tweeted: “D grade ballers flying into training everyday… Sport is finished.”
      Another gushed: “Mate.”
      A third wondered: “Really?”
      This fan commented: “Who is he man?”
      And that one said: “That’s awful, less than an hour drive.”
      Danjuma joined Everton on loan after failing to stand out at Tottenham last season as part of a similar arrangement with Villarreal.
      The Netherlands international has attracted interest from Lyon who wish to sign him in the January transfer window.
      However, the Toffees are not keen on letting the 26-year-old go midseason, especially after Dwight McNeil’s recent injury. More

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      England fans receive huge money-saving Euro 2024 boost from Uefa after Three Lions seal qualification

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      ENGLAND fans will be able to get round Germany for free after UEFA announced a travel pass for Euro 2024 supporters.Three Lions supporters as well as their Scottish counterparts will be able to start planning next summer’s trip after the Finals draw in Hamburg on December 2.
      England fans will be able to get a travel pass for free public transport at Euro 2024 next summer
      And now they can cut some of their costs following Uefa’s confirmation that free travel on public transport will be available for ticket holders.
      UEFA announced an agreement German transport chiefs offering a 36-hour travel pass alongside every match ticket for the tournament played in 10 cities between June 14 and July 14.
      The passes will come into effect at 6am on match day and run until midnight the following day.
      England qualified for Euro 2024 with a 3-1 win over Italy on Tuesday.
      Read More on Football
      Gareth Southgate’s side went 1-0 down within the opening 15 minutes after ex-West Ham striker Gianluca Scamacca broke the deadlock.
      Harry Kane then equalised from the penalty spot before Marcus Rashford fired the Three Lions into the lead.
      Captain Kane then sealed the win with an impressive solo strike.
      After the match, the striker told Channel 4: “Qualifying is never easy.
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      “Sometimes we are just expected to go to the big tournaments but we have seen in the past it is not as easy as it looks.
      “We went 1-0 behind and stayed calm. We knew we could get the winner and we have done it.”
      Meanwhile, Scotland qualified for next summer’s tournament after Norway failed to defeat Spain earlier this week. More

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      Chelsea Supporters’ Trust slam club for removing £10 fan subsidy for away travel ‘while breaking transfer record twice’

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      CHELSEA supporters are fuming after the club announced plans to stop subsidising away fan travel.The Blues used to provide supporters with a £10 subsidy for domestic away travel on official club coaches.
      Chelsea have done away with a £10 fan subsidy for official coach travel for away gamesCredit: PA
      The Chelsea Supporters Trust has slammed the decisonCredit: CHELSEA SUPPORTERS’ TRUST
      But they have made the unpopular decision to do away with the subsidy in an apparent bid to cut costs, which has enraged many of the Stamford Bridge faithful.
      An excerpt of a statement from the club’s supporters’ trust read: “Chelsea Football Club (CFC) has today announced that it will remove the full coach subsidy for away domestic travel.
      “The appalling decision will force those who rely on the service to pay significantly more to travel to away fixtures.
      “Despite representations from The Chelsea Supporters’ Trust (CST) and coach users, CFC has unfortunately decided that maintaining the £10 subsidy is not ‘financially sustainable.'”
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      The CST will dip into their own pocket to subsidise fan travel for the Blues’ trip to Bournemouth a fortnight on Sunday.
      The removal of the £10 subsidy is particularly stinging given Chelsea’s recent splurges in the transfer market over the last year, during which they have TWICE broken the British transfer record to sign Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo.
      The CST tweeted: “Breaking the British transfer record twice in a year is fine, but a £10 subsidised coach is where Chelsea draws the line.”
      Blues fans voiced their fury on social media, with one tweeting: “That’s shocking, should be reversed immediately.”
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      Chelsea broke the bank this summer to sign Moises CaicedoCredit: GETTY
      Another said: “Really? This is seriously laughable.”
      And another said: “Shocking, but, unfortunately, not entirely surprising decision.”
      One remarked: “Terrible decision by the club on top of our women’s season tickets going up by so much.
      “Pricing the most loyal supporters out of the game.”
      Another chimed in: “This is absolutely pathetic from Chelsea’s owners.”
      Chelsea have yet to issue a response to the immense backlash their unpopular decision has received.
      The West Londoners will be back in action on Wednesday night, welcoming AFC Wimbledon to Stamford Bridge for their Carabao Cup second-round tie.
      SunSport has reached out to Chelsea Football Club for comment. More

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      Ex-porn star & WAG Mia Etcheverria busted ‘smuggling 14lbs of cocaine on flight to Spain’ as she faces 18 years in jail

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      A FORMER porn star is among five arrested after being suspected of “smuggling 14lbs of cocaine on a flight to Spain” and now faces 18 years in jail.Mia Etcheverria, two other women, and two men were seized at Carrasco International Airport, Uruguay, as they attempted to board a flight to Madrid.
      Mia Etcheverria was one of five arrested after being caught ‘smuggling cocaine’ on a flight to SpainCredit: Newsflash
      Six slabs – 14lbs – of coke was seized from the suitcaseCredit: Newsflash
      Mia is an ex of footballer Richard Morales, who played for Osasuna and Malaga during his senior club careerCredit: Facebook
      The five were stopped by the Uruguayan cops during a routine check on one of the men, aged 29, on June 24.
      Officers found that his two suitcases had hidden compartments containing six slabs of a white, powdery substance with a total weight of 14lbs.
      The police then pulled aside the rest of his group – three women, aged 26, 27, and 36, and a 35-year-old man.
      One of the women has been identified as former porn actress and model Mia Etcheverria, 27, who was once in a relationship with retired footballer Richard Morales.
      READ MORE ON FOOTBALL
      Morales, 48, made 27 appearances for Uruguay between 2001 and 2005 and played for Osasuna and Malaga during his senior club career.
      The five suspects have been hit with charges related to “attempted drug exportation”.
      Four, including Mia, are currently in custody as the police search for a sixth person in relation to the case.
      Mia’s lawyer, Pablo Casas, is claiming that his client “was unaware of the contents of the suitcases”.
      Most read in Football
      He told local media: “The conclusions that she collaborated, that she was aware of the contents, and that she simply passed those suitcases are incorrect.”
      Mia – real name Camila Navarro – from Las Piedras, was one of the main stars on Uruguayan adult channel Divas TV.
      She has two daughters with Morales, who, following her arrest, has said he will pay her legal fees.
      He said in a statement: “Nowadays, more than ever, my only priority is my daughters and their well-being, and I will protect them from any media exposure related to this issue.”
      The Ministry of the Interior of Uruguay said in a statement: “In the morning hours of Saturday, 24th June, personnel from the Carrasco International Airport Delegation, belonging to the General Directorate for the Repression of Illicit Drug Trafficking (DGRTID), were conducting checks in the check-in area of a flight bound for Madrid when they detected a passenger with a possible risk profile.
      “After verifying his itinerary, a routine inspection of his luggage was requested, which the passenger authorised. He was escorted to the inspection room while the three women travelling with him remained in the check-in area”.
      They revealed that the passenger was identified as a 29-year-old Uruguayan citizen whose luggage contained the six slabs of cocaine.
      “Furthermore, two vehicles used for the transportation of all these individuals were identified, and £770 and four mobile phones were seized from them”.
      The individual who officials believed was the organiser of the illegal activity was identified and an arrest warrant was requested.
      “The Justice system initiated a formal investigation regarding the passenger who had the slabs in his suitcase “for his alleged involvement in an offence stipulated in Article 31 of Decree Law 14, 294, in the form of attempted drug exportation”, the statement read.
      Two of the women and the second man identified at the airport were charged “for their alleged involvement in an offence stipulated in Article 31 of Decree Law 14, 294, in the form of attempted drug exportation as co-perpetrators”.
      And the third woman was reportedly charged “for her alleged involvement in an offence stipulated in Article 31 of Decree Law 14,294, in the form of attempted drug exportation as an accomplice”.
      Read More On The Sun
      For the first four individuals, pretrial detention was ordered, while the last woman was placed under total house arrest with an electronic monitoring device, all for a period of 90 days.
      The investigation is ongoing.
      Under Uruguay laws, Mia could now face up to 18 years in prisonCredit: Newsflash
      Mia, 27, is also a former porn star and modelCredit: Newsflash More

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      Raging England fans STRANDED after travel operator cancels trip to Naples for Euro 2024 qualifier at last-minute

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      ENGLAND fans have been left raging having been stranded after a travel operator cancelled a trip to Naples for the Euro 2024 qualifier at the last minute.The FA’s official travel partner Sportsworld pulled the plug just days before Gareth Southgate’s men are due to face Italy.
      A police car is set alight during clashes between fans and police ahead of the Champions League match between Napoli and Eintracht Frankfurt in NaplesCredit: Reuters
      England fans have been left stranded just days before Gareth Southgate’s men are due to face Italy in Naples in the Euro 2024 qualifierCredit: PA
      Some 2,500 supporters were expected to make the trip for the match on Thursday night, with many now likely to miss out.
      Naples is already on high alert after trouble broke out in the southern Italian city when yobs clashed with police.
      Footage appeared to show both sets of supporters attacking police.
      Travel company Sportsworld emailed fans late on Friday night to confirm that all arrangements had been scrapped.
      Read More in Euro 2024
      The firm blamed the violence in Naples as a factor in the decision although it is believed uncertainty from the Italian authorities regarding return flights was the main reason, the Mail on Sunday reports.
      Supporters were told in an email, seen by the paper, that: “It is our policy never to cancel any trips, no matter the reason, but we unfortunately have no choice at this late stage.
      “We have been planning this trip for months, but the events in Naples this week have certainly impacted the situation.
      “We understand you may be angry and will feel let down at this news.
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      “We are also truly disheartened with the outcome and apologise for the inconvenience this has caused.”
      England fans have branded the decision as a “disgrace” and have urged the FA to sack Sportsworld as an official travel partner.
      Supporters have now been left with having to make frantic last-minute travel arrangements for themselves.
      Sportsworld initially emailed fans on Friday afternoon, saying they had not been able to confirm a return flight in time from Naples nor provide a clear transport plan during the day.
      It asked fans if they wanted them to find alternative arrangements or cancel the trip.
      Nearly 70 per cent of responses are believed to have wanted Sportsworld to proceed with finding other travel arrangements.
      The firm then sent another email just after 8pm to confirm the trip had been cancelled.
      It told fans they would refund the total cost of the trip, in excess of £350, plus an extra £41 per person, believed to be the cost of the match ticket.
      Despite this, some England fans say they are still out of pocket.
      Alan Houghton told the paper he was “annoyed and frustrated” and would not be travelling.
      He said he has had to cancel a £60 hotel room at Gatwick airport which was booked separately for the night before the flight, with no hope of getting a refund.
      Mr Houghton had originally made a booking with a different company, Sports Options, only for them to cancel plans three weeks ago because the authorities in Italy could not make a decision on return flights.
      One angry fan wrote on Twitter: “Cancelling the travel for the Italy v England game in Naples with just five days notice – what a disgrace.
      Read More on The Sun
      “Won’t be using your company again and the FA should pull your official travel partner status.”
      When approached by the Mail on Sunday, Sportsworld did not respond to a request for comment on why it took so long to make their decision.
      An estimated 300 hooligans caused the chaos in Naples
      Chairs and flares were thrown at Italian cops More