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      Sudan is engaged in murderous civil war and stadiums have become graveyards but football brings a touch of humanity

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      SUDAN is engaged in a murderous civil war and yet football carries on, bringing a touch of humanity amid terrible suffering.Football is a long way from perfection but time and plenty of wars have shown that it motivates people and brings moments of grace among the desolation.Sudan reaching the Africa Cup of Nations finals has provided a glimpse of relief for the war-hit countryCredit: Instagram @sfa1936Most people know of the Christmas Day 1914 kickabout in a brief truce between German troops and British squaddies.On a later occasion, our soldiers were provided with footballs to kick as they charged enemy lines.Women played their part in that war and many munitions factories formed football teams.Shortly afterwards, the FA stopped this with a ban that prevented official women’s football for 50 years, claiming it was undignified.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLMaybe, but the huge crowds they were drawing, 50,000 for one in Preston, caused official annoyance.Football is only “war” in the over-heated imagination of terrace drunks, psychopaths and plain idiots and only once, thank goodness, has it been a major cause.It happened after a 1969 World Cup qualifier between El Salvador and Honduras whose governments were already a long way from comradeship as neighbours in central America.The war lasted only four days but more than 2,000 people were killed and three El Salvador planes shot down.Most read in FootballWar as a backdrop is fairly common. In Sudan, it is life and death. About 150,000 people have been slaughtered and 14million displaced from homes. Football grounds around the capital, Khartoum, have become graveyards.James Kwesi Appiah managed Ghana twice and has now guided Sudan to a place in the Africa Cup of Nations finalsCredit: EPASo far Sudan have played home matches in five neighbouring African countries. Their head coach James Kwesi Appiah says: “Most of the time when we are in camp, a message will come that one of the players has lost a family member. It’s happened about five times.“Why can’t we all do something to let these guys achieve, so that at least the people back home will be happy?”Appiah, former Ghana captain and coach, has led Sudan to a place in the Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco in a year’s time and within hailing distance of the 2026 World Cup.It is an amazing achievement. And in the hell of Sudan, it is a mental haven of hope.When war gives way to fanaticism, results can be striking.In Afghanistan, the male-run Taliban outlawed women’s sport and the world in general has nodded acceptance.There have been no sanctions and so the country’s men — useless at football, useful at cricket — carry on, undisturbed by controversy or embarrassment.Neither war nor pestilence can keep a good team down.Why should they? Only men matter there.A few women have overcome this apartheid. The Afghan cricket team fled to Australia, whose cricket authority offered a sole protest on their behalf by refusing to play a men’s match against the rogue country.The International Cricket Council have remained silent and, far from any boycott, Afghan’s men’s team are flourishing.So is the Ukrainian Premier League, which defied the Russian invasion, and has just signed a new TV contract. The 16-team competition has only ever been halted by Covid.Shakhtar Donetsk and Dynamo Kyiv dominate the top places since the league was formed after the country’s split from Russia.READ MORE SUN STORIESIndeed, after the invasion Shakhtar left Donetsk for Kyiv where, along with Dynamo and Metalist 1925, they share the 70,500 capacity Olympic stadium.Proving neither war nor pestilence can keep a good team down. More

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      in Boxing

      Oleksandr Usyk gets Tyson Fury to sign photo of first fight and vows to sell it to raise funds for Ukrainian troops

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      OLEKSANDR USYK got Tyson Fury to sign a picture from their first fight – so he can raise funds for the brave soldiers fighting back home.Usyk was ready to put his boxing career on hold to sign up and defend Ukraine after Russia’s invasion in 2022. Oleksandr Usyk got Tyson Fury to sign a picture from their first fightCredit: PAUsyk plans to donate the money to help Ukrainian soldiersCredit: PAAnd it took the government to convince the heavyweight hero to continue boxing – beating both Anthony Joshua and Fury in the process. His May victory over Fury saw Usyk become the heavyweight division’s first four-belt undisputed champion. Ahead of their December 21 rematch, Usyk rocked up to the pre-fight press conference dressed as Agent 47 from the Hitman video game. And he carried a mysterious brief case – later revealing a picture of himself landing a brutal punch on Fury was inside it. READ MORE IN BOXINGUsyk, 37, then asked Fury, 36, to sign the photo. But he later revealed plans to sell the picture to raise funds for the brave soldiers fighting on the frontline back home. He told DAZN: “I sell this picture and help my Ukrainian soldiers.” Fury looks to avenge the only defeat of his career as an underdog for the first time since his 2020 rematch with Deontay Wilder. Most read in BoxingThat ended in a knockout win for Fury – something he is looking to replicate against Usyk. He said: “It’s actually been about four and a half years. Last time was the Wilder II fight when I was the underdog. Usyk Vs Fury 2 Launch Event entrances”What’s going through my mind? I’m just looking forward to a fantastic fight. Last time in May it was a fantastic fight. “Oleksandr won the fight fair and square. [I’m] just looking to put on a great fight again. It was very close last time; he got it by a point. “A little bit more focus, a little bit more lack of complacency and I should do the job I need to do. “Nothing drastic has to change. A bit more of the same. A bit more focus, like I say, and I will be victorious.“I believe it will be my time next time and I believe all things that happen, negative or positive, are lessons. “We must learn from the things we go through in our lives, and we can only do the best we can do as human beings and as boxers and as fathers and as husbands. “We can only do the best we can do as men. And what we know how to do best is go in there and knock fuck out of each other in a fight and put on a show for the paying customer.”Usyk shows off the signed pictureCredit: AFP More

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      in Soccer

      James McAtee pays tribute to tragic pal George Baldock as Man City star scores dramatic late double in England U21s win

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      JAMES McATEE paid tribute to George Baldock after firing a late double to seal an epic comeback over Ukraine.McAtee lifted his shirt up twice to reveal the name of his old Sheffield United team-mate, who was found dead in a swimming pool in Greece on Wednesday.James McAtee marked his two goals for England U21s with another tribute to George Baldock, who he played with at Sheffield UnitedCredit: GettyMcAtee shot home twice from the 88th minute to clinch victoryCredit: GettyMcAtee remembered Baldock before the match and during itCredit: GettyThe Manchester City starlet played alongside the former Greek defender in loan spells at Bramall Lane over the past two seasons.And after both his fine finishes for the Young Lions, McAtee peeled his shirt up to show a white top with the words “GB 2 REST EASY BROTHER X”.Ahead of kick-off, the 21-year-old had posted: “I love you to bits brother, thank you for looking after me and also thank you for the memories that we shared together.”Thoughts go out to your amazing family. Special player, special teammate, special person.”READ MORE TOP STORIESOn the pitch it looked like the Young Lions would endure the same fate as the senior side the previous night as Dynamo Kyiv defender Taras Mykhavko put Ukraine ahead on 70 minutes at a sold-out Vitality Stadium.But McAtee, who has made just one Premier League appearance for City this season, saved the day with a ferocious strike into the top corner on 88 minutes.He then wrapped things up by firing in a fierce, low drive for the winner two minutes later to give Pep Guardiola some food for thought following his first-ever City goal against Slovan Bratislava a week ago.The defending champions are now two points behind Group F leaders Ukraine with one match to play against Azerbaijan next Tuesday, while the table-toppers will take on Serbia.Most read in FootballEngland were in the driving seat for most of the game with Ipswich’s Omari Hutchinson being teed up by Aston Villa’s Jaden Philogene, but blazing over the bar.The best chance of the first-half came 23 minutes in when McAtee stung the hands of an onrushing Ruslan Neshcheret with a rasping, close-range shot.Winger McAtee turned the game around after Ukraine led 1-0Credit: GettyTragic George Baldock is shown waving to Blades’ fansCredit: GettyAfter the break, the Young Lions had a fire lit in their bellies with Neshcheret tipping a rocket strike from Liam Delap over the bar before McAtee fired one agonisingly wide moments later.England were wasteful in front of goal though and scuppered another peach of a chance as Philogene broke free in front of goal but fired straight at Neshcheret.Greece star’s classy gesture to tragic footballer George Baldock caught on live TV after shock win over England The hosts shirked their defensive duties and Kostiantyn Vivcharenko nearly poked one home before Jack Hinshelwood cleared the danger.England should have seen the warning signs as Mykhavko headed home after an inch-perfect corner from Oleh Ocheretko with half-an-hour to go.The hosts were handed a golden chance to get back in it when Maksym clattered into McAtee on the edge of the box before the winger equalised and hit the winner.The Young Lions are now two points behind group leaders Ukraine More

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      in Boxing

      Tyson Fury hits back at Oleksandr Usyk’s team after being compared to Vladimir Putin as feud hots up ahead of rematch

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      TYSON FURY has hit back at Oleksandr Usyk’s team after being compared to Vladimir Putin – as the feud hots up ahead of their rematch. Usyk became the first four-belt undisputed champion in heavyweight history after taking Fury’s WBC title and unbeaten record in May. Tyson Fury has hit back at Oleksandr Usyk’s team after being compared to Vladimir PutinCredit: Queensberry Promotions It has set the scene for a huge rematch back in Riyadh on December 21.In a social media post, Fury issued a rallying cry and hit out at Usyk, his promoter Alex Krassyuk and manager Egis Klimas. He wrote: “You had your shot but couldn’t finish the job! Mistake!”Now your about to feel the wrath of a menace! F*** Usyk. F*** Egis Klimas. F*** Alex Krassyuk and if you’re down with Usyk then f*** you too.READ MORE IN BOXING”Gypsy King 2024 for coming for you. December 21 is mine. Me against the world. Incoming 3x heavyweight champion.”But Klimas responded: “Sounds like Putin, if you are not with me f*** you, and it means you against me. You pal, f*** you back!!!” Fury caught wind of being compared to Russia’s president, who ordered the invasion of Usyk’s homeland of Ukraine. And he responded: “I know his team are a little bit upset, they’ve even compared me to Vladimir Putin today. I’m not sure why. Most read in Boxing”Because I’ve been rapping Tupac. And Egis – f*** you, f*** your team, f*** Usyk. “F*** Alex and if you’re down with Usyk, then f*** you too, just like Tupac said.”I’m in there to smash a motherf***er’s face in. And whatever I’ve got to, I’ll do it. It’s him or me.” Tyson Fury teases trilogy with Oleksandr Usyk More

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      in Soccer

      Police detain SIXTY armed fans with knives and other weapons after trying to avoid escort to Europa League clash

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      GERMAN police have detained armed Lazio fans ahead of the Europa League clash with Dynamo Kyiv in Hamburg.About 60 away fans were stopped by the authorities after attempting to avoid a police escort.German police have arrested about 60 armed Lazio fans before the game with Dynamo KievCredit: GettyCops claim the supporters were found to be carrying knives, clubs and other weapons.Those fans were checked late Tuesday and detained until Wednesday.Lazio released a statement which confirmed the fans held overnight have been banned from attending the game at the Volksparkstadion.However, the Serie A giants also announced that there were no arrests.Read More on FootballUkrainian giants Dynamo are playing their home games in Hamburg this season because of the war in their homeland after Russia’s illegal invasion back in 2022.Lazio have been hit with numerous sanctions both in Serie A and Europe because of fan trouble throughout the years.Last March, a Lazio fan was arrested and fined for giving a Nazi salute inside the beer hall where Hitler founded the party before a Champions League match against Bayern Munich.A year earlier, a fan wearing a shirt with a reference to Hitler was slapped with a lifetime ban from attending Lazio matches by the Roman club. Most read in Europa LeagueAuthorities reviewed security camera footage from inside the Olimpico of the fan wearing a Lazio shirt that read “Hitlerson” and the No88, which is a numerical code for “Heil Hitler”.Football hooligans started the SPFL season with a brawl in Paisley as St Mirren met Hibs Two seasons ago, the Laziali were ordered to play a Serie A game with part of their home ground closed to spectators after fans directed racist chants at opposing players. More

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      in Boxing

      Oleksandr Usyk detained after ‘attempting to defend friend who wasn’t allowed to board plane’, PR team reveals

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      OLEKSANDR USYK was detained at an airport after attempting to defend a friend who was denied boarding, his team revealed. Shock footage surfaced on Tuesday night showing the undefeated boxing champion being led away in cuffs by officers. Oleksandr Usyk was detained at an airport after attempting to defend a friend who was denied boardingCredit: XShock footage showed the boxing star being led away by securityCredit: XBut Usyk, his wife and even Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky spoke out to clarify it was a misunderstanding. Now the boxing star’s head of PR Mykhailo Krasiuk has given their side of the story in full. Krasiuk posted: “Ok Google, that was all about our team member, who brought @usykaafrom Kyiv by car (and it was not Lapin, as reported by some media). “He was very tired after 14h driving and slept standing up, literally. Ryanair employees didn’t let him on the plane.READ MORE ON OLEKSANDR USYK”Usyk, who was already on board, returned to the gate and tried to defend our friend, like always does. “Meanwhile the police appeared, maybe the champ looked so dangerous that should have been handcuffed, “(I don’t know). Anyway, everything was sorted out briefly. Thanks for your support.” Usyk is believed to have been set to travel to London, where he will be a special guest for Anthony Joshua’s Wembley fight with Daniel Dubois.Most read in BoxingAnd he was quick to speak out online after being released by airport security. Usyk wrote: “All is well my friends. There was a misunderstanding that was quickly resolved.Oleksandr Usyk blasts Tyson Fury’s shock career change hint and sends chilling message after starting rematch training”Thank you to everyone who was worried. Thank you Ukrainian diplomats for your support.”And respect to Polish law enforcers, who perform their duties despite height, weight, arm range and regalia.”President Zelensky, on Telegram, added: “Talked on the phone with Oleksandr Usyk when he was detained.”I was outraged by this attitude towards our citizen and champion.”He instructed the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andriy Sibiza and the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Ihor Klymenko to immediately find out all the details of the incident at the Krakow airport.”As soon as I was informed that everything is fine, our champion was released and no one is detaining him anymore.”USYK IN AIRPORT DRAMABy Wally Downes Jr OLEKSANDR USYK was roared on to victory in the Undisputed clash with Tyson Fury by everybody outside Russia and Morecambe.The 37-year-old Ukraine icon has spend time on his nation’s frontline supporting underdog soldiers against Putin’s savagesAnd he only agreed to carrying on professional fighting when his conscripted compatriots begged him to.He beat Daniel Dubois in a Wroclaw stadium full of Ukraineans who had escaped there to safety.And he recently visited London to help the Ukraine embassy send a convoy of vehicles to help his battered brothers and sisters.He is due back in our capital to be ringside for twice-dominated Anthony Joshua taking on Dubois.And he would have gotten a huge cheer from all the 96,000 fans for his courage in and outside of the ring.It seems highly unlikely he has been detained for anything related to his behaviour.And much more likely to go with strict travelling rules enforced around the Eastern European regions.The gap-toothed southpaw genius has hated leaving his four children and his wife so would not have been on a lads’ beano with too many ales at the airport Wetherspoons.So let’s hope a modern-day hero – of Olympic gold and cruiser and heavyweight undisputed glory – is safely in Wembley or back home soon.Usyk, 37, is coming off the biggest win of his career after beating Tyson Fury, 36, to become undisputed champion.But his reign as the heavyweight division’s first four-belt undisputed champion did not last long.Usyk was forced to vacate the IBF belt to proceed with his December 21 rematch against Fury back in Saudi Arabia.Dubois, 27, instead inherited the title after being elevated from interim champ and makes his first defence against Joshua, 34.And Usyk is due into the capital to watch Joshua’s all-British showdown against Dubois on Saturday.READ MORE SUN STORIESAnd the Ukrainian hero was facing an awkward reunion with Fury as both were scheduled at a fan event at BoxPark Wembley.Both men will take part in meet and greets with fans at what has been billed as the “official pre-fight party” just hours before the bout. More

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      in Motorsport

      F1 team could have cars SEIZED as Russian former sponsor demands £10million back after deal was terminated

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      AN F1 team could have their cars SEIZED as a Russian former sponsor demands £10million be paid back after their deal was terminated.Haas were ordered to pay back money to Uralkali earlier this year from funds transferred to the team in early 2022.Haas face having their cars seizedCredit: ReutersBut that became impossible following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Russian companies like Uralkali have been under economic sanctions meaning the likes of Haas have been unable to make transactions.It means returning the €12million (£10m) that a Swiss arbitrator ordered must be paid back has proven difficult. Haas have now sent out a statement to racingnews365 to indicate they do plan to pay the money back. READ MORE IN f1It read: “Haas intends to pay all amounts due to Uralkali pursuant to the arbitration award, and there is no dispute over the amounts due.”Haas has been working with its lawyers to ensure that the payment complies with all relevant US, EU, UK and Swiss sanctions laws and regulations.”We will continue to work with Uralkali in the coming days to definitively resolve this matter.”Uralkali hit back themselves, stating: “We are aware that Dutch bailiffs, accompanied by police, last night arrived at the Haas paddock and took an inventory of all racing equipment and other property.Most read in Motorsport”This is the expected consequence of Haas’ refusal to obey the ruling of arbitrage awarding payment and a race car to Uralkali.”The arbitral ruling was issued June 12th with immediate effect and has been ignored by Haas. Brad Pitt secretly invites Hans Zimmer to F1 race as legendary composer starts writing Apex score”Haas has had over two months to implement the ruling, and, as was reported previously, Uralkali reached out to Haas’ representatives with options about how to make payment and where to send the race car, without ever receiving a substantive answer.”There are not now and never have been any sanctions issues preventing Haas from fulfilling its obligations. Nevertheless, they have gone unfulfilled.”We are delighted to hear that, following last night’s visit from Dutch authorities, Haas is finally paying attention to the arbitral ruling.”Uralkali wants nothing more than to receive what it was awarded during a fair judicial process and hopes that Haas will move quickly to rectify the situation so that all sides can move on.” More

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      in Soccer

      Abandoned Euros stadium bigger than Villa Park shadow of its former self with overgrown grounds and shattered turnstiles

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      A STADIUM which once hosted Champions League and European Championship matches looks completely different after it was abandoned. The historic Donbas Arena used to seat more 52,000 fans when it served as the home stadium of Shakhtar Donetsk, making it bigger than Villa Park.The Donbas Arena was abandoned by Shakhtar Donetsk in 2014Credit: AFPIt came as the Ukraine conflict escalatedThe ground once hosted Champions League and Euro 2012 matchesCredit: Twitter/Shakhtar_uaBut war has left the ground strew with debris including shattered glass and broken turnstilesCredit: Twitter/FCShakhtar_engThe ground took three years to build from 2006 until opening in 2009, costing an estimated $400million (£313.4m). The ground served as the home of the Ukrainian giants Shakhtar as they won five titles in a row.In the Champions League the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City all failed to come away with three points.On the international stage it hosted five games at Euro 2012, including the semi-final between Portugal and Spain.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLDuring this game alone, superstars such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Andres Iniesta and Xavi Hernandez all took to the hallowed turf.The England national team even had the chance to play there twice, first in a 1-1 draw with France before a goal from Wayne Rooney secured a 1-0 win over the host nation in a second Group D match.However, as a result of the growing conflict in Ukraine, in 2014 the ground was abandoned.That came despite it playing host to a “Peace March” against the violence of the 2014 pro-Russian unrest in Ukraine and the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThe stadium cost £313m to buildCredit: AFPBut reported artillery shelling has hit the infrastructureCredit: GettyAnd this has left the ground looking completely unrecognisable from its heyday.As early into the conflict as 2014, the ground was hit by reported artillery shelling.SunSport’s Latest Euro 2024 headlinesPictures of the ground today show the mess it has become, with shattered glass, overgrown vegetation and broken turnstiles all visible features.Following the expansion of the conflict in 2022, the old football infrastructure has continued to sustain damage, with drone footage from February this year showing the damage that has been inflicted.Shakhtar have moved four times since abandoning the Donbas Arena.Between 2014 and 2016 they played in the the Arena Lviv, before moving to the Metalist Stadium in Kharkiv, some 155 miles to the northwest of Donetsk.The Stadion Wojska Polskiego in Warsaw, Poland, then played host to the club’s home European matches in 2022/23, with the Volksparkstadion in Hamburg, Germany hosting games last season.And they are set for a fifth new home next season after it was announced the club will play their European home games at the Veltins-Arena in Gelsenkirchen for the 2024/25 season.A club statement said: “Our new European Cup home.”Shakhtar will play the home games of the Champions League for the 2024/25 season in Gelsenkirchen in the Veltins-Arena.”Club CEO Serhii Palkin has hailed the deal and argued that the decision was made due to the club’s support in the country.He said: “We are glad to hold our Uefa Champions League matches at one of the best stadiums in Germany.”The positive experience of the last season shows that Shakhtar has a strong support of the fans in this country – both local residents and Ukrainian refugees.”This factor is of great importance to our club.”We thank the management of Schalke 04 and the city of Gelsenkirchen for solidarity and do not doubt the mutually beneficial cooperation.READ MORE SUN STORIES”We are looking forward to the Uefa Champions League matches.”The move to the Veltins-Arena is 1,582 miles from the club’s original home.The stadium could host some 52,000 people, making it bigger than Villa ParkCredit: PA:Press AssociationA drone showed the damage from the expanded conflict in 2022Shakhtar will play their home European games next season at the Veltins-Arena in GermanyCredit: AFP More