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‘We didn’t have an answer’ – Jim Crawford admits Ireland U21s ‘missing that magic moment’ in friendly defeat to Croatia
JIM CRAWFORD bemoaned a lack of creative “magic” as the Ireland Under-21s were beaten 1-0 by Croatia.
Midfielder Fabijan Krivak scored with a deflected long-range effort early in the second half to give the hosts a victory against an experimental Ireland team.
But boss Crawford felt his team lacked a spark in attack on a day when hot conditions went against them in Zagreb.
Crawford said: “The game is the game and we really didn’t create very much after the first 20 minutes.
“That is the talking point among the staff and players. It was an extremely hot day and we knew what was in front of us in a Pot 1 team in Croatia.
“I’m not making excuses but we knew what we were against.
“I thought we created one or two chances in the first half and we could have been a goal or two to the good.
“But they took the sting out of the game after that. We tired quite quickly.
“Croatia moved the ball quite well and caused us a couple of problems without creating any clear-cut chances.
“We got so far up the pitch in the second half and we just needed that cutting edge to create something which we didn’t.
“Croatia didn’t create many chances either, so it was a game that probably deserved a 0-0.
“They took a shot from distance. It took a deflection and it went in. We didn’t have an answer to that. The lads gave everything in trying circumstances.
“But it’s about higher up the pitch when space is at a premium.
“We were missing that magic moment or something to unlock the door and give us a goal. But it was a great challenge. We knew it was going to be tough and we were happy after the first 20 minutes when we were the better team.
“Now we will debrief and look ahead to Tuesday which is a different challenge.”
The Boys in Green face a Qatar Under-23 side on Tuesday in the final game of the international window ahead of their Euro 2027 qualification opener against Moldova in September.
IRELAND U-21: A Maguire (N Jauny 46); Alex Murphy, D Okagbue, S Grehan; S Curtis (C O’Sullivan 89), J Mullins (J Devaney 82), D Lipsiuc (H Vaughan 66), J Slater; Adam Murphy (E McJannet 66); M O’Mahony (C Dillon 46), J Gardner (W Davis 46).
Putin’s secret daughter, 22, ‘working in anti-war art gallery in Paris’ after ‘ditching tyrant’s name’
VLADIMIR Putin’s alleged secret daughter is reportedly working at a Parisian art gallery that showcases anti-Kremlin and anti-war exhibitions.
Elizaveta Krivonogikh, 22 – also known as Luiza Rozova and now Elizaveta Rudnova – is said to be rubbing shoulders with Russian dissidents and Ukrainian artists in the French capital.
Reports say she is working at L Galerie in Belleville and Espace Albatros in Montreuil, despite being the daughter of a regime responsible for the war they oppose.
She also reportedly dropped the Putin-linked name and adopted one tied to Oleg Rudnov, a late Vlad ally – in an apparent attempt to mask her ties to the Kremlin tyrant.
Her role as gallery manager includes helping organise shows and make videos, according to outlet Meduza.
But it has seemed to spark fury among exiled Russians and Ukrainians.
Artist Nastya Rodionova, who fled Russia in 2022, said she couldn’t stay silent.
In a Facebook post, she wrote: “It’s important to say that I believe in the presumption of innocence and that children are not responsible for the crimes of their parents.
“But with the war reaching its heights it is inadmissible to allow a person who comes from a family of beneficiaries of [Putin’s] regime to come into confrontation with the victims of that regime.
“We need to know who we are working with and decide whether we are ready for that. My personal answer in this case is no.”
Dmitry Dolinsky, director of L Association that controls Studio Albatros and L Galerie, defended Rudnova’s role.
He told The Times: “She looks like Putin but so do 100,000 other people. I haven’t seen a DNA test.”
Some insiders back her, calling her a “cultured person” and “excellent worker”.
But Rodionova hit back, warning that victims of the war shouldn’t be forced to share space with anyone tied to the regime – alleged daughter or not.
Rudnova’s mother, Svetlana Krivonogikh, was sanctioned by the UK in 2023 and linked to Putin’s inner circle by independent Russian media.
She reportedly owns property worth $100million and was outed as Putin’s former mistress by the Proekt investigative team.
Elizaveta vanished from Russian social media shortly before the invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
She once flaunted a lavish lifestyle on Instagram, posting photos in designer clothes, sipping champagne, and DJing under the name Luiza Rozova.
Ukrainian TV later claimed she was living in Paris with a passport under the name Rudnova, allegedly ditching the patronymic Vladimirovna, which would confirm her father’s name as Vladimir.
Born in March 2003, Elizaveta has never publicly confirmed a link to the Russian tyrant.
The Kremlin has never confirmed her existence either.
But the timing of her birth, her resemblance to Putin, and her mother’s major financial rise have fuelled years of speculation.
Kremlin critics say she is part of the hidden empire Putin has built for his inner circle and family.
Officially, Putin only acknowledges two daughters, Maria and Katerina, from his marriage to Lyudmila Putina, whom he divorced in 2014.
But it’s long been rumoured he has more children — including two sons with former gymnast Alina Kabaeva.
Who are Vladimir Putin's daughters?
VLADIMIR Putin is known for keeping his personal and family life very private, but some details about the tyrant’s children have surfaced over the years.
Maria Vorontsova (née Putin, born April 28, 1985): His eldest, 39, leads government-funded programs personally overseen by Putin, which have received billions from the Kremlin for genetic research.
She is the first of two daughters of Putin and his ex-wife, Lyudmila Putina.
Maria is said to be an expert in rare genetic diseases in children, and also dwarfism, according to reports.
She was married to Dutch businessman Jorrit Faassen.
In 2013, the couple were living in a penthouse in Voorschoten, the Netherlands, but the following year, Dutch residents called for her to be expelled following the shooting down of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 by pro-Russian rebels in Ukraine.
The pair are believed to have moved the Moscow the following year.
In March 2022, it was reported that the couple had split after the war in Ukraine crushed Maria’s dreams of opening a money-spinning clinic for wealthy foreigners in Russia
Katerina Tikhonova (née Putin, born August 31, 1986): Also daughter of Putin and Lyudmila, 38-year-old Katerina is a tech boss whose work supports the Russian government and defence industry.
She started as a “rock’n’roll” dancer before moving into the world of artificial intelligence.
In 2013, his daughter Katerina married Kirill Shamalov, whose father, Nikolai, is a longtime friend of the president.
Nikolai Shamalov is a shareholder in Bank Rossiya, described by US officials as the Russian elite’s personal bank.
They were married in a secret ceremony at the Igor ski resort just north of St Petersburg.
It was reported at the time that the pair rode into the ceremony on a sleigh pulled by three white horses.
All the guests invited were sworn to secrecy, and the Kremlin has never confirmed that the wedding took place.
“I have a private life in which I do not permit interference,” Putin once said. “It must be respected.”
The couple had corporate holdings worth around $2 billion, according to Reuters, mainly from their large stake in Sibur Holding, a major gas and petrochemical company Kirill bought from another long-time friend of Putin, Gennady Timchenko.
Kirill also bought off Timchenko’s luxury villa in the seaside resort of Biarritz, southern France, estimated to be worth some $3.7m.
In March 2022, the house was taken over by pro-Ukraine activists, in response to Russia’s brutal invasion.
But Katerina and Kirill divorced in January 2018, with Putin’s former son in law rumoured to have been romantically involved with London-based Russian socialite Zhanna Volkova.
After the split, Kirill was said to be forced to give up his stocks in Sibur, and he lost almost half his wealth.
Their divorce settlement hasn’t been disclosed but likely runs into the millions.
Despite that, Kirill is still worth an estimated $800 million.
Putin was reported to be “quietly grooming” Katerina to be his successor.
Vlad is also rumoured to have “hidden” children, though he has never confirmed these reports.
Elizaveta Rozova (aka Luiza Rozova): Elizaveta, also known as Luiza Rozova, 21, is the rumoured love child from Putin’s alleged affair with a former cleaner.
The daughter of Svetlana Krivonogikh, who later became a millionaire, is now a fashion designer and DJ.
She often shared details from her lavish life on Instagram, until suddenly taking down the page in the wake of the Ukraine war.
Speculation also surrounds his supposed secret family with Alina Kabaeva, a former rhythmic gymnast once known as “the most flexible woman in Russia”.
Officials have denied that he has kids with Alina, but it is reported that she is in hiding in Switzerland, avoiding any possible sanctions in the wake of the Ukraine war.
A petition demanding she is thrown out by the Swiss authorities has garnered 75,000 signatures, demanding that “it’s time you reunite Eva Braun with her Führer”.
Alina retired from gymnastics and took a strange career turn to become a Russian MP.
The former athlete – dubbed “Russia’s First Mistress” – the Duma, the Russian parliament in 2007, representing her alleged lover’s United Russia party but left years later to pick up a lucrative job running a media company, despite having no previous experience.
In April, Alina’s name and picture was dramatically stripped from the website of the media empire she controlled.
Putin’s secret daughter, 22, ‘working in anti-war art galleries in Paris’ after ‘ditching tyrant’s name’
VLADIMIR Putin’s alleged secret daughter is reportedly working at two Parisian art galleries that showcase anti-Kremlin and anti-war exhibitions.
Elizaveta Krivonogikh, 22 – also known as Luiza Rozova and now Elizaveta Rudnova – is said to be rubbing shoulders with Russian dissidents and Ukrainian artists in the French capital.
Reports say she is working at L Galerie in Belleville and Espace Albatros in Montreuil, despite being the daughter of a regime responsible for the war they oppose.
She also reportedly dropped the Putin-linked name and adopted one tied to Oleg Rudnov, a late Vlad ally – in an apparent attempt to mask her ties to the Kremlin tyrant.
Her role as gallery manager includes helping organise shows and make videos, according to outlet Meduza.
But it has seemed to spark fury among exiled Russians and Ukrainians.
Artist Nastya Rodionova, who fled Russia in 2022, said she couldn’t stay silent.
In a Facebook post, she wrote: “It’s important to say that I believe in the presumption of innocence and that children are not responsible for the crimes of their parents.
“But with the war reaching its heights it is inadmissible to allow a person who comes from a family of beneficiaries of [Putin’s] regime to come into confrontation with the victims of that regime.
“We need to know who we are working with and decide whether we are ready for that. My personal answer in this case is no.”
Gallery director Dmitry Dolinsky, meanwhile, defended Rudnova’s role.
“She looks like Putin but so do 100,000 other people. I haven’t seen a DNA test.”
Some insiders back her, calling her a “cultured person” and “excellent worker”.
But Rodionova hit back, warning that victims of the war shouldn’t be forced to share space with anyone tied to the regime – alleged daughter or not.
Rudnova’s mother, Svetlana Krivonogikh, was sanctioned by the UK in 2023 and linked to Putin’s inner circle by independent Russian media.
She reportedly owns property worth $100million and was outed as Putin’s former mistress by the Proekt investigative team.
Elizaveta vanished from Russian social media shortly before the invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
She once flaunted a lavish lifestyle on Instagram, posting photos in designer clothes, sipping champagne, and DJing under the name Luiza Rozova.
Ukrainian TV later claimed she was living in Paris with a passport under the name Rudnova, allegedly ditching the patronymic Vladimirovna, which would confirm her father’s name as Vladimir.
Born in March 2003, Elizaveta has never publicly confirmed a link to the Russian tyrant.
The Kremlin has never confirmed her existence either.
But the timing of her birth, her resemblance to Putin, and her mother’s major financial rise have fuelled years of speculation.
Kremlin critics say she is part of the hidden empire Putin has built for his inner circle and family.
Officially, Putin only acknowledges two daughters, Maria and Katerina, from his marriage to Lyudmila Putina, whom he divorced in 2014.
But it’s long been rumoured he has more children — including two sons with former gymnast Alina Kabaeva.
Who are Vladimir Putin's daughters?
VLADIMIR Putin is known for keeping his personal and family life very private, but some details about the tyrant’s children have surfaced over the years.
Maria Vorontsova (née Putin, born April 28, 1985): His eldest, 39, leads government-funded programs personally overseen by Putin, which have received billions from the Kremlin for genetic research.
She is the first of two daughters of Putin and his ex-wife, Lyudmila Putina.
Maria is said to be an expert in rare genetic diseases in children, and also dwarfism, according to reports.
She was married to Dutch businessman Jorrit Faassen.
In 2013, the couple were living in a penthouse in Voorschoten, the Netherlands, but the following year, Dutch residents called for her to be expelled following the shooting down of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 by pro-Russian rebels in Ukraine.
The pair are believed to have moved the Moscow the following year.
In March 2022, it was reported that the couple had split after the war in Ukraine crushed Maria’s dreams of opening a money-spinning clinic for wealthy foreigners in Russia
Katerina Tikhonova (née Putin, born August 31, 1986): Also daughter of Putin and Lyudmila, 38-year-old Katerina is a tech boss whose work supports the Russian government and defence industry.
She started as a “rock’n’roll” dancer before moving into the world of artificial intelligence.
In 2013, his daughter Katerina married Kirill Shamalov, whose father, Nikolai, is a longtime friend of the president.
Nikolai Shamalov is a shareholder in Bank Rossiya, described by US officials as the Russian elite’s personal bank.
They were married in a secret ceremony at the Igor ski resort just north of St Petersburg.
It was reported at the time that the pair rode into the ceremony on a sleigh pulled by three white horses.
All the guests invited were sworn to secrecy, and the Kremlin has never confirmed that the wedding took place.
“I have a private life in which I do not permit interference,” Putin once said. “It must be respected.”
The couple had corporate holdings worth around $2 billion, according to Reuters, mainly from their large stake in Sibur Holding, a major gas and petrochemical company Kirill bought from another long-time friend of Putin, Gennady Timchenko.
Kirill also bought off Timchenko’s luxury villa in the seaside resort of Biarritz, southern France, estimated to be worth some $3.7m.
In March 2022, the house was taken over by pro-Ukraine activists, in response to Russia’s brutal invasion.
But Katerina and Kirill divorced in January 2018, with Putin’s former son in law rumoured to have been romantically involved with London-based Russian socialite Zhanna Volkova.
After the split, Kirill was said to be forced to give up his stocks in Sibur, and he lost almost half his wealth.
Their divorce settlement hasn’t been disclosed but likely runs into the millions.
Despite that, Kirill is still worth an estimated $800 million.
Putin was reported to be “quietly grooming” Katerina to be his successor.
Vlad is also rumoured to have “hidden” children, though he has never confirmed these reports.
Elizaveta Rozova (aka Luiza Rozova): Elizaveta, also known as Luiza Rozova, 21, is the rumoured love child from Putin’s alleged affair with a former cleaner.
The daughter of Svetlana Krivonogikh, who later became a millionaire, is now a fashion designer and DJ.
She often shared details from her lavish life on Instagram, until suddenly taking down the page in the wake of the Ukraine war.
Speculation also surrounds his supposed secret family with Alina Kabaeva, a former rhythmic gymnast once known as “the most flexible woman in Russia”.
Officials have denied that he has kids with Alina, but it is reported that she is in hiding in Switzerland, avoiding any possible sanctions in the wake of the Ukraine war.
A petition demanding she is thrown out by the Swiss authorities has garnered 75,000 signatures, demanding that “it’s time you reunite Eva Braun with her Führer”.
Alina retired from gymnastics and took a strange career turn to become a Russian MP.
The former athlete – dubbed “Russia’s First Mistress” – the Duma, the Russian parliament in 2007, representing her alleged lover’s United Russia party but left years later to pick up a lucrative job running a media company, despite having no previous experience.
In April, Alina’s name and picture was dramatically stripped from the website of the media empire she controlled.
I’m 5ft1 & found two of the best summer co-ords from Primark – the elasticated waistbands are flattering on all bodies
IF you’re on a mission to find a gorgeous co-ord that’s sure to turn heads this summer, you’ve come to the right place.
A fashionista has found not just one, but two stunning sets that are incredibly stylish and affordable too.
So if your purse is feeling the pinch, fear not, you won’t have to break the bank to look glam this season.
Pia Grace Smith, a content creator who describes herself as “your 5ft1 clothes guru”, took to social media to show off her latest Primark haul, leaving many totally stunned.
Not only did she try on a beautiful red co-ord and a floaty white maxi skirt, but the brunette beauty also nabbed two co-ords that you won’t want to miss.
Alongside the short clip, the influencer wrote: “Primark I am sat!!!! Wow how unreal girls.”
Pia, who is from the UK, was left beaming with her new purchases, which she nabbed from the Primark store in Bluewater, Dartford.
The young woman was lucky enough to get her hands on the Embroidered Mini Skirt, which pairs perfectly with the Embroidered Halter Neck Vest.
Both are just £16, bringing the total cost of the set to £32.
The halter vest is complete with an open back, tie fastenings and scalloped trim, making it a real statement piece for warm days.
The intricate blue floral and paisley embroidery is sure to impress, while Primark bosses claim the elasticated waistband of the skirt keeps it “comfortable and easy to wear.”
The tiered mini skirt adds texture to any outfit, making it a great choice for everyday plans or sunny weekends.
Not only this, but Pia was also impressed with her second Primark co-ord, as she paired the Postcard Puff Sleeve Crop Top with the matching Postcard Print Poplin Shorts.
The unique tropical print cropped top has a stylish square neckline and at £13, we think it’s a real steal.
Top Primark summer buys
IF you're looking for more Primark summer buys, then you've come to the right place.
Shoppers have recently been raving about the new Miffy PJs from Primark.
Others were desperate to nab the new leopard print nightwear.
If animal print is your thing, you’ll want to check out the new maxi skirts.
The haltnerneck tops are perfect for summer.
If you’re on a budget, these trousers are identical to a pair from Zara, but without the hefty price tag.
There’s brilliant travel essentials for less than £10.
And if you plan on heading to the beach, you won’t want to miss these crochet bags.
It’s sure to brighten up your day thanks to the hibiscus flowers, palm trees, and bold tile-style patterns in vibrant colours.
The matching shorts are £12 and the drawstring waist is one that’s perfect for bloated days.
The sunny day staple is made from lightweight cotton, whilst offering an elasticated waistband for comfort.
Can’t believe these are from Primark!! Wow
Instagram user
So if you’re searching for a co-ord that will flatter any body shape, you’ll need to move fast to your nearest Primark store.
These two new sets are sure to be winners with many fashion fans this summer and when worn together, will be ideal for garden parties, holidays, beach days and beyond.
Fashionistas beam
The Instagram clip, which was posted under the username @pia_gracesmith, has clearly left many open-mouthed, as it has quickly racked up 256,000 views, 4,418 likes and 103 comments.
Why Primark is great for looking expensive on a budget
By Clemmie Feildsend, Fabulous Fashion Editor
AS someone who’s no stranger to grabbing a last-minute outfit from Primark for a night out, it’s about time that celebrities started catching on too.
For as long as I’ve been heading out, Primark has been my go-to for those “I have nothing to wear” moments, rushing in at the last minute to find something perfect.
And I’m definitely not alone – on any Friday or Saturday night, you’ll find plenty of shoppers doing the same thing, right before closing time.
But no matter what, Primark always delivers.
Now, Rita Ora is leading the charge, showing that you can snag a designer-worthy look without spending a fortune at high-end stores.
While Rita’s not rushing in last minute for a red carpet outfit, she’s proving you can achieve the same high-impact style for much less.
Looking stunning in her tailored suit alongside her mum Vera, Rita fit right in among the other A-listers dripping in Prada, Dior, and Victoria Beckham – if anything, she looked even better than some of the guests at The Fashion Awards.
With Myleene Klass and Roxy Horner already jumping on the Primark bandwagon, I’m sure more stars will be following suit soon enough.
Fashion fans were left gushing with Pia’s Primark haul and many eagerly rushed to the comments to share their thoughts on her purchases.
One person said: “Obsessed every time.”
Another added: “I’m getting it all.”
Meanwhile, a third gasped: “Can’t believe these are from Primark!! Wow.”
Whilst someone else chimed in: “Taking my behind to Primark this weekend.”
Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club
If Resident Evil Requiem Flops, I’m Personally Canceling Survival Horror Forever
I’m putting everything on the line here, but if Resident Evil Requiem somehow manages to disappoint after yesterday’s Summer Game Fest reveal, I’m personally declaring survival horror dead and burying it myself. That’s how confident I am that Capcom just delivered the genre’s future on a silver platter. The reveal wasn’t just a trailer drop. […]
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
Daughter reveals chilling phone call made hours after mum vanished 15 years ago – as cops find body buried in garden
A MYSTERY phone call could prove vital in cracking the cold case of a mum who vanished 15 years ago, The Sun can reveal.
Izabela Helena Zabłocka went missing in August 2010, aged 30, after moving to Derbyshire from Poland the previous year.
But an investigation wasn’t opened by British cops until last month, thanks to a baffling miscommunication gaffe.
Once the probe finally kicked into gear, officers made five arrests before finding remains in a back garden and charging a woman with murder on Friday – all within a matter of a couple of weeks.
Anna Podedworna, 39, also faces charges of preventing a lawful burial and perverting the course of justice.
Now, Izabela’s daughter, Kasia, who was just nine when she vanished, has told The Sun about an odd phone conversation she had in the hours after her mum was first reported missing.
Kasia and her grandmother would speak to Izabela every day over the phone after her move to Britain – but when she suddenly stopped, they became frantic with worry.
The young girl had been continuously trying to contact her mum when an unknown woman answered and told her she didn’t know Izabela and hung up.
Kasia told us: “It was a conversation of a few seconds, I was only a child.
“The woman, as far as I remember, told me that she doesn’t know my mother, doesn’t know who Izabela is, and hung up.”
Soon after that, Kasia recalls, the phone was disconnected.
Her family – who don’t speak English – relayed all of this to Polish cops at the time but the trail eventually ran cold, without any answers about what had happened.
Derbyshire Constabulary say the first they heard of Izabela was last month when Kasia, now 25, after years of appeals for help, got in touch on a whim.
She was as surprised as anyone that British cops hadn’t been involved in the case at all – assuming Polish forces must have been liaising with them all these years.
And Izabela’s case might not be the only one to slip through the cracks.
Speaking to The Sun, former top Scotland Yard cop Peter Bleksley said: “Given all the circumstances, my question is how many more? How many other cases are like this in the UK?”
He said it’s so easy for someone to move to the UK and then after months or even years disappear but because they’re not part of a stable support network, are never reported to police.
He added: “How many more have entered communities, but are murdered and done away with but no one is going to miss them?”
Of course, Izabela’s family, particularly daughter Kasia, never did give up looking – but were let down by authorities again and again.
Speaking to The Sun after remains were found in the garden of a home in Princes Street – a road where Izabela had lived – last week, Kasia had said: “I definitely want to know the truth as soon as possible.”
Her mum, who had called back home every day prior to vanishing on August 29 2010, had communicated to the family she planned to return home imminently.
Have YOU got a story or an amazing picture or video? Email exclusive@the-sun.co.uk and you could even get PAID
It’s understood Kasia’s grandmother had even sent her daughter money to buy a plane ticket but she never arrived and her phone was suddenly deactivated after the strange call.
When they reported her missing to Polish cops, it seems they simply assumed she’d made it back to her homeland.
They told Izabela’s family they checked hospitals and prisons, and over the years did collect DNA samples, including hair from her wedding veil.
However, Kasia said the case was then archived in the mid-2010s, and her loved ones feared they would never learn what happened.
Mr Bleksley said: “In terms of the Polish police, they paid it absolute lip service. Not in a hospital, not in a jail, don’t really care.”
In contrast, he said the investigation by Derbyshire Constabulary “moved at break neck speed”, which is a credit to those involved.
“From it getting reported, even having heard her name for the first time, it’s only days until someone has been arrested, re-arrested, and now in custody,” he continued.
“In stark contrast to the Polish police, Derbyshire have taken it very seriously, they must have made a considerable amount of enquiries to rapidly make arrests and nail the correct address, start excavating and unfortunately find remains.”
He said he hoped “despite the passage of time” the remains “provide a treasure trove of forensic evidence”.
Mr Bleksley went on to say: “It smacks to me that somebody was desperate to tell the police what they knew, and they had been waiting for that knock on the door all that time.”
He said the excavation “will be absolutely painstaking” because “any tiny microscopic” piece of forensic evidence “will be crucial to nailing the case”.
“This is almost like a textbook test of modern forensic science,” he added.
Asked if he believes Izabela – if the remains prove to be hers – was killed by someone she knew, Mr Bleksley said: “That is very difficult to speculate. The fact that arrests were made so swiftly, indicates to me that these were people that were known to each other – that I will say…
“I’m not being intentionally flippant here but they are going to solve this.
“Somebody, I feel, is desperate to tell people what they saw. That’s why it’s galloped forward so quickly. Someone’s almost gone ‘oh I thought you’d never come – right okay, this is what I saw, this is who did it.’”
Mr Bleksley added: “As much as we criticise our police, and as much as we at times fall short and fail us all, by and large, when it comes to the big, serious, major investigations, they do very well.”
He pointed to examples of Brits who have lost loved ones abroad and they’ve remained unexplained, including Madeleine McCann.
“We sometimes have a lot to be grateful for when it comes to our police force investigating serious crime,” he said.
Mr Bleksley also added that had Madeleine – who vanished while on holiday in Portugal in 2007, aged three – gone missing “under similar circumstances” in the UK, “that case would have been solved a very long time ago”.
During his career he’s worked with police forces across the world, including the US, Belgium, France and the Netherlands, sometimes undercover.
He championed British forces, in comparison, for their work ethics and systems of investigation.
Asked if whilst working in other countries he recognised blindsides in local cops’ working, he said: “I did, which is why I was called in so often to help foreign law enforcement with their cases.”
The existence of the likes of Europol, Interpol and the National Crime Agency designed to help police communicate internationally, it may appear archaic that a case like Izabela’s can fall through the cracks.
“They can only be effective if the liaison through different countries is good,” said Mr Bleksley.
“In this case, it was appalling to the extent of being non-existent.
“If the Polish police had done their job properly, this case would’ve been solved years ago.”
Asked if it is likely there will be some kind of watchdog probe into what went wrong in Poland, Mr Bleksley said: “That I don’t know, that would be a matter for the family, I’m sure for any forces in the UK, litigation would be pursued, of course, not to mention the complaints procedure.
“I don’t know what the situation is in Poland with regards to that.
He added: “There’s plenty more embarrassment for the Polish police force coming down the line if this case runs its course and ends up in a trial.”
Asked if there’s any chance Derbyshire Police were simply mistaken and, despite their assertions, ignored communications with Poland over the years about the case, Mr Bleksley said it’s unlikely.
“Everything gets logged these days. Everything goes into the computer system and lives there forever.
“Derbyshire Police wouldn’t have been as bullish as they have been by saying we had no trace of this if actually they didn’t have any trace.”
‘I did everything to publicise my mum’s disappearance’
Kasia told The Sun last week, prior to the remains discovery: “When Mum went missing, I was 9 years old, I was a child.
“It was only when I became an adult that I took up the search for Mum again.
“I did everything to publicise my mother’s disappearance; it took me a lot of time, but I hope I will find out the truth.”
She went on to say: “My family reported the case to the Polish police 15 years ago, but now we are finding out that the British police did not receive the report during those 15 years, and they have only just started an investigation.
“The Polish police only checked prisons and hospitals and didn’t find anything significant, and after a few years, the disappearance case went to the archive.”
She continued: “I started looking for her on my own as soon as I became an adult.
“I started publicising my mother’s disappearance in Poland, in the media and on YouTube. I did everything I could, and Polish charities helped me with this.
“I started making posters about my mother’s disappearance. I wrote to the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in London, and they wrote back that they would check the prisons in England and Wales, but I did not receive any information on whether this was actually checked.”
The 25-year-old had hoped her mum had simply decided to start a new life, and she would suddenly appear with a new identity.
However, those hopes were quashed when murder arrests were made, with Kasia admitting: “I’m very upset by the news I’ve received, and I’m so sorry that I received this message and not another one.
“I’ve been looking for her for 15 years, and I hope I finally find out the truth.”
Izabela's last movements
2009
Izabela moves to the UK from Poland
2010
The factory worker is living in Princes Street, Normanton
August 28, 2010
She contacts her family for the last time before she vanishes
May 2025
Derbyshire Police launch a fresh appeal for information and launch a murder investigation
May 28
Two women, aged 39 and 43, as well as a 41-year-old man, are arrested and released on bail
June 2
Human remains are found in a garden of a house on the street where Izabela lived
June 3
A 39-year-old woman, who was previously arrested on suspicion of murder, is rearrested
June 6
Anna Podedworna, 39, has now been charged with murder, preventing a lawful burial and perverting the course of justice
Two other women aged 39 and 43, and two men aged 41 and 48, were arrested on suspicion of murder and all remain on police bail pending further inquiries
Detective Inspector Kane Martin, who is leading the investigation, said after the body was found: “Izabela’s family are at the forefront of our minds following this discovery and, whilst formal identification has not yet taken place, it is our belief that these remains do belong to Izabela.”
Mr Martin went on to say: “We have spoken with Izabela’s family in Poland, and they are aware. Our thoughts are with them at this extremely difficult time.
“Identification of the remains is likely to be a lengthy process, but we will issue updates when we are able.
“I know that reports of these findings will send shockwaves through the local community, and I understand the concern of residents.
“Officers will remain in Princes Street in the coming days, and anyone with concerns is encouraged to speak with them.”
DI Martin explained that a “dedicated team of detectives” would continue their investigation to “piece together information” about the days leading up to Izabela’s death.
Izabela worked at the former Cranberry Foods chicken and turkey factory in Scropton, around 10 miles west of Derby.
Crimestoppers is offering up to £20,000 for exclusive information relating to the investigation that leads to a conviction, with the reward valid for three months until August 27.
Anyone with information can contact the charity via its website, Crimestoppers-uk.org, or by calling 0800 555 111.
Do you know more? Email ryan.merrifield@thesun.co.uk
Maura Higgins replaced on Love Island USA spin-off as stunning new host is revealed
MAURA HIGGINS has been replaced as the presenter of Love Island USA spin off Aftersun.
The Irish beauty hosted the sister show, which airs on streaming service Peacock in the US, for its fifth season last year.
Maura, 34, was also the social media presenter for the US version of the dating show.
But now she has been replaced by Sophie Monk, who will be familiar to Love Island fans as she hosts the Australian version of the show.
It is understood that Maura has not been axed however, and the shake-up is due to scheduling conflicts.
An insider teased: “She wasn’t able to commit to hosting Aftersun this season due to other work commitments, but she will be back on screen in some capacity later in the run.”
While it’s not confirmed, one fan theory is that she is believed to be filming the US version of The Traitors, following in the footsteps of fellow Love Island star Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu.
It is thought that she may return to host Aftersun for the second season of Love Island Games, which films later this year in Fiji.
The cast for the next series of The Traitors USA has yet to be officially confirmed.
The Love Island shake-up news was announced last night via an instagram post on the show’s official account.
Alongside a posed snap of a beaming sofa, the caption read: “Welcome Sophie Monk to the Aftersun family!”
Main show host Ariana Madix, who found fame on Vanderpump Rules, shared her excitement over the new hire.
“You guys have no idea how much i’m dying over this.”
Fans were quick to ask where Maura was.
“Oh no! What happened?!” one worried follower wrote.
But another reassured them, replying: “She’s going to be on traitors. She’s back for love island games.”
Maura is yet to make any official comment herself on social media.
The Sun has contacted a rep for Maura for comment.
It’s certainly been a tricky year for the star, who hails from County Longford, Ireland.
Back in February, she faced a huge backlash after she was snapped sharing a drunken kiss with McFly’s Danny Jones at a Brits after party.
The pair grew close after starring on ITV’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! last November.
And while Danny has patched things up with wife Georgia and issued a grovelling apology, Maura has not publicly commented on the scandal.
‘Fire Force’s Comedic Timing Might Turn Into a Major Problem
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Kristin Cavallari Denies She’s Ever Had Botox in Candid Post
Kristin Cavallari is sharing the truth about her face, following speculation she’s had Botox. Taking to her Instagram Story on Friday, June 6, The Hills alum, 38, uploaded a makeup-free selfie to prove she hadn’t had any work done. “OK guys you can see every line and pore in this picture. Zero makeup here except […]
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