Former Alabama defensive end Luther Davis faces federal charges after allegedly using disguises to impersonate NFL players and secure nearly $20m (£16m) in fraudulent loans.
Court records show prosecutors accuse the 40-year-old of pretending to be three prominent American football stars between May 2023 and October 2024.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr, Green Bay Packers safety Xavier McKinney and former Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku were the reported targets.
None of the targeted athletes authorised the transactions or had any knowledge of the fake email accounts created in their names.
Elaborate disguise tactics
To convince lending agencies, Davis and his partner CJ Evins allegedly fabricated personal financial statements and bank records.
The court documents state the pair registered companies with names similar to those of the actual athletes to facilitate the deception.
Federal prosecutors allege the former collegiate athlete would attend loan closings dressed in disguise, utilising fake driver’s licences to fool notaries and lenders.
During one recorded video conference in January 2024, the accused reportedly wore makeup and a wig to impersonate the former Cleveland tight end.
That specific incident secured a $4m (£3.2m) promissory note with Aliya Sports Finance and underwriter Sure Sports.
Cross-country operation
The fraudulent scheme extended beyond Georgia, with court filings detailing a trip to New York City two months later.
Believing they were meeting the Packers defensive back, lenders emailed the accused to sign for a $4.4m (£3.5m) loan at a Ritz-Carlton hotel.
The duo reportedly flew from Atlanta to New York to conduct a video conference with representatives from the financial institutions.
A further $3.3m (£2.6m) loan was allegedly secured in July 2024 when the primary suspect showed up at a Georgia hotel impersonating the Falcons rookie quarterback.
Upcoming legal proceedings
Plea hearings for both men are scheduled to take place on 27 April.
An attorney for Evins confirmed in an email that his client plans to plead guilty to wire fraud and identity theft charges.
Legal representatives for the former Crimson Tide player have not yet issued a public comment regarding the allegations.
The Guardian initially identified the three NFL stars targeted in the federal filings, which originally referred to the victims only by their initials.
Sheffield Wednesday owner Dejphon Chansiri has opened negotiations with prospective buyers Arise to avoid a 15-point deduction in League One next season.
The Thai businessman had previously ignored communication from the consortium fronted by David Storch.
However, he has now performed a dramatic U-turn to try and steer the Owls out of administration.
The English Football League (EFL) recently informed Storch that the club would face a severe sporting penalty upon dropping into the third tier.
Financial hurdles and stadium valuation
A proposed £20m takeover bid fell significantly short of the 25p in the pound required to satisfy unsecured creditors.
Chansiri himself is the main beneficiary among those owed money.
He now expects to receive around £2m from any revised agreement.
This figure represents a massive drop from the £16m he initially anticipated for the sale of Hillsborough stadium.
Seeking a clean slate
Arise and their legal representatives are now working closely with the current ownership to broker a compliant deal.
Storch had previously expressed deep frustration over the lack of dialogue.
“We have made repeated attempts, through the administrators, to engage with Mr Chansiri in order to find a constructive resolution. Those requests have gone unanswered.”David Storch
A successful compromise would satisfy remaining creditors within EFL guidelines and completely eradicate the looming sporting sanction.
This breakthrough provides a significant boost to the Yorkshire side’s hopes of securing an immediate return to the Championship.
Manager Henrik Pedersen has already indicated his desire to remain at the helm for the upcoming campaign.
Beginning life in League One on zero points would make the relegated club a far more attractive proposition for the new ownership.
Former NBA player Damon Jones plans to plead guilty to charges of providing sports bettors with nonpublic injury information concerning Los Angeles Lakers stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
According to a court filing cited by ABC News on Thursday, the former guard intends to change his previous not-guilty plea submitted in November.
He will become the first defendant to admit guilt in a wider federal investigation targeting a network of illegal sports gambling.
Leaked messages and incorrect tips
Federal prosecutors accuse the 11-year league veteran of attempting to sell insider knowledge regarding James ahead of a game against the Milwaukee Bucks in February 2023.
The NBA’s all-time leading scorer was not listed on the official injury report at the time, but was later ruled out with a lower-body issue.
Investigators intercepted communications showing the former unofficial Lakers assistant coach instructing a co-conspirator to capitalise on the unreleased news.
Get a big bet on Milwaukee tonight before the information is out.
Intercepted text message from Damon Jones
In a separate incident during January 2024, prosecutors allege sports bettor Marves Fairley paid a $2,500 fee for advance warning that Davis would see limited minutes against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Fairley proceeded to place a $100,000 wager on the Thunder, but the expensive insider tip proved to be entirely incorrect.
The standout centre played his regular rotation, contributing 27 points and 15 rebounds in a comfortable 112-105 Los Angeles victory.
Following the significant financial loss, the disgruntled bettor reportedly demanded a full refund of his initial payment.
Wider investigation and ongoing charges
The sweeping federal case also implicates several other individuals, including recently waived Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier.
Rozier maintains his innocence and has formally requested a judge to dismiss the charges against him ahead of a hearing later this month.
During a playing career spanning from 1999 to 2009, the journeyman earned over $20m across stints with 10 different franchises.
He previously shared a locker room with James at the Cleveland Cavaliers between 2005 and 2008, forging a connection that led to his later coaching role.
The retired athlete also faces separate, ongoing charges relating to profiting from rigged poker games, to which he has pleaded not guilty.
Marie-Louise Eta has become the first female head coach in a top-five European men’s league after taking interim charge of Union Berlin following Steffen Baumgart’s sacking.
The 34-year-old will make football history when her side hosts Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga on Saturday.
Her groundbreaking appointment has generated global headlines before a single ball has been kicked under her watch.
However, the former Turbine Potsdam midfielder appeared entirely unfazed as she addressed a crowded news conference in south-east Berlin on Thursday.
“It’s good to see so many people here and I totally understand that this is a big topic,” Eta said.
“But for me it has always just been about football and working with people.”
A historic milestone in the German capital
The newly appointed tactician was eager to reframe the narrative surrounding her historic promotion.
She acknowledged her position serves as a powerful signal but noted she is far from the first woman to work in professional men’s football.
This is not the German coach’s first experience dealing with the immense pressure of a top-flight dugout.
During the 2023-24 campaign, she served as the first female assistant coach in the Bundesliga and helped guide the capital club to safety during a tense relegation battle.
Building trust and immediate rapport
Dozens of journalists gathered in the rain on Tuesday to witness the interim manager’s opening training session.
She quickly displayed a strong connection with the playing squad, drawing on existing relationships forged during her previous coaching stint.
“It helps that I know a lot of the players and the staff already,” she explained.
“I am often asked whether it is different to coach men and women and I always say no.”
“You have to build a relationship with the person in front of you, because in the end it is about trust.”
From Champions League winner to the dugout
Before transitioning to the touchline, the former youth international enjoyed a highly successful playing career.
She captured the Women’s Champions League title in 2010 before an unfortunate injury forced her into early retirement eight years later.
The highly rated coach subsequently earned her professional licence in 2023 alongside current Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler and Rangers boss Danny Rohl.
Her swift rise through the coaching ranks is viewed as a natural progression within the club following successful spells guiding the under-19s and the women’s team.
Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi has completed a full takeover of Spanish third-tier club UE Cornella, cementing his long-standing ties to the Catalonia region.
The 38-year-old World Cup winner has acquired a 100 per cent stake in the club, granting him absolute control over its future operations.
Cornella is based in the Baix Llobregat area, with their home stadium situated just five miles away from the Nou Camp, where the legendary attacker spent the vast majority of his illustrious playing career.
Strengthening ties with Catalonia
An official statement released by the lower-league side confirmed the high-profile acquisition.
UE Cornella announces that Argentinian footballer and eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Leo Messi has formalized the acquisition of the club, becoming the new owner of the Baix Llobregat institution.
This move reinforces Messi’s close ties to Barcelona and his commitment to the development of sport and local talent in Catalonia – a connection rooted in his years at FC Barcelona and sustained ever since.
A deep-rooted connection to Spanish football
The prolific goalscorer originally arrived in Spain as a teenager to join Barcelona’s renowned La Masia academy, eventually establishing himself as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport.
Investing in a local development-focused institution suggests the former Parisian is carefully planning his post-playing career.
By taking ownership of a nearby community club, the Argentine is ensuring a lasting legacy in the specific region that shaped his professional life.
Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes and Fenway Sports Group’s head of football Michael Edwards will remain in their positions for the upcoming summer transfer window, despite recent speculation surrounding their futures at Anfield.
The pair are contracted until 2027 and will oversee a critical period for the Merseyside club following a disappointing defence of their Premier League title.
Doubts had surfaced regarding the executive duo after a record-breaking spend of nearly £500m last summer failed to yield on-pitch success for manager Arne Slot.
However, the club hierarchy remains satisfied with the foundational work completed by the decision-makers.
Replacing Salah and managing record arrivals
A primary objective for the boardroom team will be identifying a successor for departing talisman Mohamed Salah.
They must also extract better returns from big-money acquisitions, including £125m striker Alexander Isak and £116.5m playmaker Florian Wirtz.
Since reuniting at the club in the summer of 2024, the transfer strategists have authorised £459m in player purchases.
This significant outlay has been partially offset by £290m generated from high-profile departures, including Trent Alexander-Arnold, Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez.
External interest and multi-club model doubts
Speculation over the future of the former Bournemouth sporting director had intensified following reported interest from Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal.
Meanwhile, uncertainty surrounding the FSG head of football emerged after the ownership group reportedly shelved plans to establish a multi-club model.
“One of the biggest factors in my return was the commitment to acquire and oversee an additional club,” Edwards stated upon his appointment in March 2024.
Struggling champions face tense finale
The executive pairing were responsible for hiring Slot to succeed Jurgen Klopp, a decision that yielded an immediate 20th English league title for the Reds.
That triumphant debut campaign was achieved with a league-low net spend, featuring solely the addition of Federico Chiesa.
However, a drastic change of strategy last summer saw the reigning champions break the Premier League record for a single transfer window.
The £446.5m investment has dramatically backfired, leaving the team facing a trophyless season after winning the league by 10 points last year.
Slot’s side are currently fighting simply to secure Champions League qualification, sitting precariously in fifth place as the current campaign concludes.
Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin says he is “pretty sure” he will delay his retirement and return for a 22nd NHL season after his team concludes their campaign against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
The NHL’s all-time leading goalscorer becomes an unrestricted free agent on 1 July but expects Tuesday’s regular-season finale will not be his final appearance on the ice.
Ovechkin will formally decide his future during the off-season after holding discussions with his family and the Capitals’ hierarchy.
“To be honest with you, I’m pretty sure it’s not my last game,” the 40-year-old said.
Family support driving contract decision
The veteran forward revealed his children have been actively encouraging him to remain in the United States capital.
“The kids are already asking me, ‘Dad, are you staying or no?’ And I tell them, ‘We’ll see.’ They want me to come back,” he explained.
He has not yet held formal negotiations with general manager Chris Patrick but joked he would gladly sign a two-year extension if offered.
If an agreement cannot be reached to remain in Washington, the Russian icon confirmed he would “probably not” represent another NHL franchise.
Health and postseason ambitions
Returning the Capitals to the Stanley Cup playoffs remains a priority for the legendary winger after the franchise failed to qualify this season.
The physical toll of elite ice hockey is also a significant consideration ahead of his impending contract decision.
He disclosed that a preseason hamstring injury heavily impacted his start to the current campaign, restricting him to just two goals in the opening month.
“When you’re 20, it’s no big thing. When you’re 40, it’s harder and harder,” he admitted regarding rigorous summer fitness regimes.
Cementing an unparalleled legacy
Despite early-season fitness struggles, the prolific shooter still managed to tally 32 goals and 32 assists across 82 games in his 21st year.
He currently sits on 929 career goals in 1,573 games, having surpassed Wayne Gretzky’s historic regular-season record last year.
Should he opt to unexpectedly leave North America, a return to his native Russia to play in the KHL with former club Moscow Dynamo remains a distinct possibility.
Uncertainty surrounding his departure prompted emotional scenes on Sunday, with fans chanting for one more year while rival Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby attempted a premature farewell handshake.
Chelsea midfielder Moises Caicedo has agreed a new contract until 2033 in a major boost for the club amid a difficult run of form.
The completion of the deal is now considered a formality and coincides with the Ecuador international’s move to the prominent CAA Base agency.
This improved agreement will elevate his wages, ensuring he remains among the highest earners at Stamford Bridge.
Reward for consistent performances
The 22-year-old has been a near-ever-present figure in the starting lineup since his £115m transfer from Brighton in August 2023.
Securing the defensive midfielder’s future provides welcome relief for the Blues, who have recently suffered five defeats in their last six matches across all competitions.
His renewal follows club captain Reece James committing his own long-term future to the West London side last month.
Managerial hints and squad uncertainty
Head coach Liam Rosenior recently suggested that further key players would follow James in pledging their allegiance.
Players’ commitment to the club should be judged by actions, you’ll see.
Rosenior’s comments arrived after midfield partner Enzo Fernandez and defender Marc Cucurella both gave interviews during the March international break casting doubt over their respective futures.
The Argentine World Cup winner repeatedly expressed a desire to move to Madrid, while the Spanish full-back publicly questioned Chelsea’s youth-focused, high-turnover transfer strategy.