The Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers combined for an astonishing 140 penalty minutes in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final on Monday night at Amerant Bank Arena. But it was the Western Conference champions who came unraveled, taking 16 penalties totalling 75 minutes in the third period of the 6-1 shellacking. On the other […]
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RAYAN CHERKI has never been afraid of giving two fingers – and sometimes even more – to his haters on and off the pitch.
Manchester City‘s new £34m midfielder is a maverick with a history of making headlines with his football and his attitude.
On the surface, City’s deal to sign the Lyon talent looks like a coup for one of the brightest young sparks in European football.
But Pep Guardiola will be faced with the challenge of moulding Cherki’s attitude as well as his game, with the Frenchman’s reputation preceding him.
Back in April, having scored in extra-time to give Lyon a second leg aggregate lead against Manchester United in the Europa League quarter finals, the Old Trafford fans gave the young Frenchman a right earful.
The 21-year-old responded first by shaking his fist and then by grabbing his crotch with the wry smile of someone who embraces being the pantomime villain – no matter how crude.
It’s that bold confidence that is one of Cherki’s biggest strengths, making him ready to take the Premier League by storm, but others have suggested it is a weakness of the rising star.
It’s the first time Cherki has been involved in controversy either.
The Lyon academy graduate caused a stir when he demanded he was sent back to the youth team to protest being benched for a first team fixture.
His strop, which even left his father questioning his behaviour, was another example of behaviour that has left managers questioning his mindset in the past.
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Lyon bosses of old have repeatedly voiced concern over Cherki’s attitude.
Rudi Garcia, who was the first Lyon manager to give Cherki a shot in the first-team, previously warned: “We all tell him that he’ll have the career he deserves, provided that he keeps working.
“The danger is making him believe he is already one of the world’s best players.”
Peter Bosz didn’t hold back in his assessment of Cherki when he was playing him less than most fans would have liked after replacing Garcia.
He said: “I choose my players to win. If I think I can win with Rayan, he’ll play. It not, it will be someone else”.
While Fabio Grosso, Lyon boss in 2023, bluntly called out Cherki during his time in France.
He slammed: “He’s not an exceptional player. He has enormous technical talent but needs to work on the rest.”
Cherki has always been highly rated in his home country of France, and he finally announced himself on the National team scene with a stunning debut volley during France’s 5-4 Nations League semi-final loss to Spain last week.
A Goal of the Tournament contender from France debutant Rayan Cherki
— UEFA EURO (@UEFAEURO) June 5, 2025#UNLGOTR | @AlipayPlus pic.twitter.com/6fj4dABpGB
At club level, his talent has always been known.
Described as one of Lyon’s most talented ever academy products, at the age of 16 years and 102 days he made his senior debut in the Champions League in November 2019.
Two months later, he scored two and assisted two in a 4-3 Coupe de France win over Nantes.
Not even Kylian Mbappe had announced himself so emphatically, and Cherki did so while still a schoolboy.
Such inexperience but also such flare, individuality and showmanship. He had outgrown the youth system, playing with the U17s aged 14, and described it as being “too easy” for him.
Lyon’s former academy director Jean-Francois Vulliez said: “Every day, every training session, he would be dribbling past opponents and wanting to score. It was just in his DNA.
“We still do not know if his best foot is his right or left. At seven, eight, nine, it was the same. He could always play with both.”
Physically, he was ready for the biggest of stages, but psychologically, he was not, struggling mentally to comprehend the spotlight he was now constantly in.
His mentality was questioned, as was his physique, with cruel trolls mocking his stockier build, likened to a young, raw Wayne Rooney. As a result, his form became patchy.
Vulliez added: “Everything happened so fast and at the age of 16 he did not know what professional football was. He was a kid.
“There were a lot of people who were trying to smash him, but the fans did not understand when he lost the ball many times during games.
“He was always respectful but he could be emotional. He did not understand when he had to go to the bench.”
This season has been the year that Cherki’s reputation has reached the rest of Europe – registering 32 goal contributions in 44 appearances for Lyon across all competitions.
That’s sparked a move to Guardiola’s Man City, a switch to play under a hard-hitting boss with a reputation of getting the best out of his players.
And if Cherki’s glowing reviews about his ability are anything to go by, City have secured the services of a gem in their pursuit to replace Kevin de Bruyne.
Thierry Henry, Cherki’s former France U21 coach and Olympic manager, claimed he had never seen a player dribble at such speeds with both feet.
He told L’Equipe: ” For me, we’re talking about a guy who should have been battling with the others, at the very top, for a long time to see who is the best.
“He fell behind because it took him a while to understand… But now, he’s understood.”
Lyon team-mate Alex Lacazette has suggested that the negative noise around Cherki was wide of the mark and his ability is the only thing that matters.
He said: “I wondered what was going on because I saw his talent and I heard a lot of things I didn’t understand.
“He’s just a player who needs help, to be told what he should do most and perhaps do a little less”.
Speaking this week about his perceived flaws, Cherki said: “People don’t know me very well, otherwise I’d be criticised less.
“When people really get to know me, more than a few are surprised.”
Man City and Guardiola know what they are getting with Cherki: a maverick, an entertainer, a creator – but one that has finally found his place, and is finally accepted for who he really is.
A MOTHER who lives in one of the houses attacked during violence in Ballymena said she had been left too scared to stay in the area.
The mother-of-three said her children were asking why their house was being attacked during disturbances in the Co Antrim town on Monday night.
Her comments come after homes were destroyed and missiles were thrown at police by masked thugs last night in “disturbing scenes” as rioting broke out after a protest in the area.
Several properties were damaged on Clonavon Terrace in attacks which police have described as “racist thuggery”.
The violent scenes in the area left 15 police injured and a number of cops cars damaged.
The violence followed an earlier protest in support of the family of a girl who was the victim of an alleged sexual assault in the town at the weekend.
Two 14-year-old boys appeared in court on Monday charged with attempted rape.
The charges were read to the teenagers by a Romanian interpreter.
The PA news agency spoke to a number of residents of houses in the street on Tuesday who said they now intended to leave the area.
The woman, who said she was too afraid to give her name, said she tried to flee her house after the front window was broken.
She said: “The children were asking me why are we being attacked.
“I don’t want to stay here now, the children are afraid and I am afraid.”
In the aftermath of the rioting, the chairman of the Police Federation said the actions of PSNI officers saved lives and “prevented a pogrom with consequences too painful to contemplate”.
Liam Kelly, the head of the group that represents rank and file PSNI officers, said cops faced attacks which were “totally mindless, unacceptable and feral”.
Mr Kelly said: “Once again, our colleagues were caught up trying to quell hate-filled violence on our streets.
“Officers who were trying to protect life and property came under unjustified sustained attack.
“All right-minded people should utterly condemn these actions and provide information and assistance to the PSNI so they can identify those who engaged in the various lawless acts of thuggery.
“Officers’ injuries tell a frightening story of a mob fully intent on inflicting great harm on people.
“Police officers worked tirelessly to defuse a potentially explosive situation and uphold the law.”
Mr Kelly said the officers had suffered “for their courageous and professional interventions”.
He added: “This was mindless violence and thuggery.
“Officers were under great pressure but, to their credit, they restored order over a prolonged period of unrest.
“I have no doubt whatsoever that police officers – far too few because the service is starved of resources and officer numbers – prevented a pogrom with consequences too painful to contemplate.
“What we saw was totally mindless, unacceptable and feral.
“I wish to commend the men and women of the PSNI who undoubtedly saved lives last night.
“I would appeal for calm, and request that there is no repeat of these shocking images in the town or the lawless acts of intimidation of anyone in our community.”
PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said the force would have a significant operation in place over the coming days in case there was any repeat of the disturbances.
Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said the attacks should be “loudly condemned by all right thinking people”.
Speaking at a press conference at Ballymena police station, he said: “Any attempt to justify or explain it as something else is misplaced.”
He said that members of the minority ethnic community “felt fear” and there will be a significant policing operation in the town in the coming days to reassure the community.
“All right-minded people should utterly condemn these actions and provide information and assistance to the PSNI so they can identify those who engaged in the various lawless acts of thuggery.”
Liam Kelly
He said one arrest has been made and more will follow, as video and online footage is examined.
The 29-year-old arrested has been charged with riotous behaviour, disorderly behaviour, attempted criminal damage and resisting police.
He is due to before Ballymena Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.
Mr Henderson said: “I would strongly urge anyone who was involved in yesterday’s disorder to reflect long and hard about their actions, they will have consequences.”
Mr Henderson said that police officers from England and Wales will be brought to Northern Ireland if needed to help the PSNI in the wake of the Ballymena disorder.
He said: “Should I need any additionality, I’m absolutely assured that my colleagues in policing in England and Wales, the National Police Operation Centre, stand fast and ready to support should we need that support.”
The senior officer said police did not have specific intelligence that there would be a repeat of the violent scenes, but said a significant policing operation would be in place.
A PSNI spokesperson said: “At around 7.30pm, a planned vigil gathered in the Galgorm Road area before making its way towards Larne Street, onto Wakehurt Road and then down Queen Street.
“The vigil was initially peaceful as it made its way towards the Clonavon Terrace area of Ballymena.
“Officers were present at the vigil to ensure an appropriate and proportionate policing response, due to the large number of people who had gathered in the area.
“A number of masked individuals then broke away from the vigil and began to build barricades, stockpiling missiles and attacking properties in the Clonavon Terrace area.
“Elements of the crowd then turned on to police and attacked officers with petrol bombs and masonry.
“This disorder was sustained and continued in the vicinity of Galgorm Street, Linenhall Street and Larne Road Link in the vicinity of the Braid.”
The statement added: “Police officers came under sustained attack over a number of hours with multiple petrol bombs, fireworks, heavy masonry and bricks thrown in their direction by masked rioters.
“Fifteen officers were injured with some requiring hospital treatment.
“Two police vehicles were also damaged during the disorder.
“A number of homes and businesses were damaged with windows and doors smashed. Four houses were damaged by fire with three people evacuated.
“The attacks on these properties are being investigated as racially motivated hate attacks.
“Windows were also smashed of several business units in Galgorm Parks in the early hours.
“In total, six properties in Clonavon Terrace have sustained damage to windows and doors during the disorder.”
As part of ongoing inquiries, police are also investigating a report of arson at the Tobar Park area of Cullybackey in the early hours of Tuesday.
Shortly after 12.20am, it was reported that a petrol bomb had been thrown at a vehicle in the area which set it alight.
Damage was caused to a nearby property, with a woman and two children inside.
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Businessman
POLICE officers were ridiculed by onlookers as they feebly attempted to break down a door.
Despite multiple efforts, the officers appeared to be unable to break down a front door.
Bobbies from West Yorkshire have been left humiliated as footage emerged of them failing to force their way into a house.
Onlookers couldn’t hide their amusement at the officers’ inability to break down the front door.
One chuckling onlooker teased them, taunting: “Bit Harder!”
“Go on, hit it!”
They then mocked the fumbling officers with a killer line: “Call yourself a police force?
“There’s no force in ya!”
Two officers can be seen repeatedly attempting to barge down the door.
Even while using a handheld ram and a hooligan bar they are unable able to enter the house.
Two other visible cops can be seen standing idly by as their colleagues floundered at the house’s entrance.
The door does appear to have suffered some damage, as there is a significant dent is visible on its left side, as well as fractures to its top, glass window.
Yet it remained upright and intact.
Many seeing the social media video online were quick to mock the officers’ fruitless efforts.
One man commented: “They couldn’t break into an Easter egg.”
Another said they, “Couldn’t open an advent calendar door.”
One comment even appears onscreen at the end of the video saying: “Rumour has it they’re still trying.”
Some people saw a darker side to the video, believing it showed a decline in British policing standards.
“Police are losing respect, it’s what it’s come to. So sad,” commented one viewer.
A different TikTok user said: “It’s a shame because I have respect for the police.
“But currently the state of this country is a joke.
In a twist, one user, claiming to be a former Method of Entry instructor, even seemed to spot why the police were having such little success.
He said: “Use the other end of hooligan bar i.e. the wedge knocked into the door gap.
“Then pull on the bar and the door (usually) opens.”
THIS is the hunky personal trainer that England star Millie Bright has fallen for after splitting with her fiancee.
We revealed on Saturday how Millie, 31, met the married father-of-seven last year when he became her PT at her local gym.
He can now be named as martial arts enthusiast Dave Zetolofsky, 39, and the pair’s new romance has seen him move into her Surrey home.
The Lioness World Cup captain last week devastated fans by making herself unavailable for this summer’s Euro 2025 – stating she was unable to “give 100% mentally or physically” for her country.
The trophy-laden Chelsea star was in turmoil after splitting from fiancee Levi Crew and growing close to heavily tattooed Dave.
However, she has told friends that her new romance is nothing to do with her withdrawing from the squad.
There is also no suggestion that the pair cheated on their partners.
However, their relationship has “devastated” the hunk’s wife Katie, who gave birth to their baby last January.
Millie will today receive an OBE at Windsor Castle to recognise her incredible contrition to sport in this country.
Pals said Millie, 31, began training at the 21st Century Combat gym in Redhill, Surrey, where she met fighter Dave.
The beefcake is still co-owner of the fitness hub with his wife Katie, despite their sudden marriage split.
Sources say Three Lions icon Millie joined a PT group in February this year and “began flirting” with Dave – a former pro kick-boxer.
They “got more serious” after Millie ended things with Levi, and Dave split from Katie “out of the blue”.
Friends claimed Millie paid for Dave, an expert in Muay Thai – a full contact combat martial art – to stay in hotels after he walked out of the family home.
And shortly afterwards Dave was seen at Millie’s luxury pad on a private road in Surrey, leaving his five-month-old baby with devastated Katie.
A source said: “Their relationship is no secret and they’ve even been seen out and about together and in the gym together.
“I think you can understand that Katie has found the whole thing pretty devastating.
“The fall-out has been enormous, but Millie has fallen hook, line and sinker for this guy.”
Millie, who has won a staggering 19 gongs during her career with the Blues, declared herself “not happy” before pulling out of the England squad for the tournament in Switzerland earlier this week.
The England squad will begin their tournament preparations on June 16, and kick-off against much fancied France on July 5.
LOVE Island stunner Shakira has been forced to impress ALL the boys on the show in order to keep her place in the villa.
As part of a shocking twist on the ITV2 dating show, Maya Jama revealed that Shakira would have 24 hours to win over the affections of another boy in order to remain an Islander.
It was as a result of her match, hunky taxi driver Ben, being stolen by new American waitress bombshell, Toni.
As Toni had picked Ben to be in a couple with her, Shakira was left single and her only way to remain was to break another couple apart.
It left the children’s entertainer doing her best to crack on with every single boy other than Ben to keep her place.
In a first look at the episode on ITV2, Shakira could be seen making her way around each and every boy and flirting as hard as she could in a bid for them to pick her.
Shakira could be heard telling the boys individually that she wanted “to speak to you more” as well as affirming they were all well and truly in her sights.
But the move left many of the other girls furious.
In particular, Meg was left raging at the thought of Shakira stealing Tommy as she plotted a move to “lips him” in order to keep the brunette stunner from prying on her man.
As night fell on the first full day in the villa, Shakira spoke to Toni and admitted she’s felt a frosty reception from the girls.
She said: “I’m not joking, the vibes then, the vibes felt so off.
“It’s like they’ve sort of, singled me out as the threat.”
Referencing the other girls, she then added: “But what’s to stop you from cracking on with someone else?
“You put in as much as you get out.”
Shakira and Toni then shared a shady cheers which left the other five girls looking on in disbelief.
Toni quipped: “We are gonna cause trouble.”
Shakira said back: “Yeah, we are gonna be like the naughty duo.”
It seems the pair have formed a close bond despite Toni stealing Ben from her on day one.
Shakira was paired up with muscly Ben but they failed to find an instant connection and they both admitted to Maya Jama then they needed to wait it out in order to determine if there was a spark between them.
Antonia Laites (BOMBSHELL) and Ben
Meg and Dejon Noel Williams
Sophie Lee and Harry Cooksley
Helena and Conor Phillips
Alima Gagigo and Blu
Megan Forte Clarke and Tommy
At risk – Shakira Khan
