Bianca Gascoigne has advised how Mohamed Al Fayed subjected her to an alleged “horrific” sexual assault after she began working at Harrods as a 16-year-old.

The 37-year-old daughter of the England footballer Paul Gascoigne mentioned she had not spoken out earlier than due to “embarrassment and disgrace”.

Greater than 200 girls have come ahead to attorneys with allegations referring to the late businessman since a BBC documentary on Fayed was broadcast final month. The Met police have mentioned that 21 girls had approached the power earlier than the BBC movie and {that a} additional 60 additional girls have contacted them since.

In line with Harrods, the posh retailer in Knightsbridge owned by Fayed till 2010, greater than 250 persons are a part of its course of to settle compensation claims.

Gascoigne, a mannequin and actuality TV star, mentioned she had bought to know Fayed via her dad and mom, Paul and Sheryl. She mentioned: “He used to inform me how a lot of a nasty father my dad was, as a result of he used to return into the shop drunk.

“He used to inform me that he [Gascoigne] was a humiliation, that I ought to look to him as a father determine. I simply felt a false sense of safety with him early doorways, as a result of I used to enter the shop with my mum and pa, and he used to return over, be very charming, convey us items, very personable. So I actually felt fairly protected in his presence early doorways.”

Gascoigne began to work at Harrods aged 16 and he or she claimed that on one night Fayed provided her the chance to remain in Harrods’ Park Lane house earlier than a piece flight.

Talking publicly about it for the primary time on Sky’s The UK Tonight with Sarah-Jane Mee, Gascoigne mentioned: “He turned up on the house, to my shock. I simply couldn’t imagine it. I used to be simply gobsmacked. I used to be form of very shell-shocked, that I simply didn’t actually know what to do.

“He got here in, after which he sat me down on the couch and was clearly very forceful with the touching and the kissing. He bought his personal out and bought my hand and was making an attempt to manoeuvre it on his components, and when that didn’t work, he was making an attempt to power my head on his lap.

“I don’t understand how however I managed to wiggle away. I believe probably that him realizing my dad and mom … I don’t know, that may have saved me at that second, however it was horrific.

“Clearly, I beloved my job, as a result of it was precisely what I wished to do – that was my dream.”

Requested why she had not spoken out earlier about Fayed, who died final yr on the age of 93, Gascoigne mentioned: “I used to be simply making an attempt to cope with what I used to be coping with, what was occurring, as a result of it was simply so horrific – and I simply didn’t need to lose my job at that time.

“He advised me that if I might say something that I might lose my job. So I simply actually bought scared. I look again now and simply really feel very sorry for my 16-year-old self, and want I may defend her.

“I really feel like I’ve to do that, I need to do that, and I need to stand for the ladies and simply hopefully make any form of change [so] that sooner or later, my daughter wouldn’t should undergo one thing like this. It will be spoken about, and these predators wouldn’t be capable of get away with what they’re getting away with.”

Dean Armstrong KC, Bruce Drummond and Maria Mulla, the attorneys representing the Justice for Harrods Survivors group, mentioned Gascoigne’s expertise fitted a sample of behaviour behind Fayed’s alleged abuse.

They mentioned: “As we choose our method via the sickening morass of Mohamed Al Fayed’s abuse, a unifying thread is the concern and disgrace our survivors have carried with them within the years since they have been focused and abused.

“One other thread, nonetheless, is the ability and braveness our survivors really feel once they communicate up about their experiences. As our shopper Bianca Gascoigne has so bravely testified at the moment, Al Fayed would use Harrods as a lure to draw and abuse, together with very younger girls like Bianca, who was solely 16 years outdated when she was focused.

“We salute her bravery and are proud to signify her and our different survivors as we transfer ahead collectively in our quest for justice.”

A Harrods spokesperson mentioned earlier this month: “We need to supply our help with any new or present inquiries the Metropolitan police obtain in relation to accusations relating to the actions of Fayed. Harrods is in direct communication with the Metropolitan police to make sure we’re providing our help with any of their related inquiries.”

When these groups met in final season’s Champions League last, Madrid’s right-back, Dani Carvajal, was man of the match after an inspirational defensive show and a purpose.

There was numerous blame to go round for Madrid’s first-half efficiency, however the focus was primarily on right-back Lucas Vazquez: now the starter in that place as Carvajal is out for the remainder of the season with a knee damage.

For Dortmund’s first purpose, Vazquez was not robust sufficient in a 50-50 with Julian Brandt on the sting of the Madrid field and the ball reached Guirassy, who arrange Malen for the end.

Simply three minutes later, Vazquez was nowhere to be seen as Gittens was unmarked within the six-yard field to smash residence.

The 33-year-old long-serving squad participant will not be a pure defender, as was proven final weekend in La Liga when he was too gradual to cowl as Celta Vigo centre-forward Williot Swedberg was unmarked to attain from shut vary.

Then via a lot of the second half, Vazquez confirmed his worth and character when going the opposite manner…

Birmingham Metropolis are the leaders within the Championship desk going into the worldwide break. The Blues sit proudly atop the second tier standings on 16 factors, with the league trying aggressive as ever.

Elsewhere, Charlton Athletic got here again from the lifeless to assert a degree and there was an enormous first win of the season for Sheffield United. Let’s dive into the most recent Championship motion.

Southampton 0-2 Birmingham Metropolis

Birmingham enter the worldwide break on the prime of the Championship following a wonderful away win at Southampton on a wet and windy afternoon at St. Mary’s. Lucy Quinn gave the guests the lead on 11 minutes with a again put up header.

After Southampton have been denied a penalty declare, Simone Magill shot over, however the Blues prolonged their lead shortly after half-time. The spectacular Tegan McGowan created the prospect for Lily Agg to complete and make it 2-0.

Southampton by no means actually regarded like getting again into the sport regardless of a flurry of corners. Ultimately, it was Birmingham taking dwelling the factors and a spot on the Championship summit. 

Newcastle United 3-3 Charlton Athletic

Charlton misplaced their grip on prime spot however did come again from 3-1 down to assert a degree at Newcastle. The house aspect have been two up throughout the opening quarter-hour as Shania Hayles netted a brace. Charlton had regarded to manage possession nevertheless it took them till 4 minutes into the second half to get again into the sport.

Newcastle didn’t clear their traces and Katie Bradley took the prospect to halve the deficit. The Magpies have been awarded a penalty when Lois Joel went down and Hayles stepped ahead to finish her hat-trick.

It regarded like a irritating afternoon for the Addicks till the hosts have been diminished to 10 gamers. Amber-Keegan Stobbs obtained a second yellow card with seven minutes to go for delaying a restart. With the sport deep into stoppage time, Kayleigh Barton headed in for 3-2 earlier than a dramatic Bradley equaliser. After related scenes at Sunderland a number of weeks prior, this was one other efficiency to point out we must always by no means write this Charlton aspect off.

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Durham 1-2 Sunderland

Sunderland got here from behind to assert an necessary win at neighbours Durham. Having misplaced the derby final weekend in opposition to Newcastle, the Lasses fell behind at Maiden Fort when Carly Johns did nicely to arrange Hannah Blake for the opener after 10 minutes. The guests have been stage with ten minutes of the primary half to go, as Eleanor Dale gained and scored a penalty.

Mary McAteer gave Sunderland the lead within the 51st minute when she adopted up a shot from Katie Kitching to fit it dwelling. Sunderland settled and had the higher of the sport from that time on, seeing it out for an enormous three factors. This was solely Durham’s second defeat of the season and so they nonetheless sit throughout the prime 4 of the desk going into the break.

Blackburn Rovers 1-2 Sheffield United

Sheffield United picked up their first league win of the season by edging out Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park. Maria Farrugia was the hero for the Blades as she scored a brace both aspect of a Maria Edwards purpose. Farrugia completed nicely after some good particular person work to present her aspect the lead halfway by the primary half.

Edwards levelled simply after half-time following numerous Rovers blocked pictures. An excellent recreation was settled late on as Farrugia smashed the ball into the highest nook from shut vary. Niamh Murphy had an opportunity for Rovers within the closing couple of minutes however the away workforce held on for an enormous victory. Each groups now sit on three factors, with Blackburn having performed a recreation much less.

Bristol Metropolis 1-0 Portsmouth

A battle between the relegated membership and a type of promoted final season ended with Bristol Metropolis nicking a slender win. Emily Syme may have put Metropolis in entrance inside two minutes however shot vast from a Jesse Woolley in the reduction of.

The house aspect have been in entrance shortly afterwards as Ffion Morgan received on the tip of a by ball from Amy Rodgers to calmly around the goalkeeper Eve Annets and rating. Lexi Lloyd-Smith nearly made it two after pinching the ball from Annets and seeing her shot blocked on the road by Hannah Conn. Metropolis additionally may have had extra all through the sport.

Morgan had one other probability when despatched by on purpose. Sille Struck headed vast from a nook, Lloyd-Smith noticed a shot saved and Syme curled one vast as they regarded to increase their lead. Jamie-Lee Napier shot vast in one other huge second however there was no actual doubt that Bristol Metropolis would take dwelling all three factors and so they’re now as much as sixth within the desk.

What’s subsequent?

A world break is now upon us so the Championship takes a break till the league reconvenes on November 2nd.

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El Actual Madrid caía 0-2 en casa ante el Borussia Dortmund, y con un segundo tiempo espectacular comandado por Vinícius que hizo un triplete, remontó y goleó.

Actual Madrid y la Champions League son uno mismo. En una nueva noche mágica en el Bernabéu se impuso 5-2 al Borussia Dortmund pese a estar en desventada 0-2.

Fue un primer tiempo parejo hasta el minuto 30’, sin un claro dominador ni oportunidades manifiestas de gol, hasta que el conjunto alemán hizo gala de precisión y contundencia.

Primero Donyell Malen finalizó con un disparo poderoso una gran jugada colectiva para vencer a Courtois, y cuatro minutos más tarde Jamie Gittens llegó oportuno para cerrar la pinza y colocar el 0-2 (34’) que silenció al Santiago Bernabéu.

Los merengues intentaron reaccionar de inmediato, pero de forma increíble Jude Bellingham se perdió el descuento frente al arco al disparar al travesaño y el balón, caprichoso, se negó a entrar al pegar en la línea de gol.

SEGUNDO TIEMPO

En el complemento la historia fue totalmente distinta. Es de sobra conocido que al Actual Madrid nunca hay que darlo por muerto y menos en su competencia, la Champions League.

Arrancó la segunda parte con un monólogo blanco hasta que cayó el descuento por conducto de un cabezazo de Rüdiger tras un centro de Mbappé (60’).

Tan sólo dos minutos más tarde (62’) Vinícius se encontró con un regalo de la zaga del Dortmund que se barrió para despojar a Mbappé, y el brasileño empujó el 2-2. La acción se revisó pero no existió fuera de juego.

Faltaba el espectáculo de Vinícius. Primero Lucas Vázquez firmó la remontada y desató la locura, para que posteriormente el brasileño con dos arrancadas llenas de poder sellara su triplete y un 5-2 espectacular.

El Madrid está listo para el Clásico del próximo sábado ante el Barcelona tras cumplir en la Champiions en donde suma dos victorias y una derrota.

Now that the Junior Championship has come to an finish, we all know who sits on the high of our scorching pictures checklist for 2024. It took a replay and further time to lastly discover a winner of the Junior Championship, with Collegeland getting over the road.

They noticed off outdated rivals An Port Mor with only one level to spare final Saturday night, after additional time. The groups had tied 0-11 apiece within the first sport, however Collegeland edged by in the long run, 1-12 to 1-11.

An Port Mor sharpshooter Ryan Gorman finishes the marketing campaign as the highest scorer within the Junior Championship. Gorman was a relentless menace for his facet proper all through the course of the competitors.

He kicked 0-13 throughout the 2 finals, displaying his accuracy from each positioned balls and open play. Gorman completed the championship with 2-47 to his identify, with each his objectives coming throughout the group levels.

Collegeland attacker Caolan McQuade, who topped the scoring charts forward of the ultimate, ending in second place. McQuade claimed a private haul of 7-22 as Collegeland obtained their arms on the Sean Quinn Cup.

Cormac Kieran is in third place having hit a grand complete of 7-17 as An Port Mor reached the decider. Kieran claimed six objectives towards Madden IIs within the group levels and hit the online towards Killean as nicely.

Middletown man Fionnan O’Braonain comes just under that, and he hit 5-21 on their method to the semi-finals. Likewise, Jemar Corridor struck off 3-23 as Forkhill made it to the final 4 of the competitors as nicely.

James McCormack, who completed final 12 months as the highest scorer within the Junior Championship, is in sixth place this 12 months. The Ballyhegan man chalked up a complete of 4-17 for his facet as they reached the ultimate eight.

Collegeland ahead Jason Kelly claimed 1-21 all through the championship, together with 0-3 in final week’s ultimate. Kelly’s objective got here within the opening spherical of the group levels as his facet defeated Redmond O’Hanlon’s.

Forkhill’s Conall McGeough completed with 4-11 after his first season with the senior staff. Sean Og McGuinness nailed 1-18 for Middletown, though he missed the semi-final by damage, whereas Stephen Sheridan (Forkhill) hit 4-7.

The previous Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries was arrested on Tuesday as a part of a legal intercourse trafficking investigation by federal prosecutors, the FBI in Brooklyn and the New York police division have introduced.

Authorities allege that Jeffries, his British associate Matthew Smith and a 3rd man, Jim Jacobson, ran an “worldwide intercourse trafficking group” that coerced “dozens and dozens” of males into sexual acts, usually for the promise of a modeling profession with the clothes retailer.

“Highly effective people for too lengthy have trafficked and abused, for their very own sexual pleasure, younger folks with few sources and a dream – the dream of securing a profitable profession in style or leisure,” the US lawyer in Brooklyn, Breon Peace, mentioned at a information convention discussing the indictments of Jeffries, Smith and Jacobson.

“To anybody who thinks they’ll exploit others through the use of the so-called casting sofa system – this case ought to function a warning,” Peace mentioned. “Put together to commerce that sofa for a mattress in federal jail.”

Prosecutors mentioned 15 victims got here ahead to accuse the lads of operating a world intercourse trafficking group from late 2008 to 2015. Prosecutors mentioned victims have been flown all over the world to worldwide lodges in London, Italy and St Bart’s, amongst others – and to Jeffries’ houses in New York Metropolis and the unique Hamptons on Lengthy Island.

Jacobson acted because the recruiter, in accordance with investigators, usually forcing males into sexual “tryouts” earlier than bringing them to Smith and Jeffries.

The pair would then decide males for intercourse events, at occasions coercing them to drink alcohol, take the erectile dysfunction medicine Viagra, or muscle relaxant medication identified colloquially as “poppers”. At occasions, Jeffries and Smith would additionally forcibly inject the lads with an “erection inducing substance”.

Prosecutors mentioned the previous CEO and his associate spent hundreds of thousands on the enterprise – paying Jacobson’s wage, hiring employees for intercourse events, renting lodges, and shopping for tickets for home and worldwide journey.

“Throughout that interval the defendants employed dozens of males and transported them to New York and across the globe,” Peace mentioned. Peace added that Jeffries and Smith “spent hundreds of thousands of {dollars} on an enormous infrastructure to help this exercise and keep it’s secrecy” – and spent “a whole lot of hundreds” in money for business intercourse acts.

The indictment comes after eight males instructed a 2023 BBC investigation that that they had been exploited and recruited for intercourse occasions by the previous style boss. Federal prosecutors started an investigation in January 2024, following a civil swimsuit filed by victims final 12 months.

One of many plaintiffs within the civil lawsuit, David Bradberry, mentioned Jeffries compelled fashions to take medication and have interaction in intercourse for an opportunity to seem in Abercrombie catalogs whereas the corporate paid off individuals who accused Jeffries of sexual abuse or harassment.

Jeffries led Abercrombie from 1992 to 2014, making it a profitable teen attire maker identified for cologne-filled shops and adverts that includes semi-nude fashions. He resigned amid criticism that he didn’t sustain with altering tastes of stripling customers.

An lawyer for Bradberry, Brad Edwards of the Edwards Henderson regulation agency, instructed ABC Information in an announcement: “As we specified by our lawsuit, this was an Abercrombie-run, intercourse trafficking group that permeated all through the corporate and allowed the three people arrested right this moment to victimize dozens and dozens of younger, aspiring male fashions.”

The brand new federal legal case in opposition to Jeffries, Smith and Jacobson follows lots of the identical accusations first lodged in civil court docket, together with that Jeffries exploited younger males for intercourse between 2009 to 2015 in cities all over the world. Some males alleged they have been abused or injected with medication. Jeffries and his associate denied all allegations in a court docket submitting in response to the lawsuit.

Earlier than Jeffries stepped down, his tenure had additionally drawn scrutiny over its exclusionary advertising and marketing, specializing in skinny, engaging clients.

“We are going to reply intimately to the allegations after the indictment is unsealed, and when acceptable, however plan to take action within the courthouse – not the media,” Brian Bieber, a lawyer for Jeffries, instructed the Wall Road Journal.

Legal professionals for Smith didn’t instantly reply to requests for remark. A lawyer for Jacobson couldn’t instantly be reached for remark.

Jeffries was launched on a $10m bond, Jacobson on a $500,000 bond, and Smith was detained. They are going to be arraigned on Friday.

Peace mentioned: “I encourage anybody with details about this case, together with anybody who was a sufferer of the defendants’ alleged crimes, to contact the FBI.”

The case in opposition to Jeffries and his co-defendants is amongst a number of high-profile intercourse trafficking instances which have been pursued by federal prosecutors in New York Metropolis lately. Others have resulted in fees in opposition to music mogul Sean Combs in addition to Jeffrey Epstein, the late disgraced financier and convicted intercourse offender.

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BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Celtics have raised Banner 18 to the rafters.

The NBA’s most-decorated franchise celebrated its newest championship on Tuesday evening in a ceremony earlier than opening evening towards the New York Knicks. The gamers additionally acquired their championship rings.

The sold-out crowd on the TD Backyard settled into its seats to see the Celtics take the courtroom in particular warmup jackets trimmed in gold, with 18 championship trophies embroidered on the sleeve.

A few of the gamers paused their taking pictures to observe the video tracing their title journey, from the drafting of Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum by the acquisition of Jrue Vacation and Kristaps Porzingis.

One other video featured highlights of John Havlicek and Invoice Russell successful titles within the Nineteen Fifties and ‘60s by the ultimate seconds of the Celtics’ Sport 5 win over the Dallas Mavericks final spring.

Six-time champion Bob Cousy got here out in a wheelchair, adopted by Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen to see the 2024 championship banner go up subsequent to the one they gained in 2008. Gov. Maura Healey proclaimed Tuesday “Celtics Banner 18 Day” in Massachusetts.

After a courtroom look on Tuesday, Mr Jeffries was launched on a $10m (£7.7m) bond, whereas Mr Jacobson was launched on a $500,000 bond. They’re subsequent due in courtroom on Friday.

Mr Smith was ordered detained.

Mr Peace, the federal prosecutor, confirmed at a press convention on Tuesday that authorities had been initially tipped off by media stories.

Following the BBC’s reporting, a civil lawsuit was additionally filed in New York accusing Mr Jeffries and Mr Smith of sex-trafficking, rape and sexual assault.

The lawsuit additionally accused Abercrombie & Fitch of getting funded a sex-trafficking operation led by its former CEO over the 20 years he was in cost.

Earlier on Tuesday, Brad Edwards of Edwards Henderson, a civil lawyer representing a number of the alleged victims, mentioned: “These arrests are an enormous first step in the direction of acquiring justice for the numerous victims who had been exploited and abused by way of this sex-trafficking scheme that operated for a few years below the respectable cowl Abercrombie supplied.

“The unprecedented reporting of the BBC, coupled with the lawsuit our agency filed detailing the operation, are to credit score for these monumental arrests. This was the results of spectacular investigative journalism.”

In its preliminary investigation, the BBC spoke to 12 males who described attending or organising occasions involving intercourse acts run for Mr Jeffries, 80, and his British companion Mr Smith, 61, between 2009 and 2015.

The eight males who attended the occasions mentioned they had been recruited by a intermediary who the BBC recognized as James Jacobson.

Then, extra males got here ahead final month. Some alleged Mr Jeffries’ assistants had injected them within the penis with what they had been instructed was liquid Viagra.

Mr Jacobson, 71, beforehand instructed the BBC in an announcement by way of his lawyer that he took offence on the suggestion of “any coercive, misleading or forceful behaviour on my half” and had “no information of any such conduct by others”.

The BBC additionally interviewed dozens of different sources, together with former family employees.

A number of the males the BBC spoke to mentioned they had been misled concerning the nature of the occasions or not instructed intercourse was concerned. Others mentioned they understood the occasions can be sexual, however not precisely what was anticipated of them. All had been paid.

A number of instructed the BBC the intermediary or different recruiters raised the potential for modelling alternatives with A&F.

David Bradberry, then 23 and an aspiring mannequin, mentioned that it was “made clear” to him that with out performing oral intercourse on Mr Jacobson, he wouldn’t be assembly A&F CEO Mr Jeffries.

“It was like he was promoting fame. And the value was compliance,” Mr Bradberry instructed the BBC.

Mr Bradberry mentioned he later attended a celebration at Mr Jeffries’s mansion within the Hamptons in Lengthy Island the place he met Mr Jeffries and had intercourse with him.

He mentioned the “secluded” location and presence of Mr Jeffries’ private employees, wearing A&F uniforms, supervising occasions meant he “did not really feel secure to say ‘no’ or ‘I do not really feel comfy with this'”.

After the BBC’s preliminary investigation was printed final 12 months, A&F introduced it was opening an unbiased investigation into the allegations raised. Once we lately requested when this report will likely be accomplished – and if the findings can be made public – the corporate declined to reply.

Like Mr Jeffries and Mr Smith, the model has been making an attempt to get the civil lawsuit towards it dismissed, arguing it had no information of “the supposed sex-trafficking enterprise” led by its former CEO – which it has been accused of getting funded.

Earlier this 12 months, a US courtroom dominated that A&F should cowl the price of Mike Jeffries’ authorized defence as he continues to battle the civil allegations of sex-trafficking and rape. The choose dominated the allegations had been tied to his company function after he sued the model for refusing to pay his authorized charges.

The model mentioned it didn’t touch upon authorized issues. Nonetheless, in its defence submitted to courtroom, A&F mentioned its present management group was “beforehand unaware of” the allegations till the BBC contacted it, including the corporate “abhors sexual abuse and condemns the alleged conduct” by Mr Jeffries and others.

In 2014, Mr Jeffries stepped down as CEO following declining gross sales and left with a retirement bundle valued at round $25m (£20.5m), in accordance with firm filings on the time.

As soon as one in every of America’s highest-paid CEOs, he was a controversial determine who confronted claims of discrimination towards employees, considerations about his lavish bills and complaints concerning the unofficial affect of his life companion, Matthew Smith, inside A&F.