New York State

SAN FRANCISCO 49ers chief Paraag Marathe is part of a US-led Rangers takeover bid.

The NFL supremo is involved in a consortium hoping to take control of the Ibrox club.

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Paraag Marathe, President of 49ers Enterprises[/caption]

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Marathe speaks out at Levis Stadium[/caption]

Leeds United chairman Marathe and fellow US business figures have held detailed talks with the Gers hierarchy in recent months.

SunSport understands current board member, the American John Halsted, has been a prominent figure in bringing potential investors to the table.

And this could lead to the 49ers being part of a major multi-million pound investment – should a deal be struck.

Ibrox sources insist there are still plenty of hurdles to overcome as high-level discussions continue.

But there is hope that an agreement can be reached with the US investors to kick off a new era at Gers.

The consortium see huge potential in the Ibrox club, with possible access to the Champions League a reward for domestic success.

They also view Scottish football as a prime environment to bring in young talent and adopt a successful player-trading model.

Marathe heads up the 49ers Enterprises arm – which seeks to ‘oversee outside business ventures, advisory efforts, and major investment opportunities for the club’.

He is also Executive VP of Football Operations for the NFL giants.

Marathe orchestrated the 49ers’ takeover of Leeds in 2023 after years of investment and is driving their bid for Premier League promotion.

Under existing SFA dual ownership rules, this is set to limit the 49ers’ ability to snap up a Gers shareholding of over 29.9 per cent.

However, there are other US investors keen to plunge money into Gers as part of a wider consortium.

These figures believe Marathe’s experience of British football can be of huge significance as part of a potential deal to revive Rangers.

And the 49ers – bankrolled by the York family – could extend their portfolio by investing in the Ibrox giants.

Speaking at the club’s AGM last year, interim chairman John Gilligan made it clear that Rangers were open to a cash injection.

The Ibrox club are currently strapped for cash after posting a £17.2million loss last year.

Boss Philippe Clement was limited to just one loan signing in January, with runaway league leaders Celtic favourites to complete another Treble.

But back in December, Gilligan promised fans that change was coming.

He told shareholders: “There is fresh investment coming into the club.

“The current investors have invested considerably over the years and are willing to do so again.

“We are open to anyone who approaches us on investment.

“We get approaches from all over the world from various sources.

“But it has to be the right people and the right conditions and for the right amount of shares.

“We don’t want one person owning the club.”

Rangers’ current shareholding group is varied – with former chairman Dave King still owning around 13 per cent.

Douglas Park, George Taylor, Stuart Gibson and John Bennett also have a significant amount of shares.

It’s believed several of them would be willing to cut a deal for the right price, if they felt it was in the best interests of the club. 

The Rangers board already has strong American ties, with non-executive director Alastair Johnston vice chairman of US-based IMG – a leading sports and entertainment group.

Wyoming-based Halsted became a Gers investor in 2021 through Perron Investments, LLC.

There’s been a spate of tie-ins between the US sport and British football with Tom Brady is the co-owner of a Birmingham City side which has many ex-Gers stars on the payroll in the form of Scott Wright, Ben Davies and Kieran Dowell.

JJ Watt is a minority investor in a Burnley side which currently sits third in the EFL Championship table.

Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page

EBAY has killed off support for its app on millions of iPhones and Androids.

Bosses behind the hit shopping app confirmed the axing as baffled users began complaining that it had stopped working on their phones.

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Apple’s iPhone X is one of the phones losing support for the eBay app[/caption]

Now anyone with a phone that doesn’t support the eBay app will be forced to use the website instead.

eBay revealed the exact phone versions that will now miss out on the app.

Unsurprisingly, some eBay fans reacted poorly to the news.

Writing on Reddit, one user said: “I found a way around it, bought from Amazon instead.

“What an absolutely stupid ‘update’ from eBay, effectively blocking about 20% of users from the app. Can’t use the app, and can’t update it.

“Website version of eBay performs poorly on iPhone, and keeps re-opening the app. Fed up of it, so bought on Amazon.”

eBay’s announcement was delivered to app users in an email.

It warned that you’d need to update the app for eBay to work properly.

And it added that some devices simply wouldn’t be able to update at all.

“Over the last week, you might have had an issue if you tried to access your app,” eBay explained.

“We regularly update our app with new features and improvements, to provide you with the simplest and most secure experience when shopping and selling via your mobile device.

“It’s important that the eBay app is compatible with the latest operating systems, as they bring important security features, bug fixes, and help protect your information.

“As part of our latest update, eBay app versions 6.191 and older (which are compatible with operating systems earlier than iOS 16 and Android 10) are no longer support.”

eBay added: “we’re sorry if this has caused you any inconvenience.”

The Sun

The company noted that if your phone is no longer supported, you’ll need to use the eBay website instead.

In the alert, eBay warned that anyone with an iPhone running iOS 16 or earlier would need to update their phone’s software.

You can do that by going into Settings > General > Software Update.

Sadly, it means that millions of iPhones have lost support for the official eBay app.

For instance, that includes 2017’s popular iPhone X model, which was the first to feature the Face ID scanner.

Instead you’ll need to either use the website or upgrade to a newer iPhone model.

It’s a similar story for Android phone owners, who will need models that can update to Android 10.0 or later.

There are too many Android phone models to list.

It’s beyond annoying. My phone may be old but it’s really good.

eBay uservia Reddit

But you can check your phone’s Android version by going to Settings > About Phone > Android Version.

And you can download the latest software by going to Settings > System > Software Update.

If you can’t get at least Android 10 then the eBay app won’t be supported for your device.

Other eBay fans revealed their disappointment with the move.

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The iPhone X only came out in 2017 – but loses access to eBay because it can’t upgrade to iOS 17[/caption]

One user writing on Reddit complained about the potential cost of the change: “It’s beyond annoying. My phone may be old but it’s really good and I don’t want the expense of an upgrade right now. Fuming!”

And another moaned: “What a headache!

ANNE Marie has announced she is pregnant with her second child with husband Slowthai.

The singer shared the news this evening – just months after the rapper was found not guilty of raping two fans on roof of house party after a gig.

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The couple’s daughter has just turned one[/caption]

The 33-year-old posted a video of herself singing along to her her song Don’t Panic – and then revealing her bump.

She sang: “Baby, please don’t panic. Nothing’s gonna happen. Please don’t panic. You’ll only cause more damage. You give yourself a heart attack. Oh, every time you think like that.”

Anne Marie captioned the video “surprise”, as her fans rushed to congratulate her.

The former Voice UK judge welcomed her daughter with Slowthai in February last year.

The couple have just celebrated their daughter – Seven’s – first birthday.

Anne-Marie and Slowthai – real name Tyron Kaymone – secretly married in Las Vegas in the summer of 2022.

Anne Marie was by partner’s side throughout his trial at Oxford Crown Court last year.

Slowthai was charged with raping two female fans at a house party after a gig in 2021.

The Grammy-nominated artist was accused of isolating the fans after instigating a “no phones and no boys” rule.

But the rapper, 29, and his co-accused Alex Blake-Walker, 27, were cleared of three counts of rape on December 16.

He burst into tears as the verdict was delivered, while wife Anne-Marie sighed with relief.

Anne Marie later broke her silence about the difficult time and wrote:  “2024 the most beautiful yet hardest year of our lives. God really tryina see how strong I am hahaha.

“I miss you all and I love you all more than you’ll ever know. I have SO MUCH for you in the new year that you’ll probably be sick of me (please don’t be) have the best break if you can and see you soon.”

CHELSEA are convinced they can land England centre-half Marc Guehi in the summer despite their failed January approach.

Crystal Palace’s Guehi is top of the Blues’ wishlist but they also need a winger and a striker.

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Chelsea are confident they will bring Marc Guehi back to the club this summer[/caption]

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Liam Delap is also on Chelsea’s radar[/caption]

Chelsea’s winter bid for the 24-year-old was understood to be “ridiculously low”.

Palace value Guehi at £70million but, with just one full year left on his contract, they are unlikely to get that amount.

Tottenham also showed an interest in January after Newcastle had four bids rejected before the start of the season – with the Toon’s biggest worth £65m.

If Guehi was to sign for Chelsea in the summer, it would see him return to the club four years after he left.

He came through the ranks at Stamford Bridge after joining them at the age of seven.

Guehi made just two senior appearances for Chelsea despite being part of a star-studded Under-18s side with Reece James, Conor Gallagher and Callum Hudson-Odoi that won the quadruple in 2018.

The 22-time capped England international was sold to Palace for £18m in 2021 after two seasons out on loan at Swansea.

Meanwhile, striker Liam Delap is on Chelsea’s radar.

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Ipswich paid Manchester City an initial £15m for Delap in the summer.

But his ten Premier League goals this season has raised his valuation to around £50m.

Chelsea are on the lookout for a new striker with options through the middle currently limited for boss Enzo Maresca.

Nicolas Jackson and Marc Guiu are both out injured and Christopher Nkunku struggled as the No9 in their recent 3-0 loss to Brighton.

MANCHESTER CITY are facing Real Madrid RIGHT NOW in the second leg of their Champions League knockout phase play off!

But the headline team news is that star striker Erling Haaland is only on the BENCH tonight after picking up a knock against Newcastle last time out.

Jude Bellingham‘s last-gasp strike secured a 3-2 win for Los Blancos in a dramatic first leg at the Etihad last week.

Pep Guardiola‘s men are in need of a huge turnaround in the Spanish capital as they face a tall order to keep their Champions League campaign alive.

• Kick off time: 8pm GMT
• TV channel: TNT Sports 1
• Live stream: discovery+
• Real Madrid team: Courtois; Valverde, Rudiger, Asencio, Mendy; Tchouameni, Ceballos, Bellingham; Rodrygo, Mbappe, Vinicius Jr
• Man City team: Ederson, Khusanov, Stones, Dias, Gvardiol, Nico, Gundogan, Bernardo, Foden, Savinho, Marmoush

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IT was one of the most shocking documentaries of recent times – now Michael Jackson exposé Leaving Neverland has a sequel.

I can reveal that the follow-up, which comes from the same director Dan Reed, will air on Channel 4 next month and promises to be just as explosive.

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A sequel to Michael Jackson exposé Leaving Neverland is coming[/caption]

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Michael Jackson’s estate sued HBO for distributing Leaving Neverland[/caption]

The first, made in 2019, revolved around Wade Robson and James Safechuck, who alleged that they were befriended and then abused by the singer, who died aged 50 in 2009.

The sequel will follow their journey since then as they try to take their cases through the US courts.

A TV insider said: “The term ‘bombshell’ is one which is too often bandied around to describe documentaries, particularly when they involve the rich and famous.

“But Finding Neverland was an exposé which was truly deserving of the term, and the follow-up very much continues in the same shocking vein.”

The original documentary will be repeated on Channel 4 shortly before the second instalment airs on March 18.

The first outing divided opinions, particularly among Jacko’s international army of fans, who claim the allegations were fabricated.

They even protested outside the head offices of Channel 4, where editors originally conceived of the project.

Several documentaries were made rebutting the claims and the Jackson estate sued HBO for distributing the film.

However, it was lauded within the industry and won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special.

I’m sure the follow-up will prove just as controversial.

MALACHI A BOXING RINGER

ACTOR Malachi Kirby shows just how far the creators of A Thousand Blows have gone to replicate the boxing underworld of Victorian London.

He plays real-life fighter Hezekiah Moscow, who came to the UK from Jamaica in the 1870s and became celebrated in the ring.

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Malachi plays real-life fighter Hezekiah Moscow[/caption]

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The series comes from Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight[/caption]

One of the few images of him from the time was recreated by Malachi ahead of the release of the six-part Disney+ drama tomorrow.

It’s another story from the working class world of the past brought vividly to life by Steven Knight, who gave us BBC One gangster thriller Peaky Blinders.

Appearing alongside Malachi is an all-star cast including Erin Doherty, Stephen Graham and Daniel Mays.

And the good news is that before the first series has even dropped, the sequel has already been made and is ready to go.

HAPPY RETURNS, CHESHIRE

ITV has scored hits with All Stars versions of I’m A Celebrity and Love Island – and the channel is now planning the same for another of its reality show successes.

The Real Housewives Of Cheshire, which airs on ITVBe and ITVX, will see the return of wives from past series as part of the show’s ten-year anniversary next month.

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The Real Housewives Of Cheshire is getting an all-stars series[/caption]

The 18th run will see the explosive return of fan favourites, including Lauren Simon, Ell Egar, Lystra Adams, Paige Chohan, Rachel Lugo, Seema Malhotra and Sheena Lynch, as the girls head to a five-star retreat in Thailand’s Koh Samui.

Across the 12 episodes, drama will break out as Rachel prepares for her 50th birthday,

Ell reveals her engagement and baby news, and newly single Lystra starts a new business.

The series returns at 9pm on March 3.

MOTHER OF A JOB, BESSIE

SHE soared to fame as Bridgerton’s Prudence Featherington, but Bessie Carter hasn’t forgotten where it all began.

The actress, who is the daughter of Imelda Staunton and Jim Carter, is to star opposite her mother in West End play Mrs Warren’s Profession – but Bessie’s not nervous.

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Bessie Carter is the daughter of Imelda Staunton and Jim Carter[/caption]

She appeared with both parents in BBC period drama series Return To Cranford, for an early on-screen job.

Bessie joked: “We’re an acting troupe, my mum, dad and I.

“We were all in the same show when I was 12, though not the same scenes.

“I just had a few days’ filming playing Tom Hiddleston’s maid.

“For this we don’t have to act like mother and daughter because we are just that, and that means I can relax a bit.”

FEAR WE GO FOR MARTIN

MARTIN COMPSTON had the pleasure of coming home to Scotland to film his new show – but life is far less sweet for his character in drama Fear.

The Line Of Duty star plays a bloke who moves into a grand house in Glasgow with his wife and child only to be accused by a neighbour of being an abuser.

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Martin Compston stars in drama Fear[/caption]

But playing the difficult role in the three-part Prime Video series – which drops on March 4 – was a juicy prospect for the actor.

Martin said: “I think in this day and age, any accusation seems to stick before anybody’s got any sort of evidence.

“So it’s horrible and that’s probably the worst thing you can be accused of.

“But I think that’s what the drama does really well.

“It can ask questions of audiences of how far would you go to defend your name, to protect your children and, you know, where is the line?

“Without giving anything away, that’s where the thriller goes.”

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REALITY telly’s Maura Higgins has been spotted on a celebrity dating app — days after splitting from Strictly’s Pete Wicks.

The Love Island star’s profile was on Raya, with a photo of herself from the show.

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Maura Higgins has sgned up to dating app Raya her after split from love rat Pete Wicks[/caption]

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Maura’s had a really tough time after everything with Pete, a friend revealed[/caption]

But pals close to Maura said she was not interested in finding someone again so soon after leaving Pete.

A friend explained yesterday: “Maura’s had a really tough time after everything with Pete.

“Dating again isn’t something she’s interested in, she just wants to be single. Her account popped up on Raya but she’s deactivated it and said she’s not used it in a year.”

Maura, who last year hosted Love Island USA: Aftersun, used a photo of herself in a sheer strapless dress from the final for her Raya profile.

Joking about the cost of the app, which starts from £9.99 a month, last year, Maura said: “Who would have thought we have to pay for dates nowadays?”

We told last week how I’m A Celeb contestant Maura, 34, dumped Towie and Strictly Come Dancing star Pete, 37, after finding messages to other women on his phone.

The pair started dating in August last year.

Maura first spoke publicly about their relationship on I’m A Celebrity last year.

She found fame on 2019’s Love Island, and joined Raya in 2021 after splitting from Strictly pro Giovanni Pernice.

Days ago, The Sun on Sunday told how Maura was asked where Pete was as she left a restaurant alone on Valentine’s Day.

She was filmed saying: “I don’t know, probably cheating.”

She later sent herself red roses with a card reading: “To Me, Love Me.”

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Maura dumped Pete after finding messages to other women on his phone[/caption]

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The ultimate battle

Carragher was not convinced...

'I am scared already.'