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Jockey Jake Coen rushed to hospital and racing delayed after parade ring incident

JOCKEY Jake Coen has been rushed to hospital after a terrifying parade ring incident.

Racing at Punchestown was delayed while the jumps jockey was attended to.

Mud-covered jockey after a race.
Alamy
Jake Coen was said to be fully conscious as he was rushed to hospital as a precautionary measure[/caption]

A post from IHRB Stewards on X confirmed a delay while a message posted on Irish Racing’s page read: “Delay to the first race at Punchestown as Jake Coen is receiving medical attention following his fall from Arch Empire in the chute leaving the parade ring.”

Racing TV presenter Kevin O’Ryan said: “Jake is moving everything and he is talking and fully conscious, which he has been from the word go.

“He has been taken to Tallaght Hospital as a precautionary measure.

“But he is fully conscious and moving everything after that nasty incident.”

The incident came before the first race at Irish track Punchestown on Epsom Derby day.

The medical crew on-track were able to get to Coen quickly meaning the start time was knocked back by just under ten minutes.

Coen had been due to ride the Gordon Elliott-trained Arch Empire in the 2m contest.

But the horse was withdrawn after unseating the young jockey and getting loose.

Coen had been booked for two more rides on Saturday but they will go elsewhere as he is checked out by doctors.

He is booked for a further four rides on Sunday but it will be down to the doctors whether he is well enough to take them.

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Remember to gamble responsibly

A responsible gambler is someone who:

  • Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
  • Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
  • Never chases their losses
  • Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
  • Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
  • Gamble Aware – www.gambleaware.org

Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.

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Luxury-loving engineer, 31, who ran drug empire to fund lavish holidays & buy second home ordered to pay back just £96k

A LUXURY-loving woman ran a cannabis and cocaine empire to fund a lavish lifestyle of foreign holidays and expensive treats – before being rumbled after a costly mistake.

But Danielle Stafford has now been ordered to pay more than £96,000 back as the proceeds of crime, and she’s got just 12 weeks to stump up the cash.

Woman in a light beige blazer walking past a brick wall.
MEN Media
Danielle Stafford made so much money by selling drugs that she bought a second house[/caption]
Woman holding a cocktail in a bar.
MEN Media
A luxury-loving engineer ran a long-running cannabis and cocaine dealing operation[/caption]
Woman in olive green bikini top at a beach club.
MEN Media
She led a lavish lifestyle of foreign holidays and expensive treats[/caption]

The 31-year-old made so much money by selling drugs that she bought a second house and lived without touching any of her job salary.

She pretended that most of the expensive items that were found were not designer goods but were fake or had merely been given to her by family members from their foreign holidays.

She was caught when police spotted her speeding.

A phone constantly rang with 30 calls or pinged with up to 20 drug messages after she was arrested and police later found £26,917 cash stashed around her home and drugs with a street value of £33,600.

She had luxuries including nine watches and three expensive Louis Vuitton handbags, Hull Crown Court heard.

Engineer and University of Hull graduate Stafford, 31, formerly of Hallgate, Cottingham, was jailed for seven-and-a-half years in April 2023 after she admitted three offences of being concerned in supplying heroin, crack cocaine and cannabis and another of possessing cash as criminal property, on dates spanning October 2017 and May 2020.

But the case resurfaced and was mentioned again so that the court could make a final decision on how much money Stafford was said to have made from her criminal activities.

Nadim Bashir, prosecuting, said that the criminal benefit figure had been agreed at £96,263.

She was ordered to pay it within three months – or face a default prison sentence of one year, to be served consecutively.

Stafford attended the hearing via a video link from prison.

The matter had originally been scheduled to be a contested full hearing but agreement was reached between the sides.

During the original court hearing in 2023, Mr Bashir said that police spotted a silver Audi heading along Priory Road towards Hull city centre at 7.30pm on May 12, 2020.

It was speeding and hastily turned onto Hotham Road South, cutting the corner and cutting up a vehicle heading in the opposite direction.

“It was then driven at speed along Hotham Road South,” said Mr Bashir.

The car was followed and it was stopped in The Odd Bottle car park on Wold Road.

Police could smell cannabis coming from the inside of the car and this aroused their suspicions.

She “immediately lied” and told police: “I’ll be honest, I’ve got this” and handed police a small silver wrap containing two buds of cannabis skunk.

Police found further bags of cannabis on her, including a food bag containing cannabis skunk and, from a pocket, another food bag containing cannabis skunk.

Mugshot of Danielle Stafford.
MEN Media
She was jailed for more than seven years[/caption]
Woman in a pink dress.
MEN Media
Stafford has now been ordered to pay back £96,000 in three months[/caption]
Woman in a Nike vest sitting at a restaurant table.
MEN Media
The drug kingpin was caught by chance[/caption]

The car was searched and a carrier bag of cannabis skunk was found behind the driver’s seat.

An empty tub containing drug residue was found. The total value of the cannabis was £1,308.

An iPhone was found, with drug messages on it.

“From the moment of seizure of the drugs to the arrival in the police station custody suite, the mobile iPhone was constantly ringing and receiving messages from different people,” said Mr Bashir.

“Some 30 phone calls were received and 10 to 20 text messages.”

On the way to the police station, Stafford was seen “fidgeting” with her jogging bottoms and she was asked if she had any more drugs hidden.

She said: “Yes, but it’s not mine and I don’t know what it is. I shoved it down my joggers when you pulled me.”

Stafford pulled out a bag containing a large amount of small bags of cocaine.

There were 56 wraps of crack cocaine, valued at £2,800.

Her three-bedroom home in Cottingham was searched after police forced entry.

A glass jar with plastic bags inside was found hidden behind a bag of coal bricks in a coal bunker in the rear garden.

From the moment of seizure of the drugs to the arrival in the police station custody suite, the mobile iPhone was constantly ringing and receiving messages from different people

Nadim Bashirprosecuting

There were 270 wraps of crack cocaine, valued at £13,500, and 205 wraps of heroin, valued at £4,100, in the jar.

Stafford denied knowledge of them.

In the living room, herbal cannabis, valued at £2,500, was found in an open, empty banana box on a table.

She denied that it belonged to her.

Two glass jars contained cannabis valued at £370. Police also found weighing scales, a large amount of cash and more food bags. She admitted that this belonged to her.

In Stafford’s bedroom, £430 cash and £25.36 in coins were found.

Herbal cannabis and Ecstasy tablets were found. Bank notes totalling £670 were found as well as £2,350 and £1,480 cash.

More cash, totalling £7,580, was found in a safe but she denied that it was hers.

Three Louis Vuitton handbags and nine watches were found. She admitted that these were hers.

Woman in olive green bodysuit at a party.
MEN Media
Cops found three Louis Vuitton handbags and nine watches at Stafford’s home[/caption]
Hull Crown Court building.
MEN Media
Stafford was sentenced at Hull Crown Court[/caption]

In an upstairs box room, cash bundles of £9,100, £1,668, £550, £700, £1,110, £165, £190 and £91 were found.

Examination of Stafford’s bank accounts revealed that “she clearly had an additional stream of cash income” apart from her monthly wages from working for Swift Group.

Holidays had been taken but there was no trace from her bank account of her buying foreign currency or making purchases overseas.

“Again, evidence of an additional cash stream income,” said Mr Bashir.

Stafford had bought her Cottingham home in March 2016 for £124,999 in her sole name with a mortgage and a property in Hotham Road South in July 2018 without a mortgage for £68,500 in equal shares with her aunt.

Stafford paid the “lion’s share” of £64,927 from cashing in premium bonds and she told police that she bought it to rent out.

“Even with rental or lodgings allowances, neither property was able to provide any significant source of income to justify the cash found in the house,” said Mr Bashir.

During police interview, Stafford claimed that a Liverpool lad had been staying with her on and off and that he had telephoned her to say that he had left something at her home.

She had somehow managed to avoid her drug dealing activities coming to the attention of the police for a substantial period of time.

Nadim BashirProsecuting

When she got home, there was a large amount of cannabis and, when he asked her to take it to him, she said that she did not feel comfortable doing so.

She claimed that he asked her just to bring a bag which was there and, in a panic, she grabbed a bag and was driving to meet him.

Stafford denied that she or the lad were dealing drugs but later admitted that she would drive to Liverpool and bring him back to Hull.

She denied knowledge of any of the large amounts of cash found around her home, claiming that she looked after it for the lad, including keeping it for him in her own bedroom, apart from £2,350 which belonged to her.

“She said that the money in the safe had nothing to do with her and all the other cash belonged to the lad,” said Mr Bashir.

He told the court that Stafford was an “enthusiastic” cannabis dealer and progressed to becoming a Class A cocaine dealer.

“She had somehow managed to avoid her drug dealing activities coming to the attention of the police for a substantial period of time,” said Mr Bashir.

“The natural result of this was that she was able to accumulate a substantial amount of wealth, including purchasing an investment property, a house to rent.

“Cash found in her home address amounted to £26,917.

“The contents of her home address in Hallgate, Cottingham, is strong evidence of the nature of her drugs business.

“The amount, type and value of drugs found at her home were substantial. The drugs alone were street valued at £33,600. This is sustained drug dealing.”

During the 2023 hearing, Saleema Mahmood, mitigating, said that Stafford was street dealing cannabis and regularly and frequently took part in this.

She claimed that her involvement in Class A dealing arose through a person from Liverpool.

Evidence of any Class A dealing was extremely limited and came from two sets of messages.

This came much later than the cannabis enterprise.

There was an element of naivety and exploitation in her involvement and she had little influence on those above her in the chain.

Stafford claimed that she had only the “odd piece” of designer item and that so-called expensive watches and other items bought were counterfeit or had been bought as presents for her by her family on holidays to places like Turkey and Spain.

She also claimed that the family was in the habit of keeping large amounts of cash at home, rather than in a bank, and that she was entrusted to look after them for family members because she was seen as being a “responsible” person who could be “trusted” with money.

She had shown remorse for what she had done.

There were references from previous employers and others. She had tried to get work and had done voluntary work.

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I turned my bald, muddy, patchy lawn into a luscious garden with a £10 buy – it’s so full and green in a matter of weeks

A HOMEOWNER shared the DIY transformation she gave her lawn ahead of summer.

The garden went from muddy sparse patches to luscious green grass in a matter of weeks.

Before and after lawn restoration.
Facebook
A homeowner shared her impressive lawn transformation over six weeks[/caption]

The woman shared a before and after comparison of her lawn in a post on the Facebook group Garden Makeover Ideas On A Budget.

She revealed that the dramatic transformation happened just six weeks apart.

“Can enjoy the garden again now,” she told her fellow gardening enthusiasts.

“Wow, that looks amazing to have achieved that in a relatively short period of time, I’m a very new gardener and seeing this has given me even more encouragement,” said one person.

“Depressing to amazing. What different colour actually makes to the eye, mind, and mood,” agreed another commenter.

“Absolutely fantastic!. Such a good feeling to fix a lawn to this. Very well done!” commended a third Facebook user.

Another person described the switch up as “incredible” while someone else summed it up as “goals”.

The original poster was also plagued with requests to “spill the secrets”.

She revealed that she used “grass seed, lots of it” to tackle her sparse lawn.

The Facebook user explained that the experience was a learning process, as she tried a variety of brands before settling on a favourite.

“Gro-Sure Smart Lawn Seed Fast Start, was probably the best one,” she shared.

You can pick up a kilo box of Gro-Sure Smart Lawn Seed Fast Start from B&Q for just £10.

The green-fingered pro went on to say that she used “a bit of topsoil” alongside compost.

“Our soil is pure clay so it’s a battle, we scarified it to within an inch of its life,” she continued.

“It was essentially a lawn made entirely of weeds and moss.”

Seasonal lawn care schedule

Lawn care varies from season to season, with some tasks helping to encourage growth and root development whilst others help maintain the soil quality.

Claire Baglin, landscaping category manager from Toolstation has shared lawn care tasks and tips for each season:

Spring (March, April, May)

  • Start to mow the grass bi-weekly in March when the soil and air temperatures typically reach above 6C.
  • Fertilise the lawn for the first time during March using some quick-release fertiliser that is rich in nitrogen to help promote shoot growth.
  • Scarify the lawn for the first time during April to remove any built-up moss or thatch that can accumulate throughout the winter.
  • Aerate the lawn during April by spiking holes into the soil surface. This will help to loosen the soil and encourage growth.
  • Overseeding can also be carried out throughout April to patch up any thin or bare areas of grass.  

Summer (June, July, August)

  • From June start to cut your grass once a week – apart from in periods of extreme heat and droughts. Increase the cutting height to protect the lawn from any possible droughts.
  • In June make sure to treat the lawn for any weeds – this can either be manual removal for individual weeds or using weed killer for larger clusters.
  • During July and August make sure to water the lawn at least once a week by giving it a soak for 5-10 minutes.

Autumn (September, October, November)

  • From September reduce the lawn mowing frequency back to once every two weeks and conduct the last mow of the year in November.
  • Fertilise the lawn for a second time during October using a slow-release fertiliser that is rich in phosphorous and potassium to strengthen the lawn.
  • Throughout October and November remove any fallen leaves and other debris from the lawn surface.

Winter (December, January, February)

  • From December to the end of February leave the lawn alone. Grass typically does not grow in the colder winter temperatures.
  • Winter is the perfect time of the year to conduct any lawnmower maintenance including checking over the blades and filters.

She revealed that she even mixed in “a bit of sand” to the mix at one point.

Once down, we then walked all over it to compact it down, then watered a couple of times a day in the hot weather, less if cloudy,” she said.

“We also bought Miracle Gro liquid lawn food fast green and a spray attachment for the hose pipe and have fed it once a week.

You can pick up a litre bottle of Miracle-Gro Fast Green Liquid Fertiliser for just £8.50 from B&Q.

The Facebook user further emphasised how she has no experience with lawns.

Honestly I just wing it and hope for the best, we don’t really know what we’re doing half the time,” she admitted.

Lawn before and after landscaping.
Facebook
The Facebook user explained that she used a lot of grass seed to transform her lawn[/caption]

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MAFS groom slammed over ‘misogynistic’ post as he shares ‘high standards’ for future girlfriend after bitter show split

MAFS Australia’s Adrian Araouzou has riled up fans after posting a video listing his “high standards” for his future wife.

In a video titled “Unpopular opinion 💁🏻‍♂️”, which he uploaded to Instagram, Adrian was seen eating food on a camp chair by a fire as he wrote across the screen.

Adrian Araouzou, MAFS, outdoors at sunset.
Instagram / @adrian.araouzou
Adrian has upset fans with a list of demands for his future wife[/caption]
Adrian and Awhina from MAFS Australia at their wedding reception.
Channel 4
Adrian tied the knot married Awhina in the social experiment[/caption]
A woman and a man sitting on a green couch.
Channel 4
The pair suffered a string of ups and downs in the series[/caption]

He wrote: “High standards because I don’t want my kids to have a mum who’s drunk every weekend, thinks it’s ok to disrespect their body, looks at doing anything for their man as a chore, has no faith in God, or prioritises material things over nature’s beauty. ”

Fans weren’t best pleased with the message, and made sure he knew it in the comments.

“what do you bring to the table though…” said one, while another wrote: “Misogynistic manosphere springs to mind… Andrew Tate!”

“Good luck with that.. maybe u should join the priesthood.. no woman would touch u now with your attitude,” noted a third.

“You must also meet these requirements. Not only your future wife!” wrote a fourth.

The 31-year-old reality star appeared on the 12th season of the dating show favourite, marrying Awhina Rutene in the experiment.

However, while they initially seemed to like each other when they met at the altar, things went south quickly when Awhina revealed she had a six-year-old son.

He later became central to cheating speculation with another bride, Sierah, after they were seen playing footsie under the table at a dinner.

While they didn’t actually cheat, Adrian later left the experiment for a small period of time, leaving Awhina before eventually returning to complete the show.

He also was criticised for making his new wife cry in other scenes after refusing to take part in writing a confession letter.

At the Final Vows the pair decided to break things off, thinking they wouldn’t work.

However, in a strange twist, before the show was over they had their mind and opted to give their relationship a proper shot away from the series.

Unfortunately they didn’t work out, and since the show aired they have both remained single.

Adrian and Awhina, a bride and groom from MAFS Australia, at their wedding reception.
Channel 4
The wedding day turned sour when the bride revealed he had a son[/caption]
Adrian from Married at First Sight looking upset.
E4
Adrian was blasted for his behaviour on the show[/caption]
Man cuddling a golden retriever on a couch.
Instagram / @adrian.araouzou
The star has remained single in the months since the show aired[/caption]

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James Whale issues emotional update amid terminal cancer battle in heartbreaking live TV moment

TALKTV host James Whale MBE made a heartbreaking admission about his terminal cancer battle live on air during one of his last ever shows.

The veteran broadcaster – who has been living with stage four kidney cancer for five years – previously revealed that his show, co-hosted by Ash Gould, 53, would be coming to an end.

James Whale on a live TV show.
James Whale made the admission alongside his co-host Ash Gould
X/@TalkTV
Man sitting in a hospital chair.
Instagram/@jameswhaleradio
James has said he would be ‘lucky’ to make it to Christmas[/caption]
James Whale at the British Curry Awards giving a thumbs up.
PA
James was diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2020[/caption]
James Whale receiving his MBE from the Princess Royal at Windsor Castle.
PA
James became an MBE in 2024[/caption]

Back at the beginning of May, James revealed that his condition had worsened, treatment was no longer an option and he “will be lucky to make it to Christmas”.

He told viewers: “I’m at the end of my cancer journey. There is no treatment I can have anymore.”

During Friday (June 6th) night’s episode of James Whale Unleashed, the two presenters spoke to a guest who had been through cancer with her late husband.

James told her: “Until very recently, everything was quite normal for me, everything was fine, and then you do get to a stage like I am now, with things get to be very very difficult.”

He then added: “To anybody else who is in the final stages of cancer, you have my sympathy. I know exactly what you’re going through, I do know, I look basically okay, I get told you look alright and I look okay, it’s all make-up.”

James’ comments were shared on X, formerly Twitter, where the star was inundated with support. One user penned: “My heart goes out to you Mr Whale. You are a fighter.”

A second person gushed: “I’m also stage 4 kidney cancer but you are a real inspiration. I seriously can’t believe how much better you look compared to 2 weeks ago!”

While another user wrote: “You’re amazing James! Keep showing the C who’s boss!”

In May, James chose to spend his 74th birthday in the company of his friends and family.

Lizzie Cundy, a contributor on his TALK show, shared a heartfelt tribute to Instagram from the intimate gathering.

She wrote: “Laughter is the best medicine … Birthday celebrations for my dear friend @jameswhaleradio with @lamontbrownnadine @charliem_obe @simonwi @whodathoughtit .. Happy birthday dearest James, we all love you so much.”

The post featured beaming smiles, with James surrounded by his wife Nadine Lamont-Brown, 59, TV producer Simon Withington, 48, and Pimlico Plumbers founder Charlie Mullins, 72.

Posing for a photo at boutique Kent hotel, Who’d A Thought It, James wore aviator sunglasses and a white shirt for his big day.

Lizzie also shared some playful snaps from the hotel’s grounds, posing with a saxophone alongside Charlie.

James appeared in high spirits in a video posted by Lizzie too.

He cheekily asked her: “Who are you? Lizzie, I didn’t recognise you with so many clothes on.”

Speaking candidly on camera, James said: “I’m feeling okay. As people know, I’m not about to die – well, you never know, do you?

“I’ve had all my treatment. I don’t want anybody feeling sorry for me, I’m just giving you the lowdown.

“I think if I make it to Christmas, I’ll be exceptionally lucky.

“Sometimes I think it might be easier to just have a heart attack and go.”

As his wife joined him, Lizzie added: “People think of James as Mr Nasty, but he’s a little pussycat underneath.”

Nadine agreed: “No one’s ever been nicer to me than James.”

James also revealed his long-running programme could be coming to an end within weeks, as he reaches the final stage of his battle.

Woman in pink dress playfully holding a saxophone with a man.
Instagram/@jameswhaleradio
Lizzie Cundy made sure James enjoyed his 74th birthday[/caption]
Man kissing woman on cheek outdoors.
Twitter/James Whale
James and his wife Nadine celebrated his birthday in May[/caption]

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‘I’m going to Hollywood’ – Micah Richards opens up on Tom Cruise acting class before Alan Shearer shuts down film dream

MICAH RICHARDS has opened up on his impromptu acting lesson with Hollywood legend Tom Cruise.

Richards, 36, found himself rubbing shoulders with the acting icon as part of CBS’ Champions League final coverage on their new show ‘Beckham and Friends’.

Screenshot of Tom Cruise and another man in suits, with text overlay "any tips for me?".
@cbssportsgolazo
Tom Cruise gave Micah Richards some acting tips live on CBS[/caption]

The new show throws together David Beckham and his A-list pals with the CBS football regulars such as Richards, Kate Abdo, Thierry Henry and Jamie Carragher.

And when Tom Cruise joined the crew for PSG’s dominant 5-0 thrashing of Inter Milan in the Champions League final, the Mission Impossible star took the time to lend some acting tips to Richards.

Former Man City and England ace Richards cheekily asked Cruise if he would help him learn how to play sad, a contrast to his usually energetic personality.

And the four-time Oscar nominee made sure to give him his best advice, telling Richards to bow his head and look down to achieve his best sad look.

Now Richards has opened up on the unbelievable moment while chatting to Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer on the Rest is Football podcast – telling them he reckons he has what it takes to hit the silver screen.

He said: “[Cruise told me to] put your head down a little bit, lower your eyes, chin down.

“And I nailed it! I nailed it guys, I’m going to Hollywood!”

Lineker joked: “I’m starting to cry, Micah. It’s so real”.

Screenshot of a man announcing, "I'm going to Hollywood."
X @RestIsFootball
Richards gushed about his abilities on the Rest is Football podcast[/caption]
Close-up of a man wearing glasses and earbuds, saying, "I'm starting to cry Micah, it's so real."
X @RestIsFootball
Gary Lineker joked that his acting was moving him to tears[/caption]
Screenshot of a man saying, "You can't do sad."
X @RestIsFootball
Alan Shearer brought Richards crashing back down to earth[/caption]

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Before Shearer brought Richards crashing back down to earth, telling him he’s too jolly to play sad.

He added: “You can’t do sad! You’re the happiest man in the world”.

Lineker, Richards and Shearer aren’t all laughs and jokes, with the trio recently landing a major deal for their popular podcast.

Lineker, who has stepped down from the BBC, has now agreed a deal with DAZN that will see the podcast broadcast highlights of the upcoming Club World Cup.

The show will air the best bits from matches in the video version of the podcast.

DAZN chief Pete Oliver said: “The Rest Is Football is essential viewing and listening for fans who want insight, entertainment, and personality.

“This partnership is a brilliant way to bring the Fifa Club World Cup even closer to that audience.

“It’s about connecting global football with the voices fans trust and love, and showing the tournament in a fresh, exciting, and authentically British way.”

The revamped Club World Cup begins on June 15 and is being held in the US, featuring teams like Real Madrid, Man City, Chelsea and Inter Miami.

Club World Cup 2025 Guide

SOME of the world’s biggest clubs are heading Stateside for a MAMMOTH Club World Cup.

Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, Man City, and Inter Miami are among the 32 teams taking part in the tournament, which runs from June 14 to July 13.

Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, Ousmane Dembele, Cole Palmer and Harry Kane will be showing their skills to packed crowds across the US.

Los Blancos are favourites to lift the trophy in New York but will face stiff competition from around the globe.

Watch EVERY match of the Club World Cup 2025 on DAZN

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the tournament…

INFO

LATEST NEWS & FEATURES

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Aaron Ramsey lined up for shock transfer to MEXICO as swoop for Arsenal legend, 34, ‘close to confirmation’

FORMER Arsenal star Aaron Ramsey is being targeted by Mexican giants Pumas as Cardiff City dither over offering him the full-time manager’s post.

Ramsey took the reins at Cardiff City Stadium in April and oversaw the Bluebirds’ final three Championship matches of the season.

Aaron Ramsey of Cardiff City in a soccer match.
Getty
Aaron Ramsey is a shock target for Mexican side Pumas[/caption]

But two draws and a defeat condemned them to relegation to League One.

The 34-year-old’s playing contract expires at the end of the month and the club’s plans for Ramsey remain a mystery.

Any hopes they had of appointing Nathan Jones ended on Friday when the boyhood Cardiff fan signed a new deal at Charlton. 

Ramsey came through the ranks at Cardiff before joining the Gunners in 2008 for just under £5m.

He went on to make over 350 appearances and win the FA Cup three times, featuring alongside Mexican star Carlos Vela for a number of years.

Now he has a chance to continue playing in Liga MX with Guadalajara-based Pumas – Vela’s hometown club.

Ramsey, who has not played a game for Cardiff since March, is a target for the Pumas, according to Mexican TV reporter Andres Vaca.

He told the Seleccione2 podcast: “I don’t know if they’re selling me smoke, they just told me that Aaron Ramsey is going to join Pumas.

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“They told me it’s almost a confirmation.”

The Mexican club tried to tempt Vela, 36, to reverse his decision to retire last week.

Pumas coach Efrain Juarez, who played alongside Vela for the Mexican national team, revealed his attempt in a FOX Sports interview this week.

Their attention has now turned to Ramsey, who made it clear that he wanted to return to the pitch when he assumed interim charge of Cardiff.

He said in April: “I am just taking these three games.

“I’m still recovering from a hamstring operation, I’m still in the middle of rehab and I’m focused on getting back to full fitness.”

Read More »

Police officer, 36, killed after colleague ‘accidentally shot her in back during chase’ as tributes paid to ‘tough’ cop

A POLICE officer and mum-of-one has died after her colleague “unintentionally” shot her while on duty.

Krystal Rivera, 36, was killed during a confrontation with armed suspects in Chicago.

Portrait of Officer Rivera in her Chicago Police Department uniform.
X/@Chicago_Police
Krystal Rivera, 36, was tragically killed by another officer[/caption]
Two women posing for a photo.
Rivera (right), pictured with friend and former colleague Mary Rae, had been in the police force for four years
Facebook
Woman in a sequined dress and fur wrap holding a clutch.
Facebook
Rivera’s death on duty will be investigated[/caption]

The tragedy unfolded when Rivera and other officers were patrolling a neighbourhood on Thursday and tried to stop a suspect, NBC Chicago reports.

The suspect fled on foot into a nearby apartment as cops ran behind, Chicago Police Department Superintendent Larry Snelling said.

When police entered the apartment, another suspect pointed a rifle at them.

An officer opened fire – and Rivera was “unintentionally” shot in the back.

She was rushed to hospital by officers – but the police vehicle “malfunctioned” and caught fire and she had to be put in another car, cops said.

Rivera, who had been in the police force for four years, was sadly pronounced dead at hospital.

Another officer reportedly suffered a wrist injury.

The Chicago Police Department said Rivera was a “courageous and compassionate officer who devoted her career to helping others and protecting our city”.

Snelling said Rivera was the mother of a young daughter.

He said: “She was a mom, and there’s nothing like walking into a room and having to deliver this type of message to her mother and her very young daughter and the rest of her family.”

Black and white photo of a Chicago police officer holding flowers.
Instagram/@illinois_fiveo
Rivera was described as ‘a hero’[/caption]
A woman and child by a lake with a city skyline in the background.
Facebook
She was the mum of a young girl[/caption]
Woman in taupe bodysuit and olive cargo pants taking a selfie in a mirror.
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Rivera is said to have ‘loved her job’[/caption]

He added: “She was a hero, and she lost her life tragically doing the job that she loved.

“That was one of the things that her mother said, she loved her job, and the way that she worked.”

In an Instagram post, the Chicago Fire Department posted a picture of the officer, saying she “made the ultimate sacrifice in service” to the city.

According to Snelling, two people inside the apartment fled but were taken into custody soon after.

He added that “several individuals” are in custody and three weapons were recovered from the scene.

The Chicago Office of Police Accountability – which assesses incidents that involve officers firing weapons – are conducting an investigation.

Speaking about Rivera, Snelling said: “She had already processed two other guns working that day.

“She was a working police officer trying to keep the street safe. And she did great work.

“And if you talk to anyone on her team, they would tell you how great of a worker she was.

“This is the risk that our officers take every single day.”

Snelling added that “this happens way too often”.

He added: “An officer, a young officer, 36-years-old and four years on the job who was working hard.

“These officers are out here driving down crime while putting their lives at risk.

“I want everyone to keep this officer’s family in your prayers and understand the risk that she took every single day when she came out to do her job.”

Police reportedly issued a search warrant for the apartment, and an investigation is said to be underway.

Two Chicago police officers in uniform.
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‘This happens way too often,’ said Snelling[/caption]
Memorial for Chicago Police Officer Krystal Rivera.
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The Chicago Police Department released this image of Krystal Rivera[/caption]

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Newcastle make move for £50million Chelsea transfer target after Bryan Mbeumo picks Man Utd

Newcastle United FC v Everton FC - Premier League
Eddie Howe needs to make signings for Newcastle now they are back in the Champions League (Picture: Getty)

Newcastle have turned their attentions to signing Chelsea transfer target Joao Pedro after missing out on Manchester United-bound Bryan Mbeumo.

Back in the Champions League after enjoying a strong end to their Premier League campaign, the Magpies are keen to bolster their squad, especially a forward line that remains heavily reliant on Alexander Isak.

Eddie Howe had initially targeted Brentford’s Cameroon international Mbeumo after he enjoyed a prolific campaign for the Bees.

The 25-year-old is, however, intent on a move to Old Trafford with Ruben Amorim ready to make him the second signing of United’s transfer window.

Not deterred, Newcastle have swiftly turned their attention to Pedro who appears destined to leave Brighton this summer.

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The former Watford forward was on Chelsea’s radar amid reports they were ready to table a £50million bid.

Reports in Brazil even suggested Enzo Maresca wanted Pedro in place before the start of the upcoming Club World Cup.

Brighton & Hove Albion FC v Manchester United FC - Premier League
Brighton striker Joao Pedro (Picture: Getty)

Chelsea now appear more focused on targeting Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike having confirmed the £30m arrival of Liam Delap earlier this week.

That would leave the way clear for Newcastle to agree a fee with Brighton for Pedro and are said to want to double their money having spent £30m on him in the summer of 2023.

Pedro has since reached double-figures for goals in his two seasons at the Amex Stadium, although was left out of the matchday squad at the end of the last campaign over a training ground clash.

‘We dealt with it internally and the matter is closed,’ said head coach Fabian Hurzeler.

Wolverhampton Wanderers FC v Brentford FC - Premier League
Mbeumo scored 20 Premier League goals last season (Picture: Getty Images)

‘There are principles that are non-negotiable and count for everyone – that everyone has to stick to – where we don’t make any compromises.’

Brighton have already signed 19-year-old forward Stefanos Tzimas from Nuremberg for £20.8m having announced the deal back in Februray.

The Greece Under-21 international has signed a contract until June 2030 but will remain in Germany with Nuremberg for the second half of the season.

‘Stefanos is an exceptional young talent, an out-and-out centre-forward with a natural ability to score goals,’ said Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler.

‘He will join up with us in the summer, ahead of next season.’

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