Spain police expose Brazilian football stardom scam

Police in Spain say they have uncovered two separate rings that were allegedly scamming mostly Brazilian families by promising they would turn their sons into elite footballers.

The gangs are accused of selling “false expectations” to families.

The rings charged an initial fee of more than 5,000 euros (£4,400) and then monthly payments of up to 1,700 euros per player, police say.

Around 70 families were scammed and 11 people have been arrested, police say.

Families were told that the money was to cover expenses including tuition fees, housing and paperwork for residency permits in the city of Granada.

But in reality the players “lived in houses... in cramped conditions, with little food and none of them managed to get legal residency” in Spain, the statement said.

Most of the players were Brazilian, aged 16 to 23.

The gangs - which operated independently of each other - split responsibilities, police say.

Some members of the gangs focused on recruitment, targeting wealthy families in their home countries. The second group were scores his side’s third goal during the Champions League quarterfinal first-leg

Haaland breaks another scoring record as Manchester City humbles Bayern Munich

Another game, another goal and yet another record for Erling Haaland.

The Norwegian superstar found the target yet again on Tuesday as Manchester City beat Bayern Munich 3-0 in the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinal at the Etihad Stadium.

Haaland, who volleyed home his team’s third of the night, now has 45 goals in all competitions this season – the most ever by a Premier League player in history.

It’s yet another chapter in the 22-year-old’s astonishing debut season at City, which currently sees him top scorer in both the Premier League and Champions League.

However, despite his recordbreaking achievement, Haaland’s goal was overshadowed by his teammate Rodri’s opener.

It was a remarkable strike from the Spaniard who raised the roof with a left-footed strike from distance which raced past Bayern goalkeeper Yann Sommer in the 27th minute.

It set the tone for the rest of the evening, with City humbling its visitor and all but ending the tie bar a miraculous comeback in the second leg.

City boss Pep Guardiola, who spent three years as Bayern manager, was more cautious about getting carried away.

“Here, we have our chances. Here in this stadium, we are something special this season. When we have the momentum, we are clinical.”

Tuesday’s win was a major statement from City which looks serious about winning its first ever Champions League title this season. A game against the German

Ashes 2023: England will not change attacking approach against Australia—Stokes

Ben Stokes says England will not alter their attacking approach when they take on Australia in the Ashes this summer.

England have won 10 out of 12 Test matches under captain Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum, playing a bold and fearless brand of cricket.

That approach includes trying to force a result even if it risks defeat - something that will continue against Australia.

“I am not going to change anything just because it’s the Ashes,” said Stokes.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Stokes added: “Every single game that I play in this Ashes is going to be to force a result and that doesn’t matter what the score is, what the situation is. It won’t change. That wouldn’t be being true to myself.

“Every player knows that the Ashes is where everything just ramps up a bit, from pressure to exposure, but we’ll stick to what we do.

“I’ve been around long enough, so has Baz [McCullum] and our senior players to make sure those little things don’t creep into the dressing room.” champion was seen to be its biggest test of the campaign, but the host made it look all too easy.

Stokes says he has asked the five Test venues to produce “fast, flat wickets” that will suit England’s batters, who play very aggressively and look to score as quickly as possible to put the opposition under pressure.

After Rodri’s screamer, City upped the tempo in the second half and doubled its lead when the on-form Bernardo Silva – off a Haaland pass – directed his header into the roof of the net in the 70th minute.

Bayern defenders, notably Dayot Upamecano, looked devoid of confidence in the second half and gave City multiple chances to add to its lead.

Eventually, as he so often does, Haaland put the icing on the cake after he was left free to direct home a brilliant headed pass from John Stones.

“We got brutally punished for not a lot,” Bayern manager Thomas Tuchel told BT Sport after the game.

Nascar

suspends driver indefinitely after felony assault charge

NASCAR has suspended driver Cody Ware indefinitely, according to NASCAR.com.

The suspension came after Ware was arrested and charged with felony “assault by strangulation” inflicting serious injury and misdemeanor assault on a woman in North Carolina, the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office said.

He was released on a $3,000 bond on Monday.

“We are aware of the incident regarding Cody Ware and his indefinite suspension from NASCAR competition,” Rick Ware Racing, which is owned by Cody Ware’s father, Rick, said in a statement on Monday.

“We understand NASCAR’s position on this matter and accept their decision. The matter is still under investigation and Cody is fully cooperating with the authorities, as due process takes its course.”

Ware’s court date is scheduled for May 1, according to the North Carolina court’s website.

On Saturday, the team said Ware was stepping away “to focus on a personal matter.”

The 27-year-old North Carolina driver missed Sunday’s Cup race at Bristol Motor Speedway. He is currently ranked 31st in the championship standings.

Ware has been driving in the Cup Series since 2017, making 97 career starts. His personalbest finish was sixth at Daytona International Speedway last August. (CNN)

England have won 10 out of their last 12 Tests with Ben Stokes in charge

“We have been clear with the ground staff around the country about what we want and they have been really good,” said the Durham all-rounder. “We want fast, flat wickets because we want to score quickly and brings their guys in to the game too.”

Stokes says the attacking approach extends to the bowlers too, with veteran pace duo Stuart Broad, 36, and James Anderson, 40, buying into the philosophy.

“Jimmy and Broady were protective of their economy rates and they hate going for runs, they like tying batters down and working them out but now they’ve started to see it a bit differently,” said Stokes, who has played 91 Tests for England.