** stories on all the things that i love **

3:54 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Fergie's fall-outs

GORDON STRACHAN 1989
Never forgave the Scot for trying to engineer a move to France and was sold to Leeds.

PAUL INCE 1995
Fergie labelled him "a big-time Charlie" after moving Ince on to Inter Milan.

MARK BOSNICH 1999
Arrested on his stag night before he had even had time to play for the club. Left in 2001 after only a handful of appearances.

JAAP STAM 2001
Paid a heavy price for revelations in his autobiography, including the claim that Fergie tapped him up while at PSV Eindhoven.

ANDY COLE 2001
The No 1 striker was ruthlessly axed when Ruud van Nistelrooy arrived.

DWIGHT YORKE 2002
Fergie tired of the striker’s playboy lifestyle and packed him off to Blackburn.

RUUD VAN NISTELROOY 2004
The prolific Dutch hitman was stunned after being left out against Fulham in March.

3:46 PM
t.r.a.c.y

It's Becks all over again

THE similarities between the David Beckham and Ruud van Nistelrooy situations are spooky.

THE ROW Fergie hit Becks with a boot, Ruud hit Fergie with claims United missed Beckham.

THE STAND-OFF Fergie did not speak to Becks after the boot row and dropped him. The boss and Van Nistelrooy have hardly spoken since Fergie dropped him at Fulham in February.

THE NEGOTIATIONS United secretly negotiated to sell Becks to Barcelona then sold him to Real Madrid. Van Nistelrooy's agent Roger Linse has met both Barca president Joan Laporta and Real chief Florentino Perez to discuss a transfer.

THE DENIALS United and Perez jointly dismissed story that Beckham was going to Real. United and Linse say Ruud is going nowhere. Both players said they were happy at United.

THE REALITY Beckham ended up at Real Madrid. Do not be surprised to see the Dutchman follow him to the Bernabeu.

3:46 PM
t.r.a.c.y

EXCLUSIVE

Fergie blanks Ruud

By NEIL CUSTIS

ALEX FERGUSON and Ruud van Nistelrooy have barely spoken since their row over David Beckham.

The pair fell out in a big way on February 28, when Ferguson axed his Dutch striker for the league visit to Fulham.

But the big silence had set in just days earlier, after the Manchester United star claimed the team missed Becks.

His manager was furious at the player' apparent questioning of his decision to let England's captain go.

The Old Trafford chief has since also become fed up with the Holland international's attitude, which has seen the player not only confront his boss but fall out with a number of his team-mates.

Now the clash of personalities has reached boiling-point, with Ferguson seemingly ready to let Van Nistelrooy go to Spain.

Real Madrid want the striker, Van Nistelrooy wants the move and a 28million bid is imminent.

United chief executive David Gill, though, has written to both Real and Barcelona saying 'Hands Off'.

Gill rapped: "I have written and told them Ruud is not for sale."

The Fulham trip began a run of nine league games which has seen United drop 13 points out of a possible 27 and their title bid crash.

Van Nistelrooy has scored only once since his axing but did have a spell out with a knee injury.

Skipper Roy Keane has been so unhappy with the situation he has questioned the striker's application in the wake of his signing a new contract in January.

Then, last Friday, came the training ground bust-up between Van Nistelrooy and French forward David Bellion, with the duo having to be parted by coach Mike Phelan.

3:45 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Praise for Becks from coach Queiroz

Real Madrid coach Carlos Queiroz believes David Beckham has 'grown up' since moving to Spain but the former Manchester United assistant manager admitted he missed life at Old Trafford.

The England captain has claimed the central midfield role he craved with Manchester United at the Bernabeu.

And Queiroz - like Beckham, a recruit from Old Trafford - is delighted with the player's progress.

He told the BBC: 'There is no doubt about it that David has improved as a player since coming to Europe.

'He has become stronger, the quality of his football has grown - now he can play in a variety of positions.'

Queiroz added: 'After playing one year with the likes of Raul, Zinedine Zidane and Luis Figo, I believe he has grown up a lot.

'He can conduct the game from different positions. He will be vital for England in the summer during Euro 2004.

'When he plays in that central position for Real Madrid, the responsibility is much more than when he was playing on the right side.

'Playing the number of the games - 35 to 40 matches a season - with the responsibility to decide the rhythm of the game, the point of the attack, short and long passes, everything has improved about him - his skills and his vision.

'I believe he is a lot stronger than when was at United.

'I also really believe he really enjoys this position.'

While Beckham has been the subject of speculation regarding a return to England Queiroz's own future has been a matter of debate after a season in which Madrid have failed to reach the semi-finals of the Champions League while looking less than imperious in the league.

'I will stay at Real Madrid only if the fans and the president are happy with me,' said Queiroz, in an interview on Radio Nacional in his native Portugal.

Although he is has one of the highest profile jobs in world football, Queiroz admits he misses life at Old Trafford.

'I have friends in England and it's clear that I miss Manchester United,' he said.

'They valued my work there and it was always recognised.'

12:02 AM
t.r.a.c.y

Thursday, April 29, 2004

Sven: 'Let's forget Beckham saga'

Sven-Goran Eriksson is confident David Beckham will not let the debate over his marriage affect his form for the national side.

The England coach is no stranger to the front pages of newspapers himself and he has no worries over his captain as he finalises preparations for Euro 2004.

Eriksson told Radio Five Live: 'I'm quite sure that Beckham will not be disturbed as a professional football player.

'When he plays against France, for example, he will put everything out of his mind.'

Eriksson is hoping the story will be dead by the time the first game kicks off.

'It would be a pity in the build-up to the tournament if all the talk was about David Beckham and his private life,' he added.

'We've talked about it for weeks and hopefully people are bored.'

Back-page speculation, meanwhile, has raised the possibility of Alan Shearer returning to the national team on the back of another excellent season for Newcastle.

But Shearer is determined not to go back on his decision to retire from international football after Euro 2000 and Eriksson revealed he has not even spoken to the striker about a recall, although he did not rule out the possibility.

He said: 'I've never had a conversation with him because all the time it's talked about he comes out and says, `No' once again. And he has not been in the squad for three and a half years. We'll see.'

11:58 PM
t.r.a.c.y

LOOS IN BAN FROM HARRODS

Exclusive By Pete Samson

HARRODS boss Mohamed Al Fayed last night banned Rebecca Loos from a party at his store - to avoid upsetting the Beckhams.

Rebecca, who claims she bedded England captain David while his personal assistant in Madrid, had been invited to the bash to launch a jewellery range.

But Miss Loos, a former receptionist at the top London store, was told two hours before it began that she could not come.

Rebecca, 26, said of Mr Al Fayed: "He apparently wanted to show how friendly he is with Victoria and David, but maybe he has forgotten I was very friendly with David too."

She has been invited to a string of VIP events after her sex claims, which Becks branded "ludicrous".

Harrods said Mr Al Fayed stepped in after seeing staff had invited her.

A spokesman added: "Mr Al Fayed is great friends with Victoria and David. They are also great friends of Harrods and very good customers."

11:56 PM
t.r.a.c.y

IS BECKS CAR-MING HOME?

David Beckham yesterday cast even more doubt over his future after having his beloved 4x4 supercar shipped back to England from Madrid.

And now Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich will be hoping that the England captain will be following his favourite car back home as the Russian billionaire is determined to pull off the biggest transfer coup in Premiership history.

Beckham insists he does not want to quit Madrid but his alleged affair with Rebecca Loos and the forthcoming club elections have put a doubt over his future. The midfielder has not managed to persuade his wife Victoria to join him in Spain and he may return to be with his family in England.

Spanish businessman Enrique Sobrino - who is standing against Florentino Perez in the Real Madrid elections - has admitted he may sell Beckham if he gains control of the club. That comes after Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri admitted that Abramovich is "thinking of" signing Beckham and his Real Madrid team-mate Ronaldo.

Beckham is believed to want to give Real Madrid one more year to prove he was not a flop, but the return of his car may prove wheels are already in motion for a return to England.

11:53 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Williams wants Button back
But doubts BAR will let him go

Frank Williams, who is to lose Juan Pablo Montoya to McLaren next year, would like to see the 'Jenson Button' sticker return to his car's cockpit cowling.

The BMW-powered boss is impressed at how 24-year-old JB has developed.

'BAR are giving him a very good car indeed,' said Williams in Italy, 'but I'm sure Jenson has a hand in that, too. He's also maturing - and he's very quick.'

Button started his F1 career in a BMW-Williams back in 2000, after beating former test driver Bruno Junquiera in a shoot-out test for the racing role.

Ferrari also has an eye on the Frome-born ace, Ross Brawn declared this week, after JB stormed to three consecutive podium places in the early races of 2004.

Nonetheless, Sir Frank - who allowed a long-term contract option to be bought by BAR chief Dave Richards last year - doubts he can have his man back in 2004.

'The last thing [Richards is] going to do is let Jenson go,' Williams predicted.

8:53 AM
t.r.a.c.y

Cowell dismisses "Idol" racist voting charge

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - "American Idol" judge Simon Cowell predicts that La Toya London and Diana DeGarmo will be the final two in this year's TV search for a new pop singer and has dismissed suggestions that voters are racist or that the results are rigged.

Cowell, the judge whose withering criticism is key to the Fox TV show's runaway success, said the shock exit last week of black diva Jennifer Hudson had given the competition a much needed shake-up.

Despite being widely considered the strongest wannabe popstar, Hudson, and fellow African-Americans London and Fantasia Barrino ended in the bottom three in some 20 million votes telephoned in by viewers across the United States a week ago.

The result led Elton John to comment on Tuesday that the American viewing public was "incredibly racist."

Cowell responded with "a definite no" to the racist charge and added that votes are audited by an independent company.

"There are a lot of passive viewers who complain about the results but don't pick up the phone or text a message.

"We needed a shake-up and I think it will change ... my gut feeling is we are going to attract 5-6 million new voters and the better singers now have a chance," Cowell told reporters on Wednesday at the launch of an "American Idol" cellphone based on the show.

"I am going to predict La Toya and Diana to be the two finalists ... It's just who I'm guessing America will pick. If it was talent it would be La Toya and Fantasia, but I just don't think it will be those two," he said.

The "American Idol" camera cellphone offers fans exclusive text and photo messages from contestants, "Simon ring tones" that promise to "make listeners cringe" and ticket offers and promotions. The special edition Nokia phone is a joint venture with Musicland Group and "Idol" producers Fremantle Media.

8:47 AM
t.r.a.c.y

Jenson: I'm no bad boy

By SIMON SHAW

JENSON BUTTON reckons his storming start to the season proves he has ditched his tag as the playboy of Formula One.

The flying Brit is third in the drivers' table after three podium finishes on the trot - including a second place in the San Marino GP last Sunday.

BAR star Button, 24, said: "The playboy image came from when I was at Benetton.

"Things weren't going well and people have got to look for reasons.

"They looked at me having nice cars and a boat and said 'Oh, playboy. That's the reason why he's not performing'."

Button, who is engaged to Louise Griffiths from telly talent show Fame Academy, said: "I enjoy life but I'm not a playboy.

"I've kept quiet over the past year or so about the people who've said some not so positive things about me.

"You need to do the answering back on the circuit and I've done that over the past few races.

"Right now I'm Michael Schumacher’s biggest challenger, along with his team-mate Rubens Barrichello.

"It was nice to see Michael under pressure at the weekend."

Schumacher, meanwhile, has ridiculed suggestions he will win all 18 races this season after taking the chequered flag in the first four GPs.

He said: "I don't want anything to do with such speculation. It's too early and totally unrealistic."

The six-time world champion needs one more victory to equal Nigel Mansell's record best season start with five consecutive wins in 1992.

8:38 AM
t.r.a.c.y

EXCLUSIVE

Ruud in 28million pounds tangle

RUUD VAN NISTELROOY is being dragged into a David Beckham-style transfer tangle.

Manchester United's board is reluctantly ready to accept an offer of around 28million for the striker.

But, as with Beckham, United are keen to sell him to Barcelona rather than Real Madrid, who they see as major European rivals.

Real have been in touch with the striker's agent Roger Linse throughout the season.

But United are also understood to have had contact with Barcelona about the possibility of letting the Dutchman go to the Nou Camp.

United's efforts to move Becks on to Barca last summer ended in failure as the England captain joined Madrid. Van Nistelrooy has hit a staggering 106 goals in 142 games for United since signing from PSV Eindhoven three years ago for 19million.

He signed a 4½-year deal with United only in January - but since then has fallen out with boss Alex Ferguson and a number of team-mates.

SunSport were first to reveal that Van Nistelrooy, 28, was considering leaving the club.

Since then he has had a major row with captain Roy Keane, as we revealed on Saturday.

Then, on Monday, we told how Van Nistelrooy had been left out of the team that lost to Liverpool at Old Trafford on Saturday in the wake of a training ground bust-up with team-mate David Bellion.

Van Nistelrooy fell out with Fergie when he was dropped for the game at Fulham on February 28, days after the striker said the club was missing Becks.

He has also been frustrated by the way United lost their title and blew out in Europe.

8:31 AM
t.r.a.c.y

EXCLUSIVE

Smith fury at bosses

By SHAUN CUSTIS

ALAN SMITH launched a fierce attack on the new Leeds owners, blasting: "Nobody tells me where to go."

He is furious chairman Gerald Krasner has appointed agent Phil Morrison to SELL the club's top stars.

Smith said: "If I have to leave - and that is not certain - it will be to a club of MY choice not theirs."

He accepts players may have to be sold if Leeds are to rescued from financial disaster - especially if the club loses its battle against relegation out of the Premiership.

The race to sign Smith is already hotting up with Manchester United, Newcastle, Birmingham, Middlesbrough and Rangers having all made enquiries.

One of those clubs is believed to have tabled an official 5.75million pounds bid.

The England striker and his representatives had a meeting with the club on Tuesday afternoon.

Since then word has crept out Smith, 23, wants away, despite the hierarchy claiming they are moving "heaven and earth" to keep the terrace hero at Elland Road.

He is dismayed at the club's financial plight - and the fact almost every player who can command a decent transfer fee could be sold.

An angry Smith told SunSport: "Everyone knows I love this club and yet it seems they have appointed an agent to sell me somewhere I might not want to go.

"This doesn't just affect me, there are other players in the same position who are just as disappointed about what is happening."

Smith has actually asked Leeds for a new contract. Under the terms of his current deal he was entitled to a renegotiation of his terms this summer.

However, the board flatly turned down his request.

Smith cannot understand why Leeds have appointed an agent to sell the likes of himself and other top stars such as Mark Viduka when there is already plenty of interest.

Hiring an agent costs money - and Smith believes it is money the club can ill afford.

His agent Alex Black said: "During our meeting with the club they said they were moving heaven and earth to keep Alan.

"However, it does not sound like it if they cannot give Alan any assurances about his own future.

"If Alan has to go he will decide where and I understand there are other players in Alan's position with similar concerns.

"Alan has been a loyal servant to the club since he was a youngster and wants to do the right thing for Leeds.

"But it would appear some people are trying to take certain decisions out of his hands."

8:26 AM
t.r.a.c.y

Sven bemoans 'traitor-like' treatment

England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson was disappointed he was treated 'almost like a traitor' after it was revealed he had met Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon.

Eriksson was approached by the London club to replace Claudio Ranieri and, although he later signed a contract extension with the Football Association, the Swede was heavily criticised for considering Kenyon's advances.

He told the BBC: 'Of course, you would do it differently, looking back. I should prefer that, of course.

'I'm happy that these discussions are over but it's very difficult for me to understand that you are treated almost like a traitor if you listen to another job (offer).

'In a democratic world, you should be allowed to do but that's gone and I have to understand it.

'I've always said that I'm going to stay in the job and I'm still here. It's difficult to understand that I should not be allowed to talk to another club.'

Eriksson is confident the controversy has not affected his relationship with the fans.

He said: 'If you are a football manager, you are judged on results mostly. If you win football games they will like you, so I think that's the most important thing to try to do.'

England have been paired with defending champions France in the group stages but Eriksson believes the side have a chance to win Euro 2004 in Portugal.

'I think we could (win) but it depends on if we have all the players available,' he said.

'I think we are as good as anyone but to win a tournament you must be lucky.'

Eriksson pledged to continue his softly-softly approach to team talks, insisting he 'will not be a Winston Churchill'.

The Swede has been criticised for his laid-back manner in the dressing room and at pitchside, most notably during England's World Cup quarter-final defeat by Brazil two years ago.

But he insists a change in style is not on the cards, claiming rousing Churchillian speeches are simply not his way.

He said: 'I will not be a Winston Churchill, no I will not. I talk in the dressing room but if you expect me to be a Churchill, no I can't be that.'

Despite his relaxed manner, Eriksson is keen to stress his pride at holding a job he claims could be the biggest in football.

He had talks with Chelsea before signing a contract extension earlier this year but said: 'The job for me is a professional one and I'm extremely proud to have it, and I suppose it's the biggest football job you can have in the world.

'It is emotional for sure when I stand up from the bench and hear the national anthem and see the flags.

'You want to win to be proud of the team and for the fans to be proud of the team.'

8:24 AM
t.r.a.c.y

Smith re-affirms plans to leave Leeds

Leeds striker Alan Smith has pleaded with fans to understand if he is forced to leave Elland Road in the summer.
The England striker is expected to leave if Leeds are relegated from the Premiership for the sake of his international career.

But the Rothwell-born player, who has been with Leeds throughout his career, has asked supporters to sympathise with his plight if he leaves.

'Your support for me has been brilliant and that is what makes it hard,' he told an audience at a club dinner. 'I would love to score goals for Leeds United in the years ahead but it is a difficult time for everybody.

'I hope everyone understands if I have to leave. While I am here I will always give 100 per cent. Everyone knows that.' give everything for the famous white shirt.'

12:53 AM
t.r.a.c.y

Houllier slams talk of Gerrard exit

Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier today defiantly brushed aside reports linking skipper Steven Gerrard with a move to Arsenal and Manchester United by declaring: 'You would have to cut off both my arms before I let go of him.'

The Frenchman has laughed off such talk, as well as claims Michael Owen is also wanted by the new champions.

But just to underline how much Gerrard is off limits to any prospective suitors, Houllier said: 'You would have to cut off both my arms before I let go of Steven Gerrard because I would have them both wrapped around him.'

Houllier, in a Liverpool Echo interview, described talk of such transfers out of Anfield as 'stupid and laughable' but feels the need to calm Kop fears for the future of the club's most prized assets.

Houllier added: 'Steven is irreplaceable. We have big plans for him here to take him up to an even higher level. I want him to not only become player of the year in England but he has every chance to be European and world player of the year in the future as well.

'Lothar Matthaus achieved that as a central midfielder and so can Steven. He's my captain and that tells you everything you need to know about what I think of him. And everyone knows what Steven thinks of the club, too.'

Liverpool have declined officially to dignify the speculation with even a 'hands-off' warning, and boss Houllier said: 'When I saw those things I just laughed, they are just not true, just a laugh really. But it is what I expect to see, it is the sort of thing we have to put up with.'

Houllier believes such speculation is typical of what Liverpool see as an orchestrated campaign to undermine the club at a crucial time of the season as they battle for Champions League qualification.

Owen's agents have opened preliminary talks with Liverpool over his new contract recently, and the player has always insisted that he would not leave for another English club.

Houllier said: 'I would be very upset if Michael left, because the best of him is yet to come.'

The Anfield chief added: 'On the Owen situation, we have had preliminary talks and they went well. My position is the same as it has been all season. I think Michael will stay with us. Whether I am proved to be right or wrong only time will tell.'

But Houllier reiterated that he was 'amused' to see Owen and Gerrard both linked with Arsenal on the same day this week.

Houllier was involved in a road accident on his way home from training today.

His Jaguar was involved in a collision with another vehicle on a busy roundabout. Police were called but nobody was injured and there will be no further investigation.

12:51 AM
t.r.a.c.y

ELTON: US POP IDOL IS RACIST

By Vanessa Allen

SIR Elton John branded US television viewers "incredibly racist" yesterday after a black singer was kicked off the talent show American Idol.

The rock star hit out after three black hopefuls on the programme, which is based on the UK hit series Pop Idol, were voted into the bottom three.

Singer Jennifer Hudson was considered a favourite to win the show but lost out after polling the fewest votes from the US audience.

Sir Elton said Jennifer was one of his favourites when he appeared as a guest judge on the show earlier this month, alongside series regular Simon Cowell.

The singer launched his attack on the viewers at his own Press conference in New York, where he was due to promote a series of concerts.

He said: "The three people I was really impressed with, and they just happened to be black, young female singers.

"They have great voices. The fact that they're constantly in the bottom three - and I don't want to set myself up here - but I find it incredibly racist."

The star's attack follows an outcry when pop hopeful Lemar was voted off the BBC's Fame Academy programme last year. He went on to pick up a 2004 Brit award.

American Idol's makers Fox Television refused to comment on Sir Elton's outburst.

12:48 AM
t.r.a.c.y

Wednesday, April 28, 2004

JONNY WON'T MAKE SUMMER TOUR: ANDREW

Jonny Wilkinson is extremely unlikely to tour New Zealand and Australia this summer, according to his club coach Rob Andrew.

The England fly-half is recovering from shouler surgery but has not yet been ruled out of world champions England's summer fixtures in the southern hemisphere.

But Newcastle Falcons boss Andrew, a former England fly-half himself, believes Wilkinson will not be able to return to the international game until the November 13 match against Canada.

The 24-year-old, who kicked the winning drop goal in the World Cup final against Australia, has had further tests in London.

"This has been a tough time for Jonny but he has to come to terms with the fact that there's no point in coming back too soon," Andrew told the Daily Express.

"We've told him for weeks just to forget about it until next season. I doubt very much he will be fit for the tour."

Coach Sir Clive Woodward has said he will only pick Wilkinson if he is fully fit.

2:42 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Wilkinson eyes next season

Jonny Wilkinson looks increasingly likely to be out of England action for a year as he recuperates from surgery on a shoulder problem.

The 24-year-old fly-half had further tests in London on Monday.

But his Newcastle club coach Rob Andrew said he "very much doubts" that he will be fit for England's summer tour to New Zealand and Australia.

Andrew told the Daily Express that the 13 November game against Canada was a more likely target.

"We've told him to forget about it until next season," Andrew said.

"He has to come to terms with the fact that there's no point in coming back too soon. I doubt very much he will be fit for the tour."

Wilkinson has played just 53 minutes of rugby since his winning drop-goal secured victory against Australia on 22 November because of a damaged nerve between his spine and his shoulder which he aggravated playing for Newcastle.

He has been reduced to the role of water carrier for the Falcons as he works on his non-contact fitness.

Recently, he told BBC Radio Five Live: "I am working as hard as I can to be around for the summer.

"The improvement will need to speed up for that to happen, but at the same time, that is a possibility.

"It is difficult to say when I will be back given the frustrating nature of this injury. I just don't know what is happening.

"I know it is getting better but it is taking a lot of time. What I do know is that I don't want to go through this again.

"I am putting my life in the hands of professionals who are looking after me and I am going to try to come back fitter and stronger."

2:38 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Chelsea eye Real duo

Chelsea manager Claudio Ranieri has revealed the club are lining up a summer swoop for Real Madrid duo David Beckham and Ronaldo.

Ranieri told Italian newspaper Tuttosport Blues owner Roman Abramovich was considering a move for the pair.

"Yes, Chelsea are thinking of Ronaldo and Beckham," admitted Ranieri.

"There is only one person in the world who can try to take them from Real president Florentino Perez and he is called Roman Abramovich."

However, Ranieri now appears resigned to the fact that he is unlikely to be at the club next season.

He added: "I've never spoken about it before, because of the respect towards those who pay me.

"Sure, it's difficult thinking I will stay with Chelsea, so I'm thinking about what I'll be doing next year."

2:34 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Keano: 'I've never been happier'

Manchester United skipper Roy Keane has insisted that he could not be happier playing for 'the biggest club in the world'.

The Republic of Ireland midfielder spoke out as speculation mounted that the 32-year-old's time at Old Trafford could be drawing to a close as a result of his decision to return to international football.

Keane has repeatedly been linked with a move to Celtic since confessing that he might like to end his career there but he has played down the talk.

'My stance is that I have two years on my contract at Manchester United and I have never been happier,' he said. 'In my eyes, I am playing for the biggest club in the world, there is no doubt in my mind about that.

'Don't get me wrong, I have great respect for the Milans, Madrids, the Arsenals and the Celtics they're all great clubs.

'But I've got two years on my contract and I couldn't be happier. It's unfortunate, but it is part of football that people are going to speculate.

'That's part of being a footballer. I think sometimes the more you comment on it the more is made of it.'

Keane was forced to withdraw from the Republic squad for tomorrow night's friendly in Poland, a game which would have seen him return to the Ireland fold for the first time since his much-publicised pre-World Cup bust-up with then boss Mick McCarthy.

Rumours of a fall-out with club manager Sir Alex Ferguson over his decision to make himself available to McCarthy's successor Brian Kerr have fuelled the newest speculation after a troubled campaign at Old Trafford.

But Keane is confident his choice will prove to be correct.

'I think as a player, you can't be looking too far ahead,' he told the club's official website. 'And in football, I think you should always expect the unexpected.

'I'm sitting here saying 'I've got two years left on my contract'; many players have said that and before you know it, they're off.

'I try not to look too far ahead. You have to make these decisions, like the one about playing for Ireland. I made the decision and there are lots of reasons why, but I just feel it is the right one. And I believe I will be proved right.

'We'll see. You have to expect the unexpected.'

Reflecting on the loss of United's Premiership title to Arsenal, Keane blamed his side's blunders against the division's weaker sides.

United drew both their league games against the runaway champions and famously hammered the first nail into the coffin of their Treble bid when they dumped them out of the FA Cup at the semi-final stage.

However, Sir Alex Ferguson's men have seen Fulham and Middlesbrough win at Old Trafford and have left Southampton, Wolves, Portsmouth and, perhaps most spectacularly, neighbours Manchester City, with nothing to show for their efforts.

'It's no good at all to compete with Arsenal but lose to the smaller teams,' admitted Keane in a frank assessment of his club's season. 'That is what we have done.

'That's the way it was in the old days. It was the case years ago when United were beating Liverpool but not winning championships - winning the odd FA Cup was seen as a high for the season.

'We don't want to go back to those days. Now, with the way things have changed for us over the last decade, people are talking about it as a consolation prize.

'The players deserve credit for how much we've improved over the last 10 or 15 years, but, it's about being consistent, and you only have to look at the games we have lost.'

Rio Ferdinand's ban for failing to present himself for a drugs test has been a major factor in a season in which United still have much for which to play, but Keane is making no excuses.

'It's easy to make excuses, but there has been a lot of negative stuff around the club,' he said. 'There was the thing with Rio, one or two injuries and suspensions.

'But I don't want to be using that because before the start of every season, you know you are going to have these situations to deal with.

'Fair enough, the Rio situation was a one-off, but you have to adapt to those problems.

'The fact is, the players that have been going out on to the pitch have been good enough, but for one reason or another, we haven't performed consistently.

'What hurts more was the European disappointment, going out to Porto when we fancied our chances. We've got a lot of experience in Europe and yet we just let it slip. Obviously with my sending-off, I should've known better.'

United currently lie third in the Premiership table, 11 points adrift of the Gunners, but only one behind Chelsea which means automatic qualification for the Champions League, as well as the FA Cup glory, is within their grasp.

The season could yet end with a bang, although Keane acknowledges that the levels to which the club has raised expectations in recent years mean that even that would not see them escape criticism.

'The biggest positives are that we have battled well this season and one or two of the young lads are coming through,' he said.

'Hopefully this season will prove to be a good learning curve for a lot of players here.

'They have learned what it takes to win at United, and that is being consistent week in, week out.

'But, possibly another positive is if we finish second and that is considered a disappointment. If we can finish second and win the FA Cup, it's a great place to be if you look at that as a disappointment.

'You get one or two ex-players looking to criticise when not long ago they were winning the odd FA Cup it was like they had won the World Cup.

'Things have changed, expectations have been raised at this club, all for the good. It's a great thing to have.

'If we can win the FA Cup, people would look at that as a disappointing season. That's the point the club has reached, that is how far the manager, the players and the staff have taken Manchester United. 'Standards have been raised and when we're not doing well, it's a major disaster. That is a healthy attitude.

'You can't be losing games and thinking 'not to worry'. You've got to hurt, you've got to be disappointed. The fans have shown that, and rightly so.'

Keane's hunger for success remains undimmed, and after insisting that he is happier than he has ever been to be playing for 'the biggest club in the world', he made no bones about his ambitions during the remaining two years of his existing contract despite reports of a rift with Ferguson and interest from Celtic.

'To win as many trophies as possible,' he told the cub's official website.

'As a player, I am greedy and selfish in that way.

'As you get older, the seasons seem to go by that bit quicker, so I just want to win as many trophies as I can and stay injury-free, if that's possible.

'To me, it is all about the European Cup and the Premiership. That is what the fans demand and it's a great responsibility for all the players because that is what we are paid to provide.

'When we disappoint, we all suffer, and we've disappointed too many times this season.'

2:28 PM
t.r.a.c.y

WENGER'S GUNNING FOR OWEN

By Martin Lipton, Chief Football Writer

ARSENAL are ready to offer Michael Owen a title-chasing escape route from Liverpool in a 12million bid to strengthen their Champions League challenge for next season.

Gunners manager Arsene Wenger believes the England striker will be tempted by the prospect of being part of a free-flowing front-line, in contrast to the lone forward role he plays at Anfield.

Owen has just over 12 months left on his contract, although Liverpool say talks have begun about a one-year extension.

Unless agreement is reached, they risk Owen leaving for nothing when his existing deal runs out.

Wenger is ready to step in and his 12m bid would certainly interest Owen, who has 16 goals this season despite being hampered by injuries.

It is known he has doubts about Liverpool's style of play under Gerard Houllier, feeling it asks too much of him.

Wenger's side play a quick-passing, fast-flowing game that would appear ideal for Owen, and Arsenal are convinced he would relish the prospect of playing alongside Thierry Henry, Robert Pires and Patrick Vieira.

More pressingly, the 24-year-old wants to be at a club challenging for the biggest prizes, rather than one hoping to clinch the fourth Champions League qualification spot.

Real Madrid's interest has tailed off in recent months, and it seems Barcelona would only turn to him if other targets reject them.

Wenger has never tried to hide his interest in Owen, saying recently: "He's purely a goalscorer. He has the patience of a hired killer.

"It's difficult to say if Thierry and Owen would be a perfect partnership, but I know Thierry could play with anybody."

Owen had always said he wanted to help bring championship success back to Liverpool, but he is ambitious and aware that is unlikely at Anfield.

Wenger also expects to complete the 4million pounds signing of 20-year-old Feyenoord striker Robin van Persie.

The Gunners boss has also lined up Southampton keeper Antii Niemi or Parma's Sebastian Frey to replace temperamental Jens Lehmann.

Sylvain Wiltord - once a club record buy at 13m - and Kanu will be released on frees when their contracts lapse and Jermaine Pennant, who has been on loan at Leeds all season, will be offered to the Yorkshire club for about 500,000 - 2m less than Arsenal paid for him in 1999.

2:21 PM
t.r.a.c.y

FERRARI EYE JENSON

Ross Brawn has admitted that Jenson Button could be the man to replace Michael Schumacher at Ferrari.

The BAR driver impressed all at the San Marino GP when he took his first pole position and finished the race in a career-best second place.

It was the third time this year that Button has appeared on the podium after he claimed third place at both the Malaysian and Bahrain GPs.

His performances this year have certainly made a mark on Ferrari's technical chief Brawn who has described the Briton as "hot property" and a strong contender for Schumacher’s vacant seat when the world champion decides to call it a day.

Brawn told The Times: "For him [Jenson] to get pole position from Michael was fantastic.

"I am very impressed with him. Michael Schumacher isn't going to be around for ever and we are always keeping an eye out for new talent.

"When we do consider a replacement for Michael, you can guarantee Jenson's name will be on the list."

Schumacher's contract runs out at the end of 2006, by which point the German will be 38-years old. Although Schumacher claims he could continue beyond that point, it is believed he will indeed decide to hang up his helmet then.

Button though is enjoying his time with BAR and as number one driver is beginning to mould the team in his direction in a similar way to Schumacher at Ferrari.

He may well be reluctant to leave the Britisih team. Team boss David Richards is certain that Button will see out his contract with the team, which takes him to the end of 2006.

Richards said: We have the option on Jenson at the end of this year and we intend to keep him.

"He has brought a huge amount to this team and we will not let him go because he will win races with us.

"It is inevitable that there is interest in him because he is performing brilliantly."

2:19 PM
t.r.a.c.y

"Friends" finale ads fetch record fees

By Steve Gorman

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - There's nothing more golden than the value of old "Friends" -- especially when they're about to say farewell.

The NBC television network is fetching an average $2 million (1.1 million pounds) per 30 seconds of commercial time for the highly anticipated May 6 finale of the 10-year-old smash hit "Friends," the most ever paid for a sitcom episode, industry experts said on Tuesday.

That figure comes close to the record $2.3 million commanded this year by rival CBS for a 30-second spot on its telecast of the National Football League's Super Bowl championship, long the Holy Grail for TV advertisers.

It also surpasses the previous banner buying spree for a comedy -- the $1.7 million averaged for NBC's "Seinfeld" swan song in 1998, which drew an estimated 76 million viewers.

What makes such broadcasts so appealing to advertisers is not only their potential to reach a huge audience but a "highly engaged audience," said Stacey Lynn Koerner, a chief analyst at the New York-based media and buying agency Initiative.

"The people that will be there, the people who really care about the show, are unlikely to tune out during commercial breaks because they don't want to miss a second of it," she told Reuters. "This is the highest of the high when you talk about buzz-worthy environments."

The "Friends" bonanza marks a substantial markup on the premium advertisers already were paying for U.S. television's top-rated comedy. Going into its 10th and final season last fall, "Friends" was averaging $473,500 per 30-second spot, making it the priciest programme in prime time for a second straight year, according to the latest annual survey by industry publication Advertising Age.

Advertisers' growing appetite for a bigger slice of a steadily shrinking potential audience pie is the chief factor driving up the cost of commercial time.

Most audience projections for the "Friends" farewell -- 40 million to 50 million viewers -- fall far short of "Seinfeld's" conclusion and pale in comparison to the blockbuster tune-ins amassed for finales of NBC's "Cheers" in 1993 (80 million) and "M*A*S*H" on CBS in 1983 (106 million). The "M*A*S*H" finale still stands as the most watched U.S. telecast ever.

ADS GET PRICIER AS AUDIENCES SHRINK

Paradoxically, the "Cheers" and "M*A*S*H" send-offs commanded far less in today's dollars than "Friends" -- about $840,000 each for a 30-second spot when adjusted for inflation, according to the Wall Street Journal.

In other words, when it comes to big-event programmes, advertisers today are willing to pay much more for many fewer eyeballs. And that is precisely because mass audiences are harder to come by now than they were before the explosion of cable TV and the Internet.

"Media consumption is so much more fragmented that the opportunities to draw a large portion of the country at a single moment are few and far between," said Tim Spengler, the top network TV buyer for Initiative.

How much the sold-out commercial time for the "Friends" finale will generate depends on the amount of advertising NBC decides to squeeze in. Based on a typical sitcom "commercial load" of eight minutes per half hour, an average ad rate of $2 million per 30-second spot would yield gross revenues of about $64 million. With networks netting 85 percent after advertising commissions and other factors, that would leave NBC with net revenues of just over $50 million.

Assuming 12 minutes of advertising per hour under the same formula would net NBC closer to $40 million.

According to the Wall Street Journal, advertisers for the "Friends" finale include insurance giant Allstate, beer company Anheuser-Busch, automaker General Motors, computer and printer maker Hewlett-Packard and NBC's corporate parent General Electric.

Looking to make the most of the "Friends" farewell, NBC is concluding its 10-season run with a one-hour retrospective followed by the finale itself.

Later that night, the six co-stars -- Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox Arquette, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry and David Schwimmer -- will appear on a special edition of NBC's "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" filmed on the set of the "Friends" Central Perk cafe.

The Emmy-winning series ranks as the most-watched comedy, and the No. 5 show overall, in prime time this season, averaging nearly 20 million viewers a week, according to Nielsen Media Research.

2:14 PM
t.r.a.c.y

EXCLUSIVE

Fergie plots to hijack Gerrard

By NEIL CUSTIS

ALEX FERGUSON is set to make an audacious 20million pounds swoop for Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard.

SunSport revealed yesterday Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger had his eye on Gerrard as part of a double transfer move to get him and Chelsea's John Terry.

But Ferguson will fight to hijack the signature of Gerrard, a player he hugely admires and who can reignite Manchester United's midfield.

If he gets any inkling the England international is ready to leave, he will use United's financial might to outbid the Gunners and offer bigger wages for the player.

He knows Gerrard could be the long-term successor to Roy Keane, whose United future is hanging in the balance.

And nothing would delight him more than to thwart Wenger's plans to add Gerrard to his title-winners.

Ferguson knows the big stumbling block is whether a Liverpool captain would dare move to that club's most hated rivals.

Gerrard, 23, would risk being forever damned by Kop fans in much the same way Sol Campbell has been by Spurs fans since moving to Arsenal.

But that will not stop Fergie from testing the water and the United board is prepared to back him in one big summer swoop.

United chief executive David Gill knows that they will have to do some strengthening to close the gap on Arsenal.

Gerrard has the perfect blend of youth and experience that appeals to Ferguson.

He has been a Liverpool first-team player for six seasons now and will be a key figure in the England team for this summer's European Championships.

Wenger yesterday admitted he is looking for the "real gem" who can add sparkle to his riches at Arsenal next season. Gerrard fits that bill.

The Highbury boss said: "The injection of new blood has already started with the arrival of Reyes. But if I can find a real gem, I will make an effort."

2:02 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Monday, April 26, 2004

Real Madrid 1-2 Barcelona: FT Report

MADRID, April 25 (Primera Liga) - Brilliant Ronaldinho engineered the downfall of Real Madrid, creating Xavi's winner four minutes from time after Luis Figo had been sent off against his old club.

Barcelona delivered a severe blow to Madrid's title hopes and boosted their own prospects in a typically enthralling tussle between Spain's best-supported clubs.

Santiago Solari looked to have set Madrid on their way to victory, breaking the deadlock early in the second half, but the combination of goals from Patrick Kluivert and Xavi, and the dismissal of Figo, brought them crashing back down to earth.

With Ronaldo ruled out by injury, Raul was left to lead the line for Madrid, with Esteban Cambiasso moving into midfield alongside David Beckham. Ivan Helguera dropped back into defence.

Barcelona had to make one late change with Marc Overmars coming in on the right flank to replace the injured Luis Garcia, but it did not seem to effect their rhythm as they went on to dominate the opening exchanges.

At every opportunity Barcelona looked to slow the game down and control the ball which for the first half hour served them well.

That said, they created few opportunities, with all the could muster a long-range effort from Ronaldinho and an off-target header from the Brazilian after a Xavi corner.

But the game burst into life in the 31st minute when a stunning goal-line clearance by Carlos Puyol denied Madrid the opening goal.

Zinedine Zidane's shot from outside the area appeared harmless enough, but Victor Valdes spilled the shot into the path of the marauding Raul.

From six yards out Valdes atoned for his error with a marvellous close-range save which sent the ball wide to Roberto Carlos, but the Brazilian's piledriver of a shot, destined for the top corner, was headed off the line by a flying Puyol.

That flurry of action galvanised both team and fans, and the Catalans did well to survive to the break with a clean sheet.

Raul stabbed the ball wide from the ensuing corner and suddenly Barca were rocking.

In the 37th minute a David Beckham free-kick forced Valdes to punch off his line, to set up another amazing sequence of events.

This time the ball cannoned off Figo, against the bar, and back into the six-yard box where the Portuguese winger sent a header goalwards.

To the agony of the home fans the ball was somehow cleared off the line again.

Helguera glanced a header wide off Valdes' far post from another Beckham corner with three minutes of the first half to go, and then in the dying seconds Figo lashed a shot into the side-netting, after a clever run into the area.

Madrid looked to keep the pressure up after the break as Beckham thundered a shot over the bar from outside the area, and then Roberto Carlos tested Valdes from all of 40 yards with one of his trademark free-kicks.

Barca were unable to hold out this time, however, despite Valdes' heroics, and Madrid went ahead in the 54th minute.

After Solari had put Zidane through on goal, Valdes parried the Frenchman's shot, into the path of Figo whose blistering left-footed shot was spectacularly pushed aside for a corner.

From the Beckham corner, an inadequate clearance fell to Solari in the area who drove the ball into the far corner through a crowd of players.

A double substitution from Frank Rijkaard proved to be a masterstroke as Patrick Kluivert and Luis Enrique came on to take the game to Madrid.

Madrid held the lead for a mere four minutes before Barca levelled the game with Kluivert scoring from almost his first touch.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst pierced the Madrid offside trap, advanced into the area, and lobbed the ball over Iker Casillas for Kluivert to head into the vacant net.

As the game opened out with both sides going for the win, tempers began to flair and after heading a good chance wide in the 67th minute, Figo was sent off for his second bookable offence - a strong challenge on Puyol.

Where Figo was once a hero in Barcelona, he has been vilified by fans since joining Madrid in a #37million deal almost four years ago.

With the extra man, Barcelona started to pick holes in Madrid's defence and it came as little surprise when the visitors took the lead in the 86th minute thanks to the magnificent touch of Ronaldinho.

The Brazilian conjured an opening by scooping the ball over the static Madrid defence, to pick out Xavi in space inside the penalty area.

Xavi acrobatically lobbed the ball over Casillas, and the despairing Raul Bravo could not stop the ball entering the goal.

Madrid appeared deflated by that blow and with time running out Barcelona had opportunities to extend their lead.

Ronaldinho almost bagged the goal which his performance deserved when he shot wide after a 40-yard run into the Madrid penalty area.

Barca did not need another goal to confirm victory, however, as the remarkable run of form from the Catalans continued with their most impressive scalp yet.

11:50 AM
t.r.a.c.y

La Liga: Barcelona stun 10-man Real

Barcelona stunned the Bernabeu and struck a blow to bitter rivals Real Madrid's title chances with a dramatic 2-1 derby victory.
But Real trail leaders Valencia by only a single point after Rafael Benitez's side could only draw at Athletic Bilbao.

Barca - just four points behind Real now - came into the game on the back of a 15-match unbeaten run, but that looked sure to end as they were battered for the opening hour.

Only some breathtaking goalkeeping from Victor Valdez prevented an avalanche of home goals, with one stunning first-half save at the feet of Raul the pick of the bunch.

Carles Puyol got in on the act with a brave goal-line clearance, but the Catalans could not hold out for ever, and it was Santiago Solari who broke the deadlock from David Beckham's quickly-taken corner after the break.

The lead did not last long, though, as Patrick Kluivert came off the bench to head an equaliser with his first touch of the ball.

And when Luis Figo was dismissed after a lunge at Puyol brought a second yellow card, Barca sensed victory.

Kluivert failed to capitalise on a mesmerising Ronaldinho run, but the Brazilian's impudence found a more productive outlet in Xavi, who prodded a volleyed winner over Iker Casillas from a beautifully scooped through-ball.

In Bilbao, Jorge Lopez gave the visitors the lead from the penalty spot after a disputed handball decision, but Asier Del Horno headed an equaliser before the break and in the end Valencia looked happy to hang on for a point.

Elsewhere, a late double from Uruguayan striker Fernando Correa helped give Real Mallorca a 3-1 win over fellow strugglers Valladolid that lifted them out of the relegation zone.

Valladolid had cancelled out Andrija Delibasic's early strike with a spectacular volley from midfielder Chema in the second, but Correa restored the lead when he caught keeper Albano Bizzarri off his line with a gentle angled shot in the 70th minute.

The former Atletico Madrid player made sure of the win with a brilliantly struck 25-metre free kick five minutes from time.

The win lifted the islanders into 14th place, two points above the crowded drop zone and meant that Espanyol dropped back into the relegation places despite their 3-1 win over Atletico Madrid on Saturday.

Already relegated Murcia prop up the table on 20 points, Celta Vigo, who won 1-0 at home to Osasuna, are in 19th on 36 and Espanyol have 37. Six other teams are within three points of the relegation zone.

11:47 AM
t.r.a.c.y

Sunday, April 25, 2004

I'll stick weith Becks, claims Ronaldo

Brazilian striker Ronaldo has vowed to follow David Beckham from club to club.

The Real Madrid star has revealed his desire to play in the Barclaycard Premiership and would welcome a move to Chelsea.

England captain Beckham has made a huge impression on Ronaldo since teaming up with him at the Spanish giants.

But there is speculation Beckham will return to England, with Chelsea, funded by the billions of Roman Abramovich, rumoured to be his most likely destination.

Ronaldo would be happy to follow him to London, and told the News of the World: 'It is my dream to play in the Premiership and it would be perfect if it was with David. If that place is Chelsea - very good.

'I will ask for David's opinion. I can't think of anybody who knows more about football in England than him.

'I can assure you that David and I will play together in the same side for many years to come. I will go wherever he goes.'

Beckham's ability to create openings has made him a huge hit with Ronaldo, who is one of the best in the world at providing the finishing touch.

'When you actually play alongside David you get to see how good he really is. I have played against him and with him and can say with 100 per cent certainty I would always rather play with him.

'David has so much creativity when the ball is at his feet, he amazes even me.

'I know when he has the ball, unexpected things happen. That's why he is so important.'

11:54 PM
t.r.a.c.y

BECK HOME

By Ben Todd, Showbusiness Editor

DAVID Beckham has vowed to come back home for the sake of his family.

The England captain has promised wife Victoria, 30, he will be back in the English Premiership by the start of the new season.

And he has told her he will never sign for another foreign club in a bid to keep their marriage on track. Becks, 28, told a friend: "I'm coming home - for my family."

Yesterday, in a new show of togetherness, he and Posh laughed and joked in the sunshine as they left a plush Madrid restaurant yesterday with their children Brooklyn, five, and 18-month-old Romeo.

After captaining England in Euro 2004 this summer, the superstar will return to live full-time at Beckingham Palace in Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire.

His decision follows allegations that he had sex flings with his former PA Rebecca Loos and call girl Sarah Marbeck, 29 - although Becks and Posh have dismissed the claims as "absurd" and "ludicrous".

A close family friend said: "Although he has loved playing football for Real, David has promised Victoria he will be back in the Premiership by the start of the new season. He knows it's the best way to keep his marriage together - and that is what he wants more than anything in the world. He now wants all the fuss to die down - to try and get back to some kind of normality."

Favourites to sign Beckham are Chelsea, who have a £100million contract awaiting him. Bankrolled by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, the London club has become the biggest spender in world football.

As Sunday Mirror Sport revealed last summer, Abramovich is "obsessed" with bringing Becks to Stamford Bridge and will be more than happy to pay for Real Madrid's £140million buy-out clause.

Becks himself would favour Arsenal, but his advisers know the Gunners don't have the kind of cash needed to buy out his Real contract and meet his own financial demands.

A source revealed: "Chelsea are in pole position to sign David more or less by default.

"He would love to return to Man Utd but Victoria has made it plain she expects him at home in Hertfordshire full-time - so returning to Manchester is out of the question. That means his only option is to play for one of the big London clubs.

"David would love to play for Arsenal, but they just won't be able to afford him. That leaves Chelsea as David's only viable option."

In the short-term Becks will publicly insist he is happy at Real. He won't say anything that could jeopardise the team while they are in a knife-edge battle with Valencia for the Spanish league title.

The friend added: "David is a true professional so won't do anything to unsettle Real at such a crucial time. But he knows it's time to return home to England - for the sake of his marriage and his family."

8:08 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Saturday, April 24, 2004

Beckham is on the boil

From ERIC BEAUCHAMP in Madrid

DAVID BECKHAM is winning his fitness battle to go head-to-head with Barcelona star Ronaldinho.

Becks has had four days of treatment on his left leg after suffering an injury in Real Madrid training.

But Real's medics insist the 28-year-old midfielder will be OK to face Brazilian ace Ronaldinho for the first time since England's 2002 World Cup agony.

Club doctor Juan Carlos Hernandez said: "Beckham has been treated for inflammation that runs from the knee up towards the hamstring.

"It was caused by a muscle strain. But I see no reason why he should not play on Sunday."

Ronaldinho wrecked his rival's dream of lifting football’s biggest prize with a freak free-kick that fooled David Seaman and dumped England out of the World Cup quarter-finals. Brazil then went on to win the tournament.

Beckham was outstanding when Real roared to a 2-1 victory at Barca back in December, their first league win at the Nou Camp for 20 years.

Ronaldinho missed that defeat because of a hamstring injury. But now the Samba star is fired up to take on Becks and ruin Real's charge for the La Liga title.

He said: "I always want to win, regardless of who I'm playing.

"But we are going to Madrid with a lot of respect for Real.

"They are favourites because they are above us in the league.

"Real need to win as they are going for the title. But if we win, we will be only four points behind them."

There will be massive security for the showdown, with the Bernabeu surrounded by rings of riot police and special anti-terrorist forces.

Experts will also throw up an electronic barrier around the stadium, blacking out mobile telephones and other devices.

The Madrid bombers used detonators made from mobile phones.

The operation follows reports from Britain that terrorists had allegedly targeted Old Trafford for a suicide bomb outrage during today's date with Liverpool.

4:01 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Friday, April 23, 2004

EXCLUSIVE

Becks: The nation decides

By THOMAS WHITAKER

IT'S the issue that has dominated the national agenda for weeks.

Never mind the EU constitution, the question on everyone's lips across the length and breadth of Britain is: Did David Beckham cheat on wife Posh?

The Sun decided only a scientifically conducted referendum could provide the definitive test of public opinion.

And our survey found the majority of the British public believe Becks DID play away.

Three times as many people reckon the England skipper strayed than the number who are convinced he remained faithful.

But even so, most Brits are convinced his marriage WILL survive the crisis.

Official UK pollsters YouGov carried out the study exclusively for The Sun following a string of accusations about 28-year-old Beckham’s private life.

It is the biggest survey conducted since it was first claimed nearly three weeks ago that the Real Madrid ace romped with his former PA Rebecca Loos - a claim the Beckhams dismissed.

YouGov normally carry out polls only on political matters. But they turned their attention to the burning issue of the moment to quiz 2,200 people nationwide on Becks.

Key findings of the survey are printed below.

They include news that 42 per cent of those polled believe the hunky midfielder had an affair after his transfer from Manchester United to Real last summer.

And 39 per cent reckon he had sex with Sleazy Senorita Rebecca, 26.

But only 16 per cent think he also bedded hooker Sarah Marbeck, 29 - despite her claims he did.

The poll also found 18 per cent believe Posh has read most of the steamy texts Becks allegedly sent Rebecca - although 23 per cent think she did not see any.

Of the Beckhams' marriage, 44 per cent think it has been weakened by the crisis. But one in four says it will be stronger.

Nearly one in three believes the episode will prove the final nail in the coffin of 30-year-old Posh's flagging pop career.

Yet 39 per cent say her decision to pose for smiling photos with her husband in the wake of the allegations was "understandable behaviour for a celebrity."

A massive 85 per cent insisted they would refuse to take part in text sex with dad-of-two Becks if the situation arose.

But those surveyed were divided over whether the footballer might now quit Spain and return home to save his marriage.

Twenty-seven per cent think he will move back to the UK - with 32 per cent sure he will stay in Madrid.

Victoria yesterday posed for a women's magazine in London’s East End, while Becks trained with Real.

8:22 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Poll's axed in dive row

By MICHAEL MORGAN

GRAHAM POLL will NOT now be in charge of Manchester United's Premiership showdown with Liverpool tomorrow.

The controversial referee infuriated United boss Alex Ferguson last week when he accused his England full-back Gary Neville of being a 'diver'.

Poll has been replaced for the Old Trafford crunch by Mike Riley - though the Hertfordshire official claims he has pulled out because of injury.

Ferguson won an apology yesterday over Poll’s 'cheat' claims. Former FIFA whistler Keith Hackett, now general manager of the Select Group of Referees, declared: "If Alex has been offended by any comments, then he has my personal apology."

As for Poll's surprise injury, Hackett added: "I got a call from Graham and he explained that the thigh muscle problem which he has been carrying all week was still troubling him.

"Graham has been having treatment from a physio ever since the weekend but is still feeling a twinge.

"He is due to take control of the prestige friendly between Italy and Spain next week and the last thing he wanted was for the injury to blow up in his face.

"His attitude is perfectly understandable and one I fully support."

Even so, Poll's absence could soothe a potentially volatile situation at a game always on the edge.

Hackett insists Poll's comments about Neville, made when he was discussing the problem of players trying to con referees by going to ground too easily, have been misinterpreted.

He declared: "Graham, unfortunately, has just said something in a way that was taken out of context."

Neville, though, believes the comments have now made him a marked man for Premiership refs.

8:17 PM
t.r.a.c.y

ONLINE EXCLUSIVE

Becks is having a ball

By GAVIN GLICKSMAN

DAVID BECKHAM insists his form will be better than ever at Euro 2004 - thanks to the official match balls.

UEFA asked adidas to provide a new ball for the tournament in Portugal and the German sportswear giant unveiled the Roteiro last December.

And the good news for Sven Goran Eriksson is that England skipper Becks loves it.

The Real Madrid ace, 28, said: "The new Roteiro reacts very well to my foot.

"When I helped adidas test it in Madrid I noticed that the accuracy of my corners, my passing and my free-kicks improved using the ball."

The Roteiro has been hailed as a breakthrough in the world of football technology.

It features a new production concept - thermal binding - which creates a seamless surface providing consistent quality and performance from one ball to the next.

But while adidas-sponsored Beckham is a fan of the Roterio, it caused controversy when used for the first time during Spain's 2-1 friendly win over Peru in February.

Spanish coach Inaki Saez fumed: "As it has no seams it behaves very strangely. It's horrible, difficult to control and to pass."

The criticism from Saez was just the tip of the iceberg. A number of his players struggled to get to grips with the Roteiro during the game and were unimpressed by the 32-panel design.

Beckham's Madrid team-mate Ivan Helguera blasted: "It's like a beach ball. I don't like it at all.

"To send it where you want you have to hit it hard."

The defender's comments were also mirrored by Real Betis winger Joaquin, who said: "It's hard to believe they can call this a ball. It lifts a lot and doesn't follow a true line."

But Beckham is confident it will boost England's chances of success.

He added: "I think it's going to be a great ball to play with. Keepers are going to have a very tough time.

"The most important thing for me is to know that I can rely on the ball to go exactly where I want it to."

Speaking before he retired as UEFA's chief executive, Gerhard Aigner also moved to allay fears about the quality of the ball.

He stressed: "Euro 2004 is the most prestigious event in the European footballing calendar and hugely important for UEFA.

"The fundamental part of the game - the ball - must match that prestige in both design and performance. Roteiro has undergone rigorous testing in laboratories and it has outperformed all previous balls produced."

The Roteiro's predecessor, the Fevernova - the official match ball of the 2002 World Cup, was also greeted with mixed reviews.

But if the rest of Eriksson's squad can master their balls as well as Becks, England will be in with a shout in Portugal.

8:16 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Beckham must go

By ERIC BEAUCHAMP

DAVID BECKHAM has been accused of damaging Real Madrid's reputation with his off-pitch behaviour and showbiz lifestyle.

Enrique Sobrino has vowed to sell Becks if he wins his power struggle to replace Florentino Perez as club president.

Sobrino said: "Beckham is a great player but all this stuff about him as a celebrity is overshadowing him as a footballer.

"The dressing room has suffered as a result of all the scandal about Beckham.

"There is too much written about players' wives and their lovers and this is very damaging to the image of the club."

Sobrino was outraged by the Beckham 'sex text' scandal and allegations the England skipper was unfaithful to wife Victoria.

And the millionaire businessman reckons Beckham spends too much time playing the fame game, jetting off around the world posing for photographs with Posh, instead of devoting himself to Madrid.

Sobrino has promised to clean up the dressing room by clamping down on all of the club's megastars if he becomes president.

And he will begin by showing the door to the England skipper, 28, just one year after he arrived in a whirlwind of hype from Manchester United for 25million.

Sobrino added: "In my plan if I became president, as I have said a number of times, I would listen to offers for David Beckham.

"Too many of the stars of Real Madrid are appearing in the news for all the wrong reasons.

"All this stuff about Beckham and parties is something people here don't like.

"It has caused a bad atmosphere around the dressing room, as demonstrated by recent defeats.

"We want our players to be stars for footballing reasons, and ONLY for footballing reasons.

"There isn't the level of discipline amongst the stars that the fans want.

"There is too much written about them for what they do off the pitch instead of their sport.

"The issues about their sporting lives and personal lives have all become mixed up."

Sobrino, 35, whose family business empire is built on the textiles and fashion industry as well as property, would invite Chelski chief Roman Abramovich to make a summer bid for Becks.

The Spaniard revealed: "I know that Abramovich is interested and it wouldn't be inconvenient for us to listen to his offer.

"I don't know him and I haven't met him.

"But I would like to get in touch with him further down the line. I would love to speak to him."

Candidates for the Real presidency must confirm their intention to stand for election at the end of the season, with the poll taking place in July.

And Sobrino launched a scathing attack on his election rival Perez, insisting he has strong support to oust the current chairman.

He admitted coach Carlos Queiroz must also go.

Queiroz joined the club following a spell as Alex Ferguson's No 2 at Manchester United and is a big supporter of Beckham.

Sobrino said: "There are lots of members who disagree with the sporting direction the club has taken.

"Many of us believe it is time for a change and for new ideas.

"It is my intention to be a candidate for the presidency. I have a great desire and I would love to do it.

"We have had success in recent times but it is a good thing for the club that there will be opposition to Perez's presidency.

"He has signed a lot of stars but they are not playing at the level they should be.

"Queiroz is a victim of Perez's policies but he also has to take his share of the blame for the present situation of the club.

"He has exhausted the players by not rotating the squad - but he has had to make the most of what he has to work with."

Sobrino plans to replace Beckham with a new star but insisted he will NOT try to poach Brazilian Ronaldinho from rivals Barcelona, who visit the Bernabeu on Sunday.

He admitted: "We are not going to try and sign Ronaldinho.

"He has a big heart and a great love for Barcelona. I don't think he will ever leave Barcelona.

"We are looking for a star signing at the moment. We want someone we can deliver.

"Ruud Van Nistelrooy is very difficult to get from Manchester United and I don't know about Thierry Henry at Arsenal.

"I don't want to talk too much about who we want yet but we are determined to bring a star player to the club."

8:14 PM
t.r.a.c.y

EXCLUSIVE

Wrecker Becks

By ERIC BEAUCHAMP

DAVID BECKHAM has been told his Real Madrid career is in jeopardy because of his showbiz lifestyle.

Enrique Sobrino, who is bidding for control of the Spanish giants, said: "He's causing problems. If I become president I would listen to offers for David Beckham. The scandal has been very damaging to the club."

Sobrino, 35, a millionaire property and textile tycoon, has made the ditching of Real's 25million summer signing the focal point of his election campaign.

He revealed his anger and frustration at finding Beckham constantly in the headlines over his personal life.

And Sobrino insisted: "We want our players to be stars for footballing reasons only.

"ll this stuff about Beckham has caused a bad atmosphere at Real Madrid."

8:09 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Thursday, April 22, 2004

BLAIR: GIVE POSH AND BECKS MORE PRIVACY

By James Hardy, Political Editor

TONY Blair yesterday pleaded for the Beckhams to be given more privacy - two days after they posed kissing for the Press to quell rumours of marriage problems.

He sprang to David and Victoria's defence, asking the media to back off as the scandal about the England soccer star's alleged affairs continues to rage.

The PM told the Commons: "I hope everyone understands that occasionally when people's privacy is invaded in this way it causes great distress. And I don't always think it's in the public interest."

But many observers were surprised by Mr Blair's comments - which seemed to ignore the fact that the couple have made millions out of manipulating the Press and TV to promote their image.

One media insider said: "I think he's being a bit naive. Posh and Becks love publicity - but only when it suits them. It's what has made them mega-celebrities. They live and breathe it.

"You only have to see how many times Becks has changed his hairstyle to realise how much they crave attention."

Despite his remarks about the Beckhams, Mr Blair snubbed a Commons demand for a privacy law. He is notoriously protective of his own family and has been stung by media criticism of wife Cherie. But he has consistently held out against pressure to introduce French-style legislation which would ban publication of stories about the private lives of public figures.

And he again rejected the idea when it was raised during Question Time by senior Labour MP Clive Soley, who claimed the Beckhams were the victims of "crass" media intrusion.

He called for legally enforced Press controls and - to laughter from MPs - for editors and newspaper owners to be summoned before Parliament to be quizzed about THEIR private lives.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

SAVE OUR BECKHAMS ..FROM THEMSELVES

THE Daily Mirror today launches a campaign to stop the Beckhams' privacy being invaded... by the Beckhams.

It's clear poor Posh and Becks are being ruthlessly hounded and exploited for millions of pounds - by themselves.

So it's time to halt the intrusions into their personal lives, only made possible by their endless photoshoots, ad deals, chatshow appearances and public shopping sprees.

Selling their 1999 wedding rights to OK! for £1million, gracing the cover of Vogue last year as they launched a world tour and both publishing autobiographies prove they just want a quiet life - if only the Beckhams would let them.

5:37 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Wednesday, April 21, 2004

PUKKA LUNCH

Jamie fixes school meals in new show

By Nicola Methven, Tv Editor

CELEBRITY chef Jamie Oliver is to go back to school to sort out kids' dinners for a new TV show, it was revealed yesterday.

Jamie's School Dinners aims to find ways to encourage pupils to eat healthier food.

The show comes after Oliver, who has two young daughters, denounced Britain's school dinners as "crap" and said firms peddled junk food disguised as healthy snacks.

Yesterday the TV chef, 28, said: "I've been concerned about what kids eat in schools for some time so I've devoted most of the rest of 2004 to doing something about it.

"I've heard loads of kids and parents saying how worried they are about the lack of good, nutritious and tasty food so I'm going to tackle it head on. School dinners should be a service, the food should nourish children and make them smile, not make them hyperactive."

Jamie, who starts filming next week in Kidbrooke School in Greenwich, South East London, blamed schools for putting cost ahead of nutrition and warned Britain was heading the same way as the US.

CHANNEL 4 chief executive Mark Thompson yesterday ruled himself out of the running to replace the BBC's ousted director general Greg Dyke.

8:08 PM
t.r.a.c.y

It's fortress Old Trafford

SECURITY at Old Trafford was massively stepped up last night after it was revealed a terrorist cell had been planning an attack.

Fans were asked to arrive early for Manchester United’s Premiership 2-0 win over Charlton so extra checks could be made.

Many supporters were searched. They had also been asked to leave bags at home. Dozens of extra police were on duty. There will be similar security at Saturday's big game against Liverpool.

Police believe that match was to be targeted by suicide attackers, possibly using a chemical agent.

Armed cops foiled the suspected plot in a series of pre-dawn raids on Monday. They arrested ten people, nine men and a woman.

The gang had already bought tickets for the game. Sources fear the suicide attackers planned to sit in all areas of the 67,000 capacity stadium and cause carnage.

A United spokesman said: "The club has decided extra security checks will be made. We encourage supporters to report anything suspicious to officials."

5:59 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Not more hanky panky, Becks

By SALLY BROOK

DAVID Beckham set tongues wagging with his latest fashion statement - which gays use as a code for sex.

The player was seen mischievously trailing a bandana from his back pocket at a showbiz bash.

But gays have a colour-coded hanky system that details their sexual habits.

And the black and white number Becks was sporting at the Royal Albert Hall in London signalled: I'm wearing boxer shorts.

The Real Madrid ace, 28, was with wife Victoria, 30, at a star-studded party thrown by 19 Management music boss Simon Fuller.

The couple looked relaxed on Monday night despite allegations that Becks has had affairs. He even took to the stage while Posh posed on a throne.

But there was speculation among gays over Becks' "use" of their code.

Richard Smith, of gay mag Attitude, said: "It could be David’s stylist playing a joke or it might be a coincidence."

Even WHERE the bandana is put is significant. Mr Smith added: "A green hanky in a left pocket would say something different to one in the right."

Becks returned to Madrid yesterday after spending the night with Posh at their mansion in Hertfordshire. She headed off towards London.

5:58 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Tuesday, April 20, 2004

EXCLUSIVE

Man U suicide bomb plot

By PHILIP CARDY and ANDY RUSSELL

A SUICIDE bomb plot to kill thousands of soccer fans at Saturday's Manchester United-Liverpool match was dramatically foiled yesterday.

Armed cops seized ten terror suspects in dawn raids.

Intelligence chiefs believe al-Qaeda fanatics planned to blow themselves up amid 67,000 unsuspecting supporters. A source said: "The target was Old Trafford."

The Islamic fanatics planned to sit all around the ground to cause maximum carnage.

They had already bought the tickets for various positions in the stadium, cops revealed last night.

But armed cops foiled the horrific plot - which could have killed thousands watching Manchester United's home game against Liverpool on Saturday - in a series of dawn raids yesterday.

Ten people were arrested after a massive surveillance operation involving British anti-terror units and American authorities.

A police source said: "The plot involved several individual bombers in separate parts of the stadium."

"If successful, any such attack would have caused absolute carnage. Thousands of people could have been killed."

The planned attack would have had an instant global impact as the game is being televised worldwide.

More than 400 police swooped yesterday after a "major terrorist figure" under surveillance moved to Manchester. Police and intelligence organisations believe he came to direct the massacre, which would have been the first al-Qaeda-style outrage in Britain.

Nine men and one woman were arrested - all Iraqi Kurds or from North Africa.

Special Branch and the security services had been monitoring their movements and eavesdropping on mobile phone calls for months.

The operation also involved the US National Security Agency and GCHQ, the Government's intelligence listening post.

Seven of the suspects were held in Manchester and one each in South Yorkshire, Staffordshire and the West Midlands.

It is believed all have links to extremist Islamic organisations. They were being quizzed at separate police stations around North West England last night.

But it was unclear whether any explosives or weapons had been recovered.

Bombers planning the Old Trafford massacre would have run the risk of being searched going into the ground before the 3pm kick-off.

Manchester United said away fans and those sitting in the higher tiers were frisked.

The identities and details of the suspects remained top secret last night - even to many of those involved in the operation.

One of the raids was at a flat above Dolphins takeaway in Upper Brook Street, near Manchester University. The area has a large ethnic community with many properties converted into bedsits.

Irfaan Arif, who lives in a nearby flat, said: "I was woken at 4am, looked out of the window and saw a lot of armed police. There was loads of banging and shouting."

The three-storey Dolphins building was cordoned off along with next-door properties housing AK Computers and Funky Fones.

Forensic experts in protective clothing moved in after the initial search teams.

A police spokesman confirmed: "A number of search warrants were executed under the Terrorism Act 2000. Ten people have been arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the commission, preparation or instigation of terrorism.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

We are against these evil acts. In the religion of Islam we have tolerance.

Sheikh Mohammed bal Qadri

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"We appreciate the public interest in this but are unable to provide more specific details at this stage."

Greater Manchester's Assistant Chief Constable Dave Whatton said: "It was an anti-terrorism operation that has been going on for some time and it will continue in the future.

"This is the first action that the public have become aware of as it is overt. It is set against the background of an increased threat level across the country.

"The addresses raided will continue to be searched for some time. It is a complex inquiry."

And he appealed: "Because of the national heightened threat levels we would still ask people to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to police."

Sheikh Mohammed bal Qadri, deputy director of a mosque in Upper Brook Street, said he did not believe any of his members were among those being held.

He added: "Since September 11 we have been very vigilant, as mosques should be.

"If I see a person who is new, I ask him why he is here and what he is doing and ask these kind of questions.

"We are against these evil acts. In the religion of Islam we have tolerance." The raids follow revelations last week that police in Manchester had raised their terror alert level.

More than 50 officers were moved from regular duties to work on a task force committed to combating terrorism.

Police have also conducted detailed surveys of land around Manchester Airport to identify sites which could be used to launch missiles attacks on aircraft.

Manchester Central MP Tony Lloyd said yesterday: "Clearly this is one of the most difficult levels of policing. But when police get the information to act successfully the whole of the British public will applaud their actions."

4:56 PM
t.r.a.c.y

EXCLUSIVE

Becks on the cheap

By SHAUN CUSTIS

CHELSEA told David Beckham they WILL sign him - but only for around 10million pounds.

Real Madrid's troubled 25m signing is considering a return to England at the end of the season.

Enrique Sobrino, who is challenging Florentino Perez for the Real presidency, has indicated he will sell Becks if he succeeds.

The news alerted Chelsea - but did not get billionaire owner Roman Abramovich racing to write out a big cheque.

He believes Beckham, 28, could be snapped up for as little as 10m as few clubs could a huge fee plus wages of 120,000 pounds a week.

A Chelsea source told SunSport: "Of course Chelsea would be interested but if Real think they are going to make a profit on him they will have to think again.

"Even if you only spend 10m to get him, the package is about 40m when you add on his wages."

Ladbrokes have slashed the odds on Becks playing in the Premiership next season from 2-1 to 11-10.

4:56 PM
t.r.a.c.y

I've had it off, love
(my hair, that is)

By VICTORIA NEWTON, Showbiz Editor and DEREK BROWN

VICTORIA Beckham kept a tight grip on husband David as they stepped out last night - sending a clear message to lusty girls.

And, as she sang at a showbiz bash, she delivered a defiant statement that their troubled marriage is back on track - by bringing a wedding THRONE on stage.

Moments earlier Becks - who sported a newly-shaven head after ditching his long locks - had paid a glowing tribute to his wife, describing her as "beautiful and lovely."

It was his first public comment about the former Spice Girl since the couple were rocked by allegations that the 28-year-old England skipper shared flings with other women.

Posh, 30, put a protective arm around the football hero as they arrived for the glittering bash at London's Royal Albert Hall.

The couple - who have dismissed the affair claims as "ludicrous" - smiled and kissed before joining the party, which was thrown by 19 Management music boss Simon Fuller.

Posh - mum to Becks' sons Brooklyn, five, and Romeo, 19 months - had the throne brought on stage as she performed her single Let Your Head Go. A team of dancers danced around it as she sang.

It was an obvious reference to the thrones at their lavish wedding day in 1999.

One onlooker said: "Everyone knew exactly the message that Posh was sending out. She wants everyone to know her marriage to David is as strong as it was when they married.

"She was saying, 'David is still king and I am still queen'."

Becks - who had 11ins of hair lopped off on Sunday in preparation for a sunglasses ad he will film next week - drew a huge cheer as he jumped on stage to introduce Victoria.

The midfielder - who had a bandana hanging out of a back pocket - told hundreds of party-goers: "I'm very proud to be part of the 19 party - but I'm even more proud of my beautiful and lovely wife Victoria."

The onlooker said: "It was a very touching moment. David looked happy and close to tears as he paid tribute to Victoria. It was obviously something he wanted to do for her."

The party was kicked off by Eighties star Paul Hardcastle, who performed his No1 hit 19. There were also performances from Will Young, Emma Bunton and Rachel Stevens.

4:54 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Posh rap on 'affair'

SLEAZY Senorita Rebecca Loos claimed last night that if Victoria Beckham had been with her husband, their alleged affair would never have happened.

She said: "If there hadn't been a gap in that bed, I wouldn't have been in it."

She added: "He often said how much he missed his family.

"He wouldn't say that he was really lonely but he was homesick."

Rebecca, 26, told Channel 4's Richard and Judy that Becks started their affair.

But she said she hoped David and Victoria "still have a future". She also said if a man cheated on her "that would be the end for me".

Slapper: I WAS a tart

SYDNEY slapper Sarah Marbeck admitted last night she was a 500 pounds-an-hour hooker.

The call-girl with agency Miss Fleiss, who claims to have slept with Becks, also said it was love at first sight when she met the football ace.

She cried as she told Australian TV's A Current Affair: "I want him to know I still love him. And I'm sorry."

The 29-year-old said Becks invited her to his hotel room when they met in Singapore.

She claimed: "We made love, yes. He's a great lover."

And when she was told David denied sleeping with her, she replied: "Yeah, well, I'm pretty upset with that. I don't know why."

4:50 PM
t.r.a.c.y

EXCLUSIVE

10million pounds Alps chalet prezzie

From DUNCAN LARCOMBE in Verbier, Switzerland

DAVID Beckham is set to buy summit for the wife - after offering 10 MILLION for a Swiss chalet.

Posh fell for the stunning pad, named Septieme Ciel, while in nearby Verbier with her family last week.

An insider revealed she got straight on the phone to her hubby: "She was so excited, she was close to tears.

"While it is the ultimate luxury, it would only be worth 8million. But the owner's wife is reluctant to sell so they made an offer they couldn't refuse."

The chalet, high above Verbier, sleeps 12 and boasts an outdoor Jacuzzi, sauna, games room and basement cinema. Guests can even ski straight out the front door. It is already a regular haunt for celebs who rent it out for up to 32,000 pounds a week - with champagne on tap.

Elite holiday firm Descent International calls it their finest Alpine property, boasting: "It embodies the art of extreme relaxation."

Becks is banned from skiing for insurance reasons but Posh is a new devotee. Last night a worker looking after the chalet confirmed their offer to current owner, British businessman David Gill.

The man refused to say whether Mr Gill is the Manchester United chief executive of the same name.

A source added: "No way are Posh and Becks about to split up. This is the perfect way for them to put their recent ordeals behind them."

4:47 PM
t.r.a.c.y

POSE 'N BECKS

By Stephanie Busari and Nicola Methven

WITH kisses, cuddles - and even a bit of bum-pinching - the Beckhams tried to convince the world yesterday that they're still very much together.

Their amazing display of affection came on the couple's first public appearance in Britain since the sex scandal surrounding the England football hero broke. They posed for the cameras just hours after PR girl Rebecca Loos went on live TV to repeat allegations that she had an affair with him.

TOGETHER: The couple last night

But Posh and Becks seemed completely unfazed by her latest claims on Channel 4's Richard and Judy show.

Instead they cosied up like teenage sweethearts after arriving for a celebrity event at the Royal Albert Hall in London.

In a "photo opportunity" that lasted more than five minutes, shaven-headed Becks tenderly kissed Posh on the forehead, then on the tip of her nose.

Victoria responded by playfully squeezing his bottom. She also gazed adoringly at David as she smiled... and smiled... and smiled.

The couple held hands before pausing to sign autographs - but neither would answer any questions.

Especially THOSE sort of questions.

It was almost like a royal walkabout - with "Queen" Victoria leading the way. The ex-Spice Girl was performing at a party thrown by Simon Fuller - boss of her 19 Management company.

But it was David who got a standing ovation as he walked on stage.

He said he was proud to be there, then added touchingly: "And I'm even more proud to introduce the beautiful and lovely Victoria Beckham - my wife."

Posh made her own romantic gesture - by sitting on stage in one of the famous £9,000 thrones they used at their wedding in 1999.

Hours earlier Ms Loos, 26, claimed on TV that Becks would never have slept with her if Posh had spent more time with him in Spain. She said their alleged affair only happened because he was lonely.

"If there hadn't been a gap in that bed I wouldn't have been in it," she told Richard and Judy.

But yesterday, as she and David left the glittering bash just before midnight, Victoria had clearly made her point.

And the message seemed to be: Business as usual.

4:25 PM
t.r.a.c.y

RONALDO BACKING BECKHAM STAY

Brazilian superstar Ronaldo is backing David Beckham to stay in La Liga this summer and reject the chance to return to The Premiership.

The England captain has been linked with a move to Chelsea with Real's potential new president threatening the sell the big-name midfielder.

However, Ronaldo believes the former Manchester United man has been impressive in his debut season in La Liga and wants him to stay.

The former Internazionale and Barcelona marksman has netted 24 goals this term, and has praised Beckham's crossing ability for supplying many of those.

"David still has a long time left on his contract and he is very happy with everything in Madrid," said Ronaldo.

"He has had a very good season in his first year and he is determined to stay and make next year even better, that is why I don't think he will leave Spain.

"David covers a lot of ground during matches and he provides me with lots of great crosses which is good for me.

"I am delighted to be playing alongside him in Madrid."

4:25 PM
t.r.a.c.y

United deny Old Trafford bomb claim

Manchester United have denied that Old Trafford has been identified as a target for terrorism.
Reports following the arrest of six men and a woman in the Greater Manchester area claimed that the stadium was the subject of a suicide bomb plot for this Saturday's Premiership match against Liverpool.

However, a United spokesman told the Press Association they had been talking to the police but only with regard to normal arrangements for the match.

He added: 'We have not been told that Old Trafford is a target for a terrorist attack.'

4:17 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Monday, April 19, 2004

GLUM VIC'S BIRTHDAY IS ALL DOWNHILL

From Alexandra Williams in Verbier and Richard Smith

VICTORIA Beckham spent her 30th birthday with no cake, no party and no husband.

She may have rented a beautiful Swiss chalet billed as "perfect... for a good old-fashioned house party".

But husband David was hundreds of miles away in Spain and she cut a sad figure as she took to the ski slopes with her parents and children.

Allegations the Real Madrid player has had two affairs were clearly taking their toll on the whole family.

Victoria tried her best to put on a brave face for sons Brooklyn, five, and Romeo, 18 months.

But at one point she flew into a rage with her Swiss skiing instructor. She grabbed her bodyguard and they marched up to the tutor and had a row.

Later her dad Tony, 58, showed the strain when he bellowed at photographers trying to snap his daughter.

One of Posh's three bodyguards then marched into the argument. He pushed a snapper and shouted obscenities. Posh jetted to the upmarket resort of Verbier last Tuesday with Tony, mum Jackie, 56, brother Christian, 24, and her children.

Unlike her previous skiing holiday the week before in France, her husband's family was not there.

In Courchevel the two families had shown a united front after claims Becks had a torrid fling with ex-PA Rebecca Loos, 26.

The following weekend Sarah Marbeck, 29, said David had cheated on Victoria with her too. At breaking point, Posh hastily booked the Swiss break.

She paid a premium price of £13,750 for just four days at Chalet Jinccs because the building had already closed for the season.

Her family treated her to a champagne breakfast in its Jacuzzi. The chalet also boasts a sauna, bedrooms wired with Bang and Olufsen hi-fi and a chauffeured 4x4.

But the pampering had failed to lift her spirits when they lunched on their last day at the L'Olympique restaurant on Mt Gele, with spectacular views of Mt Blanc.

A diner said: "She looked pretty grumpy, but then who wouldn't in her situation? There was no indication it was her birthday. She looked very glum indeed and spent most of lunch either texting or speaking on her phone.

"The waiters obviously knew who she was and gave her a lot of attention."

Victoria's skiing improved. She tackled red runs with ease while confident Brooklyn urged her to go faster.

Her outfit changed daily. On Saturday - her birthday - she chose red fleece and ski pants, chunky leather belt, silver boots and huge Dior sunglasses before flying home.

But nothing could detract from the one accessory she lacked - the husband who missed a landmark birthday.

8:43 PM
t.r.a.c.y

POSH: I WON'T MOVE TO SPAIN

From Stephen Moyes in Madrid

DEFIANT Victoria Beckham has no intention of moving to Spain despite husband David's sex scandal.

She reckons it is best for their young sons Brooklyn and Romeo if she stays in England.

"Victoria has no plans to go over there," a friend revealed yesterday.

"She says she will not be bullied into doing something she does not feel is right for her boys."

The insider added that David, 28, wants to complete at least another season with Real Madrid.

And Victoria is keen that Brooklyn, five, and 19-month-old Romeo get an English education.

She is determined that they continue school and nursery classes near the family's mansion in Sawbridgeworth, Herts.

She also wants to stay close to her parents Tony and Jackie, who live in nearby Goff's Oak.

Victoria has been under pressure to end rumours that her marriage is in crisis by uprooting to Spain.

But the friend said: "David has told her there is no truth in the allegations and she believes him.

"She insists there is no need for them to change a system which works perfectly well just because of lies."

Denying rumours of a rift, sources in the Beckham camp pointed out that the couple have often spent time apart.

They said even before his transfer to Spain, Becks had to be away from home because of commitments to Manchester United and England.

And Victoria's musical career has always meant she regularly has to travel abroad.

"They probably see as much of each other now during his spell at Real Madrid than they ever have done," said one insider.

"They are able to spend two or three nights a week together on average - and Posh frequently visits him with the children."

The friend added: "Their busy schedules mean they're apart for long periods, but it is something they have grown used to.

"It's no big deal to them - and they spend hours on the phone to each other." Victoria's decision to stay put was revealed as Becks denied secretly admitting he'd had a fling with PR girl Rebecca Loos.

He hit out at a newspaper claim that he privately told Posh: "Yes, I did have the affair and I did send Rebecca the texts."

A spokesman for the England skipper said reports of the alleged "confession" were untrue.

Meanwhile, Posh, who celebrated her 30th birthday at the weekend, is said to be considering going public to try to draw a line under the scandal.

A source said: "She is thinking very hard about giving a TV interview to tell the world that her marriage to David is rock solid.

"She is reluctant to pour fuel on the fire, but wants this hurtful saga over and done with."

BBC1's Parkinson and ITV1's Tonight With Trevor McDonald are said to be the frontrunners for an exclusive chat with the couple.

Becks flew back to the UK in the early hours of yesterday after Real's 2-1 win over rivals Atletico.

Last night, he and Victoria left their Herts mansion with Becks at the wheel of his silver Bentley.

He is not due back in Spain until tomorrow morning and friends said he was planning some "quality time" with his family.

8:42 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Beckham Real future in doubt

David Beckham could be on his way out of Real Madrid as a power battle erupts at the Spanish giants.

Madrid lawyer Enrique Sobrino is set to challenge president Florentino Perez in elections at the end of the season.

And Sobrino has claimed the England skipper and former Manchester United midfielder may be sold if he is successful in his bid to win control of the club.

Sobrino said: 'I would listen to offers for David Beckham. Beckham has to change.'

When Barcelona president Joan Laporta was bidding to take over at the Spanish club a year ago he tried to use Beckham, then at Old Trafford, as bait to win votes.

United subsequently agreed a fee with Barca for Beckham but the player chose Real instead.

If Beckham were to leave Real he could finish up at Chelsea, owned by Russian oil billionaire Roman Abramovich.

Sobrino, talking of his bid for power at Real, said: 'The option we have of presenting ourselves at the election is getting more solid every day, independent of the results at the end of the season.'

Sobrino would hope to tempt Ronaldinho to Madrid and his election would spell bad news for some of Madrid's 'galacticos', including Beckham.

'Some of them have not done enough and some of them are not doing enough,' he said. 'I would listen to offers for David Beckham and Luis Figo won't continue.'

Another star under pressure would be Roberto Carlos.

'People say he has an agreement with another club, I don't know if that's true or not, but one thing that's certain is he is looking for the contract of his life and we're not going to give it to him,' he said.

4:55 PM
t.r.a.c.y

EXCLUSIVE

Posh: That tart won't ruin my marriage

By THOMAS WHITAKER

SEETHING Victoria Beckham yesterday slammed Sleazy Senorita Rebecca Loos - and vowed: "I won't let that tart ruin my marriage."

The singer who turned 30 on Saturday, also said there would be NO trial separation from hubby David, despite claims he cheated.

The couple laughed and joked as they spent the day at their Beckingham Palace home, where Posh had her hair done ahead of a showbiz party tonight.

And a source close to Victoria said they scarcely MENTIONED the speculation over England captain Becks' alleged flings with other women.

The only reference came when Posh blasted ex-PA Rebecca Loos - who claims she slept with her hubby in Madrid - raging: "I will not let that tart ruin my marriage."

As she celebrated her 30th birthday over the weekend, mum-of-two Posh made it clear to friends and family there will be NO separation from David - even on a trial basis.

The source said: "Victoria is determined to hold on to her man despite all these allegations against him.

"Anybody who saw them together at Beckingham Palace as I did today knows they are not splitting.

"It was as if nothing had happened at all. They are continuing the same routine as always. They appear to be very happy.

"Victoria had her hair extensions re-done and David kept on popping in and out of the room while the two children played around them.

"David was dressed casually in jeans and was very friendly towards her, chatting and joking as always.

"Victoria was cheerful and was also wearing jeans. Balloons were all over the house. There really were no signs of any tensions at all."

Despite reports Becks confessed to Victoria that he had an affair, The Sun has been told that is not the case.

A close pal of the couple said last night: "Why would he confess to something that he hasn't done?"

And yesterday ex-Spice Girl Posh wept as her 28-year-old hubby handed her a rare pink diamond ring and matching earrings for her birthday - just as we predicted last week.

A source said: "It was very emotional. They have been through so much in the past few weeks.

"David was excited about giving Victoria the ring. It really is beautiful and she was absolutely choked.

"She's humiliated the whole world's gossiping about her - but there is no talk of them splitting. They're both determined to make things work."

Posh and Becks' united front at their mansion in Sawbridgeworth, Herts, came despite further weekend allegations about the footballer.

Blonde vicar's daughter Celina Laurie, 27, yesterday became the third woman to claim she was bedded by Becks behind his wife's back - following 26-year-old Rebecca and call girl Sarah Marbeck, 29.

The Beckhams have dismissed claims the Real Madrid ace had an affair as "ludicrous".

And a spokesman for the couple said last night: "Their marriage is absolutely strong."

Becks had flown to his wife's side after helping Real beat local rivals Atletico Madrid on Saturday night.

He arrived in the early hours of yesterday to find Posh already home after a ski trip to Verbier, Switzerland.

They spent the day with sons Brooklyn, five, and Romeo, 19 months.

The couple were last night seen leaving home by car but their destination was not known. It is reported they are planning a three-day break.

Victoria's hairdresser visited her at home from The Connect Hair System salon in Chalk Farm, North London.

Rebecca yesterday flew into London from Spain. She is due on TV's Richard and Judy today.

Dad Leonard and mum Elizabeth flew to Madrid.

12:39 PM
t.r.a.c.y

EXCLUSIVE

Come and get Becks

From ERIC BEAUCHAMP in Madrid

DAVID BECKHAM could be sold as part of a Real Madrid power struggle.

And that will have Chelsea supremo Roman Abramovich reaching for his cheque-book once again.

Millionaire entrepreneur and lawyer Enrique Sobrino is to challenge Florentino Perez for the Madrid presidency in this summer's club elections.

Sobrino, who leads an anti-Perez group of 18 influential businessmen, has admitted he will consider cashing in on the troubled England skipper if his campaign is successful.

He said: "Beckham has to change. I would listen to offers for him."

The news will alert Abramovich, who has Becks as his No 1 transfer target and will not be put off if Real try to make a profit on their 25million pounds outlay to Manchester United last July.

Sobrino and his backers are unhappy with the time Perez has let Becks spend away from Madrid between games during his debut season in Spain.

Real stars must have permission from the club before they can travel anywhere outside the capital.

But that has not been a problem for Beckham, 28, who has made regular return trips to England.

He was also freed for his family ski break in the French Alps last week.

If Sobrino ousts Perez he will get tough with Beckham and his team-mates after a disappointing season which could yet end without a trophy.

Perez had boasted he would net a Treble, which will not go down well when the Real Madrid club members vote in July.

Sobrino, who also wants to sell Luis Figo and bring in Ronaldinho to partner Ronaldo, added: "The option of presenting myself at the elections becomes more solid every day."

12:35 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Sunday, April 18, 2004

Wilkinson struggling to be fit for tour

LONDON (Reuters) - England's World Cup winner Jonny Wilkinson says he is struggling to be fit for the June tour to New Zealand and Australia.

The flyhalf, who landed the extra-time drop kick that secured the World Cup in Sydney against Australia last November, is making slow progress from surgery on a shoulder injury.

"I am working as hard as I can to be around for the summer," he told BBC Radio Five Live.

"The improvement will need to speed up for that to happen but at the same time, that is a possibility."

Wilkinson was reduced to acting as a water-carrier in his club Newcastle's English Cup win over Sale at Twickenham on Saturday.

"It is difficult to say when I will be back given the frustrating nature of this injury. I just don't know what is happening," he added.

Wilkinson had the operation in February. He has played only 55 minutes of club rugby since the World Cup and missed the entire Six Nations tournament.

9:54 PM
t.r.a.c.y

I'M NOT MARRYAN!

Giggsy scraps his June wedding to Stacey

By Sean O'Brien

MANCHESTER United star RYAN GIGGS has called off his wedding.

Giggsy, 30, had been planning to marry girlfriend STACEY COOKE this summer.

But the Welsh winger - who celebrated his daughter Liberty's first birthday last week with 25-year-old mum Stacey - has postponed the ceremony indefinitely.

Friends of the millionaire footballer had been looking forward to the bash this June, but have now been told there will be no wedding this year.

A close friend of Giggsy said: "Stacey is quite keen to get married and when Ryan proposed to her she was over the moon.

"But now he is saying they don't have the time to get married this summer.

"As you can understand she is pretty disappointed. But Ryan said he's not bothered about getting married and has been putting all his energies off the pitch into looking for a new family home."

Ryan was previously shacked up with EMMA GARDNER for a couple of years before they split.

But my source said there is no chance of him splitting with Stacey. The friend added: "Stacey didn't mind too much that they didn't get married last summer because it was only shortly after the birth of Libby.

"They wouldn't have had much time to organise the event.

"But now the wedding has been postponed again, she's starting to feel that it might never happen."

Ryan gave Stacey a big engagement ring and proposed to her just after she gave birth in Salford.

But knowing Ryan, she may have to wait until Libby's A-level results come through before he walks her down the aisle.

9:43 PM
t.r.a.c.y

HE IS GOLDENBALD

By Claire Collins And James Desborough

DAVID Beckham's sex secret that set the whole world talking can be revealed by The People today - he's GoldenBALD.

Sexy Celina Laurie, the beauty who claims to be the soccer idol's third illicit lover, said Becks kept his private parts HAIR-FREE.

The Danish stunner said: "They are bald. I didn't think it was a big deal because most men in Denmark have theirs waxed. I don't like it if they are not. It's dirty.

"So Becks must have been hair-free because otherwise it would have put me off.

"And he appreciated the fact that I'm also a fan of waxing. We were in mutual agreement."

Celina's revelation ends the worldwide speculation triggered by sultry senorita Rebecca Loos.

Posh-talking Rebecca insisted she knew something about an "intimate part" of David's body that would prove they had been lovers.

Celina, 27, also said she found the England and Real Madrid ace "very well endowed".

She said: "It was bigger than average. I got back with an ex shortly after my night with Beckham and I told him that Becks was a big boy.

"He had a real problem with it. I think he was annoyed that one man could have it all."

Trend-setter Becks, 28, is following fashion by having a "back, sac and crack" - where all hair is removed from the back, backside and pubic areas with hot wax and adhesive strips.

The painful procedure, already favoured by gays, is now being used by many European men for hygiene reasons.

Celina's intimate revelations are another blow to Victoria Beckham - 30 today.

David tried to cheer up his wife by phoning her on the stroke of midnight at the chalet in the Swiss ski resort of Verbier where she has been taking a break with her family.

He yelled down his mobile: "Happy birthday. I love you, babes." Beckham made the romantic call from his team hotel in Madrid where he was preparing for last night's match with rivals Athletico Madrid.

The player defied Real chiefs' orders to have an early night so he could chat to Victoria for 30 minutes. He jokingly told her that reaching 30 meant "it's downhill from here".

They couple did not mention the interview that their former aide Rebecca gave on TV.

Becks later sent Victoria 30 text messages saying "Happy 30th darling".

A source close to The Beckhams revealed: "David was in an upbeat mood. He made a couple of jokes about how reaching 30 meant she was turning into an old woman.

"He said he'd look after her as she grew old and wrinkly. Posh just giggled and made more jokes about them growing old together.

"They are determined to keep their marriage as normal as possible despite the allegations about Becks' affairs."

Beckham called every hour through the day to talk to Victoria and sons Romeo and Brooklyn.

Victoria - given a stunning £1million pink diamond ring by David last week - had champagne and caviar with sister Louise, mum Jackie and dad Tony. Her gifts included Dolce and Gabbana perfume and underwear from Agent Provocateur.

The former Spice Girl flew back to Britain yesterday. Her husband was due to fly into Stansted Airport by private jet early today after his match.

He planned to serve Posh breakfast in bed with champagne, smoked salmon, scrambled eggs and fresh fruit. A source said: "He wants to make up for being away from Victoria on her big day."

But the romantic reunion will be short-lives. Becks has to be back in Madrid tomorrow morning for training.

9:41 PM
t.r.a.c.y

I AM BECKS LOVER NO 3

Exclusive from Claire Collins

VICAR'S daughter Celina Laurie has sensationally claimed for the first time that David Beckham enticed her into his hotel bed for two rampant sex sessions.

Blonde Celina, 27, speaking exclusively to The People, says that the married soccer ace...

RUBBED her back in a nightclub even though she was a stranger.

INVITED her to join him in his king-size bed.

ORDERED his security guard to get him condoms.

WAS OBSESSED with performing oral sex.

IGNORED his three ringing mobiles the following morning while he made love to her again.

Celina - who works with handicapped people and whose mum is a vicar - has remained tight-lipped about her alleged fling with Beckham for two years in a loyal effort to protect his reputation.

But following claims by two other women - Rebecca Loos and Sarah Marbeck - that the England and Real Madrid star cheated on his wife Victoria with them, Celina has decided to speak out.

She told The People: "He showed no remorse for Victoria and his family. What we did was wrong but I'm not responsible for his actions. I was single at the time. He's the one who should have shown restraint. And anyway I'm sure I wasn't the first.

"It was obvious he had a routine for picking up women. He was too confident with the situation.

"These two other women have said how he made them feel special. That's very true. His kisses made me feel wonderful. And he was so sweet.

"That's not the behaviour of a man who has never cheated on his wife before."

Celina's father Brian, 56, a music teacher, fully supports his daughter's decision to speak to The People.

He said: "I was a big Beckham fan and I still am. If anything his behavior proves that he is a normal guy with weaknesses.

"But I do think he should accept what has happened, admit it and move on. He is making the matter worse by not admitting it.

"My daughter and I have a very open relationship and she rang me the following morning and told me she had had sex with David Beckham.

"I now know that he took her back to a hotel. I'm not angry with either of them. They are both young.

"But I do think it's about time David put his hands up and admitted, 'Yes I did it'. He should be a man and accept the consequences."

The People has thoroughly investigated Celina's claims of having sex with Beckham in Room 215 of the Hotel Royal in Aarhus, Denmark, in the early hours of August 7, 2002. We have independently proved that Beckham did stay in room 215 that night.

Celina can still describe the very distinctive large picture hanging on the wall by the bed.

We also have statements from witnesses who were with the blonde beauty before and after she went to the hotel.

Celina - whose dad emigrated to Denmark from Tunbridge Wells, Kent, 30 years ago - was in the Train nightclub in Aarhus with friends when the astonishing timetable of events began.

At 2am Beckham - who was celebrating with Manchester United team-mates after beating FC Aarhus by five goals earlier that evening - suddenly walked over and began rubbing Celina's back.

She said: "It was strange. I didn't know how to handle it.

"In the end I turned round and said my father and my brother were massive Man United fans and asked if I could have his autograph for them. He signed two, one for each."

At 2.15am Becks was deep in conversation with the blonde. She said: "We talked about football, the game that evening and Denmark.

"We went to the bar and I made him try shots of Menta, a really strong drink.

"I couldn't work out if he was coming on to me at first because I too was convinced by his image as the ultimate family man. I didn't believe that he would cheat on Victoria."

But Beckham, then 27, who was dressed casually in jeans and a grey- T-shirt with holes in it, quickly made his intentions clear. Celina claims he began touching her thighs and bum and showering her with compliments.

She said: "It was really strange. I had butterflies in my stomach. He was so good-looking. His hair was shorter than it is now.

"It was dyed blond with darker roots. I didn't know how to react to his advances.

"One of my friends later told me that he went up to David when I wasn't around and said it was funny how he could stand there touching me when he had wife at home.

"Apparently David laughed and said, 'You learn to cope'." The People has a signed a statement from this friend describing in detail how Beckham was openly flirting with Celina in front of his teammates.

At 4am Beckham moved in for the kill. Celina said: "His line was, 'I've got a king-sized bed at the hotel.Would you like to join me?'

"I said that I couldn't go back to the hotel and ask for David Beckham's room because the receptionist would never let me in. Then he gestured towards three security guards with the team and said, 'They will let you in. It's Room 215'."

At 4.30am the team and a posse of female fans boarded their coach and returned to the Hotel Royal.

Celina taggged along. At the hotel the team headed for a suite to party the rest of the night.

But Celina claims Beckham whispered different instructions to her. She claims: "He told me that he was going to Room 215 and that I was to follow in five minutes.Then he left."

The People has spoken to another witness who saw Beckham summon Celina to his room.

Celina waited a further 10 minutes before carrying out Beckham's orders.

A security guard was waiting outside the room and indicated for her to follow him.

The suit-clad minder gently knocked on 215 and discreetly voiced the words "Mr Beckham". Celina claims: "David answered the door wearing white Diesel boxer shorts.

"He had a fantastic body. He smiled and walked in. I followed him through to the bedroom where he put his arms around me and kissed me. It was so tender, gentle and lovely.

"He led me to the bed and slowly took off my clothes.

"We were both naked. He performed oral sex almost immediately. He was very unselfish.

"He constantly asked if I was OK. It was a slow and intense build-up. He said he loved my body especially my bum. I was nearly a stone heavier at the time so he obviously appreciates curves. There was lots of kissing."

At 5am Celina claims Beckham asked her if she had any condoms.

"I said no and that I would have expected him to have them. He said he didn't normally do this sort of thing.

"Then he rang a few of his team-mates in their rooms but they couldn't help him out.

"So he got up, put the towel around him and went to the door where the security guard was still standing and asked him to get some.

"The guy was back pretty quickly. We made love for well over an hour. He took his time.

"It was straightforward sex - no crazy positions. But it was lovely. He was sweet and attentive."

At 6am Celina says the exhausted couple fell asleep. Becks gently cradled Celina in his arms.

At 8am Celina alleges she woke to the sound of a ringing mobile, followed by another and then ANOTHER.

Becks ignored all three of the handsets and chose instead, according to Celina, to once again cheat on his wife.

Celina claimed: "We both wanted it. I did start to get dressed but he asked me to stay and we made love again.

"I had to pinch myself to make sure I wasn't dreaming. I was utterly seduced by him. He had a charm that is irresistible.

"He was so confident and good-looking any woman would fall under his spell.

"The sex this time was much shorter but just as intense. I know he was cheating on his wife but that was the last thing on my mind.

"I wanted to ask him about her but I didn't dare."

At 10.30am Celina says she left. She said: "I wanted to leave before I was asked to.

"He was still kissing me as I was going through the door. He asked for my number but I knew he would never ring me.

"The same security guard was still standing outside. He had a longer night than both of us." Celina then walked five minutes to her city-centre flat.

At 11am she told her story to the friend who had been with her in the nightclub.

The friend, who does not want to be named, has a signed a statement to The People stating that Celina confessed all about her alleged fling and was still wearing the same clothes as the night before.

The witness said: "Celina looked tired. I know she is telling the truth. I saw the way David Beckham was acting with her and she was wearing the same clothes the following day.

"She is not the type of person to make something like that up. She definitely had not been home the previous night."

Celina's allegations will come as a mighty blow to the troubled star after a week in which he was reportedly humiliated by personal assistant Rebecca Loos' graphic TV interview about their relationship.

The Danish beauty's claims will be the ultimate test for David and Victoria's apparently united front over the scandal.

But Celina has no regrets about going public.

She said: "David Beckham is a very sweet, charming guy. But he was also cheating on his wife.

"He should be a man and live up to his responsibilities. Maybe all this will make him value his family more. He has everything. He should try to keep it."

9:39 PM
t.r.a.c.y

POSH WARNS BECKS: I CAN'T TAKE ANY MORE CLAIMS

By Ben Todd Showbusiness Editor And Euan Stretch

DAVID Beckham has begged his wife Victoria to forgive him after two weeks of sex claims.

The tearful England captain, 28, said the scandal surrounding his alleged affairs with Rebecca Loos and Sarah Marbeck was "the greatest mistake of my life".

As the crisis over Britain's most famous couple deepened, Becks pleaded with devastated Posh to give him another chance.

And Victoria, due back at their Hertfordshire mansion last night after celebrating her 30th birthday without David in the Swiss Alps, is prepared to stand by him.

But she has warned Becks there can be no more claims from other women, saying: "Never, ever, again."

The stress has also led to emotional outbursts from David and Victoria.

A close friend revealed: "There have been lots of tears - and not just from Victoria. David may not seem like much ever upsets him but this has really hit him hard. He has been crying like a baby at times."

As fresh claims from Rebecca, 26, and call girl Sarah, 29, have rocked the Beckhams, former Posh Spice Victoria has turned to pals for their support. One revealed: "Despite the public smiles Victoria is hurting. When the scandal first broke she went numb. She went into automatic mode.

"Victoria is usually very strong in an emergency and was determined to put on a public brave face.

"But as the daily revelations continued, they started to take their toll. She is only human after all.

"Now the sheer weight of the accusations are hitting home - more and more each day. She is very upset and feels almost cut adrift."

The friend added: "She and David will stick it out together, but she's told him in no uncertain terms she never wants to be put through the mill again."

Victoria wants to believe David told her the truth.

But the friend said: "She thinks these women are lying and has accused them of making up their stories.

"I don't think she could take any more claims whether they are true or not. She feels humiliated."

In particular, Victoria has turned to closest pal Sarah Bosnich, 34, for support. They became good friends four years ago when David and Sarah's former husband Mark played for Manchester United.

Their relationship grew when Victoria comforted Sarah as her 14-month marriage to disgraced coke-fiend Bosnich fell apart.

Now Sarah has been helping Victoria through her crisis. The close pal added: "Sarah is one of the few people Victoria can turn to apart from her own family.

"The two of them are close, almost like sisters. They have always clicked - and Victoria has appreciated having Sarah to help her at such a difficult time. Sarah had her own marital problems - so she has been a great source of advice.

"Victoria has been talking to Sarah three or four times a day and is often in floods of tears."

Yesterday, as David prepared for Real Madrid's key match with local rivals Athletico Madrid, his dad spoke exclusively to the Sunday Mirror. "He's feeling down obviously," said worried Ted Beckham. "I'm glad he's got his football, because it gives him something to focus on."

Gas fitter Ted admitted the scandal sparked by David's upper-crust former PA Rebecca was a "bit naughty" but agreed she was a beauty. "Yeah, she's all right," he said.

Ted also indicated that he thought Victoria made a mistake in not joining David in Spain following his £25m move from Man United to Real Madrid last summer.

He said: "Yeah, well I think that is what everybody's feeling..."

Last night Rebecca was flying to Britain to appear on Monday's Channel 4 Richard And Judy show.

In a bizarre twist, her new agent is Cheryl Barrymore, ex-wife of disgraced comic Michael, who has her own experience of sex scandals surrounding her husband.

Posh's 30th birthday was muted yesterday. Just months ago, she'd been planning a star-studded New York event, hosted by her former hip-hop music mentor Damon Dash.

But Becks insisted on a low-key do, fearing Dash would turn her party into a publicity stunt. Posh began her big day with her sons, five-year-old Brooklyn and 19-month-old Romeo, her brother Christian, 24, plus her mum and dad Jackie, 56, and Tony, 58, at the chic Swiss ski resort of Verbier.

Last night Victoria was flying back to Britain for today's low-key party at their Sawbridgeworth home. The Beckhams called the two women's claims "absurd" and "ludicrous" and staged a big public show of unity, but so far have not issued specific denials.

9:34 PM
t.r.a.c.y

BECKHAM BACKED BY SOLARI

By Bill Mills

REAL Madrid star Santiago Solari has jumped to the defence of David Beckham over the recent revelations about his private life.

The Argentine international has become one of Becks' closest pals at Real because he speaks near-perfect English.

Solari said: "David appears to be very calm and relaxed about the whole matter."

"There has been a lot of rubbish talked, but people that are really famous like David are exposed to these sorts of things.

"It shouldn't happen, but it does. We, the players, believe what he has said."

Becks may have the support of the players but speculation linking him with a summer return to England is intensifying.

Chelsea have been linked with the England skipper but it is thought he would favour a move to Arsenal.

The Gunners are unlikely to be able to afford his wages - and Scott Parker would relish the chance of linking up with him at Stamford Bridge.

Parker said: "We all know what a good player he is and to play with him would be fantastic.

"Before I came to Chelsea everyone was saying, 'They've got this player and that player', and, 'This player plays in your position'.

"That's why I'm here. I want to play with those players to become better myself."

9:31 PM
t.r.a.c.y

CHELSEA: WE WILL RESCUE BECKHAM

By Paul Smith

CHELSEA are ready to rescue David Beckham from his Real Madrid hell, the Sunday Mirror can reveal.

A senior Stamford Bridge source said last night: “We believe David has become disillusioned with life in Spain.

“If he wants to come back, our owner Roman Abramovich will pull out all the stops to try to sign him.

“Money is not a problem and we are ready to make a firm bid if he wants to return. He can name his price.”

Sunday Mirror Sport told last year how Russian billionaire Abramovich is a massive fan of the England captain.

And with Beckham’s private life in turmoil, Chelsea will pull out all the stops to bring him back to England.

They expect to pay at least £25million to land the

biggest name in the game. And they will shell out £100,000-plus a week in wages.

This is the first firm indication that Chelsea will have Beckham in their team next season.

They are the only club with the huge financial muscle needed to sign the England skipper.

And a massive contract will be waiting for him as soon as he says he is coming back.

The London giants clearly think Beckham is unhappy in Madrid and now has little option but to return.

With English-speaking boss Carlos Queiroz facing the sack at Real Madrid, Becks looks increasingly isolated at the Bernabeu.

Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon also knows the marketing value of Beckham – the pair were together at Manchester United.

3:19 PM
t.r.a.c.y

WORLD EXCLUSIVE : The secret sex games

Beckham and his Pretty Woman 'hookers'

By Neville Thurlbeck and Nadia Cohen

ENGLAND captain David Beckham lived out a bizarre Pretty Woman sex fantasy with BOTH his mistresses, the News of the World can reveal today.

He mimicked Richard Gere's part from the hit film about a handsome millionaire who picks up a hooker for sex and company because he has no homelife, lives out of hotel suites and never finds a woman who understands him.

In his make-believe love games that spanned the globe, Rebecca Loos and Sarah Marbeck EACH acted out the role made famous by Julia Roberts.

This devastating insight into his infidelity, supported by independent testimonies from both women, is damning evidence of the depth of his deception.

It reveals that his affairs were not just unthinking bouts of sex... he had a method that particularly turned him on. A way of seduction that was important to him.

Just days after he bedded Sarah, on the night they met at a Singapore party, Beckham txted her: "That nite was amazing and before you say goodbye to me I want some more nites like that. But unlike the film I'll pay a little more than Mr Gere did. x."

Rebecca knows exactly what he had in mind. She explained last night: "David always said he loved the way I looked like Julia Roberts. He often remarked how our eyes and mouths were so similar.

"He told me he fantasised about Julia and adored her in Pretty Woman. He said. 'It's the sexiest film I've ever seen'. He really had a thing about it."

Pamper

And she admitted this week that when she had sex in his hotel days before Christmas: "It was clothes off, get the action done... I felt like a whore."

Real Madrid star Beckham, 28, totally immersed himself in his film fantasy in his earliest phone messages to Sarah, the News of the World can reveal.

Just two days after his 'Gere' txt, on August 8 2001, he promised her: "I'll pamper the best you've ever had and if u charge me I pay anything you want just to hold and kiss that neck again x."

In many more txts he liked to tease that she was a call girl.

Sarah admitted: "I was fulfilling his fantasies - bringing them to life - and he liked the idea of having me on call."

The similarities between Gere's character and Becks' fantasy are striking:

BOTH MEN like to feed their women strawberries. Like Julia Roberts in the film, Rebecca Loos was brought hers by room service. And Becks told Sarah Marbeck: "Imagine... strawberries and a massive bed."

BOTH MEN are turned on by long legs. In the movie Gere loves it when Julia wraps hers around him. Becks tells Sarah: "One day I will watch them gorgeous long legs walking down a catwalk."

BOTH MEN have stay-away partners. Gere tells Julia his ex is "good at shopping" and "lives in London in what used to be my home".

Sarah believes that when she first met Beckham at a party in Singapore - as we revealed last Sunday - he could have thought she and her girlfriends were escorts paid to entertain the Manchester United squad while they toured the Far East.

"We weren't escorts," she said. "We worked for a legitimate modelling agency called Diva. But because I got up and left after we made love, he might have thought I was a prostitute.

"I think what he liked was the idea he could change my life because he was so rich - like Richard Gere did for Julia.

Shower

"When I flew over to Britain to meet him in March 2002, we made love after he got me a ticket for the England international against Italy.

"It was in the team hotel, Oulton Hall near Leeds, and everything smacked of this Pretty Woman scenario. He liked me being impressed by his room.

"To be honest, he turned me on so much I'd have joined in any fantasy he wanted. I wore the same underwear as the first time I made love to David - sheer black Calvin Kleins. My Pretty Woman set.

"He recognised them straight away and said, 'You've got my favourite undies on!'"

By then Sarah wasn't just a fantasy hooker, she had become an escort girl in real life. A few months after the Singapore party she signed up with the Miss Fleiss escort agency in Sydney, Australia.

"David was txting me dozens of times a day telling me to come and see him," she said. "I wanted to save $10,000 (around 4,000 pounds) and this seemed a quick fix.

"I never thought it through, I just went for it and called myself Noelle, after a model I knew and hated! I slept with about 20 guys."

Rich

Sarah made just under 300 pounds an hour after agency fees. "Afterwards, I'd go home, sit under the shower and cry," she said.

"Maybe I should have confided in a friend and asked for a loan, but I didn't want to tell anyone about David. When I got to England and saw him again, I thought it had been worth it. Now I feel like a stupid, stupid girl."

When Sarah returned to Australia, broke again, she signed up with another agency called Boardroom Escorts to make quick cash.

"I hated it, but knew I could do it," she said.

"David may have thought he need-ed to pay me for my services, but he never did.

"He clearly fantasised about Pretty Woman, but when you're as rich as he is you don't really need to bother that much with what's real and what's not.

"I lived it. And it wasn't pretty."

12:52 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Beckham wanted FIFA babe

BECKHAM tried to bed a stunning FIFA girl when Man Utd played at the 2000 World Club Championships in Brazil, says Ned Kelly, the club's head of security at the time.

This was a year before he met mistress Sarah Marbeck.

Mr Kelly revealed: "She was showing people to their seats. David said to me, 'See that girl. Give her my room number', and tried to slip me a piece of paper.

"I refused because of all the publicity it would generate at the time. But David sulked, feeling very let down."

12:52 PM
t.r.a.c.y

WORLD EXCLUSIVE: Jealous Posh's fears

Where the XXXX is he?

By Neville Thurlbeck, Chief Reporter in Spain

JEALOUS Posh Spice exploded down the phone in a four-letter rant at her husband's mistress Rebecca Loos.

It was the sensational 3am climax to a series of frantic calls by Victoria - who was desperately trying to track down Becks on the night of Real Madrid team-mate Ronaldo's wild birthday party.

She was out of the country,and panicking, because she KNEW David was at the glamour-packed September 22 bash in the home of the Brazilian ace.

She KNEW personal assistant Rebecca was there, too.

And she KNEW that days earlier they'd been spotted out on the town together.

What she didn't know was that Becks had locked himself away in a bedroom and was sharing intimate moments with yet ANOTHER WOMAN - ravishing Spanish supermodel and actress Esther Canadas.

Suspicious

Rebecca, 26-year-old daughter of a Dutch diplomat, told us how mum-of-two Posh turned on her as she tried to trace her David.

And her revelations show for the first time how, even before the News of the World exposed Becks' cheating, Victoria was deeply DISTURBED about the state of her marriage and SUSPICIOUS of the other women in David's life.

Yet still she did nothing - leaving Becks alone in Madrid for long dangerous periods.

Rebecca recalled: "Victoria definitely knew something was up that night at Ronaldo's, when she realised David had actually turned his phone off.

"That's when she rang me on my mobile. She was already upset because she'd heard that David and I had been seen together on our night out at the Ananda nightclub a few days earlier.

"She'd been told that we looked very close and was livid. When she called, she was in a state and said, 'I can't get hold of David, where the hell is he?' I told her I didn't know.

"I could hardly tell her he was alone in a bedroom with a beautiful Spanish model.

"I said I'd try to find him - and I hoped that would be the end of the matter. But when I didn't get back to her, she called me again.

"It was 3am. This time, she was even more wound up. She screamed, 'Look, you're at the same ****ing party, so go and ****ing find him! What the **** are you doing with my husband partying in the ****ing first place?'

"I couldn't ignore that. So I went up to the bedroom.There was a bodyguard outside.

"I tapped on the door and said, 'David, sorry to bother you, but I have your wife on the phone and she wants to speak with you'.

Sheepish

"After a few minutes he came to the door, took the phone off me and went back inside the room.

"He was fully clothed, but we knew what had been going on in there. He looked a bit sheepish, spoke quietly to his wife then gave me back my phone and smiled.

"He looked embarrassed. And I felt quite jealous. I'm only human.

"But I was determined not to let it get in the way of our relationship and I just buried the incident.

"We'd agreed to keep our distance that night because people's suspicions had been raised after our night at Ananda.

"So we didn't stand and chat at the door - David just went back inside.

"A few minutes later I saw them both come out of the room together. Esther was wearing a short denim skirt, a white top and a denim jacket.

"She looked stunning. I got very tipsy that night. I hadn't eaten much and after a few glasses of champagne I felt dizzy.

"I ended up going back to David's hotel for our third night of lovemaking.

"I know it sounds strange, but I was so hooked into him by then that I did my best to put this Canadas episode behind us. We never even referred to it.

"Ronaldo had laid on a really wild bash that night. The whole thing must have cost around 100,000 pounds.

"There were tents, a samba band from Brazil and gallons of champagne. It was the party of the year.

"There were some escort girls there too, but they were all absolutely gorgeous. I don't know what they got up to, but lots of people were disappearing into rooms with one another.

"That was the only time I ever met Esther. But she is obviously very popular with the men in Spain. She's tall, slim and blue-eyed with voluptuous lips. She models lingerie."

It was Rebecca's astounding first-hand account of her fling with Becks in last week's News of the World - along with sizzling revelations of a two-year affair by Mistress No2 Sarah Marbeck that really plunged the Beckhams into crisis.

Shock

Today's details of the Esther Canadas drama will shake them even more.

Rebecca added: "I don't know if she and David really did have an affair. But that night he certainly only had eyes for Esther...until the party was over.

"David and I left separately at around 4am in different cars. But he txted me and asked me to go back to the hotel with him.

"This was our third night of lovemaking - and it's the night I have least recollection of. I was very, very tipsy!

"But that was the start of the end to our passionate fling. Victoria had learned of our infamous night out to Ananda.

"The News of the World was about to publish those shock pictures of us there - and I was set to lose my job when Victoria switched David's management from SFX, the company I worked for.

"But the txt sex continued. And we eventually made love one last time in December.

"Then I learned from friends how David had been sending dirty txts to Esther - the same sort of messages he was sending me.

"And I felt really used."

12:48 PM
t.r.a.c.y

He has 2nd mobile just for txt sex

PHILANDERING David Beckham kept a special 'mistress mobile' for sending kinky txt messages to his lovers.

When wife Victoria was in town he handed the lust-loaded phone for safe keeping to his right-hand man Andy Bernal, employed by sports management company SFX to look after him.

But after Posh got suspicious about Rebecca Loos - his SFX personal assistant and mistress - in Madrid, Becks hatched a plot to destroy the incriminating txt evidence on her phone, too.

Rebecca told us Beckham's first raunchy txts to her came on Saturday September 20. "It was very heavy stuff," she said.

Angry

"Although he always used this special mobile to txt me - not the one he uses for business and family calls - he must have panicked when he heard Victoria was angry... because something odd happened a day or so later.

"Andy Bernal asked to borrow my phone because his was broken. He went to David's room to make a call - but when he gave me the phone back all of David's sexy txts were deleted.

"Bodyguard Delfin Fernandez later told me how he'd witnessed David begging Andy to get hold of my phone. David told him, 'Please mate, you've got to help me or my marriage will be over'."

12:47 PM
t.r.a.c.y

WORLD EXCLUSIVE: Becks' amazing confession

I'm so sorry

By Rav Singh

DAVID Beckham has confessed his passionate affair with Rebecca Loos to his devastated wife, the News of the World can reveal.

After days and nights of mounting pressure from worried Victoria, he told her: "I did it. I'm sorry.

"Yes. I did have the affair and I did send Rebecca the txts."

The England captain cracked during an emotionally charged phone call with Posh on Thursday April 8 when he...

ADMITTED he had bedded PA Rebecca.

FOUGHT back tears as he confessed to sending his lover lust-filled txt sex.

BEGGED his wife to give him another chance.

But close friends say Posh has privately confided to them that she is considering a "trial separation".

She is struggling to come to terms with betrayal by the man revered around the globe almost as a saint...until two weeks ago.

Torrid

That was when we first broke the explosive revelations that Beckham had enjoyed a secret, torrid fling in Madrid with 26-year-old Rebecca and had bombarded her with streams of sexually explicit txt messages.

Close pals say Beckham's phone call left Posh absolutely devastated.

And later Becks, 28, phoned a close mate and confided the full extent of his torment.

David told him: "My life is ****ed. I don't know what to do. I love Victoria, but she's really upset. I've let everyone down."

Referring to the affair, he claimed: "It just happened. I don't know what I was doing."

It is the first acknowledgement from the Beckham camp that the News of the World's scoop was 100 per cent right.

However in public Victoria, who was 30 yesterday, continued to play the loyal wife and flew to join David in Spain.

But there was worse to come. Last Sunday - just three days after Beckham's confession, our SECOND world exclusive exposed the Real Madrid star's TWO-YEAR affair with stunning Malaysian-born model Sarah Marbeck, 29.

Just like Rebecca she described nights of passion in luxury hotels and a stream of explicit txt messages. It meant Becks had more explaining to do - because he had only admitted to the one fling.

The close friend told us: "It was the second one, the affair with Marbeck, that really hit Posh for six.

"She just couldn't believe what was happening."

On Monday, the couple secretly flew back to Britain in their private jet for heart-to-heart crisis talks at their Beckingham Palace mansion in Hertfordshire.

Later they claimed the girls' stories - both backed with hard evidence - were "absurd and unsubstantiated".

They also announced that they had instructed lawyers in the matter - then posed for more cosy pictures, embracing tenderly on a quad bike in the back garden.

Next day they returned to Madrid and went out for a very public family lunch with sons Brooklyn, five, and 19-month-old Romeo.

At the same time, Rebecca was preparing to air her story on TV in a Sky One interview. On Thursday night, as more than two million people tuned into Sky to see and hear her open her heart, Posh was deliberately out drinking at a bar with relatives in Verbier, Switzerland.

But friends say she secretly had the programme taped.

Horrible

And when she heard how Rebecca recalled being fed strawberries and kiwi fruit for breakfast by Becks, Victoria exploded. "I can't believe David fed her strawberries," she stormed.

"He's always doing little romantic things like that to me - to hear it from another woman was horrible. It was very personal and made me sick."

But Victoria should have seen it coming. A close friend revealed Becks had already made a partial confession back in January.

"Victoria sussed something was going on the moment the News of the World pictured Rebecca flirting with Beckham last September," said the pal.

"But three months later, even though she'd been sacked and David had switched management companies, she was still concerned.

"David got scared and admitted he had a close relationship with Rebecca, but he didn't go into detail. They hardly spoke for a while but got through it.

"Victoria held her head high and got on with their marriage. It's only in the last few weeks that the strain has started to show. But she hadn't expected the shock of TWO affairs."

Despite private anguish the Beckhams are expected to continue the brave face and are unlikely to publicly confirm any marital difficulties.

The close friend explained: "In any normal relationship, David would have been given the boot.

"But they've worked hard for global domination with their brand - it's business.

"Nevertheless Victoria has told a very close circle she's privately considering a trial separation. She needs time to think."

Yesterday, she was thought to be heading for Madrid after a morning on the slopes.

Becks, whose birthday present for Posh is a 1million pounds pink diamond ring and earrings, was expected to join her after Real's game against Madrid rivals Atletico.

12:38 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Atletico Madrid 1-2 Real Madrid: FT Report

MADRID, April 17 (Primera Liga) - Real Madrid survived the dismissal of defender Francisco Pavon to secure a nail-biting victory against arch rivals Atletico and boost their title hopes.

Real made the ideal start when Santiago Solari broke the deadlock early on, squeezing the ball past goalkeeper Sergio Aragoneses.

However, the introduction of Themistoklis Nikolaidis after half-time paid instant dividends for Atletico and when he was tripped by Pavon in the area - an offence for which the defender was dismissed - Veljko Paunovic converted from the spot.

Both sides continued to create chances, but it was Madrid who clinched the points when Ivan Helguera headed home from close range mid-way through the second period.

The win takes Real top, one point ahead of nearest rivals Valencia who play Real Sociedad on Sunday.

While Madrid's title challenge appears back on track, Atletico's UEFA Cup dreams now look to be in danger.

Roberto Carlos and Helguera passed late fitness tests to take their places in Madrid's defence and midfield respectively while, with Ronaldo out injured, Raul was called upon to lead the line.

Santiago Solari was moved to the left flank with Zinedine Zidane taking a more central role behind Raul.

Gregorio Manznao opted for a cautious line-up with youth-teamer Gabi Fernandez coming into to join Gonzalo De Los Santos in the midfield holding role, leaving Veljko Paunovic as Atletico's sole striker, in the absence of the suspended Fernando Torres.

A sizzling atmosphere before the kick-off ensured a frenetic opening period with Atletico pushing their visitors back in their own half, but on Real's first sortie into the home side's territory they scored.

Five minutes had elapsed when Luis Figo's apparently aimless central run saw him break free on the edge of the area, where he squared to former Rojiblanco Solari.

Sergio Aragonenses was perhaps expecting a cross and was beaten at his near post.

Almost immediately Ariel Ibagaza forced Iker Casillas into a save at the other end but with a one-goal cushion and the crowd temporarily silenced Madrid took control of the game for the rest of the half.

David Beckham forced Aragonenses into a flying save from a free-kick in the 17th minute but that aside they created very little before the break.

Figo had a glorious chance to add extend the lead, seconds before the interval, when he broke through with Solari against one defender, but he scuffed his shot wide.

Atletico for their part huffed and puffed with very little direction.

Ibagaza provided the few incisive moments for the home side but Casillas was always alert to the danger, coming out of his area on more than one occasion to clear.

Atletico, without Torres, looked toothless and lacking in pace, which allowed Pavon and Raul Bravo, who looked comfortable, to push high up the field.

Manzano brought on Demis Nikoliadis for Gabi after the break and it looked like a masterstroke a minute later as the Greek striker raced into the area and was hauled down by Pavon.

The defender, having already been booked, was sent off for a second yellow and Paunovic made no mistake from the spot, drilling the ball straight down the centre.

Atletico, roared on by the crowd, suddenly found a new spring in their step but as the game opened out both sides saw chances fall their way.

In the 57th minute Figo broke clear, ran 30 yards and passed to Zidane in support, but Aragonenses spread himself at the Frenchman's feet to block the shot.

Manzano then brought on Jorge Larena for the injured Ibagaza it looked like another telling change had been made as the midfielder burst through one-on-one with Casillas in the 65th minute, but the Madrid keeper saved well.

Five minutes later and it was Paunovic who was sent clear after neat approach work between Jorge and Nikolaidis, but with Casillas beaten the ball rippled the side-netting.

Despite having a man less Madrid continued to look dangerous and in the 78th minute they took the lead with a Helguera header.

Zidane's corner was nodded back from the far post by Beckham where the substitute scored unopposed.

Atletico's protests that Raul had fouled Aragonenses went unheeded and that seemed to kill off the game as Madrid played out time.

An explosive ending to the game with yellow cards flying around and tempers flaring failed to produce an equaliser, although Nano flashed a shot agonisingly across the face of goal in injury time.

12:37 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Saturday, April 17, 2004

BECKHAMS IN CRISIS

'He gives what you want'
By SARA NATHAN

HELL hath no fury like a woman scorned and boy, did Rebecca Loos get her own back on Becks.

With every turn of her head and shy smile, the Sleazy Senorita used her body language to play the proud, spurned lover.

With much eyeball-rolling and hand-wringing, she gave the performance of a lifetime on Sky One.

THE FIRST TIME SHE MET DAVID BECKHAM

"The first time I met him at the private airport where him and Victoria flew in on a private jet. It was the first of July. It was an official presentation for Real Madrid.

"I was waiting on the runway. We shook hands and that was it. I felt zilch for him. I mean he is not my type of guy, I never go for looks or image type people, so it took a while before that attraction built.

"He's not my type, not at all. But when I first met him, it was the David Beckham that we all see - the image, the outfits, the gold chains, the watches all that.

"But the more you spend with this person, the more you see the other side of him. He's very sweet, he's very generous."

She said she had been working in sports PR for four years on the tennis circuit but was "over the moon" to get the job with the Beckhams - although she admitted:

"I'm not a football fan. He's very famous in the UK, but he wasn't that famous in Spain. When I told my family to say I would be coming home, my father said, 'I've never heard of him'.

"He went on the internet and phoned me back and said, 'Darling, I have to warn you, he's quite well known here in Spain, you know'. I was like, 'He's more famous in England'."

THE GROWING ATTRACTION BETWEEN THE COUPLE

"He wouldn't sit there going, 'Oh I'm so lonely' but it's something you can tell in a person. You hear the telephone conversations, and you see what's going on around you.

"He would often say, 'I'm missing the boys so much, if they were here they would love this'. They were always on his mind."

When asked if he missed Victoria, she said softly: "I think he did, yeah."

She went on to describe how the attraction between her and Becks intensified.

She said: "There was an obvious attraction there, we just spent a lot of time together, we just built a bond, we just bonded.

"We connected, we think the same way, we make similar jokes, or we'd make a comment and we'd both take it the same way and laugh and other people wouldn't so we had that special connection.

"He treated me in a very special way, he singled me out from the rest, always made sure I was looked after.

"I don't eat meat, and whenever we were out to lunch or dinners he would say, 'Rebecca, are you happy with that'. He made a point of treating me special, so I began feeling special."

ON THEIR FIRST NIGHT OF PASSION

Rebecca said that after photographs of the two chatting in a Madrid nightclub appeared last September the attraction turned into an affair.

After leaving the nightclub Ananda, Beckham asked his PA to go back to his hotel.

She said: "That was the night. September 18. We had all been out with a group of people for dinner, having a few drinks and relaxing.

"There had been some flirting and I was getting a few innuendos but I kept saying, 'No, he doesn't fancy you'.

"I would always say to myself, 'Don't risk your job' and I knew there was a huge risk involved if I got involved with this man.

"That night we just really hit it off. It was the first time, we were just locked into each other all night conversation-wise. We just connected, people noticed it."

She added: "He said, 'Why don't we just lose the rest and why don't we just go back together?'

"I gave him a look, I was very surprised, very taken aback. I said f*** off. But I said it in a jokey manner.

"But there was a look and he was still looking at me and I was looking at him. I think one of the girls we were with sat between us.

"I think the chemistry between David and I was so strong and people were not happy because I was being unprofessional and he's a married man.

"Then it dawned on me what he had asked me and I decided I did want to go back with him, so we gave each other a look, paid the bill and left.

"We got in the car, David and I with two other members of the group and we were going to drive them to the hotel and drop them off and he was sitting next to me in the car and his leg was rubbing up next to mine, quite strongly, and my heart was just beating ...

"I couldn't wait to actually be alone with him. Literally, the minute we dropped off the other two people we just started kissing passionately - kissed all the way back to the hotel.

"We couldn't keep our hands off each other, basically. I cared for him very much, he was incredibly lonely and he was suffering. He really missed his family."

HOW ENGLAND HERO PERFORMED AS A LOVER

"He is a very generous lover, he gives a lot, he pleases. He is not afraid of a woman's body. He knows what you want and he gives it to you. It's all about you, and not so much about him. So that's nice.

"The next morning, when I woke up, he was already up and in the shower, he had to go training, he'd ordered breakfast.

"He said, 'Do you want breakfast?' I said, 'No', but he said, 'Have some fruit' and he was feeding me fresh strawberries and it was really romantic and I felt a million dollars that morning.

"I felt so special. It was just a mindblowing experience and it didn't hit me and then I snuck out of the hotel and it started dawning on me, what I'd done.

"But by then the feelings were so strong, regardless, I wasn't able to say no."

HER FEELINGS AS THE AFFAIR STARTED TO COLLAPSE

She said the last time they saw each other was the week before Christmas and she left the hotel “feeling like a whore”.

She said: "I went to visit him in his hotel room before a match and I was very excited to see him, and it was literally in, clothes off, get the action done and out within half an hour.

" left there feeling absolutely like a whore, really cheap, really used. I thought, 'hy am I doing this? Why am I putting myself through this' because emotionally I' been through a lot."

When asked why she carried on, she said: "here were still feelings there, I suppose, and I adore him, and I still do, I suppose. He's a lovely guy."

THE FALLOUT FROM HER ALLEGATIONS

She admitted she was compromising her professionalism and said: "Absolutely, you don't sleep with the boss. He was my boss. If anyone got a whiff of it, I'd be out of the door, within no time, so that was quite scary, but the feelings were there and there was no going back.

"I was taking a big risk by doing what I was doing, as was he, but he knew that and he was willing to sacrifice that and I clearly was as well by that time.

"I was falling for him, it had just been such an incredible night, that was all I could think about, the passion, how he made me feel, the things he did to me, how he cared for me, I could just think about him and I. It was very difficult to step out of that bubble at that time."

ON HAVING TEXT SEX WITH BECKS

"He texted me about 30 times a day but not every day. We would probably have text sex on average about twice a week."

She said Beckham always instigated the texts and added: "He's a married man so I would never be the first person to text. What if he's sitting at lunch with Victoria?"

She said she kept the most recent text messages as proof in case no one believed her story.

2:52 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Mum in tears at Loos 'lie'

DAVID Beckham's loyal mum broke down in tears as she watched Rebecca Loos talk of her alleged affair on TV.

Sandra Beckham, 48, branded the Sleazy Senorita a liar after staying at home in Essex to watch the Sky One interview.

She told a pal: "It's all lies - my son is innocent.

"That girl is trying to destroy his life."

Rebecca said she romped with the England skipper in his Spanish hotel room.

She challenged the Real Madrid star to a court battle to prove she's telling the truth.

David is very close to his mum and she flew to his side last week to comfort him while allegations about him cheating hit the headlines.

The star had asked her to be with him while Posh took their sons skiing.

2:50 PM
t.r.a.c.y

PICTURE EXCLUSIVE

Posh's pain

Forlorn ... Victoria on Thursday

From DUNCAN LARCOMBE in Switzerland

HUMILIATED Victoria Beckham shuns sleazy Rebecca Loos' sensational TV interview - to drown her sorrows in a Swiss bar.

Posh, who turns 30 today, could not face the bombshell Sky One revelations by the woman who claims she slept with her England skipper hubby David, 28.

Instead she drank vodkas at an Alpine restaurant in Verbier - cutting a forlorn figure as Real Madrid ace Becks dined with team-mates in Spain.

Posh, who treated her family to a Swiss skiing holiday to celebrate her 30th birthday, led them into an Alpine diner minutes before Thursday's Sky One show was due to start.

And she told her party: "This is our holiday and I'm not going to let anything or anyone spoil it."

Posh looked ashen-faced as she drank vodka and Cokes in the restaurant at the trendy Verbier resort.

Meanwhile Sleazy Senorita Rebecca, 26, was telling millions of viewers how 28-year-old England skipper Becks made her feel "like a whore" during their alleged affair in Madrid.

Mum-of-two Posh has been putting on a brave face over Rebecca's claims - dismissed as "ludicrous" by Becks - but privately she is devastated.

A pal said last night: "Victoria has refused to believe Rebecca's allegations from day one.

Trying to ease the pain ... Victoria takes to the slopes

"She loves David and believes he is telling the truth, but it's still hard to hear what Rebecca is saying on TV.

"Anyone in their right mind would have to start questioning things.

"But there's no chance of Victoria and David splitting up. He's planning to see her after his match for Real Madrid on Saturday night."

The pal added: "Victoria wishes it would all just go away. She's very strong, but there's only so much one person can take."

Posh left her luxury rented chalet for pizza and drinks shortly before Thursday's interview was due on air, alongside dad Tony, 58, mum Jackie, 56, and her 24-year-old brother Christian.

There's no business like snow business ... Victoria and son
Brooklyn take a snowboarding lesson from ski instructor

Soon afterwards, they swept into the restaurant, where Victoria was instantly recognised by English skiers.

Posh, who arrived in Verbier on Wednesday with sons Brooklyn, five, and Romeo, 19 months, looked agitated as she chatted with her family.

She was overheard making plans for her birthday celebrations but she did not allow the conversation to touch on dirty diplomat's daughter Rebecca.

English chalet worker Claire Kimble, 19, was sitting on the table next to the party when Posh marched in, wearing a bright yellow baseball cap.

She said: "When she arrived a hush went round the restaurant. People started whispering and within seconds nearly everyone was staring at her.

Having an ice time ... Victoria and Brooklyn on the Swiss Alps

"I don't think she was that bothered by the attention - otherwise she wouldn't have made a beeline for the busiest Brit bar in town.

"There are dozens of other cafes and bars where she could have gone that would have been full of French tourists. And when she walked in with her family and minders, she was first through the door while the others tagged along behind.

"Her timing was amazing. She arrived at 10.55pm local time, which would have been an hour earlier back home. I looked at my watch and thought, 'The Rebecca interview must be just about to start'."

Claire added: "One of her big minders went over to order the drinks while Victoria sat down at the table next to us and ushered the others over to join her.

"By now most people in the bar were trying to stop staring - but it's a bit hard when Britain's most famous person has just sat next to you.

Glum ... Becks at training

"It wasn't long before the whole place was packed with people who'd obviously heard who was in town.

"She and her family were talking mostly about her birthday. But we overheard her tell them, 'This is our holiday and I'm not going to let anything or anyone spoil it'. I don't know if it was a reference to you-know-who, but I got the impression she was making a statement."

Earlier troubled Victoria was spotted in the arms of another man - a hunky snowboard instructor.

Despite all her last-minute birthday preparations, the ex-Spice Girl still found time to brush up on her skills as she took an hour-long lesson on the nursery slopes.

As Posh concentrated on the class, son Brooklyn darted about nearby on a pair of skis.

Meanwhile, hubby Becks also missed Rebecca's TV interview, as he spent the night with Real team-mates at a hotel in La Manga, Spain.

The ex-Manchester United midfielder - who The Sun revealed yesterday has bought his wife a 1million diamond ring as a birthday gift - was eating dinner when his former personal assistant spoke.

Insiders confirmed Sky One was available in his 1,000-a-night suite, but Becks chose NOT to tune in.

A source close to the Beckhams said: "David did not watch the Rebecca Loos interview."

Victoria plans to celebrate her birthday at home and is expected to fly back to Britain today.

It is thought David will join her after his match tonight, but he has to return to Madrid for training on Monday.

2:49 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Friday, April 16, 2004

THE BECKHAM SCANDAL

Loos: I felt like a whore

By WILL BARKER and ANDY WILKS

SLEAZY Senorita Rebecca Loos told last night of the moment she "felt like a whore" after having sex with David Beckham.

Rebecca, 26, said she romped with the England skipper in his hotel room before a game in the week leading up to Christmas.

Beckham's former personal assistant added: "That's when it just became purely sexual. We'd only ever talk about sex. I went to visit him at his hotel room before a match and I was very excited to see him."

"It was clothes off, get the action done and out within half an hour. I left there feeling absolutely ... I felt like a whore, I felt really cheap, I felt used."

The diplomat's daughter lifted the lid on her alleged fling in a sensational Sky One interview with Kay Burley.

She praised him as "an amazing lover" during the affair she claims they shared - but also said she "felt zilch" for him when they first met.

She said: "I mean, he is not my type of guy. I never go for looks or image-type people."

But she added: "I could see in his eyes that he was lonely, that he just needed a companion, he just wanted someone to be with."

"He just wanted affection, he just wanted a cuddle, you know - things like that and yeah, I wanted to give it to him when he asked me to."

Rebecca said: "He's a very generous lover. He gives a lot, he pleases. It's all about you and not just about him so that's nice. He's a very satisfying lover every time. Very intimate. He knows pretty well what he's doing."

"We had that special connection. He singled me out for special attention. I do not eat meat and he would always say Rebecca are you all right?"

"The more time I spent with him, the more this other person emerged. We really hit it off."

As the romance grew, the pair even went out to a Madrid nightclub.

She said: "I knew there was a huge risk involved."

"I knew I was in one of the best jobs I had ever had and I'd lose it instantly. But we really hit it off. The chemistry was so strong and people were not happy as he was a married man."

Real Madrid ace Beckham, 28, has dismissed claims they had a relationship as "ludicrous".

But she insisted it happened and defended her reasons for going public. She said: "I always had to play the game his way."

Rebecca denied she planned a kiss-and-tell coup all along. She revealed they had sex less than six times - and was heartbroken when it all ended.

She said: "Everything happened so fast that I never gave myself the time to let it sink in but by the time I did it was over. It was very difficult to deal with."

"I was besotted by him."

Rebecca said they kept in touch by texting each other towards the end of the romance.

She said: "He always instigated it. I would not be the first person to text. I mean, what if he's having lunch with Victoria?"

Well-spoken Rebecca added: "I've kept the nice ones, the ones that meant something."

"We would probably have text sex as they call it now on average about twice a week. Once I was walking around a museum and we were getting quite excited and I had to nip off to the toilet and finish it off there."

She also admitted having an affair with a married man was wrong. But she added: "I think by then the feelings were so strong that regardless, I wasn't able to say no basically."

Rebecca claimed Victoria knew or suspected the alleged affair. She said: "I think she did. I think she did after rumours got back to her. I think she became suspicious."

And she said she did not expect any pity from Posh. Rebecca said: "She can say whatever she likes about me."

She wished Victoria, 29, and David good luck - but insisted the marriage was troubled before she came along.

Rebecca said she had no idea about the other girl who claims to have had a fling with Becks, Sydney slapper and ex-hooker Sarah Marbeck, 29.

But she said she would like to meet her and added: "I think we’d have a laugh."

2:01 PM
t.r.a.c.y

EXCLUSIVE

My rock

Valuable ... pink diamond is most costly in world

By VICTORIA NEWTON

TROUBLED David Beckham has splashed out 1million pounds on a giant pink diamond ring as a birthday gift for his wife Victoria.

Becks will give her the rock and matching earrings when she turns 30 tomorrow.

David, 28, bought the gems at posh Asprey's jewellers in London.

A source close to the England captain - facing claims of affairs with two women - said: "Pink diamonds are the most expensive so the ring cost him a fortune. But he says Victoria's worth every penny."

He will play for Real Madrid tomorrow before jetting off to see Victoria at a secret location.

Last night cynics were wondering if the extravagant gift was really a peace offering over his alleged flings with Rebecca Loos and Sarah Marbeck.

A friend said: "He wanted the best diamonds in the world - and that's what he's got."

"David thought he was sending a good message to Victoria, too - diamonds are forever, just like their marriage."

The friend said Becks asked close mate Elton John for advice on what to get. The pal added: "Victoria has everything anyone could want."

"But everyone knows diamonds are a girl's best friend - and pink diamonds are the most expensive and exclusive."

Victoria has refused to believe tales of her husband's infidelity with Rebecca, 26, and Sarah, 29, and has made an effort to be photographed smiling when she is with him.

David told a friend: "It's all rubbish. Victoria and I are fine, there are no problems."

Posh already has several diamond pieces lavished on her by David. Her engagement ring alone cost 120,000 pounds.

Becks was tucked up in bed earlier this week while his Real Madrid mates sank beers and chatted up girls - at the Spanish hotel bar at the centre of the Leicester City rape claims.

750k pounds carat

PINK diamonds are the rarest and costliest of all.

Most come from Australia's Argyle Mine, but they are also found in India, South Africa and Brazil.

Top quality gems fetch 750,000 pounds per carat.

The world's largest, the Darya-i-Nur, weighs 186 carats and is set in the Iranian crown jewels. Scientists have created a "cultured" version which is cheaper.

1:58 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Sven: Becks will roar
By CHARLIE WYETT

SVEN GORAN ERIKSSON insists David Beckham will shrug off the turmoil surrounding his private life and be 'very focused' at Euro 2004.

The England coach believes his skipper WILL be in the right shape mentally in Portugal.

And if Beckham does flop - on the pitch - this summer, Eriksson is confident it would be for FOOTBALL reasons only.

The Swede said: "I have spoken to David several times, as I normally do, but it would be wrong for me to tell you what I said to him."

"He's OK. I suppose he could have done without this but there we are."

"When he pulls on the England shirt, he will be very focused on what to do. It will be no problem."

"If he doesn't have a good tournament, the only reason will be his fitness level, injuries or whatever."

Eriksson is no stranger to coping with revelations made public following his fling with Ulrika Jonsson.

And he admitted: "It's better to be on the back page than the front page!"

1:49 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Thursday, April 15, 2004

GIGGS EURO PLEDGE

By Neil Mcleman

RYAN GIGGS has told the Manchester United old guard they must capture the European Cup again to go down in history as a great side.

The 30-year-old is one of half a dozen survivors from the team which in 1999 lifted the biggest prize in European club football. That victory over Bayern Munich promised to be the start of a period of domination in the competition by United.

But they have failed to reach another final and crashed out in the first knockout stage this season. In the same time period, Real Madrid have won it three times. Giggs said: "It was a great achievement but I think we need to go on and keep winning in Europe.

"To be regarded alongside the likes of Real Madrid and AC Milan, we need to win it again."

3:48 PM
t.r.a.c.y

EXCLUSIVE

I know Becks' sex secrets

By EMILY SMITH

REBECCA Loos is ready to tell a court about marks on David Beckham's most "intimate parts" to prove her claims of an affair are true.

In a dramatic TV interview to be screened on Sky One tonight, the England skipper's former personal assistant insists she will go before a judge to show she is telling the truth.

And she threatens to tell the world about Becks' sex secret if he and wife Victoria take her to court.

In the interview with Sky News presenter Kay Burley, Rebecca, 26:

SHOWS off raunchy text messages allegedly sent to her phone by Becks, tells how the star tenderly fed her STRAWBERRIES in bed and made her feel like "a million dollars", and hits BACK at pop star Posh's accusations that her claims are false and that Rebecca is a "lying cow".

After the Beckhams announced they were consulting lawyers over her claims of an affair, Rebecca vowed to back up her story by telling the Real Madrid ace’s most intimate secret.

She said: "There's something I know about him, an intimate part of his body that I think only women who've been in bed with him would know.

"So I think if they did want to take me to court I could easily stand up and say, 'Well ..."

When asked if 28-year-old Becks was circumcised, Rebecca did not deny it, but replied: "I'm not going into that. I'm not talking about that.

"If I do ever need to talk about that it'll be in a court, not on TV."

Spanish-born Rebecca claims she had sex with Beckham on four occasions last September and December.

They met after Becks signed for Real Madrid in a 25million move from Manchester United and she began working as his PA in Spain.

After Rebecca's allegations were published this month, Beckham branded them "ludicrous". Posh - mum to his two sons - accused her of lying.

But Rebecca raged: "The words she used were 'lying cow'. There is only one person lying and it's not me."

"People are calling me a liar and calling me names and, you know, at the end of the day these are the facts."

"I am 100 per cent sure of what I am talking about. There is no doubt in my mind. I have no reason to lie. Why should I? I was wrong to have done what I did. But it DID happen and I'm not going to live a lie for the rest of my life."

Rebecca claims that during their alleged affair she slept with Beckham in the same hotel bed he shared with Victoria - who is 30 on Saturday - following his move to Madrid.

She told in the interview, titled Rebecca Loos: My Story, how Beckham tenderly fed her strawberries in bed after they had sex.

Wearing a green vest top and white trousers and looking tanned and relaxed, bisexual Rebecca said: "He left me feeling breathless and very happy."

"After a night with him, the next morning when I woke up he was already up, he was in the shower."

"He had to go to training. He'd ordered breakfast. I was waking up and he brought it in. He said, 'Do you want breakfast'? and I said 'No'. And he said, 'Have some fruit', and he brought some in.

"I was still in bed. He was feeding me fresh strawberries and it was really romantic and I felt a million dollars that morning."

"Strawberries and kiwis it was - a plate of freshly-cut fruit. I remember biting into a strawberry first thing and it was nice."

"I felt like the most special woman in the world. It was just a mind-blowing experience and it did not hit me. I was extremely happy."

"And then I snuck out of the hotel and it started dawning on me what I'd been doing. But I think by then the feelings were so strong, I wasn't able to say no."

"It really dawned on me I was taking a big risk by doing what I was doing - as was he. But I think if he knew that and was willing to sacrifice that, then I clearly was by that time as well."

When asked if she thought the footballer cared for her, Rebecca replied: "I think he did. Yes. I do."

"It was just the body language when somebody holds you when you're asleep in someone's bed and he's hugging you all night and next morning you’re still in his arms."

"That's not just a one-night stand - I don't think, anyway."

Diplomat's daughter Rebecca claimed her mum Elizabeth quickly guessed something was going on.

She said: "When I got home she said, 'Where have you slept'?"

"She could tell by the look on my face, she knew."

"She said, 'I hope you know what you're doing. I'll support you, but be very careful - you are putting your job on the line. There's a family involved'."

"So, yeah, I was very aware of what I was getting myself into. However, I just couldn't stop it."

Asked about Beckham's dismissal of her claims, Loos said: "I am not trying to give an image of a fairytale, perfect, everything else, I am just being myself."

To support her case, the beauty detailed the raunchy text messages she claims she was sent by Becks. The interview is being screened at 10pm because some are so explicit.

Rebecca was paid a six-figure sum to record the show at a secret location in Spain.

10:04 AM
t.r.a.c.y

David in the doghouse?

He can pull ... Beckham leads his pet through park yesterday

From TOM WORDEN in Madrid and THOMAS WHITAKER in La Manga

VICTORIA Beckham kept troubled hubby David on a short leash yesterday as they walked their dog in a further show of togetherness.

She never strayed from his side - but her smile suggested he is not in the doghouse over the sex allegations by Rebecca Loos and Sarah Marbeck.

Posh, 29, shrugged off the scandal during a stroll in the park with David and sons Brooklyn, five, and Romeo, 19 months.

The singer led their 600 pounds Sharpei pup Carlos on a fluorescent pink and purple lead as they watched the boys play on swings and a climbing frame.

England captain David, 28, lovingly embraced his wife by a slide in the park near their 4.5million mansion at El Plantio, 12 miles from Madrid.

An onlooker said: "It was a very tender family scene."

"David looked concerned at first about letting Romeo venture on to the climbing frame and stood over him constantly."

"But once he realised the lad had got the hang of things, he relaxed and let him get on with it."

"Victoria was never more than a metre away from David's side and they were both very touchy-feely."

"Even the dog seemed to be enjoying himself."

Becks later trained with Real Madrid team-mates, watched by his sons. The proud dad, drove them to the training ground in Las Rozas.

Posh continued the canine theme when she wore a yellow T-shirt bearing a logo saying Mad Dog with a picture of a bulldog.

Becks drove her in a new silver Audi A8 to a petrol station shop to stock up on snacks before he left for team-building exercises with Real in La Manga.

The Spanish champions flew to the resort in south east Spain in a bid to end a disastrous run of form.

Last night Victoria left for a mystery location in a bid to escape her marriage crisis. A spokeswoman said she was having "a mini Easter break with Brooklyn and Romeo".

The spokeswoman added: "She is not heading back to England and she is not staying in Madrid because David has gone to La Manga."

"She wants to get away from all the attention in both England and Spain and that is why she is going elsewhere."

The spokeswoman would not say where Victoria was going or where she would be on her 30th birthday this Saturday. But Real meet local rivals Atletico de Madrid that day and it is thought she will be there to watch David play.

9:49 AM
t.r.a.c.y

JONNY WILKINSON will miss out on Newcastle's big Twickenham date against Sale on Saturday.

Rumours have been rife that the fly-half will return after having a succesful shoulder operation to set up a clash against his England rival Charlie Hodgson.

But Falcons coach Rob Andrew said: "There's no chance whatsoever that Jonny will be back.

"There's no time limit on his return but he's not had a break since he was 17. Eight months off now could be the best thing that’s happened to him."

9:40 AM
t.r.a.c.y

Simeone's Becks mission
From ERIC BEAUCHAMP in Madrid

DIEGO SIMEONE will be ruthless when he clashes again with David Beckham.

The Argentine is psyching himself up to take on Becks in Saturday's Madrid derby when Real visit Atletico in a clash dubbed "Classico".

Simeone theatrically collapsed to the ground to get Beckham sent off at the 1998 World Cup.

They last met in December when the Argentinian tried to wind up Becks again by starting a row at the Bernabeu.

But Beckham kept his cool - and came out on top as Real won the league game 2-0.

Now Simeone is preparing for another psychological scrap, saying: "The way to play Classicos is to match your rival."

"And you have to face them with courage. In these games, you need a hot heart but a cold head."

"We are working to get a victory because we need to win to get a UEFA Cup place. Every point is vital."

9:39 AM
t.r.a.c.y

Wednesday, April 14, 2004

Loving show with feeling

From THOMAS WHITAKER and TOM WORDEN in Madrid

POSH had two touching moments as she and Becks bravely showed a united front to the world.

First a minder accidentally grabbed her right boob - and then hubby David lovingly stroked her bottom.

The couple continued to play happy families yesterday as they jetted to Madrid with sons Brooklyn, five, and Romeo, 19 months.

The couple seemed not to have a care in the world as they lunched with their boys at a busy Pizza Hut.

A fellow diner said: "They couldn't have chosen anywhere more public to eat."

"They clearly don't want to hide away. They were quite happy to sign autographs throughout their meal."

David wolfed down a 7.75 pounds Hawaiian pizza and Pepsi while Victoria opted for an Italian pasta salad.

Later they bought a 100 pounds hamper of tropical fruit.

They reign in Spain ... defiant Victoria and David look a picture of
happiness as they step out in Madrid yesterday with sons Brooklyn and Romeo

Shop owner Maria Vazquez said: "They looked like any other couple in love. They held hands and were really affectionate. You would never have guessed David had been in the papers all last week over these women he is supposed to have slept with."

The night before leaving for Spain the Beckhams put on a public show of affection when they dined out at posh London eaterie Claridge's.

LITTLE Brooklyn and Romeo are being affected by the claims about their dad, David's sister revealed last night. Joanne Beckham, 21, said: "The boys are only small but they are old enough to know something is going on. It has been a nightmare for the whole family but we’ll get through it."

10:13 AM
t.r.a.c.y

Beckham panned by fans
From ERIC BEAUCHAMP in Madrid

DAVID BECKHAM and his Real Madrid team-mates are being treated as outcasts by the club's angry fans.

Around 150 fuming supporters turned up at a training session yesterday to hurl abuse at their under-performing heroes.

And Beckham's misery continued when he was told that the entire squad will be kept in confinement to prevent any distractions ahead of Saturday's derby at Atletico Madrid.

Becks had planned to spend time with wife Victoria and sons Brooklyn and Romeo in the Spanish capital, putting on a united front after claims he had been unfaithful.

But in a shock move by Real sporting director Jorge Valdano, Beckham has been ordered to report for duty today ready to travel to La Manga in southern Spain for a two-day training camp.

The club have decided to get tough with Becks, 28, and the rest of his team-mates after two defeats in a week.

They will stay at the Hyatt Regency Hotel - the same resort used by disgraced Leicester City players earlier this season.

The England skipper must then spend Friday night under lock and key in a Madrid hotel with the squad. That means he will be apart from Posh for four days and unable to spend any quality time with her as she celebrates her 30th birthday on Saturday.

Madrid's stars are fuming at the club's reaction, even though their entire season is now riding on the results of their last six games with Valencia currently top by two points.

Brazilian ace Roberto Carlos insisted: "I am 31 and no one is going to say to me what I can or cannot do in my free time."

Morale in the Real Madrid dressing room has hit rock bottom after skipper Raul and right-back Michel Salgado had a row during yesterday's training session.

Boss Carlos Queiroz had to split them up - but to make matters worse fans unveiled a banner at their Las Rozas training ground blasting Beckham and his pals.

The message said: "For you it's just about money and whores, while for us there is outrage and repression."

Valdano called all the players together at a special dinner last night to tell them in no certain terms that the club demands an immediate improvement.

7:58 AM
t.r.a.c.y

Fergie backs Keane's Ireland return

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has given Roy Keane his full backing in his decision to return to the international fold.

Ferguson told Sky's Premiership Plus: 'I'm pleased for Roy. He's made a good decision for all parties concerned. I think it is a good decision for them.

'There has been some dialogue between Brian and Roy in the last couple of weeks, and they have come to the feeling this was a good time to go back in order to qualify for the next World Cup.'

Ferguson is also unworried that Keane might no longer be a 100% United player.

'In this case I would say it is a very good decision for Roy - and I support it 100%,' the Scot added.

7:51 AM
t.r.a.c.y

Man Utd 1-0 Leicester: FT Report

Two Manchester United captains hit the headlines in unexpected fashion leaving the Republic of Ireland joyous and Leicester in trouble after the home side's 1-0 victory at Old Trafford.

While the welcome return of Roy Keane to the Irish fold is a testament to the negotiating skills and professionalism of new coach Brian Kerr, the ability of the combative midfielder to sustain a renewed international career after his shock retirement U-turn was called into question by his absence from the United line-up.

As Keane nursed the bumps and bruises picked up 11 days ago in the season-saving FA Cup semi-final win over Arsenal, his stand-in Gary Neville made his mark on a momentous day in equally surprising fashion, lashing home his first goal of the campaign as United cut the gap on leaders Arsenal to 10 points and, more importantly, on second-placed Chelsea to three.

For Leicester, the familiar sinking feeling of defeat leaves them cast adrift in the bottom two, two wins away from safety and barring a five-game miracle, certainties to drop straight back into the Nationwide League.

It was probably a good thing that Keane had declared his intention to wear the famous green shirt again. If he had not, the home fans would have had nothing else to chat about as the opening period dragged on with barely an incident of note.

The best chance came within 90 seconds as Roy Carroll, given first chance to stake a claim for an FA Cup final berth, drilled a John O'Shea back-pass straight at Muzzy Izzet who was barely eight yards from the United goal.

Given Leicester's sorry plight, it was an opportunity they could barely have dreamed of. Izzet seemed to realise it too and the pressure told as the Foxes skipper rushed his shot badly and screwed it so far wide it went out for a throw-in.

Unhappily for the visitors, returning wide-man Jordan Stewart repeated the feat towards the end of the half, completing an unwanted double when he latched onto Marcus Bent's inside pass and rocketed a shot which bobbled over the touchline after striking the corner flag.

Stewart came a lot closer when he headed an Izzet free-kick just wide, although Leicester could not claim exclusivity on the rare opportunities that were created.

Surprisingly, Nicky Butt had two of the best for United, blasting one drive into Billy McKinlay before his dipping volley was saved by Ian Walker.

Of less shock was the way the pace of Cristiano Ronaldo and Louis Saha threatened to unhinge the visitors' defence at regular intervals.

The pair combined brilliantly midway through the opening period, Ronaldo starting the full speed attack and Saha almost finishing it before Ian Walker rushed bravely from his goal to block.

Six goals in six Premiership starts almost became seven from seven for Saha, when he volleyed Neville's cross just wide.

If Sir Alex Ferguson had brought in the fringe men such as Butt, Diego Forlan and David Bellion hoping they would press their claims for cup final places, he was sadly mistaken.

Forlan lasted just six minutes of the second period before he was replaced by Darren Fletcher and trooped unhappily down the tunnel without even looking towards the home dug-out.

Ferguson watched the Uruguayan's progress with some concern, although by then his team had taken the lead.

When the dust has settled, the United manager might question why Neville had advanced into the Leicester box anyway but having done so, the England full-back wasted no time in burying a Ronaldo shot that had been deflected straight into his path.

It maintained Neville's record of scoring roughly once every 85 appearances and was greeted with understandable jubilation from the lifelong United fan.

Forlan's departure freed Scholes to push further forward and he embarked on a one-man mission to beat Walker, crashing three shots at his fellow England international, all of which were saved or beaten away.

In one of his more commanding moods, Walker was having a fine evening and produced a superb flying stop to deny the excellent Ronaldo, whose influence on the current United side is growing with every game.

Ferguson has promised to give the dazzling Portuguese winger the Ryan Giggs-kid gloves treatment as he forges his Old Trafford career and there is every indication Ronaldo could be just as influential as the much-decorated Welshman over time.

Another shot fizzed wide off his right boot before the end but though Leicester hustled and bustled, United did not really need the extra insurance.

Neville aims for 2nd

Stand-in Manchester United captain Gary Neville set his sights on second place in the Barclaycard Premiership after scoring the only goal of the game to beat Leicester at Old Trafford tonight.

Neville scored with a powerful finish from close range after 56 minutes to end Leicester's brave resistance.

The win leaves United just three points behind second-placed Chelsea with a game in hand, and Neville wants to eclipse the Londoners to avoid having to go through a qualifier to reach the Champions League.

He told Sky's Premiership Plus: 'That was an important win for us, because we need to get as close as we can to Arsenal to get that second place.

'We don't want to be in a position where we have to qualify for the Champions League. We also want to get as close as we can to Arsenal - we don't want them to win by too many points.

'It was not a great performance, but I'm delighted we won the game.

'The first half was a really poor performance. We just didn't get going really. In the second half we created a few chances.'

Neville also had words of praise for Cristiano Ronaldo, who again impressed on the wing and proved to be United's most potent attacking weapon.

'He is confident and he always wants the ball,' he said.

'He dribbles at players and makes it very difficult for them, and (Leicester goalkeeper) Ian Walker had to make a few saves from him.

'He came with a big price tag. He's only 18 - and to come from a foreign country and adapt the way he has is incredible.'

7:51 AM
t.r.a.c.y

We must stop Gunners romp
By NEIL CUSTIS

GARY NEVILLE says Arsenal must not be allowed to romp away with the Premiership title.

United are TEN points adrift of the Gunners after Neville's goal sank Leicester.

But the full-back declared: "We want to get as close as we can to Arsenal - we don't want them to win by too many points.

"It was crucial because we want to catch Chelsea. We do not want to play in the Champions League qualifiers, we want to finish second."

The fight for second spot could go down to United's last home game of the season on May 8 - against Chelsea.

United had to scrap against relegation-haunted Leicester and were indebted to Neville’s 56th-minute strike, his first Premiership goal for three years.

United boss Alex Ferguson was full of praise for Ronaldo last night after he turned on an exciting second-half display.

Ferguson said: "Hopefully he will be one of the best players Manchester United have had."

"He is a young lad and we have done the right thing in spreading the games out he plays in."

Leicester boss Micky Adams all but accepted his side - six points from safety - are down.

Adams said: "If we go down it will be just like the day I found out Father Christmas was really my dad. I was gutted that day and I will be gutted if we do go down."

7:50 AM
t.r.a.c.y

Tuesday, April 13, 2004

BECKHAMS: WE'LL SUE OVER ABSURD SEX ALLEGATIONS

By Fiona Cummins, Nick Sommerlad And Andy Rudd

POSH and Becks played happy families yesterday - while a team of legal experts planned their next move.

The scandal-hit couple put on a show of unity as they whizzed around their Beckingham Palace estate on quadbikes.

Officially, they were together as part of an early celebration to mark Victoria's 30th birthday on Saturday.

But behind the scenes their lawyers had been instructed to see what action they could take over the avalanche of sex allegations against the England soccer hero.

Becks' initial response to claims he had an affair with PR girl Rebecca Loos was that they were "ludicrous".

Yesterday, after model Sarah Marbeck weighed in with a similar steamy story, the word had changed to "absurd".

A statement issued by Posh's representatives at 19 Management, said: "This weekend a series of even more absurd and unsubstantiated claims have been published about David and Victoria Beckham.

"The couple continue to dismiss these stories and will not be commenting upon them further at this time.

"Lawyers have been instructed by David and Victoria concerning these matters."

Last night it was unclear whether the Beckhams would sue newspapers who have published details of the alleged affairs.

Their legal representatives refused to expand on the statement or say what action, if any, they would take.

A source told The Daily Mirror that one possible move might be to take action against Rebecca Loos - who gave an interview to a Sunday newspaper.

The source said lawyers would examine whether she had broken the terms of a confidentiality agreement she signed with the Beckhams when she began working for them.

But there was no outward sign of the legal turmoil yesterday as the Beckhams enjoyed a family party at their mansion in Sawbridgeworth, Herts.

David and Victoria - with sons Brooklyn and Romeo in tow - laughed and joked as they went for a spin on the fun-bikes.

Posh, in a bright pink tracksuit and wearing sunglasses, took control while Becks - in a yellow T-shirt, combat trousers and baseball cap - sat behind, keeping a tight hold around her waist.

As they motored around the lawns of their redbrick mansion, Brooklyn followed on a mini-quad - accompanied by Victoria's sister's daughter Liberty.

The Beckhams looked happy, almost relieved, to be back on home ground. Hours earlier they had driven home after a private aircraft flew them back from Madrid, where Posh had watched David play in Real Madrid's 3-0 defeat by Osasuna.

She decided to bring her milestone birthday party forward because he will be back with his Real teammates preparing for another match this weekend.

Becks' parents Ted and Sandra and his sisters, Lynne and Joanne, were also there for yesterday's bash - organised by Victoria's mum, Jackie Adams. Posh's pregnant sister Louise and her two children also joined in the fun.

An insider said: "David was always planning to spend the day with Victoria as they are probably not going to be together on her actual birthday on Saturday.

"It was the best day for everyone as he has a game next week and Jackie organised the party because David would be free.

"It was a chance for everyone to get together and try and forget what's been going on all week."

The insider added: "If Victoria really believed all these allegations she wouldn't be having a family lunch and going to watch him play for Real Madrid - she'd be livid.

"She's not the kind of girl to put on a front."

The Beckhams flew into Stansted airport at 2.30am yesterday with their sons. David drove the family in a Bentley to their home.

Later six bouquets of purple flowers were delivered to the mansion.

At one point two police cars, with three uniformed officers, drove through the gates and up to the front door but left ten minutes later.

A spokesman said the officers had been dealing with an "incident" outside the grounds but refused to comment further.

8:41 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Beckham is Forrest Gump
From ERIC BEAUCHAMP in Madrid

DAVID BECKHAM was branded Forrest Gump as Real Madrid copped a verbal pasting yesterday.

The Spanish media turned against the England skipper following Sunday night's shock 3-0 humiliation by Osasuna.

One report branded Becks, 28, Forrest Gump, after the nice-but-dim film hero, for his performance as Real crashed to their first home defeat this season.

Leading national paper El Mundo reacted to the defeat with the headline: 'Suicide in the Bernabeu'.

Another headline said: 'Beckham under siege and alone'. Sport newspaper branded the shambles 'Galactic ridicule'.

Madrid's Galacticos crashed out of the Champions League to Monaco last week and have already been beaten in the Spanish Cup final by Real Zaragoza.

Now they are in danger of losing La Liga - with Valencia moving two points clear at the top after beating Zaragoza.

Real's sporting director Jorge Valdano said: "We are experiencing probably the worst situation at the club in the last four years."

"We need to come together. The run of disappointments has affected everyone’s morale and the players now have to get the club out of this situation. They are going to do just that."

Becks, rocked by claims he cheated on Posh Spice wife Victoria, must now square up to old Argie enemy Diego Simeone on Saturday in the Madrid derby at Atletico.

7:59 AM
t.r.a.c.y

Wilko: I fear neck injury
By MATT MOORE

JONNY WILKINSON admits that his great fear is another neck injury.

World Cup hero Wilko has not played this year after having an operation.

He did not play for England in the Six Nations and misses another big Twickenham occasion on Saturday when his club Newcastle face Sale in the Powergen Cup final.

Wilkinson, 24, said: "I train every day but if I had to make a tackle right now I would get another injury."

"I am not sure if I could handle that."

"I want to get back to where I was before the injury and rule out any chances of a mental block."

"I need to be even bigger and stronger in the neck to give me full confidence that, when I go into tackles, I will win them."

Wilko has an army of doctors and physios from Falcons and England but they all accept his season is over.

England coach Clive Woodward has also ruled him out of June Tests in New Zealand and Australia.

Fly-half Wilkinson added: "I train from Monday to Saturday but hardly meet anyone from outside the club and my medics."

Newcastle boss Rob Andrew said: "I have no worries that Jonny will eventually return to rugby."

"So what if he does not play this season? He has not had a break for seven years since he was 17."

7:58 AM
t.r.a.c.y

Ronaldo to get the Giggs treatment

Sir Alex Ferguson will give Cristiano Ronaldo the Ryan Giggs treatment to ensure his latest teenage sensation does not have his career shortened by burn-out.

After an inconsistent first few months at Manchester United, Ronaldo has hit top form over the last fortnight, following up an irresistible performance in the FA Cup semi-final against Arsenal with a match-turning appearance off the substitutes' bench at Birmingham on Saturday.

The 19-year-old Portuguese international, a 12.24million pounds summer recruit from Sporting Lisbon, nodded home the equaliser at St Andrews before Louis Saha's header secured maximum points and kept United's recent revival rolling.

Now Ronaldo is pushing for inclusion in tomorrow's televised encounter with relegation-threatened Leicester at Old Trafford.

But even if Ferguson gives his young star a 12th Premiership start against the Foxes, the United boss will continue to restrict his outings in the same way he has done with every talented teenager since the emergence of Giggs 12 years ago.

The United boss has already sent his young star on a three-week break this season and according to the wily Scot, the less Ronaldo plays now, the more often he will be available in the future.

"Cristiano is a sensational talent and he is becoming a better player as each game goes by,'' said Ferguson.

"But we have to be careful and make sure we monitor and measure the number of games we give him.

"If you take someone of his age to the well too many times, you end up with a tired old horse. We want to allow him to keep fresh and develop at his own pace and hopefully in two years' time we will see the fruits of that.

"Ensuring young players do not get burned out too early is one of the things I have learned in my time as manager.

"Ryan Giggs got exactly the same treatment and I would like to think he has been able to play at the highest level for 14 years simply because we watched what we did with him when he was a boy.''

Ferguson has been forced to use Ronaldo to a greater extent than he would have liked because of a succession of injuries that are still affecting his squad.

Twenty-six-goal striker Ruud van Nistelrooy will miss out for the third successive game as he battles to overcome a knee problem, although Ferguson claimed the Dutch hit-man would be fit for Saturday's trip to Portsmouth.

"He did a bit of training today but there is no need to rush him, so we will get him ready for Saturday,'' he revealed.

Skipper Roy Keane is set for a recall, while Louis Saha is expected to keep his place even though he is still nursing an Achilles injury.

Saha's St Andrews winner maintained an impressive goal-a-game average in the Premiership since his January move from Fulham and the Frenchman is already proving to be an astute acquisition.

Yet Ferguson believes there is still much more to come from the striker, especially if he shows a little bit of extra composure in front of goal.

"I am delighted with the progress Louis has made already and once he has had a full season of training with us, his technique will improve and he will get better still.

"Also, he was snatching at chances a little but at Birmingham, so he needs to get a bit more composure into his game. Once he does that, he will be a really top player.''

Although United's faint hopes of retaining their Premiership title were snuffed out by Arsenal's four-point haul from key clashes with Liverpool and Newcastle, Saturday's win saw them close to within striking distance of second-placed Chelsea, who still have to visit Old Trafford on May 8.

On paper, Leicester, with just one win at United in 30 years, should not present too formidable an obstacle to overcome.

But Ferguson is aware Micky Adams' side are more than just bottom-of-the-table scrappers and, on a badly cut-up pitch he wanted to re-lay earlier in the season, the United manager is expecting a tough evening.

"Attacking-wise, Leicester are a real handful,'' said Ferguson.

"They are the third top scorers away from home in the entire league, so our defence has a job to do.

"Also, the pitches are starting to get a bit livelier now, so games are becoming more unpredictable and the flow is not too good.

"We had a new pitch ready for us in Lincoln but when we wanted to move it, the frost had set in and we couldn't do it.''

7:53 AM
t.r.a.c.y

Monday, April 12, 2004

BECS ON THE BOX

By Fiona Cummins, Ms Showbiz and Stephen Moyes in Madrid

DAVID Beckham's alleged affair has sparked a furious bidding war for a TV interview with Rebecca Loos that could land her £500,000.

Tonight with Trevor McDonald, Sky TV and ITV all want to snap up the 26-year-old who is likely to unleash even more damaging allegations about her relationship with the England and Real Madrid star.

Her agent Max Clifford, who said more women could be poised to claim they had affairs with Becks, will oversee the bidding.

It is thought former PR girl Rebecca has already made around £350,000 for spilling the beans on her alleged fling to the News of the World and there could even be a book deal on top.

The news came as Victoria Beckham flew to Madrid on a private jet to be with her husband in the wake of allegations he had a second affair with model Sarah Marbeck, 29.

And the couple are heading back to Britain today for talks on how to deal with the crisis.

They will be discussing whether they should go public with their side of the story.

David will stay at the couple's home until tomorrow before returning to Madrid.

Posh vowed she would not let the lurid claims ruin her marriage and insisted she did not believe Becks was unfaithful.

She told a friend: "I don't believe those girls. It is their word against David's, and I know who I trust."

Sarah claimed yesterday Becks, 28, had sex with her while Posh was pregnant with their second child Romeo. The Malaysian-born 29-year-old alleged the couple romped in a hotel after they met while David was on Manchester United's tour of the Far East just two years after the Beckhams' wedding.

She claimed they swapped sexy text messages in which he nicknamed her Tinkerbell and he was Peter Pan. Victoria was codenamed Wendy, she alleged.

And Rebecca, who was Beckham's PR girl when he first arrived in Spain, made a series of damning revelations about his relationship with Victoria.

After alleging that she slept with him in the marital bed, she told how he confessed he didn't find his "thin, stick-like" wife "as attractive as I used to". And she claimed he said he loved Victoria but like a sister.

Rebecca was today due to drive from her Spanish hiding place to the southern holiday resort Puerto Banus for a meeting with Clifford to finalise the TV deals.

Two more timebombs are also ticking away under the Beckhams' strained marriage.

Model and actress Esther Canadas, 26, and a brunette called Rebecca Ð both of whom Loos claimed to have set Becks up with Ð may be trying to cash in on alleged trysts with the multi-millionaire.

But a source close to Posh insisted she would not let the allegations ruin the couple.

The friend said: "Victoria trusts David and believes him when he says it isn't true.

"She doesn't think for a minute he sent those texts and she doesn't feel humiliated. She loves David and is determined these allegations will not come between them. Victoria was determined to be by David's side to show the world they can get through this together."

Victoria appeared to have had a makeover before Real's home game against Osasuna last night.

She looked stunning with blonde highlights in her hair and dressed in a designer off-the-shoulder black top and jeans.

Posh smiled and waved to TV cameras and fans as she arrived and took her seat next to son Brooklyn and mother-in-law Sandra Beckham.

Victoria chatted happily to Sandra throughout the match.

She comforted Brooklyn, five, when he got upset midway through the first half.

An onlooker said: "Victoria looked stunning and had no intention of dressing down for the occasion. She was smiling, waving and seemed happy and relaxed. You would never have guessed her husband was facing such allegations.

"Brooklyn looked tired though and was exhausted after flying to Madrid. Victoria put her arm round him and comforted him.

"Whatever is going on in their lives David and Victoria were getting on with business as usual."

Becks waved to his wife in the stand as he ran out on the pitch. The England captain was cheered on by adoring Real fans.

Beckham has dismissed claims of an affair with Rebecca as "ludicrous". He is expected to speak out today on the allegations following discussions with advisers. He will also consider any potential legal action.

Rebecca was standing by her story, vowing to take Becks on in court to prove it if he sues.

She told a friend: "I know what I say is true, every word.

"If there is any threat of legal action I will see them in court."

Sarah told the News of the World how Becks seduced her with the same technique he used on Rebecca Ð by showering her with compliments and texts.

She claimed they were in bed together within four hours of meeting and added: "Sleeping with David Beckham was a momentous day for me, not just a one night stand.

"I certainly didn't take our affair lightly and nor did he."

Becks and Sarah, who lives in Perth, Australia, allegedly fell for each other at a party in Singapore on July 26, 2001.

He invited her back to his hotel. Within seconds they were kissing each other, she claimed.

Sarah also alleged she joined Becks in the players' tunnel after England played Italy at Leeds United's ground Elland Road on March 27, 2002.

He invited her to join him at the nearby Oulton Hall hotel and they allegedly had sex again.

According to Sarah, he sent her texts fantasising about making love to her on his Ferrari.

Diplomat's daughter Rebecca yesterday told how she and Becks allegedly made love in the hotel bed he shared with his wife.

British photographers were last night banned from the Bernabeu stadium during Real's match due to the Becks furore.

To make matters worse for David, his side lost 3-0.

6:42 PM
t.r.a.c.y

POSH BLASTS NEW BECKS SEX CLAIMS

By Fiona Cummins, Ms Showbiz, and Stephen Moyes

Victoria Beckham last night vowed to stand by husband David amid claims he had a second affair.

The 29-year-old singer said allegations he had sex with model Sarah Marbeck while Posh was pregnant with son Romeo were lies.

She also dismissed further lurid and detailed revelations from his former PA Rebecca Loos.

In a public show of unity, Posh flew to Spain to watch Beckham play for Real Madrid against Osasuna.

She told a friend: "I don't believe those girls. It is their word against David's, and I know who I trust. I am determined
to make sure they won't ruin my marriage."

Victoria and Beckham will fly back to Britain today.

6:40 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Sven backs Becks over tabloid tales

England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson does not expect David Beckham's performances to suffer as a result of adverse publicity regarding his private life.
More allegations surfaced in today's newspapers as Beckham's private life continues to come under intense scrutiny.

However, Eriksson, whose own private life has been closely examined by the media during his reign as England boss, believes his captain will cope.

'He is very strong,' Eriksson told the Mail on Sunday. 'All international players in England realise they have to live with this kind of thing.

'They know how the English media works. They are not too worried about what people write.

'The first time I saw something about my own private life in the English press, I called a meeting of the players and told them: `Sorry you have to read this kind of thing about me and my personal life'.

'Their answer was this: `Don't worry, welcome to England'.'

Midfielder Beckham is due to return for Real Madrid against Osasuna in the Spanish Primera Liga tonight, having missed the shock midweek defeat to Monaco in the Champions League due to suspension.

12:38 PM
t.r.a.c.y

EXCLUSIVE

It's make or break showdown

Troubled ... David Beckham at a Madrid hotel yesterday

By MIKE SULLIVAN and THOMAS WHITAKER

POSH and Becks are secretly flying home to Britain today for a showdown over revelations of his fling with a new girl.

The pair will spend the day in crisis talks at their home in Sawbridgeworth, Herts, as they try to shore up their marriage.

The heart-to-heart comes after 29-year-old model Sarah Marbeck told of a passionate two-year affair with David, 28.

Victoria, 29 - who last night turned up to watch Becks play for Real Madrid - was also rocked by more details of his romps with Rebecca Loos.

Grim-faced ... Posh leaves holiday home in French Alps yesterday

They are expected to spend the next couple of days locked up in their Beckingham Palace mansion where they will have a series of heart-to-hearts in a desperate bid to save their marriage.

A source said last night: "This is make or break time."

"It will be the first time they will have had time to talk things through away from other people."

"They had a couple of days together during their skiing holiday last week - but it was difficult for them to talk in private because Victoria’s family were there."

The couple were set to fly into Stansted Airport, Essex, in their private Lear jet after Real Madrid's match against Osasuna last night.

They will spend today's Easter Bank Holiday at their mansion with sons Brooklyn and Romeo.

And the couple could be together for another few days if Real Madrid give Becks "compassionate leave" to save his marriage.

Earlier yesterday, a grim-faced Victoria left her 2million pounds holiday chalet in the French Alps to fly to Madrid where she attended last night's game in a public show of support for Becks.

The singer frowned and kept her head down as she refused to answer questions about her marriage.

Show of support ... Posh waves to hubby at match last night

She was wearing a knee-length leather coat, beige trousers and suede boots and had her eyes covered by large designer sunglasses and her hair scraped back.

Five-year-old Brooklyn - blissfully unaware of his mum's trauma - giggled as he was carried into the back of a people-carrier with blacked-out windows.

Romeo, 18 months, could be heard crying as he was lifted into the car by Posh's sister Louise.

As Victoria prepared to leave, a large bouquet of yellow roses was delivered to the chalet.

Crying shame ... Brooklyn bursts into tears as dad's team go behind

The people-carrier then sped off for a nearby airport where Posh had a private jet to take her to Madrid.

Her parents Tony and Jackie and other relatives - who had also been on the week-long holiday in Courchevel - later arrived at Geneva airport, Switzerland, for a flight back to London.

A source close to the family said Victoria's decision to head for Madrid while her family went back to London had given her team of security minders a "major headache".

The source added: "It's been difficult to manage the arrangements but Victoria felt she needed to be with David as soon as possible."

"It's obviously a tough time at the moment but she wanted to be in Madrid."

Becks also looked downcast as he arrived at a hotel in Madrid for a pre-match get-together yesterday.

He ignored waiting fans as he stepped off the team bus with his hair scraped back into a ponytail and carrying a Louis Vuitton washbag.

In the safety of the hotel's lobby he finally broke into a smile and signed a handful of autographs. When one woman offered her support in Spanish, he replied: "Thanks very much."

Becks then had lunch with his Real Madrid teammates, including Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane.

He had earlier driven to the club's famous Bernabeu stadium in his silver Audi with a bodyguard in the passenger seat.

Later Victoria arrived in the VIP section of the ground with Brooklyn and Becks' mum Sandra, who flew out to Spain last week.

She returned a wave and smile from Becks shortly after he ran on to the pitch. But within minutes the tears were flowing - as little Brooklyn started sobbing.

He wept and ran from his seat when Real went a goal down to Osasuna within three minutes of the kick off.

Posh, dressed in a black top and blue jeans, quickly raced after the youngster. On the pitch, things went from bad to worse for Beckham as Real were beaten 3-0 - their heaviest defeat of the season at the Bernabeu.

As he left the pitch the England captain looked stunned by the shock defeat, which saw Real lose their position at the top of the league to rivals Valencia.

After the game Becks, Brooklyn, Sandra and Victoria were met by her sister Louise and Romeo before flying back to Britain.

Becks does not have another match until next Sunday when Real face a derby against Atletico Madrid.

Players would normally be expected to report for training tomorrow - but the club could give him 48 hours "compassionate leave".

Officials could even extend his break until Friday when he will be expected to attend a rigorous two-hour training session with the other players.

It also emerged last night that Sir Elton John has been calling Posh every day to give her his support and a shoulder to cry on.

The star - who is a long-time friend of the couple - has offered them the use of his house in Atlanta, US, if they want to talk things through away from the spotlight.

A pal of Elton's said: "He has always been very close to both Victoria and David. He counts them as his closest friends."

He knows there is little he can do in the current climate but offer his support.

"He has told Victoria that both of them are welcome to fly out to his Atlanta home, get away from the glare of publicity and sort out their problems."

Becks is planning a new book to give his account of the alleged affairs, it was claimed last night.

Tom Watt, who helped pen Beckham’s autobiography My Side, said: "David likes the idea of another book as he knows they offer a chance to explode myths."

Additional reporting: HARRIET ARKELL, PAUL THOMPSON and DEREK BROWN

12:28 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Sunday, April 11, 2004

WORLD EXCLUSIVE: Becks Affair - wife puts him down

He told me he finds scrawny Posh a turn-off

By Neville Thurlbeck

DAVID Beckham confided to his Spanish lover that super-thin wife Posh had become too skinny to turn him on.

"He hated the way she looked. He hated her thin, stick-like body," said Rebecca Loos, breaking her silence for the first time about their affair.

"He was always telling her to eat more and encouraged her to do so at mealtimes. But Victoria thought it was cool to be skinny.

"That's not what David likes. He likes curves on a woman. He told me one day, 'I love her, but it is more like a brotherly and sisterly love. I don't find her as attractive as I used to'."

Rebecca also lifts the lid on the Victoria she knows after having to work closely with the couple as she helped settle Beckham into Madrid.

"She was a very cold, severe, unsmiling woman behind the scenes," says Rebecca.

"She was very sour and difficult to get along with and was envious of me the first time she met me. She didn't like standing next to women who looked better than her.

"One day she caught me with my hair down and said, 'Hmm! Is that extensions?' When I said it was my own hair, her face turned to thunder.

Worried

"I was careful to dress down when I was with her, wore no make-up and wore my hair up so I didn't look more glamorous than her."

"I wouldn't care, but she isn't that attractive close up. She covers herself with make-up. And she's so thin because she's starved herself so much."

"David was concerned about how little she eats. He believed it was affecting her health and he was very worried about her."

"It is understandable that she needs to look after her figure, being in the public eye. But David didn't see it that way. He wanted her to be healthy rather than looking super thin."

Rebecca tells of how David too felt starved - of his wife's company after his move from Man United to Spain.

He pleaded with her to join him - but Posh jetted off to New York to work with rapper Damon Dash, sparking explosive bust-ups. Rebecca says: "Many people at SFX heard the most dreadful rows between the two. David was desperate for Victoria and the boys to join him.

"Once, he was really begging Victoria, saying, 'Please, please come over. Please Victoria, see it my way. I can't live here without my family'.

"But Victoria was totally unmoved. She just said, 'It's OK for you, you have your career, I have to go to New York to sort mine out'.

"David is normally such a calm man but he was furious that she was putting her flagging career before the happiness of his family.

"He wanted his boys to go to school in Spain and kept telling Victoria this. But she was determined.

"More than once I heard her say to him, 'I never, ever want to be just a housewife. I want to work until I die.'

"With Victoria, it is always, 'I want, I want, I want'."

As Rebecca got to know Posh more and more, she became more disturbed by what she saw. "She was so obsessed with her image, it clouded her judgement," says Rebecca.

"She needed a nanny for the two boys last year so we lined up the perfect candidate - a fully qualified nanny from nanny college with brilliant references," says Rebecca.

"But Victoria didn't want her. She said, 'She is fat and ugly. I cannot be photographed with a fat and ugly person all the time. She might be mistaken for one of my friends. It would be very bad for my image'.

"So instead she employed a pretty girl with no training."

Rebecca says she was gobsmacked at Victoria's attitude about her image - especially after meeting other members of her family.

"They have no class and no tact. They are just awful," she says. "I used to negotiate 30 per cent discounts for Victoria in all the large designer shops, Gucci, Prada and the like. But her father and mother would collar me and say, 'Get us 30 per cent off as well, will you?"

"When it came to fashion, Victoria knew all the top labels, says Rebecca - but was not so good when it came to dressing her husband. She says: "Victoria's tastes were strange.

"When David came to Spain, he cleaned up his image and started wearing sharp suits like the rest of the Real Madrid team and going out with a blazer, shirt and jeans.

"He began to look pretty cool. But she would put him down. She always wanted to see the guy in the stupid grungy stuff that kids wear - like baggy trousers and silly hats.

"She also belittles him in public. She'll laugh at him if he tries to order from a French wine list, that sort of thing. She totally dominates him.

"The most important thing for Victoria is to be the centre of attention. So if David's getting all the attention from the press she'll be very moody.

"If they go into a restaurant for example, she will always choose a table where they will be easily spotted. She loves being on display and so too does David."

Away from the cameras Posh can be snappy and irritable, towards her children, Brooklyn, 5, and 19-month-old Romeo, says Rebecca. "But I'm not saying she's a bad mum," she added. "She was different when she was out of the public eye."

Twinges

"They lead a stressful life with lots of travelling and this takes its toll on everyone around them."

But despite Rebecca's views on Victoria, she says she always felt twinges of guilt about being her replacement in David's hotel bed.

And she found out she wasn't the only one who'd been there. "A week after he bedded me at the Santa Mauro, I heard from a friend that it had been claimed another girl had sex with him in the same bed.

"She said that he kicked her out just 20 minutes before Victoria arrived. The bed would still have been warm. To me, that would be pushing it to the limits."

And when David tried to get her to make love with him at their new home in November, Rebecca felt so uncomfortable that she could see the affair was going nowhere.

She was baking biscuits at home when he texted her and sent a car round for her. "Their driver Delfin turned up in a big Audi A8. At first I didn't want to go along, but I went with him in the end. I was pretty nervous. It was the first time I'd seen David since all the fuss over our night out in September. When I walked into the sitting room he stood up but didn't kiss me or hug me.

"He was as nervous as I was. We sat down next to each other on the sofa. I wanted to say so much but I was overwhelmed by the situation. I was very passionately fond of him.

"I knew why he had asked me to come over. It was for sex. He said, 'I'd really love you to spend the night with me'.

"I couldn't. It was all wrong. How could I make love with Victoria's husband in her bed in their new home? It was one thing having sex with him in a hotel room but quite another in the same bed where he would lie with his wife.

"He didn't try to persuade me. He could see from my body language that it wasn't on. I called Delfin, his driver, and asked him to take me home.

"In the car he said, 'I can't believe you want to leave so early. He's got me to fix everything. I've even got the condoms for him!'

"Whatever I thought of his wife, I felt so let down that all he really wanted was sex from me in their bed."

12:38 PM
t.r.a.c.y

WORLD EXCLUSIVE: Becks Affair - Rebecca, my story

Our sex in Posh's bed

By Neville Thurlbeck in Spain

STUNNING Rebecca Loos today tells in her own words the TRUE earth-shattering account of her affair with David Beckham.

In her first face-to-face interview since the News of the World broke the story, the beauty sensationally reveals how she made love with the star in the MARITAL BED he shared with Posh.

How she felt her first pangs of guilt over their secret passion as she wore VICTORIA'S HAIRCLIP in the shower afterwards.

And how the lonely soccer star made the Dutch diplomat's daughter his WIFE SUBSTITUTE as he yearned for love and affection after Posh abandoned him to life alone in Spain.

Forget what you've read about Rebecca in other newspapers. This is the interview everyone wanted - the full and frank facts from her own lips at last.

And her words strike deep into the heart of the Beckhams' troubled marriage. "What happened between me and David was more than just sex," says 26-year-old Rebecca. "He needed a woman to be with him and to help him through a difficult, lonely spell in his life.

Thrill

"His wife was thousands of miles away all the time and was no support to him at all.

"I am very sure our affair would never have got off the ground if she had been by his side. But when it did I started falling in love with him.

"What was happening between us all came home to me the morning after we made love the second time at his hotel.

"I'd gone into the bathroom and while I was washing, I noticed there were a few of Victoria's things lying around.

"That's when it hit me. We had been making love in what was their temporary marital bed at the hotel.

"I even used one of her hairclips to keep my hair out of my face while I washed. I shouldn't have done that. I knew it was wrong but by then I had started falling for David.

"He later told one of my friends what a turn-on it was having sex in the bed he'd slept in with Posh. He loved the thrill of being caught."

Today Rebecca charts how their affair developed - from the day she met him at Madrid airport as his new personal assistant, to the moment she fell into his arms for their first kiss - and on to their nights of passion at two hotels.

"My heart was racing as his lips touched mine for the first time in the back of his car," she says.

"They were so warm. It was like we were two parts of a jigsaw fitting neatly together. A million thoughts flew through my mind as we kissed. I knew we shouldn't be doing it but I adored him and I felt sorry for him."

And as the Real Madrid star caressed her during that now famous and momentous first night of love at his suite in the Santa Mauro hotel, she recalls: "He was so very adoring.

"He dimmed the lights and we took off our clothes and kissed each other naked. Then he guided me to the bed and lay on top of me.

"He was so aroused there was no going back - however guilty we felt.

"He looked both nervous and excited and said, 'I know we shouldn't be doing this but I can't help it.' I lay on my tummy and he kissed me everywhere. Then we made love.

"It was the most explosive sex I have ever had. It was spectacular."

And the next morning, Rebecca reveals how Beckham made clear it had meant more to him than just a one-night stand.

"When David woke up, he looked at me and grabbed hold of me tightly. At that moment I suddenly felt very loved by him.

"I felt as if he needed me," she says. "I could sense that this was going to be one special relationship.

"He found things in me that he was comfortable with, things that he needed...having somebody there as support. And affection too, he was certainly missing that."

When they couldn't be cuddling up together, they were on the phone texting. Rebecca says of those graphic texts we revealed last week: "It would get very heavy, describing the positions he wanted to try out and sometimes the moment wouldn't be right.

"I can remember the raunchiest texts coming through one day when I was walking round a museum with my parents. I had to go to the ladies to finish the text session.

Session

"He told me he was pleasuring himself at the same time. Very often he used to climax twice in the same text session."

The sheer heat of the lovers' lust would eventually shock the nation. But there was no sign that the embers of their passion had been lit when Beckham first met Rebecca in Madrid last July.

Then, the England captain had no reason to believe Posh and sons Brooklyn and Romeo would not join him on his adventure in Europe.

And for Rebecca - a new recruit with SFX Group, the sports personality management company then looking after Becks - her first impressions of Real Madrid's latest signing were hardly the stuff of romance.

As he firmly shook her hand at the airport - with Victoria looking on - she says he seemed nervous.

"When I first saw him I thought he wasn't my type and there was no physical attraction," says Rebecca.

"I don't normally like pretty, prissy boys in ripped jeans, diamond earrings and fancy watches. I prefer guys who wear sharp suits and look a little more stylish. I was completely underwhelmed by him.

"He was over to sign a contract for Real and had a lot on his mind.

"After that I was assigned to finding a house for him and we began to spend a lot of time in each other's company. He came to rely on me heavily, from translating to buying sunglasses.

"When Victoria was away, which was a lot, we were always together and I soon began to find him very charming and attentive."

By now the seeds of their romance were being sown. And Becks began to pay more attention to the elegant English-speaking beauty helping him settle into life in Madrid.

"He made me feel so special. We were looking round a house one day and he told me, 'You are the best PA I have ever had'," says Rebecca.

"He soon began to drop in more compliments, like 'You really suit your hair up like that'. He said how good I looked in a gipsy skirt and flip-flops. He's a subtle seducer."

Next came the first few innocent text messages that would explode into raunchy no-holds-barred sex texts later in their affair.

"One day, he texted me asking me where I was. I said I was in bed cuddling my pet pug Boo Boo and he replied, 'Lucky Boo Boo!'," says Rebecca.

"I felt very flattered. But I told myself I was imagining things and that he wasn't really flirting.

"When we were visiting houses we were viewing, he would always let me in first, placing his hand gently on my back. David's technique is to make a girl feel very special. Later as we became closer we would talk more. He would listen to my problems. He was very understanding and good with advice.

"I realised I was finding him very attractive and was aware that something could happen between us."

And so came their first night of love at the Santa Mauro hotel on September 18 after going to the Ananda nightclub with friends and colleagues - the outing that was later pictured in the News of the World.

"David is an incredible lover. He's very caring and makes sure a woman is satisfied," she says.

"And he has the most incredible stamina. He is an athlete and it shows. His body is so good. He also had his hair around his manhood neatly trimmed. He was very fastidious about it.

"Next morning he ordered fruit from room service and fed me in bed like the true romantic." The following night they went to the trendy La Musa tapas bar with friends - and Rebecca says he couldn't keep his FEET off her.

She recalls: "He was desperate to touch me or hold my hand but he couldn't.

"So he started playing footsie with me under the table. We really wanted to be alone. We left early. Like the night before, we made love for ages at his hotel.

"David was even more adventurous. Afterwards, we fell asleep in each other's arms and he held me tightly all night."

Kinkier

On their third night together - September 22 after Real Madrid star Ronaldo's birthday party - the sex got kinkier.

"David decided he was going to be very adventurous this time. I'm certain he did things to me that night which he wouldn't have dared ask to try out on his wife. It was beautiful," says Rebecca.

But then came our shock pictures of her with David in the nightclub - and she suddenly found herself moved off her job with the Beckhams by SFX.

"They made me more office-based. They wanted things to chill out after the News of the World story about us going out together," she says. On October 14 suspicious Victoria moved her husband away from SFX to management company, 19. And Rebecca lost her job. "People at work were shunning me. It was a nasty experience, one of the nastiest I've had ever," she says.

The lovers got together for sex just one more time - before Real Madrid's Champions League home game against Bayern Munich on December 18 last year.

This time it was a disaster. Rebecca received a text from him asking her to go to his room at the Fenix hotel where the team usually stays before a game.

"The sex was even more frantic than usual and it was over with very quickly," says Rebecca.

"It was a quick release for him and I was sent packing. I felt dirty and cheap. I had also found out from friends that he had been sending dirty texts to Esther Canadas, a Spanish supermodel he met at Ronaldo's party. That really upset me.

"My friends told me he had been texting her the same sort of texts he was sending me. I felt really used." But she admits she clung on to the text sex with Beckham because she remained besotted with him. He aroused me through them. I got involved and I enjoyed it. It's fun, everyone should try it," she says.

"His last text sex session with me was on March 20 and now the whole world knows about them. It's a pity that he was texting other girls too.

"I thought I was special to David and the only girl in the world this devoted family man would stray for. Now I know how wrong I was."

12:33 PM
t.r.a.c.y

WORLD EXCLUSIVE : Becks Affair - txt fuelled lust

I'm Peter Pan, you are Tinkerbell...and poor Posh is Wendy

By Neville Thurlbeck and Nadia Cohen

BECKHAM and his mistress had fairy tale pet names for each other as they texted erotic love messages.

He was 'Peter Pan'. Sarah Marbeck was 'Tinkerbell'...and David's wife Victoria was 'Wendy'.

And in hundreds of messages sent over two years, many of them intensely sexual and explicit, Becks opened his heart to his lover and told her that:

POSH had discovered some of Sarah's messages to him.

When he texted her with friends around he would lie that she was his MOTHER.

He devised a way of listening to her SPEAK on the phone when others were in the room.
The lovers start using fairy tale names in texts on August 2, 2001, days after they first had sex. Becks' text is sent at 3.50am.

DB: Is my fairy awake yet?

SM: This is fairy tale stuff, baby. If I am your fairy like Tinkerbell-what must you be, my Peter Pan? So tell me sugar, how's Wendy?

DB: You are right it is fairy tale stuff, and as for Wendy all I can think about is Tinkerbell, and as for the making love 24:7 and the goodbyes, we can make that work. It has too!!

DB: Wendy helps me write the messages. Just joking, she's far away.

And in response to a question from Sarah:

DB: Wendy who? All I can think about is Tinkerbell.I can't be a*sed talking to Wendy. Explain that one.

His Peter Pan messages now come thick and fast...

DB: Tinkerbell is the one doing it for Peter Pan. When Peter Pan and Tinkerbell are together that is when things start getting so cheeky.

DB: Tinkers when you are here anything goes!"

By the end of the month he is expressing his love.

DB: I know Peter adores Tinkers but I also know Tinkers loves Peter! :) X

But in January 2002, disaster.

DB: Wendy found them. The messages that u sent to me she saw about 6.

But he still keeps texting:

DB: I miss u Tinkers.

Mobile phone memory cards detailing Becks' texts show that he began messaging her in earnest on July 31, 2001, five days after they met.

DB: I need to c u so bad, I need that neck...I'm still feeling that electricity! Are you? I wanted u the first time I saw u. XX

The following day there is a succession of texts...

DB: I want my mouth in more places the next time.

I don't know what we are doing but the funny thing is I don't want it to stop. X

DB: First of all your neck, then it would be your *******, then I would make love to you for some time and at the end I would turn you around and **** you from ****** whilst pulling at that gorgeous hair then a cuddle and a kiss. X

DB: You like being taken by surprise u like your calfs massaged u like the *****, you like it nice and slow but u also like itfastandfurious!

On August 4, 2001, Becks is texting furiously.

DB: When we see each other next it will be my eyes, my hands and my teeth undressing that gorgeous body

DB: I can't wait to kiss u head to toe then sit you down and **** your ******* and **** you till you are so *** u can't take any more and I would bend u over and **** u so hard :) X

DB: The hardest thing is missing you and wanting you but not being able to have you!

Tempted

Two days later, Sarah has heard a rumour that Becks had three-in-a-bed sex after she left him at the Singapore hotel and quizzes him:

DB: It was hard enough getting you in my room let alone 2 girls. Anyway I promised I'd never done this before and I meant it.

48 hours later he adds:

DB: The two girl thing is still p***ing me off, trust me I've never been tempted.

I've only met ONE person that really does it for me.

A few days later, on August 12, he is being very secretive.

DB: I can't talk cause I don't want someone to hear, but what I could do is answer and just listen to you and reply with a um.

I know it's pathetic and it will sound like your on the phone to a pervert heavy breathing, but remember I haven't told anyone and don't intend anyone finding out, **** this is stupid. X

A few days later he and Sarah exchange texts while he is being driven in a car.

DB: My friends in my car are wondering why I have just burst out laughing and have gone red, **** that was sexy, and **** I miss u too! X

The following day, August 16, there is more:

DB: I'm sat in a park with some friends chilling, and all I can think about is you and I'm also being asked who I'm texting. For your information you're my mum!

Late in August they start teasing:

DB: Tell me what's your favourite part of yourself! X

SM: My legs on your's

DB: My favourite part of me has to be my ****!

The texts continue for the rest of the year. By January 2002 he is trying to persuade her that he is 'faithful' in only having her as a mistress.

DB: What surprises me is I'm so, so faithful, I mean I don't even look at a woman, I admire mens looks more than women not in that way but u get where I'm coming from.

On January 10 come three vital words:

DB: I love you. X

But by February, he's back to sex.

DB: We won't last long clothed. I'm going to spend ages tasting u and cant wait for u to taste me...

Later that day he adds:

DB: I'd love to be with u now just to let my fingers slide over your ******* while my ****** is sliding over your ******* making u even more ****er than u are now, then I would slide my body up your ***** legs and then ***** myself **** ****** *** and make love. X

But by late August 2002, the affair is fading and he is beginning to let her down gently and explaining the increasing gaps between messages:

DB: I told u it was going to be hard and im sorry but sometimes its not possible.

The texts become sparser then dry up until, out of the blue, he phones her on August 23, 2003. By this time he has already met Rebecca Loos.

Sarah said last night: "I told him that it had been many months without contact and he insisted he'd sent me loads of messages but that I couldn't have received them.

"But he clearly kept my phone number all this time. We talked a bit about his move to Real Madrid and then he said he had to go.

"I don't know if I'll ever hear from him again."

12:29 PM
t.r.a.c.y

WORLD EXCLUSIVE: The Becks affair - stunning model tells of new two year affair. MORE cheating, MORE sex, MORE txts

I'm Becks' lover No2

By Neville Thurlbeck

The News of the World can sensationally reveal that David Beckham bedded a SECOND mistress behind his wife's back.

She is barrister's daughter Sarah Marbeck.

And in a shattering world exclusive interview, Sarah tells how he seduced her with the same techniques he used on his other lover Rebecca Loos.

Sarah's testimony reveals for the first time the WHOLE TRUTH about David's marriage to Victoria.

It explodes any thought that his fling with Loos was a one-off mistake and exposes the Beckhams' 'perfect family life' as a troubled, affair-ridden sham for over TWO YEARS.

News of this second affair will come as a bolt from the blue to millions of fans and a bodyblow to Posh.

Malaysian-born beauty Sarah said last night: "Sleeping with David Beckham was a momentous day for me, not just a one-night stand.

"I certainly didn't take our affair lightly and nor did he. This is probably the most famous father, family man and husband in the world and he changed my life.

"I know I meant something to him because, on and off, we continued our relationship month after month after month. When we made love David told me, 'I know what we're doing is wrong, but I can't help it'.

Evidence

"The first time he took me to bed he kissed me everywhere. I looked down and there was David Beckham kissing my breasts! David Beckham!"

In the week since the News of the World revealed his affair with his former PA in Spain, the Beckhams put on a carefully-staged show of unity on the alpine ski slopes of Courchevel and David tried to dismiss an affair as 'ludicrous', while never actually denying it.

But, like Rebecca, who reveals her story for the first time in the News of the World today, Sarah has the hard evidence to support her story.

He sent her hundreds of erotic and sometimes filthy TEXT MESSAGES.

At one stage he was texting Sarah and Rebecca at the SAME TIME.

Becks SEDUCED Sarah on a Man United tour of the Far East

He got her a seat to watch him play Italy in England and MET her "all hot and sweaty" in the players' tunnel.

He MADE LOVE to her at the team hotel that night.

At the time, Posh was PREGNANT with baby Romeo.

Pool

Sarah's close friend and representative, top Australian lawyer Michael Brereton, said: "Sarah has thought long and hard before telling her story. What she has to say is true and hugely significant. Beckham is an idol to millions - his fans should know the truth."

Becks and 29-year-old Sarah first set eyes on one another at a party thrown by Singapore socialites Frank and Mavis Benjamin during Man United's pre-season tour of the Far East in 2001. It was July 26.

They had their picture taken ...four hours before they had sex.

Sarah, who has worked for Armani, Gucci and Calvin Klein, explained: "I was invited to the party through my modelling agency. The Benjamins have a palatial house, and I first saw David as I was walking down the stairs to the pool. He just stood there staring at me. So I went up to him and said, 'Hi, how do you find Singapore weather?' He complained 'It's a bit hot."

"I started laughing at his outfit - all the players had been told to wear white T-shirts and shorts. He agreed, 'We all look stupid'. Soon, David asked me to meet him in the private movie theatre under the house. He'd obviously checked the place out.

"We sat at the back and I asked, 'How's your wife?' He said, 'She's fine, yeah, she's well'. Then he said to me, 'Look, I don't usually do this but I'd really like your company later tonight. Will you come to my room on your own?'"

He gave her his room number at the Shangri-La Hotel but the conversation was cut short when a bodyguard came into the room and told Beckham that the United bus was ready to leave. "I didn't know what to do," said Sarah. "I stayed at the party another half an hour thinking about it, then, I thought, 'Right, I'm going to go through with it'.

"I ran back to my apartment and got changed into T-shirt and wide-leg purple cargo pants. I didn't wear any make-up because I didn't want him to think I was getting dressed up for him. But I did put on nice lingerie 'just in case'-black lacy Calvin Klein bra and knickers."

At the hotel, Sarah discovered she was expected. She was escorted to a room and suddenly received a startling insight into the secret world of soccer stardom. She explained: "There were some players I didn't recognise. They told me to sit with them for a while and someone would be seeing me soon. I asked them why the secrecy and they just said this was the way it always was.

"Then this big bodyguard came in and said, 'Ok, are you ready? I'm going to take you up now. But I'm going to have to take your bag and shoes'. He was treating me like a terrorist. We went up a couple of floors and knocked on a door.

"David opened it and gave me a big smile. He closed the door behind me and said of the security, 'Look, I'm really sorry. That's just the way it is. Would you like a cup of tea?" Becks told Sarah that United boss Alex Ferguson always made sure alcohol was taken out of mini-bars.

"It was a bit awkward at first," she said. "I sat in a chair and he sat on the bed, the TV was on. Then I said, 'Well, now what?' Without saying anything, he gently took my hand and led me to the bed. He lay down and asked me to lie down too."

As she settled on to the coverlet, Sarah noticed a card on the table from the hotel. It read: "Welcome David Beckham. Please give our best wishes to your wife and child."

She had little time to feel uncomfortable. "After a few seconds he started kissing me," she said.

The couple then spun around so that, while they were still pressing their hips together, his feet were in front of her head and his hands could slide up her cargo pants.

"I liked it," she said. "Then he started kissing my legs before he turned me round again and started kissing my hair and neck. He said he loved my neck and kept saying how beautiful and long it was. I was becoming very aroused.

Massage

"Then he gave me a very slow full body massage. It was so sexy. He kept saying he loved my long legs.

"He slid his hand inside my trousers and said he thought the fabric of my knickers felt nice. 'Can I see them?' he asked.

"By now I certainly wanted him to see them. I sat astride him and began to explore his body too. I could feel he was very aroused.

"We fantasised on the bed about having sex. I told him I'd like to be taken by surprise and to be made love to fast and furious while he held my face in his hands. It made him more and more excited.

"He said he wanted to make love to me and said if I did, I'd never want another man. But it wasn't cheesy, it was wonderful.

"Our hands were everywhere, inside each other's clothes. Then he took my top off and when we were both naked we made love. It was perfect, really passionate.

"I've no idea how long it lasted-when you're in bed with David Beckham you're not looking at the clock, believe me. He liked to be on top and that was absolutely fine by me."

Flawed

Sarah, who now lives in Australia, added: "He said he felt he'd been hit by a sledgehammer from the first time he saw me. He said he loved the way I tied my hair back."

His other mistress Rebecca Loos also recalls being impressed by the compliments he showered on her too.

But Sarah thought every word was for her. It was 3am before she was ready to go home and asked for the bodyguard to return her belongings.

"David wanted me to stay the night," she said-echoing another line he would regularly give Rebecca, "but I needed to be on my own to get my head together."

Today Becks is expected to play for Real Madrid against Atletico Osasuna, and Posh plans to be there to see him in another choreographed show of unity. But Sarah has hundreds of text messages which show that unity is flawed.

She said: "The first time he said he loved me was after we spoke on the phone and he said he didn't think the lines were safe so he'd send a text. He sent one saying, ‘I love you'.

She had no idea then that the next time they'd have sex would be on the other side of the world-with Becks' team mates just feet away...

12:23 PM
t.r.a.c.y

WORLD EXCLUSIVE: Becks Affair - big match...then bed

David bedded me in England team's hotel room

By Neville Thurlbeck, Chief Reporter

COCKY captain Beckham was so confident his fans wouldn't suspect him of being a love-cheat he invited mistress Sarah Marbeck to join him in the players' tunnel after an international match.

"There he was in his England strip, all hot and sweaty, just minutes after the game," she told the News of the World. "He had a big smile on his face."

That night, in the England team hotel, Sarah was smiling just as broadly.

"We made fantastic love and he gave me the highest, most intense moments of passion I've ever felt," she said.

"At the crucial moment his eyes were blazing and he threw his head back in ecstasy. It was an amazing experience for both of us. He certainly understands a woman's body.

"He knows when to pick up the pace or slow down, and exactly where to position himself. He wanted to make sure I was satisfied - and, believe me, I was."

The date was March 27, 2002 and Becks was leading England against Italy at Leeds United's Elland Road ground.

Bed

Sarah, besotted with Beckham after he seduced her in Singapore, had contacted her lover and told him she was flying to Britain and would be staying with an aunt in Leeds.

"David said he was very excited," she said. "He told me, 'I'm looking forward to seeing you.' He also told me what he wanted to do to me in bed - and when he said that I couldn't wait to see him.

"He left me tickets for the game at the ground's ticket desk. I went with my cousin and we had great seats close to the pitch.'

England lost 2-1, but Becks was about to score in a game of his own.

"After the match, a guard came to my seat and asked if I was Sarah and told me to follow him," she said. "That's when he took me to the players' tunnel.

"All the other players were there so he couldn't kiss me, but I was so happy to be there I didn't care."

David went off to shower and texted her a little while later asking her to come to the Oulton Hall Hotel, a grand Victorian mansion neer Leeds where the team was staying.

"I put on a nice pair of boots and sexy black underwear," said Sarah. "My cousin Matthew drove me there and it suddenly dawned on him what was happening when we saw the England team buses parked up outside.

"I went in alone and waited in the foyer. It was about 9.30pm.

"I texted him to say I'd arrived and he texted me back telling me to come up to his room.

"David opened the door in his white T-shirt and a pair of sports shorts. His hair was a bit longer than the last time I'd seen him but he still looked gorgeous.

Tender

"This time there were no security guards around but he didn't want me to hover in the hallway. 'Come in quick', he said.

"Then he just looked at me and said, 'I can't believe you're here, Sarah. I can't believe I'm staring at you again and we're alone'.

"It was a magic moment. He held me tight and kissed me so tenderly straight away. I'd been dying for that.

"We had no inhibitions, the lights stayed on. We made love right there on the bed. He took his clothes off first, and stood in front of me naked. I was wearing jeans and a turtle-neck sweater and I slipped out of them and joined him on the bed.

"He has a very nice, toned, athletic body and he's well endowed. You might say he's a very genetically blessed man.

"Even his feet are gorgeous. I know if most women saw David Beckham naked they wouldn't be looking at his feet but I wanted to check out every single inch of him.

"We started kissing each other all over, And then he began giving me oral sex. He had a very sensual technique.

"Finally we made love on the bed going through a whole variety of positions, though he was on top most of the time. He kept nibbling my ear, which made me giggle. There was a lot of kissing-a lot of tongues.

"He didn't talk about what he was going to do, he just did it. All he said was: 'You're really beautiful'.

"Afterwards we lay there cuddling. We didn't really chat, just lots of cuddles. It was a lovely room and a really comfortable bed."

By now it was 2am. "My cousin was still waiting downstairs so I said I had to go," she said. "This time David didn't ask me to stay the night. He said 'If we get caught, I'll be in a lot of trouble'. As I left he promised to see me again and told me, 'I'll find some time for us to hang out properly while you're still in the country'."

Three days later Becks arranged for Sarah and her cousin to watch Leeds at home to Man Utd. The tickets were in the name of then Leeds star Jonathan Woodgate.

But despite this, she did not see Becks alone again.

"I went south to London but we never got together," she said. "He told me he was busy."

But even after their Oulton Hall meeting, the text messages and phone calls continued, only tapering off from around the time Victoria gave birth to son Romeo on September 1, 2002. "Throughout our time we rarely talked about football," said Sarah. "He never mentioned Sir Alex Ferguson or or the England manager Sven to me. I think he knew I wasn't that interested.

"But he did send me a text straight after England beat Germany 5-1 in September 2001. He said, 'Nothing makes me happier than playing football!'

"It was such an historic moment for English fans that I was really proud to hear from him. I asked him how he felt playing in front of millions of people, if he was nervous and he said, 'It's a piece of p*ss'.

"Most of the time we'd just tease each other. I teased him about all the advertising he was doing and said, 'Everywhere I go I see your face'. He thought that was funny, but he knew I loved his Police sunglasses ads."

It was only last week that she discovered he had moved on from her to bed Rebecca Loos.

Sarah added: "I remember towards the end of our time together he rang me after a long period of no contact and I said to him, 'Have you been texting all your other girls and finally got back round to me?'

"He said 'Don't be silly', but now I know how close to the truth I was."

12:23 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Saturday, April 10, 2004

EXCLUSIVE

No honeymoon for Ruud

By DEREK BROWN

SIR Alex Ferguson has banned star Ruud Van Nistelrooy from having a honeymoon.

The 27-year-old Manchester United striker has been ordered to report back to the club SIX DAYS after his lavish wedding in Holland this summer.

Fergie has told the Dutch international he must be on a plane with the rest of the squad on July 16 for a lucrative US tour.

An Old Trafford insider said: "Alex wants Ruud to have a great wedding but he's just told him he can't go on honeymoon afterwards.

"The pre-season US tour is hugely lucrative and every top player must be present."

"Ruud is a bit aggrieved but loves the club so much he is prepared to compromise."

Now Ruud and bride Leontien Flaatf will spend three days with his mum and dad instead of honeymooning.

He will marry childhood sweetheart Leontien, 24, in the village of Geffen on July 10.

Ruud has already had to snub David Beckham by leaving him off the wedding invite list - in case he clashes with Fergie at the bash.

9:23 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Fergie Sticking With Cup Heroes

Following last weekend's FA Cup semi-final success, Sir Alex Ferguson was in buoyant mood ahead of United's trip to St. Andrews to take on Steve Bruce's Birmingham side. This is what the manager had to say at his Friday press conference...

Ruud Injury Update
"He won't make the Birmingham game but he may be okay for Tuesday's game with Leicester. The swelling has come down on his knee and he's been able to do some running. So he is improving."

No Changes For Birmingham
"We don't have any options of freshening up the team. We've got the same 16 players available from last Saturday, plus Diego Forlan and possibly Louis Saha. But we don't have a big squad available for the game and therefore won't be making changes."

Birmingham For Europe?
"They've got a chance of getting into fourth place, although Liverpool and Newcastle might just be starting to draw ahead. But there's definitely a UEFA Cup place there for them. They play like their manager; they're very determined, committed and honest, and I think they've done great this season."

The Title Race
"We'll have a better idea of the title race on Sunday night. We have to depend on what Chelsea and Arsenal do. They've both got different types of challenges ahead; Arsenal have a difficult weekend and Chelsea now have the Champions League semi-final to think about."

Champions League Surprises
"I watched the Chelsea and Arsenal game which I thought was an enthralling match and a fantastic result for Chelsea. I was pleased for Carlos Queiroz when I saw Real Madrid had gone 1-0 up, but all of a sudden they were 2-1 down and obviously went on to lose 3-1. It's been an unbelievable week."

Praise For The Fans
"The support we had last Saturday was similar to the kind we had when we played Chelsea in the Cup semi-final in 1996. The fans were fantastic in that game and again last weekend, and alongside the players' determination to get to the final, it made for an incredible atmosphere at Villa Park."

Millwall Observations
"I thought they were the better team in the semi-final against Sunderland and I think they would probably have gone on to win more comfortably if they hadn't lost their right-winger Paul Ifill and their right-back Kevin Muscat; they were in a very good position at that point. Their spirit was very good in the second half and they were very determined."

Importance Of The FA Cup
"The FA Cup has been a great Cup for this club. There was a difficult period when we didn't enter the Cup and were then knocked out during the next few years after that. But we've won it ten times which is more than any other club in the country and we've also got to more finals than anyone else. So it has been special for us and hopefully it'll be special again on 22 May."

Aims For The Rest Of The Season
"Obviously we've got a Cup final to look forward to and I just want us to enjoy our football now. We've got some difficult matches coming up against Leicester and Portsmouth, who are both scrapping for their lives, and then Charlton, who have a great manager and have done fantastically well with small resources. But we're capable of winning these matches and we really need to if we want to get ourselves in a position which is better than it is at the moment."

Wes Brown For Euro 2004?
"I think Wes may need a break this summer after all that he's been through. But it's nice to hear people talking that way because it tells you how far he’s come."

Report by Gemma Thompson, Carrington.

9:02 PM
t.r.a.c.y

ARSENE TAUNTS ALEX: 'YOUR TREBLE WAS EASY'

By John Cross

ARSENE WENGER last night insisted that Manchester United had it easy when they won the Treble and admitted he is ready to treat the FA Cup as a second-rate competition.

Wenger could not resist a dig at United's 1999 success of winning the Premiership title, Champions League and FA Cup after watching Arsenal blow their own Treble hopes.

Gunners boss Wenger claimed United had an easy run to the FA Cup final even though they had to beat Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea and Newcastle along the way.

Wenger also maintained that they had an easier route to the European Cup - even though they met Barcelona, Inter Milan, Juventus and Bayern Munich - and insisted the Premiership was less competitive.

Bitter Wenger now insists repeating United's Treble is much harder - and says that he is considering playing a reserve team in next season's FA Cup just as they have done in the Carling Cup in recent seasons.

Offering a put-down to bitter managerial rival Sir Alex Ferguson's achievements of winning the Treble five years ago, Wenger said: "I would like to see their FA Cup draw and compare it with ours this year and, I don't think it's comparable.

"They could afford to rest a few players against teams with less resistance. But they had an exceptionable team with an exceptionable strength of character. They had great physical potential and mental strength as well. But the competition in the Premier League was of a lesser level for Manchester United then than it is now."

Wenger now believes the battle for the Premiership title and Champions League is much tougher and says that he would consider playing a second string team in the FA Cup if he had his chance again. "One thing that I'm still questioning - and I say it every year - is that I feel the FA Cup ends up costing us a lot of energy," said Wenger.

"You never have an easy game in the FA Cup and maybe physically it takes too much out of us.

"I think the FA Cup has been more harm than good in the last couple of years. It's a fantastic trophy, we've been 17 games unbeaten in the competition and it was a challenge for us to win it three times in a row.

"We've played big game after big game and so we hoped for an easier team than Manchester United in the semi-final."

12:18 PM
t.r.a.c.y

TAKE A BREAK TIM... THAT'S FINAL

By David McDonnell

SIR ALEX Ferguson has told Tim Howard that he will spend the rest of the season on the Manchester United bench.

Howard has become the latest victim of Fergie's ruthless attitude towards goalkeepers after he was dumped in favour of Roy Carroll.

While Fergie has acknowledged Howard's brilliance in his first season at Old Trafford, the United boss felt the American was physically and mentally shattered.

Carroll has impressed Fergie since stepping into the No 1 spot and is set to keep his place for the rest of the Premiership campaign and the FA Cup final, while Howard watches from the sidelines.

Carroll's promotion to the first team is his reward for nearly three years of patience, firstly playing second fiddle to Fabien Barthez and then Howard when he arrived at United last summer.

Fergie said: "Roy is a full international player who has been with us for almost three years now and done fantastically well whenever we've called on him.

"We recognise that Tim needs a break and needs time to regain his freshness.

"Tim has been unbelievable for us this season and a break won't do him any harm.

"Roy has come in and been brilliant for us. He's been very patient in waiting for his opportunity and he's proved his class when he's played for us."

Howard was dropped after his injury-time blunder against Porto which saw United dumped out of the Champions League.

Howard conceded Fergie was right to rest him but insisted he is desperate to reclaim the No 1 spot. "I want to be out there playing but the manager knows best and I trust his judgement," said Howard.

"It's difficult to watch from the stands if you've been playing regularly but you have to give Roy credit. He's done well and he deserves to be playing right now.

"I know what he's capable of because I train with him every day. Goalkeeper is a strange position because you have to train with your immediate competitor every day and no quarter is given.

"I definitely want to get back in the side as soon as possible but it's up to the manager to make that choice."

Carroll has played 19 Premiership games for United and has never been on a losing side during that run, with Fergie describing him as "our lucky keeper". And now he has the No 1 jersey, Carroll is determined not to relinquish it. He said: "I don't see myself as the second choice keeper, I never have done.

"When I came to United from Wigan I knew I had to learn my trade for a couple of seasons but I wanted to establish myself as No.1 sooner rather than later.

"I'm the man in possession of the jersey now and it's up to me to keep it.

"I've never doubted that I'm good enough to be the first choice, but I accepted the move from the Second Division to the biggest club in the world was a huge one and that I would have to bide my time.

"When I came here, Fabien was here and doing very well, then Tim came along and was equally good.

"Now the gaffer has given me another chance and hopefully I've impressed him enough to keep my place.

"There are no hard feelings between Tim and myself. Competition for places is what you need."

While Carroll is certain to start the FA Cup final against Millwall, barring injury or a dramatic loss of form, skipper Roy Keane has warned the rest of the United squad they're all playing for their places.

United have eight Premiership games left and Keane has called upon his team-mates not to slacken off as they enter the home straight.

Keane said: "We're all playing for our Cup Final places from now on and we must try to build on our semi-final win over Arsenal.

"There's going to be a lot of competition for a place in the final. We have to prepare properly - and that means immediately."

Keane acknowledged Arsenal had been the best side in the country this season and claimed United's failure to beat the so-called "lesser" sides had proved their undoing.

Keane added: "When we do play Arsenal there is never much between us. But you have to beat the rest of the teams as well.

"Arsenal have done that this season and we haven't, so credit to them for that."

12:17 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Father Ted backs David

DAVID Beckham's dad has compared his son's latest crisis to his infamous World Cup red card and promised: "He will bounce back."

Ted Beckham, 53, said the attention was similar to when David was sent off for kicking Argentina's Diego Simeone in France '98.

He said: "Hopefully all this will make David a stronger player."

"Look at the World Cup match against Argentina. David came back from that."

Ted, from Chingford, East London, said he had been asked not to discuss Rebecca Loos.

The former Leyton Orient player added: "The last thing we need is for this to affect Euro 2004, which is just round the corner."

12:16 PM
t.r.a.c.y

BODY LANGUAGE EXPERT'S OPINION

By Robert Phipps Body Language Expert

DAVID Beckham seems uncomfortable being alone with Victoria, sneak footage taken on their French Alps ski trip shows.

And she looks isolated and vulnerable, lost in a world of her own.

It's like watching two different groups - David, Brooklyn and Romeo pulling faces and having fun, Victoria isolated and alone. She obviously has a lot on her mind. She's preoccupied, silent and barely looks at her husband or sons.

Most couples out with their kids would look at each other much more, exchanging looks and smiles. But they're not taking the time to look at each other or talk and there are big silences.

Eye contact is missing and the gap between them is uncomfortable.

When he kisses and talks to her, there's no reaction. She's not happy and isn't allowing any expression out. The kids look happy and content, like normal kids, but there's definitely an atmosphere between Mum and Dad.

They still mirror each other's body language, which is a good sign.

But they need to engage with each other again before the looks and smiles come back for real.

12:14 PM
t.r.a.c.y

BECKHAM CRACKS UP OVER REBECCA SEX TAUNTS

Stephen Moyes In Madrid

STARING in rage at a dressing room poster taunting him about his claimed fling with Rebecca Loos, David Beckham finally flipped.

"I didn't do it!" he stormed at shocked team-mates. "It's false. It's a rumour."

Then the 28-year-old Real Madrid star tore down the poster and launched into an impassioned defence, saying he would never be unfaithful to wife Victoria and branding the allegations against him as an act of revenge.

An insider at the club said: "The players thought they were playing a joke on Becks by writing the poster suggesting he'd been caught with his pants down.

"But it hit a raw nerve with him and he was determined to set the record straight. This was one joke he couldn't join in with. Enough was enough and he made that clear."

The extraordinary scene was disclosed yesterday as Victoria, 29, again tried to put her troubles behind her by having a second day of fun in the snow with children Brooklyn and Romeo after her husband returned to Madrid.

Becks lost his cool after a gym workout on Sunday morning. By this time rumours that he had romped with 26-year-old party girl Rebecca had already swept Real's training ground.

At a club where stars frequently crow about their sexual conquests, it was the work of a moment for team-mates to scrawl a poster repeating the revelations and pin it on the wall.

The insider said: "These joke posters are regularly put up in the dressing rooms whenever players get wind of someone being naughty with women. It's seen as a macho game and they love it. It's a 'score-chart' so people know who's got lucky in bed."

Club officials dismiss the jokey taunts as harmless and even morale-boosting. But for normally even-tempered Becks, who has struggled to join in the Real stars' "superstud" lifestyle, it was a prank too far.

Although the popular striker normally enjoys joking with players, and has joined them on nights out, he silenced the boisterous locker room by swearing his devotion to Victoria.

And he insisted Rebecca - whose claims he ridicules as "ludicrous" - was plotting against Victoria because she blames the former Spice Girl for losing her job with sports agency SFX.

WITH Victoria spending so much time in Britain, Becks has spent most of his free hours socialising with party animals such as Brazilian striker Ronaldo and Roberto Carlos.

He says they are "like brothers" to him and was out drinking with them when pictured in a nightclub with Rebecca last year.

But while father-of-two Becks was famed as a family man, Ronaldo and Carlos both succumbed to the lure of women admirers and split from their wives in a year of joining Real.

Among the women was serial soccer temptress Nuria Bermudez who also says she has had a fling with Becks. But her claim has been derided.

Becks was out with Ronaldo, Carlos and another player on Saturday evening drinking into the early hours at the Buddha Del Mar nightclub, a celebrity hang-out north of Madrid.

They were surrounded by star-struck girls. Becks looked on as Ronaldo took one into a corner and, according to witnesses, "gave her exactly what she wanted".

Yesterday, the star was back in training with Real for the first time since his family break at Courchevel in the French Alps.

He was cheered on to the pitch by a crowd of 300 fans. Nuria Gonzalez, 19, shouted: "Beckham come here, I want to eat you." Her friend Silvia Fernandez, 20, screamed: "Come to the Cafe Buddha tonight. I've a present for you."

In Courchevel, Victoria was doing her best to shrug off claims that her husband had liaisons with four other girls apart from Rebecca.

Looking relaxed and wearing Dior sunglasses, white ski pants and black bomber jacket, she went snowboarding with an instructor.

In between sessions she found time to send a stream of texts on her mobile phone. Brooklyn, five, in red goggles and orange ski suit, and Romeo, 19 months, went sledging.

Tomorrow Victoria will reveal she wants more children. Quizzed on ITV1's Ant and Dec show, she giggles: "I definitely want more babies. We're practising, which is really good fun."

Amazingly, Victoria is being questioned by child presenters Little Ant and Dec. They ask her why she calls Beckham 'Golden Balls'.

Victoria replies: "I've upgraded him to 'Platinum Balls'. You can ask your mummy what that means when she explains about babies."

12:14 PM
t.r.a.c.y

EXCLUSIVE

He loved my body ... I loved his. Who wouldn't?

By VICTORIA NEWTON

SLEAZY Senorita Rebecca Loos has lifted the lid on her affair with David Beckham - and revealed his favourite sexual antics.

The Madrid temptress claims to have had a passionate fling with the England captain while his marriage to wife Victoria crumbled.

Bisexual Rebecca, 26, told a former lover: "I brought fun and sex back into his life, two things he had been missing. He loved my body and I loved his - but then who wouldn't?"

Real Madrid star Becks, 28, has denied any affair and gone to great lengths to put on a united front with Victoria, 29.

Last night the ex-Spice Girl was preparing to fly to Madrid to be at his side as he faces further allegations of infidelity.

Rebecca has insisted their affair began last September 18 after the two had an evening out together in Madrid.

She told the close pal: I thought I was falling in love with David. In the beginning our relationship was an emotional one.
He would talk to me about his loneliness and the fact that he missed his children so much.

He blamed Victoria for not bringing them to Spain and they had lots of rows about this.

I always tried to keep neutral on it as I could understand both sides but eventually I started to feel angry for him.

He used to talk to the children by phone and was always upset afterwards. He really is a very sensitive man and I think Victoria ignored the warning signs.

David said it was as if Victoria had lost interest in him and the boys. She spent all day on her mobile sorting out her career.

The marriage was in trouble before my affair with David so I am not to blame for the breakdown of their relationship.

Rebecca, who was employed by management agency SFX, worked for Becks as a translator and personal assistant when he first moved to the Spanish capital.

Victoria stayed at the family home in Hertfordshire with Brooklyn, five, and Romeo, 19 months.

Rebecca told the pal: "It all started when Victoria refused to join David in Spain.

"She would tell him it wasn't all about what he wanted, that he wasn't single and he must think about what was best for the entire family.

"Victoria insisted it was better for Brooklyn if they stayed in England and better for her as she had her family to help with the children.

"David was understanding about her career but I think he became more and more resentful that he was left alone so much.

"I think eventually he decided that he might as well live like a single man.

"That's why he started going out more, and I watched him change. He became much more confident about being on his own and meeting new people."

Rebecca, who has freely admitted romping with both men and women, said Becks was "obsessed" by her bisexuality.

She said: "He loved to hear me talk about all the girlfriends I had and I would tell him in great detail about my lesbian sex."

"I've pretty much done everything with other women and it would really turn him on."

Rebecca said the affair started after the couple went for dinner with friends at a Thai restaurant, where she suggested they play a saucy game. They then went on to the Ananda nightclub, before disappearing back to Becks' suite at the Santa Mauro Hotel.

Rebecca told the pal that on the first night they had been playing truth or dare at dinner with some other people from SFX and some of David and Victoria's friends.

She went on: It was pretty tame so I decided to spice things up a bit and was really filthy.

I told them all about my bisexual fantasies. I could see Maria Louise, Victoria's oldest friend, looking at me disapprovingly but David was loving it and was desperate for me to tell him more.

That night, when we went back to the hotel, he was very nervous but I wasn't. He really wasn't comfortable but despite that we had a fantastic night.

We pleasured each other for hours. David is amazing with his tongue and very adventurous too.

We would have oral sex for hours. I would talk dirty to him while he was looking after me. It was an amazing sexual experience.

Sometimes we would talk about men too. He often talked about different men that he thought were attractive. I don't mean in a gay sense but I was shocked at how liberal he was.

Next night the pair met up at a tapas bar and once again, according to Rebecca, went back to Becks' hotel and made love.

Within days rumours swept sporting circles that they had become close.

Their next meeting was on September 22 at Real Madrid star Ronaldo's birthday party - where Becks also met stunning Spanish supermodel Esther Canadas for the first time.

Rebecca claimed she and Becks had one final sexual encounter in December, when he asked her to meet him in the Hotel Fenix just before a Real home game.

The pair also bombarded each other with filthy phone texts. But their relationship began to fall away after she discovered she was not the only woman he was sending raunchy messages to.

She said: "There was lots of gossip about other women. One day I confronted David about Esther Canadas and he owned up to me that he had been having flirty texting with her."

"I wasn't angry but it changed my view about my relationship with David. I realised that it was all a game to him and he just enjoyed it."

"I know there were other girls too - certainly he has more than one mobile phone."

The relationship really turned sour after Victoria started to get suspicious about the amount of time her husband spent with his pretty assistant.

Rebecca said: "Victoria didn't like me from the off. She's really jealous and insecure."

"I told her I was a lesbian, which is sort of true, thinking it would make her believe I wasn't after her husband."

"After she found out that David and I had become close I didn't stand a chance. I was sacked almost immediately."

Last night another friend of Rebecca revealed: "When Rebecca was sacked she felt betrayed and she was very tearful."

12:12 PM
t.r.a.c.y

TEARFUL Victoria Beckham held a council of war with her family yesterday - on whether she should tell her side of the story regarding hubby David and Rebecca Loos.

She took a call from her media adviser while at an Alpine restaurant in Courchevel, France, with mum Jackie and sister Louise.

Afterward Victoria, 29, asked: "Should I do an interview?" - then sighed: "Oh, I don't know."

12:07 PM
t.r.a.c.y

'Kisses with centrefold'

A SWEDISH centrefold model spoke yesterday of "lovely lingering kisses" with Becks in his hotel bedroom.

Frida Karlsson, 21, claims he spotted her at a club in December after he and Real Madrid pal Ronaldo played a charity match in Basel, Switzerland.

She told a friend: "He kept smiling at me. I knew he wanted me."

"We kissed passionately a couple of times. David is a great kisser and it was very exciting - every girl's dream come true."

Frida said they did not have sex, despite claims that she and another model were in Becks' room at the Hilton until 8am.

12:06 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Max is man behind news

THERE is only one man in Britain who could have brokered the Beckham story - Max Clifford.

Ironically, the famed PR superguru is also the only man who could have stopped it coming out as well.

Beckhamgate is classic Clifford. Far from being rushed out in a few days, the Rebecca Loos affair is the product of months of undercover work and patience.

It's familiar ground to the master PR who specialises in sensational front-pagers.

Take any number of agenda-setting stories from the past two decades and Clifford's name will appear time and time again.

David Mellor, Jeffrey Archer and countless other famous faces curse fixer Max for overseeing their very public falls from grace.

If someone in this country has a story to tell they go straight to Max, and he makes sure it has ultimate impact. But exposés are only one side of his business.

If someone has something to hide, they knock on the same office door.

For what isn't known is that Max Clifford stops more stories than he breaks.

Just ask some of his more important clients like Simon Cowell. The truth is, if Clifford was Beckham's PR then this story may never have come out.

He is a multi-millionaire but still has the same thirst for front-page news.

Max Clifford is a name David Beckham won't be forgetting in a long, long time.

12:05 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Becks: I'll stay in Spain

DAVID BECKHAM has assured Real Madrid he wants to stay in Spain and insists: "I'm going nowhere."

Becks, 28, has been rocked by claims that he has been unfaithful to his wife Victoria since joining Real last summer.

Madrid feared their 25million pounds midfield star would react to the scandal by returning to England for the sake of his marriage to pop singer Posh.

Chelsea have been tracking Beckham all season - with Blues owner Roman Abramovich desperate to sign him.

But Beckham has made it clear to Bernabeu bosses that he is determined to snub Red Rom.

Sporting director Jorge Valdano spoke to the England skipper on Thursday after he completed his first full training session since the scandal broke.

In an informal chat at Real's Las Rozas training ground, Valdano told Beckham that he would be given all the support he needs to ride out the storm.

Valdano put an arm around Beckham and said: "Don't worry."

Beckham responded by insisting the troubles will have no bearing on his future with Real.

He has also convinced boss Carlos Queiroz that he is fully focused and ready to face Osasuna tomorrow as Madrid battle to stay top of La Liga.

Victoria plans to be at the game with sons Brooklyn, five, and Romeo, one. And suggestions are she will now spend more time with her husband.

12:03 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Friday, April 09, 2004

Beckham tackles jokers

By HARRIET ARKELL and STEVE KENNEDY

DAVID Beckham flew into a rage after Real Madrid team-mates teased him over his alleged affair with Rebecca Loos, it was claimed last night.

The players were said to have put up posters in their dressing room trumpeting the fling hours after the story broke on Sunday.

Becks reportedly raged: "I didn't do it. It's false. It's a rumour."

Yesterday wife Victoria sent text messages to her husband after he left her on the ski slopes to return to the Spanish capital for training.

Posh also phoned Becks as she learned to snowboard in Courchevel, France.

An onlooker said: "She was engrossed in her texting and did this funny little smile as she read her messages."

"Then she rang David and you could hear her being very lovey-dovey. When she finished her conversation she had a great big smile on her face."

Posh looked less happy as an instructor tried to teach her how to snowboard.

The star - dressed in trendy, low-slung white trousers and dark blue jacket - held on tight as she wobbled down the slope.

She said: "Oh my God, this is so difficult. I thought it would be easy. Please, don't let me fall over. This is so embarrassing."

After half an hour she gave up and went skiing with son Brooklyn, five, and other members of her family.

Becks looked tired and drawn as he trained with his team-mates yesterday.

The England skipper - wearing a black bobble hat - ignored hundreds of fans who were calling out his name.

And he scowled as he jogged with fellow stars Ronaldo and Figo.

Posh is planning to fly to Madrid to watch Becks play on Easter Sunday.

7:59 PM
t.r.a.c.y

United's Treble doddle
By SHAUN CUSTIS

ARSENAL boss Arsene Wenger claims it was easier for Manchester United to win the Treble in 1999 - but evidence does not back his theory.

Wenger said: "I'd like to compare United's draw in the FA Cup in 1999 to ours and I don't think it's comparable."

But United could not have had it harder. They had to defeat Middlesbrough, Liverpool, Fulham, Chelsea, Arsenal, and Newcastle.

Arsenal this term beat Leeds, Middlesbrough, Chelsea and Portsmouth before losing to United.

Wenger added: "The competition was not as strong in the Premiership."

"There are more teams now who can fight and compete with United."

But United only edged the Gunners by a point and Chelsea by four.

And they beat Inter Milan, Juventus and Bayern Munich on their way to European Cup glory.

Time for a re-think, Arsene.

United's FA Cup games in '99
3rd rd: Manchester United 3 Middlesbrough 1
4th rd: Manchester United 2 Liverpool 1
5th rd: Manchester United 1 Fulham 0
6th rd: Man U 0 Chelsea 0 Replay: Chelsea 0 Man U 2
Semi: Man U 0 Arsenal 0 Replay: Arsenal 1 Man U 2
Final: Man U 2 Newcastle 0

United's games in Europe '99
2nd qualifying round: Man U 2 LKS Lodz 0; LKS Lodz 0 Man U 0
1st group stage: Man U 3 Barcelona 3, B Munich 2 Man U 2; Brondby 2 Man U 6; Man U 5 Brondby 0; Barcelona 3 Man U 3; Man U 1 B Munich 1
Quarter-finals: Man U 2 Inter Milan 0; Inter 1 Man U 1
Semi-finals: Man U 1 Juventus 1; Juventus 2 Man U 3
Final: B Munich 1 Man U 2

7:54 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Thursday, April 08, 2004

VICTORIA'S 'AVING A LARF

From Jan Disley In Courchevel, France

VICTORIA Beckham looked as if she did not have a care in the world as she played with her children in the snow yesterday.

But behind the smiles and laughter new heartbreak loomed as damaging claims linked husband David to four more women as well as party girl Rebecca Loos.

Victoria and Becks had emerged from the family's 2million pound ski chalet holding hands at the end of their four-day family holiday in the French Alps. Becks, 28, gave his wife a farewell kiss as if to say "Ignore the rumours - you're the only one for me" before flying back to Spain for training with Real Madrid.

Victoria plans to join him without children Brooklyn and Romeo in a few days. She told friends: "It will be just us two - our private time."

With dad away, it was time for the former Spice Girl and the two children to play. Sporting a black ski suit, huge sunglasses and ruby red nail varnish, Victoria took advantage of the powdery pistes at the resort of Courchevel to have a crack at snowboarding.

She performed a series of graceful turns before swapping her trousers for a pair of sky blue pants. Accompanied by two minders and an instructor Victoria, 29, then headed off for a skiing session.

Brooklyn, five - dressed in an orange one-piece suit - suddenly burst into tears when told he could not go up in the ski lift. Mum bent down to give him a hug and tidy his clothing and soon, clutching a pair of skis, he was wreathed in smiles.

Later Victoria, who revealed her new DB "love tattoo" on her left wrist, pottered on the nursery slopes with 18-month Romeo and swung him in the air.

Romeo, wearing a stud in his left ear, also had his own skis.

After returning to the chalet, the family left for a shopping trip where Victoria splashed out £35 on a pair of pink boots.

6:24 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Beckham wins award for his side of the story

LONDON (Reuters) - David Beckham, more written about than writer, has won a top literary award when his autobiography was judged the fastest selling book of its kind -- ever.

Beckham's "My Side", co-written with Tom Watt, won the British Book Awards honour after clocking up sales of over one million.

In the first week alone, the Real Madrid and England footballer shifted 103,000 copies of the book which details his footballing highs and lows, his glamorous lifestyle and his love for wife Victoria and their children.

The Beckhams, who are rarely absent from the media anyway, have been the centre of a press frenzy in recent days after newspaper revelations about allegations of sexually explicit text messages, said to have been sent between David and a former personal assistant.

Beckham, who was not in London to pick up the specially created award for "The Fastest Selling Biography Of All Time" said he was thrilled to have won.

"When I decided to write my autobiography I never expected to be breaking records. I just wanted to give my side of the story," he said in a statement on Wednesday.

The prestigious Book Of The Year award was won by "Eats, Shoots and Leaves", the punctuation guide by Lynne Truss.

Taking a zero-tolerance approach to grammatical lapses, Truss wrote a sprightly guide which has sold nearly 600,000 copies to top best-seller lists.

"Mother told me it was a sad book to write," Truss said. "But I thought I might as well have a go since I had a small gap in my schedule."

Truss beat stiff competition from the likes of J K Rowling's "Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix" and "A Royal Duty" by Princess Diana's former butler Paul Burrell.

6:24 PM
t.r.a.c.y

BECKHAM SEX SENSATION: FOUR MORE CLAIMS

By Fiona Cummins Ms Showbiz, Richard Smith And Pete Samson

VICTORIA Beckham is to join her husband in Madrid in the next few days as more stories emerge of his alleged links with other women.

The England captain is now said to have had liaisons with four other girls - in addition to former PA Rebecca Loos - as he lived alone in Madrid following his move from Manchester United.

A friend of Rebecca said: "David Beckham is certainly not as white as the driven snow, as he's trying to portray."

Yesterday, as 28-year-old Beckham returned to the Spanish capital following his family break at a French ski resort, his wife was pledging to join him there soon on a "stand-by-my-man" mission.

In a deliberate show of unity, the troubled couple are planning to spend time alone without young sons Brooklyn and Romeo.

Victoria, who is 30 in nine days' time and has remained in France with relatives, told a friend: "I want to see David again as soon as possible.

"It will be just the two of us. It will be our private time."

The friend added: "Victoria and David can spend some quality time alone. Brooklyn and Romeo will be with their grandparents and cousins in England.

"It will be just the two of them. They enjoyed spending time together in Courchevel, but it wasn't the easiest of holidays.

"They have been left quite shaken by the media storm. This will allow them to chill out and relax and talk things through."

Rebecca Loos - expected to spill more secrets at the weekend of an affair Beckham dismisses as a "ludicrous" story - claims he kissed supermodel Esther Canadas during a night out last year.

He was spotted at a club with the exotic beauty, who appeared with Pierce Brosnan in The Thomas Crown Affair.

Rebecca, 26, told a friend: "It is true that Becks snogged Esther. Their marriage was hitting the rocks long before I came along."

Beckham and Esther also reportedly spent two hours chatting at a birthday party for his Real Madrid teammate Ronaldo.

Rebecca's friend said of the alleged affair with the PA: "If it wasn't Rebecca, it would have been some other Spanish beauty."

Further claims came from football groupies, who are suspected in some quarters of simply trying to cash in on the furore.

A redhead called Helia went on Spanish TV to claim Beckham had romped with a blonde in a nightclub toilet. Claiming to be a lover of Real star Ronaldo, she told gossip show Aqui Hay Tomate: "A friend has told me that a girl I also know has had three sexual encounters with Beckham in the toilets of Cafe Budha.

"She is a short blonde girl. They went to the bathroom together."

Madrid party girl Nuria Bermudez, who claims to have slept with half the Real team, is ready to sell her story for £12,000.

Nicknamed Muchas Tetas thanks to her ample curves, she had vowed to bed Beckham before he even arrived in Madrid to join his new team last summer.

Now she says she later had raunchy text messages from him - and had sex with him in his hotel room. She also claims a fourth woman received texts from the footballer.

Nuria - the Spanish version of Jordan - told the Daily Mirror yesterday: "The public are more interested in my story now and they are more ready to believe it after Rebecca went public. Rebecca is right when she says David texted more than one girl. I'm one of them and I know at least one more.

"I started getting texts, he'd tell me things like, 'I am a real man and I'm going to show you what real men like me do'.

"They were all in English and I had to get a friend to translate half of them.

"He invited me to his hotel room two or three nights after the first texts arrived, and we had sex."

Nuria, who said the encounter took place before Christmas, added: "I don't know if I'm the girl Rebecca is talking about as her 'rival', but I certainly received messages which made Beckham's intentions towards me quite clear.

"I did have some texts, but they were erased when something went wrong with my SIM card. All I have to prove that we were together is witnesses."

Nuria astonishingly suggested that Beckham had betrayed the former Posh Spice with nine women since he moved to Madrid.

She said: "There's nine women, including me and Rebecca, that he's slept with since he arrived in Spain."

Nuria went on: "He is only human and he was away from his wife.

"I still like him, I think he's a very, very nice man, but I think his marriage is just there to sell things - shoes, records, sunglasses. It's a business really."

Nuria's reputation in Spain puts a huge question-mark against her claims.

Her only "witness" is Beckham's former chauffeur Delfin Fernandez, 44, who was sacked in January for trying to sell secrets about him.

When the Beckham- Rebecca allegations were first revealed, the Cuban - who once worked for Castro - was quick to corroborate them.

He said: "David trusted me implicitly and was fine kissing her in front of me.

"They were all over each other like teenagers. The car had tinted windows so nobody could see in from the outside."

There is now growing suspicion about the veracity of Fernandez's story.

The Beckham camp is under pressure to issue a stronger denial of Rebecca's claims, with the Dutch diplomat's daughter expected to tell-all on Sunday. A source close to Beckham said: "David has kept his counsel this week, apart from one statement, and is biding his time.

"Of course, they have been shaken by all this, but any suggestions that he and Victoria will split are complete rubbish."

Relatives were still confident that Beckham has done nothing wrong.

Victoria's brother-in-law Haydn Isted said: "They are not worried about other women coming forward. Not at all."

Meanwhile, there were fresh claims that Rebecca craved sex with professional footballers.

She allegedly told Ian Lewis, 31, that she loved sleeping with sportsmen, as long as they were famous.

They met on the London party scene, with Rebecca flirting relentlessly - despite social worker Ian being a good friend of her then-boyfriend Kyle Browne.

Sunday League footballer Ian said: "She said she loved footballers and they turned her on. But when I told her that I played, she wasn't impressed.

"She said she only had sex with professional players. I was quite offended."

Rebecca met Ian last year before going to Madrid - where her parents live - to work with Beckham.

She talked outrageously to Ian about what turned her on. He claimed: "She was mad about pornography.

"She had a huge collection and told me how she liked to make porn videos herself. She was smashed on cocaine and so full-on.

"She had a thing about footballers, so would have loved working with Beckham.

"I'm sure she would have initiated any fling they had."

Beckham's mum Sandra went to Madrid yesterday to publicly support her son. She refused to comment as she was driven into his private estate.

6:24 PM
t.r.a.c.y

REAL FURY AT BECKS

By Ken Reynolds

DAVID BECKHAM is being blamed for Real Madrid's Champions League exit - even though he did not play in the 3-1 defeat by Monaco that sealed the fate of Zinedine Zidane and Co.

The England captain's injury-time booking against Monaco in the first leg in Madrid could turn out to have been one of the most expensive sporting errors of his career.

Beckham picked up his yellow card and subsequent suspension for what appeared to be a needless trip in midfield deep into injury time.

Madrid were winning 4-2 and the tie seemed over, because nobody expected Monaco to beat them by two goals in the return leg.

Now, in the post-mortem on Madrid's shock quarter-final defeat by Monaco, that booking has to be seen in a different light.

One writer even suggested Beckham had desired a booking in order to be sure he would play in the semi-final against Arsenal or Chelsea.

Marca columnist Juan Ignacio Gallardo wrote: "Beckham forced the booking to have a clean slate for the semi-final against an English team."

6:21 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Now it's White Van Man U

Queue's who ... players including blond Diego Forlan,
Wes Brown and laughing Phil Neville get on minibus

By PHILIP CARDY
MANCHESTER United's millionaire stars set out for a night on the tiles - in a hired Y-reg minibus.

The pampered players left their Ferraris and Mercedes behind to pile into two vans, rented for less than 100 hundred pounds.

Minders then ferried them around several Manchester bars as they celebrated last weekend's FA Cup semi-final win over Arsenal.

Night out ... Ronaldo, left, and Neville

Onlookers watched amazed as the players - including Gary Neville, Diego Forlan, Wes Brown, Paul Scholes and Christiano Ronaldo - climbed from the vans at each stop.

One said: "It was pretty funny. They were packed in like sardines."

"The clapped-out buses were a far cry from the sort of luxury they usually enjoy. But they seemed to have a really great night."

1:56 PM
t.r.a.c.y

'He wept as split loomed'

By VICTORIA NEWTON

DAVID Beckham wept as he poured out his heart to Rebecca Loos over his "collapsing" marriage, a friend of the Sleazy Senorita claimed yesterday.

The pal said PR girl Rebecca provided tormented Becks with a shoulder to cry on.

According to the friend, the soccer idol was unhappy at his long periods apart from wife Victoria while he was in Spain and she was in England.

And he feared their marriage was falling apart after a series of rows.

Bisexual Rebecca, 26, is thought to have got a six-figure sum for her story by employing PR guru Max Clifford.

But mimicking Becks's denial of a fling with her, Mr Clifford said last night: "This is ludicrous. I'm a happily married man."

Rebecca's pal said: "David is worried about what Rebecca might say. She can be a loose cannon."

"He told her about how the marriage was on the rocks. The rows, the tears and tantrums, everything."

Hate for Victoria is sad

Says VICTORIA NEWTON

VICTORIA Beckham is one of the most hated women in Britain - simply because she is married to England soccer hero David.

She once joked that she was "more unpopular than Saddam Hussein" and she struggles to understand what she has done wrong in the eyes of the public.

But what has been said about Victoria Beckham over the past few days has disgusted me.

Her husband is alleged to have had an affair and somehow it's Victoria’s fault? Excuse me, but did I miss something there?

The truth is she's a hardworking mum who puts her children first, for which we should salute her. And the past few days have been no exception.

Just take yesterday. The whole world is gossiping about whether her husband has been unfaithful, whether he sent dirty text messages to other women, and whether it was what his wife deserved for daring to pursue her career.

Many women would have cracked under the strain. Not once did she let it show that she was upset.

I think Victoria should be applauded.

She represents all that is good about Britain - she's hard working, caring and a good role model.

Record booker

BECKS' texts may have got him into trouble - but his autobiography won him an AWARD last night.

My Side got a special one-off gong at the British Book Awards in London's West End as the fastest selling biography ever.

The book - serialised exclusively in The Sun last year - shifted 103,000 copies in just one week.

He said via a video link from Madrid: "When I wrote it, I never expected to be breaking records."

Meanwhile his mum Sandra, 48, flew to Spain by private plane yesterday to support him as he returned from his ski trip.

But she refused to comment as she was driven through security gates at his luxury home in Madrid.

1:43 PM
t.r.a.c.y

It's snow problem
Marriage fine, says Posh

Posh ... smile's Beck on her face

Pictures: LINUS MORAN
By STEVE KENNEDY and HARRIET ARKELL

BRAVE Victoria Beckham took to the ski slopes yesterday - and insisted her marriage was "fine".

And after 48 hours with husband David in a cosy Alpine ski chalet, she cheekily told a pal: "He's put the smile back on my face."

Asked if she had made up with Becks over his alleged affair with ex-aide Rebecca Loos, Posh smiled and said: "There's nothing to make up over. We are absolutely fine."

Needle match ... devoted Posh sports 'DB' tattoo on her left wrist

The singer - sporting a new DB tattoo on the inside of her wrist to show her love for her hubby - added: "The last two days with David have been really good."

"We've had a really good time. Everything is going great."

She later told a well-wisher: "I'm fine, he's fine, everything's great and we're having a fantastic holiday. David and I are really happy."

Kiss ... couple embrace before Becks left resort

Posh, 29, looked radiant and relaxed as she learned to snowboard in the trendy French resort Courchevel.

England skipper Becks, 28 - who denies any affair - had earlier kissed her goodbye before flying back to Spain to rejoin his Real Madrid team-mates.

Dressed in a chic all-black outfit, Posh joked with her parents Tony and Jackie and sister Louise as she had her first snowboarding lesson from a hunky ski guide.

Snow in love ... couple hold hands

She told watching Press photographers: "I can ski well, but I've never been snowboarding before."

"If I'd known you lot were going to be here I'd have done my hair. It's going to be really embarrassing if I fall over."

Victoria remained upright, but spent just 20 minutes wobbling and laughing on the snowboard before returning to her chalet.

The Sp-ice girl ... Victoria takes a snowboarding lesson, left, and playing in the snow with Romeo

Before leaving, she had to comfort sobbing son Brooklyn, five, as he begged to go up a mountain on a ski lift.

She told him: "Don't worry, we’ll go soon. You can go up with grandad."

Meanwhile, younger brother Romeo, 19 months, took his first skiing lesson - sporting a gold STUD in his left ear. A fellow skier said: "It looks like he's inherited his dad's love of jewellery."

Little studs ... Romeo and dad, right

Victoria later re-emerged in a new outfit for a skiing session.

Sources close to the Beckhams said the strain of the past few days had begun to take its toll on the former Spice Girl.

But skier Kate Oliver, 29, of West London, said yesterday: "Posh looked wonderful and genuinely happy here."

Brook at me ... little lad with his skis

"If there has been a problem with David and their marriage then they really seem to have worked things out."

"Victoria is clearly determined to tell the world that she and David are blissfully happy and totally together."

"She was very smiley today and looked very glamorous. She's sending a message to everyone that their marriage is strong. I say good luck to her."

1:42 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Wednesday, April 07, 2004

Bitter-sweet revenge for Morientes

PARIS, April 7 (Reuters) - Fernando Morientes earned a bitter-sweet revenge over the club dearest to his heart when he scored for Monaco to help oust Real Madrid from the Champions League.

The Spaniard's brilliant header shortly after the break gave the principality team the upper hand over Real's 'Galactics' on Tuesday, sending Monaco fans delirious.

Monaco captain Ludovic Giuly completed the scoring with the second of two superb volleys to give his team a 3-1 victory over the 2002 champions and send them through on away goals (5-5 aggregate) but for Morientes the evening was even more special.

'Fate forced me to play against friends. It hurt to beat them but I must not think about it too much,' he said after the game.

'But I'm a professional and I'm now fighting for Monaco's colours', he added.

Morientes, released on loan after spending most of last season on the bench, had also scored in Monaco's 4-2 loss in the first leg, an away goal that ended up making a big difference.

His recent form must have given Real coach Carlos Queiroz serious regrets.

Morientes, 27, has been impressive since the start of his exile in the principality, scoring nine goals in Ligue 1 and seven in the Champions League.

The Spanish striker is now even the leading scorer in the competition.

In the first leg in Santiago Bernabeu, Morientes had looked jittery at first.

But he soon forgot the pressure of playing in front of his former home crowd against some of his best friends like Luis Figo and Raul who had campaigned for him to stay at Real.

'Raul is a great friend. We got on well since the start, on and off the pitch,' Morientes said after the draw pitting his on-loan team against the club he still belongs to.

But Raul had to be content with scoring the opener which gave Real false hopes on Tuesday evening.

Morientes's feat was all the more remarkable as he was very tense about playing against his former teammates.

'I was hoping it would not happen. I played for Real for six years and I felt loved by the fans,' he said after the draw.

The fans did not bear any grudge against him, though. Some Real fans in the Monaco stands held banners reading: 'Selection for Moro'.

Morientes was recalled by Spanish manager Inaki Saez for a friendly international against Denmark last week and scored the first of his country's two goals.

'Moro', as he is dubbed, has an impressive record for Spain, having scored 21 goals in 31 appearances and Saez hinted repeatedly that he was counting on him for Euro 2004.

The Spaniard has won two Liga crowns and three Champions Leagues with Real.

'We're going one step a time now and we keep dreaming,' he said about Monaco's future.

He admits he owes a lot to Monaco manager Didier Deschamps and the principality club.

'I'll never forget that Monaco gave me the chance and joy to play again after a year of suffering,' he said last month.

10:38 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Queiroz rejects talks of his future

MADRID, April 7 (Reuters) - Real Madrid coach Carlos Queiroz has taken full responsibility for his side's shock exit from the Champions League but says he will not be worrying about his long term future at the club.
'It was a very painful result for all of us,' Queiroz said after his side's 3-1 defeat at Monaco that ensured the Ligue 1 side a surprise away goals victory in their Champions League quarter-final.

'We did not expect this to happen, but as coach of Real Madrid I take full responsibility when we don't get the results we want. As for my future, I am not concerned about what might happen. My job is to analyse the game and to worry about the present.'

Queiroz said that he hoped the end of Real's dream of a domestic and European double would now have a positive effect on galvanising the team to win the Spanish league.

'Although we are very sad about what happened and it was a very negative experience for the club it could work to our advantage and open up the door to winning the league.

'I hope that the desire of the team to fight for the league will be greater than ever. This is the time for the whole team to stick together.'

Real's sporting director Jorge Valdano refused to be drawn when asked by reporters about Queiroz's future at the club but stopped well short of giving the coach his full backing.

'We haven't even thought about whether or not Queiroz will stay on,' he told reporters. 'We will think about it calmly in due course. Tonight was a painful night and we will just have to see what happens.'

Goalkeeper Iker Casillas struck a negative note about his team's elimination from Europe, saying that the team's form had been worrying him for some time.

'I could see this coming,' he told Telemadrid radio after the game. 'On other occasions luck has been on our side and the results have flattered us.

'I see the team from the back and know that we are not in good shape, although this is just my opinion and I know it isn't shared by the rest of the players.

'It isn't just a question of the team being tired, the fact is we let Monaco take control of the game and score three goals against us.'

But club captain Raul was confident his side could bounce back from the defeat. 'It is a big blow and no words can explain how disappointed we all are,' he said.

'Monaco were simply the better side on the night. In the past month we have lost both the Cup and the Champions League, but this team has the character to get out of this situation and we are going to give it everything to win the league.'

Real lead the Primera Liga by a point from Valencia and play Osasuna at home in their next league match on Sunday.

10:35 PM
t.r.a.c.y

POSH'S PUBLIC DECLARATION OF TRUST

By Jane Ridley

THE scandal engulfing David Beckham will rock Victoria after she publicly declared her trust in him.

In a revealing TV interview, part of which was never broadcast, she admitted: "I trust him so much."

Victoria, 29, insisted: "People have said all there is to say about the two of us, but the one thing you can't say is that we're unfaithful to each other."

In the interview, filmed for BBC TV documentary Tabloid Tales just a year ago, she told how she married the England captain even though her mum Jackie warned her off.

She said: "My mum said something like: 'Don't be so bloody stupid' because footballers obviously have a certain kind of reputation."

Quizzed about allegations that Beckham cheated on her in the past, she revealed she had once exploded in a jealous rage and hit him.

She insisted their relationship was rock solid after lapdancer Emma Ryan claimed he two-timed Victoria when she was seven months pregnant with their first son Brooklyn in 1999. It came at the same time as rumours linking the star to 19-year-old Lisa Hames.

Victoria said: "I completely trusted him but it's somebody putting that shadow of doubt in your head.

"As much as you trust someone, it's upsetting to read these things.

"In walked David after the match, and I went up to him and just slung at him, punched him in the face. Bang, bang, bang!"

4:56 PM
t.r.a.c.y

BECKHAMS: WE ARE FAMILY

DAVID and Victoria Beckham yesterday shared tender moments at a lunch with relatives that showed they are a united family.

The couple locked hands and exchanged lingering kisses, in between playful interludes with sons Brooklyn and Romeo.

Claims of an affair between Beckham and his former personal assistant seemed a million miles away as Victoria tousled his hair and he perched her on his lap, nuzzling his face against the back of her neck.

Benjamin Roux, a waiter at the lunch venue in the French Alps, said: "David and Victoria were smitten with one another.

"Although surrounded by their loved ones, they only had eyes for each other.

"They looked like love-struck honeymooners. It was obvious they are totally in love and I would never have guessed they had been enveloped by so much gossip and scandal."

Posh, her hair tied back, wore a low-cut black top and jacket for the two-hour meal at the Altiport hotel in Meribel, near their holiday retreat at Courchevel.

She and her husband had enjoyed a morning of fun with Brooklyn, five, and 19-month-old Romeo, on an exclusive ski slope 40 minutes from their rented chalet.

Victoria's sister and parents Tony and Jackie Adams joined the couple at the £20-a-head buffet. Security guards were in tow.

Beckham, 28, balanced Brooklyn on his knee in between his tender exchanges with Victoria, who is 30 later this month. The boys, happily oblivious to the rumours surrounding their parents, took it in turns to jump on them.

Brooklyn, in red ski dungarees and yellow top, would not leave his father alone, constantly gripping his arm.

Little Romeo, in a red T-shirt, was taken out of his highchair and plonked on the table so everyone knew where he was.

Victoria and the family had flown to France on Sunday, hours after allegations surfaced of a fling between her husband and 26-year-old PA Rebecca Loos in Madrid.

She had helped him settle in Spain last summer after his 25million pounds transfer from Manchester United.

Yesterday Beckham - who had joined Victoria late on Sunday - was in a red cap and green T-shirt as he led the family to the restaurant overlooking the Three Valleys resort.

Their buffet lunch included beef slices, hamburgers, tagliatelle, omelettes and cheeses. They chose from chocolate gateaux and pastries for dessert and ordered red wine and water.

The Beckhams - who married in July 1999 at a castle in Ireland - opted for extra-large helpings of fresh salad. Their hands full with the boys, they grabbed bits of food when they could.

Victoria spoon-fed Romeo as he sat on dad's lap, then Brooklyn played mum to Romeo.

Then Posh kissed bottle-sucking Romeo on the head as his dad gently held him in his arms and leaned in to peck him on the cheek.

Real Madrid midfielder Beckham chatted with staff and signed autographs.

A waitress said: "David and Victoria were all over each other.

"During their meal they held hands in each other's laps and frequently kissed.

"This was the real couple, showing they are besotted with each other."

Earlier, French police helped the family dodge news crews as they were driven to the ski slope outside Courchevel.

The Beckhams travelled in a car convoy with blacked-out windows.

Brooklyn and Romeo rode toboggans and enjoyed snowball fights. Dad, unable to join in himself because he might get a costly injury, looked on proudly.

Brooklyn, in a ski suit and red crash helmet, took to nursery slopes with two private instructors.

Grandad Tony Adams and several bodyguards were with him.

4:55 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Man United's sign-off

MAN United soccer aces were yesterday ordered to STOP signing autographs for fans outside their training ground.

The move is to foil dealers who wait at the city's Carrington Moss facility, then sell on stars' scrawls for profit.

The Premiership club said: "This decision wasn't made lightly and we sincerely apologise to genuine fans."

"Players stand ready to sign autographs at other times for real supporters."

11:24 AM
t.r.a.c.y

PICTURE SPECIAL

Brooklyn is all white

Snow worries ... Brooklyn hits slopes in Meribel

LITTLE Brooklyn Beckham looks to have found some piste and quiet on the snowy slopes.

The Beckhams' five-year-old son got away from it all on a skiing trip with grandad Tony Adams and grandmother Jacqui.

Skiing trip ... Brooklyn with grandad, right

Armed police joined the family group as they messed around on the nursery slopes in Meribel, near the trendy French resort where David and Victoria are staying.

It looks like Brooklyn had snow problem with all the attention.

11:21 AM
t.r.a.c.y

Henry blow for crestfallen Wenger

Crestfallen Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger admitted that his team had failed to recover from FA Cup defeat to Manchester United as their Champions League dreams were shattered by Chelsea's 2-1 win at Highbury.

Just four days ago, the Gunners were chasing a league, cup and European treble. Now, after Saturday's 1-0 loss to Manchester United in the domestic cup and a home reverse to the Blues, Wenger's men must rediscover their previous form to secure the Premiership title, the only trophy that remains in sight.

And they may be without injured striker Thierry Henry as they entertain Liverpool on Friday before a tough trip to Newcastle on Sunday.

Henry was taken off with a hamstring strain in the closing stages, albeit five minutes before Chelsea struck their winner.

Wenger revealed: 'Thierry had injured his hamstring and wanted to come off. He will be out for the weekend but it's difficult to say for how long after that.'

The Arsenal boss added: 'We are really down, it's a big blow to have lost this game. We had a good first half but then we couldn't kill the game off.

'The cruel thing was that we couldn't make it to extra-time, when sometimes the game can change around. When they scored, the game was over.

'The FA Cup semi-final affected us more than we thought. This is now another big blow for us but it is a test of our mental strength to turn things around.

'Of course, it is possible [that Arsenal will win nothing this season] but we have a big weekend in front of us and we must do well in the Liverpool game. That will be vital.

'I've nothing against Claudio Ranieri but, in my position, I can't jump to the roof because another manager has been successful.

'Football is a cruel game and sometimes it's just difficult to accept.'

7:59 AM
t.r.a.c.y

We forced Real into errors - Deschamps

Julien Pretot

MONACO, April 6 (Reuters) - Monaco coach Didier Deschamps said his team's startling success against Real Madrid on Tuesday was brought about by forcing the Spanish favourites out of their comfortable stride.

Real, 4-2 up from the first leg, looked to be strolling into the Champions League semi-finals when Raul stretched the overall lead to 5-2 with a goal after 36 minutes.

But after captain Ludovic Giuly levelled on the night in first-half injury time Deschamps instructed his players to apply more pressure.

'At halftime, I told them to shake them a little bit more,' said the former France captain. 'We forced them into fouls.'

The tactics paid off as Fernando Morientes, on loan from Real, made it 2-1 after 48 minutes and Giuly got his second on the night after 66.

That was enough to send them through on the away goals rule at 5-5, though they continued to press and hit the woodwork twice.

Defensively, Monaco were also impressive in the second half and kept their never during five tense minutes of injury time.

'I think the most important thing was to find a balance between the defence and the attack, which we failed to reach during the first leg,' said Deschamps, who now faces Chelsea in the semi-finals after his former club beat Arsenal 2-1 at Highbury for a 3-2 aggregate.

7:59 AM
t.r.a.c.y

Arsenal 1-2 Chelsea: FT Report

Claudio Ranieri may, in his words, be a 'dead man walking' but he could still be striding all the way to the Champions League final after the 3-2 aggregate victory over Arsenal.

For Chelsea continued where Manchester United started off in the FA Cup semi-finals to complete a remarkable 2-1 win at Highbury to seal their place in the Champions League last four against Monaco.

From a possible treble to at most a single in just four days, Arsenal's cloak of invincibility has been cut down to size with astonishing speed.

Having gained the vital away goal at Stamford Bridge, they even seized the lead in this second leg tie on the stroke of half-time through Jose Reyes.

However, while the Spaniard's powers of recovery in making it back from a supposed three-week lay-off were considerable, Chelsea's were even more potent.

Frank Lampard dragged his side back into contention just six minutes after the break and then, amid a thrilling finale, the most unlikely of saviours emerged.

With just five minutes left, Wayne Bridge powered his way into the penalty box and, set up by the indefatigable Eidur Gudjohnsen, he buried his shot past Jens Lehmann.

Highbury could hardly believe it. Their season has unfolded in front of their very eyes and now, with this momentum behind them, who would bet against Chelsea catching the Gunners in the Barclaycard Premiership as well?

That outcome looked almost impossible just a week ago, when Arsenal were riding the crest of a wave but they have since suffered a spectacular fall.

On this occasion, they were beaten by an incredible display of guts and gusto from a Chelsea side who stand resolutely behind their under-fire coach.

In a game of the highest calibre played at breakneck speed and with a script straight from Hollywood, Ranieri answered his critics - and how.

The "Tinkerman' had even resisted the temptation to alter his line-up for only the third time this season.

United had, meanwhile, shown how to overcome Arsenal - tackle and harry them out of their stride - and Chelsea flung themselves into the same approach with some class.

Rather than the all-out assaults normally mounted at Highbury by the home side, however, this was all thrust and counter-thrust.

Thrilling so, as well. For each time that Arsenal pressed, Chelsea responded.

Bridge sent Damien Duff searing down the left flank and having cut inside Sol Campbell, it was only Edu's last-gasp challenge that distracted him at the vital moment.

Arsenal concentrated on their strength - namely pressing down the left flank - with ball after ball being fired at Robert Pires and the overlapping Ashley Cole.

On one occasion, Cole duly picked out Pires with a cross but, whereas the Frenchman had scored with his head in the first leg, this time he struck the side-netting.

When the breakthrough finally came on the stroke of half-time, the real surprise was not that the Chelsea defence, which had been superb up to that point, was finally breached, but that the danger came from Arsenal's right flank.

Lauren's deep cross was headed invitingly back across goal by Henry and while Freddie Ljungberg just failed to make contact, Reyes' timing was impeccable as he arrived on cue to bundle the ball home.

Ranieri's response had to be positive and he introduced Jesper Gronkjaer for the combative Scott Parker at the break, while urging his side forward.

Just six minutes later, he was rewarded as Arsenal managed to hold onto their lead only as long as Chelsea in the first leg.

Just like that game, Lehmann was again at fault, with the Arsenal `keeper failing to hold onto Claude Makelele's fierce drive and Lampard rammed home the rebound.

With the away goal, the pendulum had swung back towards Chelsea.

Henry's drive just past the post was matched by Lampard's as the relentless pace continued. No quarter was asked and none, by any means, was given.

Arsenal remained committed to attack, only for Marco Ambrosio to rise to the occasion with superb saves from both Reyes and Kolo Toure.

Both sides needed some fresh legs but, amazingly, it was Henry - presumably injured - who departed as Dennis Bergkamp came on for Arsenal, while Hernan Crespo and Joe Cole also entered the fray.

The Chelsea midfielder almost made an immediate impact, crossing for Gudjohnsen to sweep his shot towards goal, only for Ashley Cole to produce a goal-line clearance at full stretch.

Chelsea, however, were undaunted as the finale approached. Gudjohnsen was the instigator this time, playing the ball into the path of Bridge as the full-back charged towards goal.

Having already scored this season in Gelsenkirchen, the venue for the final, against Besiktas, he had put Chelsea just one step away from a return.

And given the treatment he has had to endure, who would begrudge Ranieri his chance for glory?

7:56 AM
t.r.a.c.y

'Fantastic' night for Ranieri

Jubilant Claudio Ranieri could not contain his delight after Chelsea finally broke their 17-match Arsenal hoodoo with a 2-1 win at Highbury to reach the Champions League semi-finals, 3-2 on aggregate.

The Blues boss, who is widely expected to be replaced at the end of the season, masterminded a second-half comeback after the Gunners had taken a 1-0 half-time lead through Jose Antonio Reyes' injury-time strike.

Frank Lampard pounced on a Jens Lehmann error to level the scores on 51 minutes before Wayne Bridge's late winner sent the Blues through to the last four of Europe's top competition for the first time.

'Fantastic,' Ranieri said gleefully. 'The players believed in this victory. It was important to stay calm. I said to them 'Don't worry, we can score', and the second half was fantastic. A great performance.'

'It was good because we wanted to win. We wanted to finish this winless run of matches against Arsenal.'

The Italian admitted he had approached the first half with some caution but once his side had fallen behind just before the interval he decided it was time to take a more aggressive approach and replaced Scott Parker with Jesper Gronkjaer.

'It was the right moment to try to do something more. The first half we wanted to close the space and go on the counter-attack but we were a little bit nervous at the beginning,' Ranieri told ITV.

'The second half we were 1-0 down so I wanted to put Gronkjaer on because he is very quick on the flank.'

Speculation has been rife all year that Ranieri will be out of a job at the end of the season as owner Roman Abramovich wants to bring in his own man and even though he has guided the side to the Champions League semi-final the manager refused to look beyond May.

Ranieri later declared to a post-match news conference: 'It's difficult to kill me. I may be 'dead' but I will continue to work. I don't stand still.

'Can we win the Champions League? Why not? Anything is possible now. Describing my joy at the final whistle is difficult, but I was mad, it was 30 seconds of delirium!

'Roman Abramovich was mad afterwards as well, everyone was going crazy in the dressing room as we have made history.' Ranieri claimed he was not pleased to be meeting Monaco in the semi-finals after the principality side came from behind to beat Real Madrid on away goals.

'It's not good news because I know Real Madrid very well,' said Ranieri, who coached Madrid's rivals Atletico as well as Valencia before moving to Chelsea in 2000.

'If Monaco won it is because Monaco have very good players, a good coach and a good fitness coach,' he said.

In a thrilling finish at Highbury, Blues striker Eidur Gudjohnsen saw his 85th-minute strike cleared off the line by a desperate Ashley Cole. But fullback Bridge had the last laugh, finishing off a one-two with the Icelandic international to stun Highbury.

The match-winner said: 'It was a great ball from Eidur. I didn't think I was going to get it back but when it came I just side-footed it into the corner.'

Bridge pleaded with his club to keep Ranieri at Stamford Bridge. 'All the lads get on well with him and if it is possible, let him stay.

'He seems to deal with the pressure and he tells us to keep it clear out of our minds. We enjoy training and he seems to enjoy every day.

'I feel sorry for him in a way, I think most people do. You never know what to believe, we'll just have to wait and see what happens.

'I don't think we rally round him but everyone feels for him. We are not playing for him, we are playing for ourselves, the whole of Chelsea, and him. He is our manager so we are going to feel for him if he is getting any stick and we are going to play for everyone in Chelsea.

'He doesn't say he is down, he says he deals with it and that in Italy it is even worse. He seems happy every day in training. He is happy when we are playing and happy when we are winning, so I am sure he is happy at the moment.

'He is good with the players, he is always chatting and he'll chat to you individually. You can see the emotion on his face when we win.'

Inspirational midfielder Lampard dedicated the victory to the supporters.

'The fans have suffered - we haven't won against Arsenal for 19 games but they were all worth it as the longer it went on the stronger we got and we deserved to win.

'We really, really wanted to do something here.'

7:56 AM
t.r.a.c.y

Monaco 3-1 Real Madrid: FT Report

MONACO, April 6 (Reuters) - Monaco produced a remarkable comeback to knock nine-times winners Real Madrid out of the Champions League with a 3-1 victory in the second leg of their quarter-final on Tuesday.

Inspirational captain Ludovic Giuly scored twice as the French league leaders recovered from a goal down on the night to level the aggregate score at 5-5 and qualify for the last four on the away goals rule.

They will face Chelsea in the semi-finals after Monaco coach Didier Deschamps's former club upset their London rivals Arsenal 2-1 in Tuesday's other quarter-final return for a 3-2 aggregate triumph.

Trailing 4-2 from the first leg in Spain, Monaco looked down and out when Raul gave Real a 36th-minute lead.

Giuly gave them hope with a goal on the stroke of halftime, though, before Fernando Morientes, on loan from Real, made it 2-1 after the break and Giuly's deft 66th-minute flick sealed one of the biggest Champions League shocks of recent years.

Monaco, who came back from 3-0 down at halftime to draw 3-3 at home with AC Ajaccio in the French league on Friday, also hit the woodwork twice in the dying minutes and Real could have no complaints about their defeat.

Carlos Queiroz's team, playing without suspended midfielder David Beckham, enjoyed most of the possession at the start and Ronaldo missed an 11th-minute chance from a cross by fellow Brazilian Roberto Carlos.

Five minutes later Frenchman Zinedine Zidane's chip was kept out only by a fine save from Monaco keeper Flavio Roma.

At the other end Giuly failed to convert a perfect cross from Jerome Rothen as the hosts, who abandoned their usual defensive midfield formation, started to flex their muscles.

The Real rearguard was repeatedly outpaced by Dado Prso and Morientes, who scored Monaco's vital second goal late on at the Bernabeu a fortnight ago against his employers, stung Iker Casillas's fingers with a fierce drive on the half hour.

Ten minutes before the interval, though, Raul opened the scoring for Real when he picked his spot from 15 metres out after a neat dummy by Guti.

Monaco grabbed a lifeline seconds before halftime when Giuly volleyed home a low shot after Morientes had diverted a Patrice Evra cross into his path.

Three minutes after the interval Spain striker Morientes gave real hope to the principality team when he rose superbly to head home a cross by Evra.

Real's confidence deserted them and Monaco poured forward, dramatically turning the tie on its head after 66 minutes when Giuly cleverly flicked a cross by Hugo Ibarra past Casillas with his trailing leg.

Raul thought he had saved Real with a second goal but his header was flagged offside and as the minutes ticked down Monaco looked the more likely to score again.

Substitute Shabani Nonda hit the goal frame with a header and a fierce shot as Monaco sealed a place in the semi-finals of Europe's elite club competition for the third time in fine style.

'The players are writing a beautiful page of the club's history and also of French football history,' said Deschamps, who captained France to world and European titles.

'It is an outstanding achievement.'

Morientes, who also scored in the first leg to make Real wonder just why they allowed him to play against them, told Spain's Radio Marca: 'This is an historic achievement for the club, but we must not just stop at this as we can go a lot further.

'It was a superb game, we created plenty of chances, scored three good goals and deserved the win.'

Queiroz said: 'This is a very painful result for the whole team. The players are very down, especially considering we went 1-0 up.

'But we have to accept the result because they scored three goals and I think the Morientes goal was crucial because it gave them confidence to go on.'

7:55 AM
t.r.a.c.y

Tuesday, April 06, 2004

Kimi's future is red
According to speculation

Kimi Raikkonen's future is at the controls of a red cockpit.

Speculation in Bahrain last weekend hinted that the Finn, three times given faulty machinery at grands prix this year, is fed up with life at McLaren.

There's also talk that he doesn't want Juan Pablo Montoya as an '05 team-mate.

According to speculation, the 24-year-old might be in a Ferrari by 2007.

Luca di Montezemolo reckons the boyish star is the 'best driver after Michael Schumacher' so who better to replace the world champion when he retires...?

Raikkonen is under contract to McLaren until the end of 2005.

Before that, the deal is 'absolutely watertight,' a source told The Guardian.

Bahrain whispers also put the short-term future of Cristiano da Matta in doubt, especially after ITV's Martin Brundle linked tester Ricardo Zonta with the seat.

9:53 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Button sings Button's praise
'It's just an example of how he's maturing'

Formula One's consecutive podium-getter Jenson Button spent the short road trip from his hotel to the Bahrain International Circuit on Sunday on a mobile phone.

On the blower were BAR-Honda engineers, not his pop-star girlfriend.

'It's just an example of how he's maturing,' said his father John.

SEVEN O'CLOCK

John, who has watched his lad race all over the world, also rode in the vehicle at seven o'clock in the morning, according to 'The Evening Standard' newspaper.

'He's growing into the role of being team leader,' Button Senior added.

'It's the sort of dedication for which Schumacher is renowned.'

9:52 PM
t.r.a.c.y

HE WAS LONELY AND MISSING HIS WIFE
By Tony Parsons

IN the end, there are only ever two reasons why men stray - opportunity and circumstance. Most mere mortals fall foul of opportunity.

The eye contact in a bar on a business trip. The office flirtation that suddenly turns into something more serious. The next-door neighbour who knocks for a cup of sugar when she already has two lumps at home.

But for a man like David Beckham, sexual opportunity surrounds him like the air that he breathes. For years Beckham has been a faithful husband, even when there must have been temptations at every turn. Finally it turns out that he may have succumbed.

If it is true, blame force of circumstance - being far from home, separated from his family, and away from his wife more often than not. Out of his first 89 days in Madrid, it is estimated that Victoria spent just 35 days with her husband.

The strongest marriage in the country was abruptly turned into a long-distance relationship. Something had to give, and it turns out it may have been David's combat trousers.

From being a devoted family man in England, David was suddenly expected to live the life of a single man in Spain.

He could hardly be blamed for acting like one.

But let's get this thing in perspective. If the initial reports turn out to be true, then Beckham's sexual relationship with PA Rebecca Loos would hardly qualify as an affair.

It seems to add up to a few wild nights, a bit of heavy petting and an avalanche of sexy text messages.

The desperate acts of a lonely man who misses his wife, his family and his country. A man who is starved of affection - not to mention sexual contact - and a long way from home. A man who is suddenly flattered by the attention of a young woman who is, by all accounts, a bit of a stunner.

Well educated, charming, worldly, beautiful and - this was crucial - a class act.

Born and raised in Madrid, Rebecca Loos went to an English private school and talks with what observers call, "a cut glass English accent."

After years of fake Posh, here was the real thing. How could Beckham refuse? And why should he?

As his wife swanned around the western world, Beckham has had the patience of a saint, and the demeanour of a monk. On the path of righteousness, Rebecca Loos is a minor detour. Today, David Beckham is still a loving husband and a devoted dad.

BUT being unfaithful is a lot like being pregnant - you either are or you aren't. There are no half measures. There are no grey areas.

Victoria was the girl with everything. A husband who worshipped her, two healthy, beautiful children, and no money worries.

She put it all at risk by absurdly pursuing a singing career that was already dead in the water.

She played Russian roulette with her marriage by hanging out with a little nobody like record producer Damon Dash when she should have been by her husband's side.

Nobody is expecting Victoria to suddenly play the little woman, and get out her feather duster and her baking tray.

But she has acted as though there is parity between her career, as a member of an expired girl band, with that of her husband - probably the most famous athlete in the world.

And that was just barmy.

Beckham needed his wife with him during those difficult early days in Madrid, and she stupidly thought that she had more important things to do.

She was dead wrong, and now so much has been put at risk.

Her marriage, her happiness and the future of her children - who will grow up to be very different human beings if they have parents who are divorced.

It would be completely understandable if David Beckham has strayed.

I hope that the Beckhams keep their marriage together, and that all parties learn their lessons.

If David has had his fling then no doubt he feels consumed by guilt every time he looks at his children - although not necessarily every time he looks at his wife.

Victoria's casual attitude to her marriage is the reason this sad little episode has happened. She should count her blessings.

And thank her lucky stars that if her husband did have an affair, at least he bailed out before he fell in love.

9:26 PM
t.r.a.c.y

VICTORIA BECKHAM: THERE WAS NO AFFAIR

By Fiona Cummins, Stephen Moyes In Courchevel And Jan Disley In Geneva

THE Beckhams were back together yesterday - having fun in the snow and trying to shrug off lurid stories about his alleged affair.

As the couple laughed and joked, Victoria declared her faith in her husband and accused his former personal assistant Rebecca Loos of trying to "trap" him.

The day after claims that David and Rebecca had "highly charged and explosive sex" and sent explicit texts, the Beckhams were determined to prove they could ride out the storm.

Victoria told a family friend: "This girl set out to trap David. She sent him lurid texts, but he never replied. There was no affair. She is a lying cow."

The friend said: "David and Victoria sometimes share mobile phones. They knew she was trouble from the start and would try and set him up."

At times at Courchevel, in the Alps near the Italian border, Victoria's smile looked rather strained and she clung tightly to Beckham.

But the England captain appeared relaxed and confident as they played in the snow.

Victoria, 30 on April 17, had flown out on Sunday with their sons Brooklyn, five, and 19-month-old Romeo. Other relatives, including her parents, were with them.

Beckham, 28, who is suspended from Real Madrid's European match tonight, arrived by private jet shortly before midnight on Sunday.

He now plans to stay all week after abandoning plans to cheer on his teammates in Monaco.

The couple emerged from their five- bedroom chalet - reputedly priced at £22,230 for a week - at about 11am.

A grinning Beckham was first, dressed in a sheepskin-trimmed jacket and hat.

Victoria, wreathed in smiles, happily accepted a piggy-back. They larked around, never hinting at any distress - despite the claim of 26-year-old Rebecca's brother in Madrid that she had confessed to the affair.

The Beckhams took a 15-minute stroll, with Victoria's white baseball cap artfully masking her eyes. Unruffled Beckham casually draped an arm around her.

A source said: "They have a well-planned strategy which immediately swings into action on occasions like this."

Another insider said: "They have been through much worse than this. She obviously believes what he has told her."

While Victoria's parents took their grandchildren on to the slopes, the couple went inside to watch DVDs.

The chalet comes with a chef, wine- cellar, surround-sound cinema and with a bathroom and balcony for each bedroom.

Beckham's sports agent Terry Byrne said: "The family are having a nice time and just want to be left alone."

The Spanish newspapers virtually ignored the alleged affair. Beckham has dismissed the story about hotel sex romps with Rebecca as "utterly ludicrous".

She was his PA and helped him to settle into Madrid, where she was raised, after his 25million pounds transfer. She left his sports management company shortly after being pictured with Becks in a nightclub.

9:24 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Posh: We'll get through this

Reunion ... Posh and Becks in today's Sun

By VICTORIA NEWTON, Showbiz Editor
and HARRIET ARKELL, in Courchevel, France

VICTORIA Beckham yesterday broke her silence over the Rebecca Loos sex storm to insist her marriage would survive.

As she was joined by husband David at a swish skiing resort, she told The Sun: "We have been through a lot worse than this, and we're definitely going to get through this."

Victoria, 29, and David, 28, put on a united front as they stepped out in front of cameras in Courchevel in the French Alps.

They made a big show of hugging and cuddling in the snow in the wake of claims that Becks had an affair with glamorous former personal assistant Rebecca.

One pal said: "The mood is very much one of, 'We won't be beaten by this'."

"Victoria and David feel they belong together and hope what has happened will strengthen their marriage."

Real Madrid and England ace Becks flew to join his wife and family in Courchevel on Sunday night.

Victoria had earlier travelled to the resort with sons Brooklyn, five, Romeo, 19 months, and other relatives. They drove there after flying in to Geneva, Switzerland - three hours away.

The couple were photographed strolling and clinging on to one another through the resort, with David even giving Victoria a piggyback.

An onlooker said: "David was grinning from ear to ear - but he seemed overly keen to pretend there was nothing wrong."

"Victoria kept her eyes hidden under a baseball cap but still managed a few smiles."

"There's obviously no question of them splitting up but both of them looked a little tired and drawn."

Posh and Becks are staying in a 1.5million pounds chalet which costs 20,000 thousand pounds a week to rent.

It is understood they had planned the holiday before the Rebecca storm erupted at the weekend.

A source close to the couple said: "Victoria was determined not to let it ruin their holiday."

"She was also keen for people to think there was nothing wrong between them."

Becks has been given 48 hours out from training with Real Madrid for the trip.

His team-mates are preparing for tonight's Champions League quarter-final showdown against Monaco but he was suspended for it anyway.

Public relations guru Max Clifford last night hinted that more women are set to claim they had affairs with Becks.

He told Channel 4's Richard and Judy show: "There’s more clouds gathering. At least one other person might be coming out in the next week or two."

Additional reporting by PAUL THOMPSON and MICHAEL LEA

1:39 PM
t.r.a.c.y

The body language
By Psychologist Mo Shapiro

BODY language expert Mo Shapiro is not convinced by Posh and Becks’ show of togetherness yesterday.

She said: "On the surface these photos show a happy, loving couple. Go deeper and you see a great deal of distance."

"Victoria's apparently huge smile is actually a grimace."

"Her posture also belies her true feelings. She's very rigid and hunched, indicating there is a lot of tension between them."

"Yet she looks like she is hanging on to him, sometimes grasping. She seems desperate to keep him in a physical and emotional sense."

The couple's eye contact was more telling. Mo added: "Victoria is making the running. While she looks adoringly at him, he is not looking at his wife in ANY of the photos."

'Extras' by Victoria

She made the quip on ITV1's The Real Beckhams two weeks after he was first rumoured to have slept with personal assistant Rebecca Loos.

Posh and Becks were in a Madrid hotel suite for the TV interview on October 14, 2003. Becks joked that Posh was his secretary.

She laughed and, in what appeared to be a veiled reference to the rumoured fling, said: "I'm a PA, come wife. I'm a PA who does extras, if you know what I mean."

Giggling, Posh went on: "When I have to."

David squirmed, put his hand over his face and muttered: "Can’t wait for that."

Lost for words...

PRESIDENT BUSH was tight-lipped but an aide said: "Beckham had an affair? Are you serious?"

TONY BLAIR stayed silent but No 10 said: "No comment, but I’ll take your number in case that changes."

THE QUEEN declined to comment. A Buck House officer said: "It's a speculative story so I'm afraid we wouldn't have anything to say about it."

France's JACQUES CHIRAC did not return our call but an aide said: "An affair? Is this important? This is nothing to do with the President."

THE POPE had no message either. The Vatican said: "Beckham? I've no idea who you're talking about."

1:39 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Real fight to keep Becks
From ERIC BEAUCHAMP

REAL MADRID will do everything in their power to stop David Beckham asking for a transfer.

Real fear the England captain, 28, could be forced to call a halt to his career in Spain and return home for the sake of his marriage.

Becks' world has been rocked by allegations of an affair with former personal assistant Rebecca Loos, which he denies.

Real chiefs have already vowed to stand by their man by offering the Beckhams any help needed to ensure they survive their troubles.

Any bid by Chelsea chief Roman Abramovich to get Becks to Stamford Bridge will be met with fierce resistance.

Real fully support their 25 million pounds man, who signed a four-year contract last summer and has always stated his desire to see it out.

Madrid are also prepared to give Beckham compassionate leave.

Becks was in the French Alps yesterday to see Victoria and their two sons, Brooklyn and Romeo, while Real prepared for tonight’s Champions League clash in Monaco.

He is banned for the quarter-final, second leg, but boss Carlos Queiroz plans to throw Becks back into action against Osasuna on Sunday.

Queiroz said: "He had things written about him in the past and he has wanted to play on."

"We have been happy to pick him in those circumstances and this is no different."

"We will miss him against Monaco but we expect David to play at the weekend."

1:34 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Monday, April 05, 2004

BUTTON TARGETS VICTORY

Jenson Button has notched up his second podium position - but now he wants a win.

The Briton was lying in fourth place in the Bahrain GP with less than 10 laps to go when third-placed driver Juan Pablo Montoya dropped back with a gearbox problem leaving Button to collect the final podium honours.

The six points has lifted him to third place in the championship behind the Ferrari duo of Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello.

He said: "We were a little bit fortunate because Juan Pablo [Montoya]'s car deteriorated, but to get on the podium again is just fantastic."

"This feels as good as the first podium [in Malaysia]. But I'm not going to be happy until I am on that top step. It is going to take us a little while, but I will get there."

"This is only our third race with Michelin tyres and working out how they work is not as easy as it seems. We're gaining experience and hopefully by the next race we can make another step forward."

Team boss David Richards described his charge's efforts as 'incredible' and said the Bahrain result proved Button's third place in Malaysia was no fluke.

He said: "Some might have considered third in Malaysia a lucky result."

"This shows we are to be taken seriously."

In the past Button has been accused of enjoying his pay packet at the expense of his F1 efforts. But father John said yesterday that no-one could now doubt Button's commitment.

He said: "The signs are there that he has really matured. People talk about Michael Schumacher's dedication but Jenson was at the circuit until nearly 10pm on Saturday and was still up early and on the phone as we drove into the circuit for the race."

"He is living and breathing Formula 1 and is desperate to win."

11:56 PM
t.r.a.c.y

RAIKKONEN IN FERRARI BID?

Kimi Raikkonen's troubles at McLaren have put Ferrari on red alert.

Raikkonen has retired from each of the first three races this season, twice with Mercedes engine failures.

Not entirely surprisingly, last year's championship runner-up was far from happy with the situation.

Talking after the race, he said: "All of a sudden I lost power and my engine went. There is not really anything else I can say or do."

"I just want to forget this weekend and look forward to the rest of the year."

McLaren are working overtime to rectify the problems with team boss Ron Dennis even refusing to rule out personnel changes at the team.

But there was talk in Bahrain that Raikkonen is rapidly getting fed up and, in particular, is unhappy about the team taking on Juan Pablo Montoya for 2005.

Paddock rumours in Sakhir had the Finn trying to do a deal with Ferrari for 2007, by which time Michael Schumacher is likely to have retired.

Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo has made no secret of his admiration for Raikkonen. He said in January that the 24-year-old was "the best driver after Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello."

However, with McLaren likely to move heaven and earth to keep Raikkonen out of Ferrari's clutches, Renault's Fernando Alonso remains the favourite to eventually replace Schumacher.

11:54 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Becks Backs Pals

Real Madrid star David Beckham is delighted that United counfounded their critics and dumped Arsenal out of the FA Cup.

The ex-United midfielder spoke to Gary Neville after the Reds' superb win at Villa Park, and was quick to take a swipe at United's doubters.

He said: "I'm happy United have won. They have had a lot of criticism but they have proved they are a great side.

"I didn't watch the game but I had a running commentary throughout and was delighted with the score.

"I spoke to Gary Neville afterwards and he was thrilled, along with all the lads in the dressing room."

"The side has had a lot of doubters but they have fantastic players, a truly brilliant manager and their class will always shine through."

Report by Steve Bartram.

11:45 PM
t.r.a.c.y

POSH: I TRUST DAVID

By Helen Cook and Fiona Cummins

VICTORIA Beckham last night declared she trusted her husband "implicitly" despite allegations he cheated on her.

She told a family friend: "I haven't shed a single tear over this. I trust David, we trust each other."

Victoria's pal said: "She wasn't particularly bothered about it - she knows it's a ludicrous story.

"They both believe in their marriage and they know what's going on.

"At the end of the day, she trusts him completely. She is well used to allegations like this.

"They both know people are out to get them. There are those who stand to make a lot of money out of this.

"David and Victoria are fiercely loyal about their marriage.

"They don't waste much time on reading these kind of stories."

Beckham's affair with his stunning personal assistant is supposed to have started six months ago after a game of truth or dare at a restaurant.

Rebecca Loos, 26, and the England captain were pictured gazing into each others eyes on a night out in Madrid on September 18.

It is claimed that around an hour and a half later they were in bed together.

Beckham had gone to the Thai restaurant with Rebecca and her friends before moving on to Ananda - one of the Spanish capital's top nightclubs.

The 28-year-old Real Madrid star is alleged to have kissed his PA for the first time in the club.

And, according to claims in the News of the World, the pair went on to spend a passionate night together in his luxury suite at the Santo Mauro hotel.

A friend of Rebecca's said: "He held her head in his hands and kissed her passionately and said, 'I have wanted to be with you like this for so long'."

At the meal earlier that evening the conversation had turned to sex during the truth or dare game.

Beckham told the group, who all worked for SFX, then his management company, that it was his best night out since arriving in Madrid.

The father-of-two ordered champagne and as the game hotted up he dared his assistant to walk through the entire restaurant with toilet paper dangling from the back of her trousers.

The friend said: "Rebecca is a fun girl and duly obliged. She even did a little wiggle in front of the table."

By the time they went to the club together, it is claimed David could not take his eyes off her.

The friend said: "David was loving it. "And he kept gently touching her waist as he guided her through doors."

It was shortly afterwards when he is alleged to have turned to Rebecca and said: "Do you want to come back to the hotel suite for a drink with the other four afterwards?"

The friend added: "Rebecca said she would and he added, with a grin, 'why don't we dump the other four and just come back with me instead?'

"She was a little stunned but regained her composure quickly with a laugh and a jokey, **** off!"

It is also claimed that Beckham met his PA and her friends the following night at a tapas bar. The friend said: "David was playing footsie with her under the table."

Again they supposedly ended up going back to his suite and sleeping with each other.

He is said to have told Rebecca: "I know we shouldn't be doing this but I can't help it. I want this to happen. It makes me so happy."

Rebecca's friend said: "The lovemaking was just as passionate as before with David being a little more adventurous."

After rumours circulated at SFX that he and Rebecca had got very close at Ananda, Victoria is alleged to have rung her.

She told her husband's assistant: "It is not your job to go out clubbing with my husband so back off." Beckham is also said to have got a ticking-off from his wife.

It is then alleged Beckham phoned Rebecca and told her: "The s*** has hit the fan. Victoria knows what's been going on. We'll have to be careful."

According to the newspaper report, they met again on September 22 at a birthday party for Beckham's team-mate Ronaldo, held at the Brazilian star's house.

They hardly spoke to each other all night but as they left he is supposed to have texted her to ask whether she would come back to his hotel. Rebecca went but the pair did not have sex that night.

The final passionate meeting allegedly came in December - just before a Real Madrid home game. It was reported Rebecca went to visit Beckham in the Hotel Fenix.

Soon after that encounter Beckham ended his dealings with SFX and has not seen Rebecca since.

9:45 PM
t.r.a.c.y

SUE CARROLL: MARRIAGE IS MORE THAN PR

By Sue Carroll

LAST year I suggested Victoria Beckham was gambling her marriage by remaining in Britain to pursue a career while her husband was left to twiddle his thumbs in a Madrid hotel room.

Where are we now six months later? Her ambitions to become a rap singer have fallen horribly flat. And her marriage is hardly hitting the high notes with revelations that, in her absence, David asked more of his personal assistant Rebecca Loos than would normally be required.

She, it's alleged, made "explosive'' love to her boss after a night on the tiles. The sexual nature of their relationship is backed up by a series of text messages from her mobile phone which would suggest his needs for personal assistance stretched further than organising language classes.

No one could possibly doubt the extent of Victoria's distress on reading these missives: She must be truly gutted.

But Rebecca's tantalising: "U should see me naked with only white cotton G-string" is hardly the epitome of a love job.

That might give Posh some consolation, at least. If these calls are genuine her husband merely responded to the come-ons as any lust red blooded male might when otherwise faced with a night glued to MTV.

Unfortunately, it all seems horribly believable to me.

And I suspect there isn't a woman in Britain who doesn't imagine this scenario is a million miles away from the truth. Least of all Victoria.

It was her choice to be a part-time wife. Can she be at all surprised to find she also has a part-time husband? For the couple who have chosen to live out their marriage in the spotlight, the obvious pitfall is that the cracks will also come under scrutiny.

As Zoe Ball and Norman Cook proved following her hugely publicised infidelity, love is the glue that cements a relationship.

Togetherness isn't about a few timely photo-calls, TV documentaries painting a picture of domestic bliss or a high-profile party for their five-year old son's birthday.

It's about commitment, compromise, being a couple. In the same place, at the same time and scoring for the same side.

9:43 PM
t.r.a.c.y

GOSSIP DOGS THE 'MODEL' FAMILY MAN

DAVID Beckham has been linked with a series of women since be began dating Victoria but has always denied being unfaithful.

In 1998 rumours spread Beckham was getting too close to Page Three girl Emma Ryan, 22, who he met in a restaurant.

Ryan claimed she went back to his flat, but he told her he loved Victoria too much and refused to have sex with her.

It was also claimed Beckham sneakily dated one of his former flames Lisa Hames, 19, while Posh was away on the Spice Girls world tour.

The same year, lap dancer Sandy de Palma, 23, said she also kissed and cuddled David, after meeting in Stringfellows London nightclub, although he refused to get more intimate.

In September, Spanish TV linked Becks to 26-year-old actress Esther Canadas who he was spotted chatting to at Madrid team mate Ronaldo's birthday.

Glamour girl Jordan, 25, has alleged there will be an explosive revelation in her upcoming biography, which will devote a whole chapter to Beckham. She made claims about an unnamed football star during her time in the wild on I'm a Celebrity.. Get Me Out of Here.

Last month, the couple laughed off claims by 23-year-old model Nuria Bermudez, known to fans as Muchas Tetas, that she bedded Beckham and mocked his manhood.

Before meeting Victoria, David also dated Vogue model Stephanie Lyra in 1997.

In 1996 he had a six-month relationship with airline hostess Lisa Rys-Halska.

9:43 PM
t.r.a.c.y

DOUBLE TROUBLE FOR MCLAREN

McLaren left the Bahrain GP empty-handed after two engine problems took both drivers out.

Kimi Raikkonen's powerplant was the first to expire after just seven laps.

The Finn had been battling for position with Jaguar's Christian Klien when flames erupted from the back of his MP4-19 in spectacular fashion.

It is the third engine failure Raikkonen has suffered this season, his fourth including Friday's practice, and has left his points account firmly unopened.

He said: "It's been a difficult weekend for me and the entire team.

"I started the race from last but made a good start and gained quite a few places during the first couple of laps."

"I was battling with one of the Jaguars for 11th but all of a sudden I lost power and my engine went. There is not really anything else I can say or do."

"I just want to forget this weekend and look forward to the rest of the year."

Team-mate David Coulthard's race lasted longer but he was forced to retire on lap 50 due to a loss of air in the pneumatic system of the engine.

It is the first time this season that the Scot has failed to finished in the points

He said: "A disappointing outcome after an extremely unsatisfying couple of days in Bahrain."

"I had a few good battles during the race but as has been the case throughout I lacked speed."

"Another points finish would have been possible but at the end I lost air in the pneumatic system of the engine."

"I came into the pits to see if we could do something to rectify the situation but it proved impossible and that was the end of that."

Team boss Ron Dennis was predictably disappointed but remained confident that the team would improve.

He said: "Definitely not the outcome any of us would have liked."

"Both Kimi and David could have finished in the points today but to do that you have to finish."

"However the entire team will continue the efforts to optimise our package and whilst we have had a difficult start to the season I'm confident that we will improve."

Mercedes boss Norbert Haug added: "The entire team is disappointed with the weekend's performance."

"We still have to investigate the reason for Kimi's engine failure. David's retirement was caused by loss of air in the pneumatic system of the engine."

"We now have to work even harder together as a team to put every effort into improving our reliability and competitiveness."

Kimi Raikkonen's Bahrain Grand Prix hopes went up in flames on Sunday when his McLaren suffered a fiery engine failure.

The Finn, starting the first Formula One race in the Middle East from the back row of the grid after an engine failure in practice, has yet to finish a race this year in three starts.

Championship runner-up in 2003 to Ferrari's Michael Schumacher, Raikkonen was running in 13th place when a sheet of fire erupted from the rear of the car.

The Finn pulled over, parking with the McLaren still in flames before a marshal doused them.

McLaren, the most successful team in the history of Formula One after Ferrari in terms of race wins, are having a nightmare season with just four points from the first two races in their worst start to a championship in more than a decade.

Raikkonen's win in Malaysia in March last year remains their last win.

2:56 PM
t.r.a.c.y

BAR GET THEIR JUST DESERTS

BAR celebrated their best grand prix finish ever in Sunday's Bahrain GP.

Jenson Button claimed his second successive podium position while Takuma Sato had a career-best result with fifth place.

It is the first time both cars have made it into the points with one driver on the podium. Former driver Jacques Villeneuve claimed two third places while with the team, but his was the only car to make it into the points.

Button was ecstatic with his result but said it had been a tougher than his third place in Malaysia two weeks ago.

He said: "It's fantastic, it really is."

"This one was a little bit more difficult. Starting sixth wasn't the best position for me; I was a little bit disappointed because I think we had too much understeer in the car, which lost me quite a bit of time in qualifying."

"But it was good to fight through, as we did in Malaysia, and the car seemed very, very good throughout the race."

"It was very consistent. But again, as Michael said, you really had to be careful about staying on line; it was a little bit dusty off line."

Sato finished the race two places down on his team-mate in fifth to equal his best-ever F1 result.

But it was lucky he even crossed the finish line at all following his tussle with Williams' Ralf Schumacher on lap seven.

The two will be investigated by the stewards and could face a penalty at the next race in San Marino.

The Japanese driver though was in no doubt as to who the finger of blame should be pointed at.

He said: "I knew we were side-by-side and going into turn two he shut the door and I had no room because of the kerb."

"Ralf didn't give me any space."

Sato was not going to let the incident put a dampener on his race though and was delighted for the team.

He added: "I'm very pleased to get some points for team."

"I was involved in the development last year and the team has improved over the winter. Geoff [Willis] has made a superb car and it is all coming together."

Team boss David Richards added: :Don't forget Takuma Sato's 5th place!"

"It's been a great day for the team and another step forward."

"The start of the season has been fantastic for us. We have to maintain this pace."

"But it's a great team effort from everyone concerned."

2:45 PM
t.r.a.c.y

BECKHAMS IN CRISIS

Driver: All over each other

By TOM WORDEN In Malaga

DAVID Beckham's ex-bodyguard told last night how the England captain and his pretty PA kissed and cuddled "like teenagers" in the back of his car.

Delfin Fernandez, 44, said he drove married Becks and brunette Rebecca Loos to two five-star Spanish hotels after the couple had shared nights out.

He told The Sun: "In public they were always careful not to get too close - but in private they were all over each other like teenagers."

The Cuban security expert, later fired by Becks and wife Victoria, said he ferried the star and Rebecca to the swish hotels in a black Audi A8 with dark tinted windows to avoid attention.

Two more Cuban minders followed as back-up in a dark green X-type Jaguar.

Delfin said: "David and Rebecca obviously liked each other a lot."

"I drove them three times to the Santa Mauro hotel in Madrid, where David stayed while he looked for a house."

"And once I took them to the Hotel Melia Fenix, which is where David's Real Madrid team stay before a match."

"David trusted me implicitly and was fine kissing her in front of me. Victoria knew nothing about it."

Madrid-born Rebecca, 26, was working for Beckham's SFX management company - helping the footballer settle into his new life in Spain following his 25million pounds move from Man Utd last summer.

Delfin claimed he first drove the pair to a hotel last September while former Spice Girl Victoria, 29, was at home in England with sons Brooklyn, now five, and 19-month-old Romeo.

Beckham, 28, and Rebecca had spent that evening out with pals in the Spanish capital.

The group are said to have played a sexy game of truth or dare during a meal at the posh Thai Garden restaurant.

One of David's "truth" questions turned to sex and the midfield ace is reported to have told the group how he had sampled sex on a plane.

They then headed for the trendy Ananda club in central Madrid.

Delfin, who was yesterday minding Spanish movie star Antonio Banderas in Malaga, said: "I drove them from the club to the Santa Mauro, where David had a suite."

"I could see them kissing in the rear-view mirror. The car has dark tinted windows so nobody could see in from the outside.'

"After that there were three more occasions I drove them to hotels in the early hours - each time in the Audi A8 with the Jaguar as a back-up car."

Delfin led a team of four Cubans who minded Beckham for four months following his arrival in Spain.

Becks sacked them in January and replaced them with British bodyguards.

The star's alleged affair was revealed yesterday by the News of the World.

A friend of Rebecca's told the newspaper about the pair's first night together, claiming: "As soon as they got in the room, Rebecca said he seemed a little nervous."

"He realised he was taking a very big step. He held Rebecca's head, kissed her passionately, and said, 'I have wanted to be with you like this for so long'.

"It was a very powerful moment. He dimmed the lights and started taking his clothes off."

"Rebecca stripped off too and they stood naked in the room kissing passionately."

"David was a sensational lover - their sex was highly charged and explosive. They made love for hours."

Delfin, previously a bodyguard for Cuban leader Fidel Castro,said last night: "David was very, very fond of Rebecca."

"Victoria was hardly ever around and it was hardly surprising he turned to Rebecca for affection."

David and Rebecca are said to have met again the following night and again days later after a birthday party for Becks' Real Madrid team-mate Ronaldo.

In December they are reported to have shared another night of passion in a hotel.

But the England ace - also said to have sent Rebecca a string of saucy texts - fired his SFX management team later that month and never saw his PA again.

A family friend of Rebecca, now personal assistant to a bank boss, said: "She is heartbroken this story has to come out - but she knew it would eventually."

Becks was accused of playing away from home six years ago.

Model Emma Ryan, then 22, claimed he passionately kissed her and squeezed her bottom as they cuddled on a sofa.

At the time Becks was engaged to Posh - who was away from the UK on a Spice Girls tour.

Victoria revealed in her autobiography how she whacked Becks across the face after reading about Emma's claims.

12:35 PM
t.r.a.c.y

BECKHAMS IN CRISIS

And she really is posh ...

Smiling ... Rebecca Loos stands alongside Victoria and son Romeo during a match last September

By MEL HUNTER

THERE’S Posh. Then there's very posh.

Rebecca Loos, daughter of a Dutch diplomat dad and English mum, was brought up in Madrid in a plush seven-bed mansion.

She went to the city's select English private school, Runnymede College.

At the start of October Beckham looked round the school with Victoria and reserved a place there for son Brooklyn.

Rebecca left 1,100pounds-a-term Runnymede in 1996 with 11 GCSEs and three A-Levels. She went to work in a bank and then moved into public relations.

She was poached by sports management company SFX last year because of her knowledge of British and Spanish society.

It seemed the perfect job for this well-educated and fun-loving young woman.

Like David and Victoria, Rebecca is in her twenties and easily fitted into their social scene.

She and an SFX colleague, Aussie footballer Andy Bernal, gave up their own personal lives to help the Beckhams settle into life in Madrid.

Indeed, Rebecca was seen with Posh on more than one occasion in the Spanish capital.

It was clear that her job was to help the WHOLE family, and not just David, settle into the Iberian way of life. But she was forced out of SFX in October after rumours about a fling with Becks.

One of her neighbours in Madrid said: "Rebecca was in tears when she heard the stories."

"She takes her job seriously and was furious at being accused of lacking professionalism."

12:35 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Their Pain in Spain
By TIM SPANTON

POSH and Becks have been living virtually separate lives since August.

He is based at their home near the Spanish capital.

She prefers their 2.5million pounds Hertfordshire mansion.

Their sons Brooklyn, five, and Romeo, 19 months, spend most of their time with her.

We estimate David and Victoria were together for just 54 days of the last 224.

Their diaries show just how distant they have become:

Aug 24: Spanish footie season kicks off. Victoria is nearly 1,000 miles away in London.

Aug 27: David scores for Real on home debut. She is 3,600 miles away in New York.

Sep 13: She watches Becks play in Real's 7-2 home win but is heard complaining you can't get anything done "in this damn country".

Nov 27: She is at his side as he collects an OBE at Buckingham Palace. He flies back to Spain but she stays to appear on chat show.

Dec 21: She lets slip they have phone sex because they spend so much time apart.

Feb 14: David takes her and their boys for a Valentine's meal at the Ritz Hotel in Madrid.

Mar 24: She goes on Milan shopping spree.

12:32 PM
t.r.a.c.y

BECKHAMS IN CRISIS

'I did sleep with Becks'

From MICHAEL LEA in Madrid

DAVID Beckham' former personal assistant told yesterday how she bedded the England skipper - in a bombshell phone call to her brother.

In her dramatic heart-to-heart with goatee-bearded John, Rebecca Loos confided to him for the first time that she HAD shared a fling with Becks.

The emotional brunette broke down in tears over the line as she blurted out: "I had an affair with David."

Rebecca, 26, had kept the alleged liaisons secret from her family - but spoke out after explosive evidence emerged about her relationship with the star.

John, 28, hinted his sister was left heartbroken after her friendship with Becks crumbled when she was axed as the Real Madrid star's aide.

John said at the four-bedroom house he shares with Rebecca and their parents in a posh Madrid suburb: "She was very upset when she parted company with David and Victoria last year."

"She became very down and she cried a lot. At times she looked heartbroken."

"I thought it was because of professional reasons - but I'm now beginning to understand that there must have been more to it than that."

John added: "I'd no idea Beckham was cheating on Victoria with my sister. I am overwhelmed with shock. My parents knew nothing of this. I would have known if they had."

"The first I knew something was up was when Rebecca rang home early this morning and woke me up to warn me."

"At first, she wouldn't tell me anything and she wouldn't tell me where she was, either. All she said was she was abroad with a friend."

"But I have spoken to her since and she has confirmed that she had an affair with David. She hasn't gone into details about the relationship."

He added: "If there are text messages between the two of them, I don't see how she could really deny an affair took place."

Rebecca is known among Madrid's elite upper classes as a pretty, intelligent and likeable young woman.

She is renowned as a supreme organiser and excellent communicator, speaking several European languages.

As a youngster she harboured dreams of a modelling career and had a portfolio of professional photographs taken.

But instead she opted for the business world - first in banking and then in PR. Beckham's sports management firm SFX head-hunted her to help him settle in Spain after the 28-year-old star's 25million pounds switch to Real Madrid.

Rumours of an affair first surfaced last September when the pair were spotted enjoying nights out in Madrid.

Multi-lingual Rebecca was hired as an interpreter and PA. But their relationship is said to have switched from professional to personal as lonely Becks increasingly relied on her for company.

They were seen last year laughing and chatting intimately as they partied shoulder-to-shoulder in the early hours at Madrid’s ultra-trendy club Ananda.

At the time reports were already surfacing that Becks' marriage to wife Victoria, 29, was in trouble.

High metal security fences surround Rebecca's home, leaving callers to use a video entry-phone intercom.

A large terrace covered by an awning can be seen from the roadside. Outside is a fleet of cars, including a vintage Jaguar XJ40, a four-wheel drive Honda and a classic Mini.

Speaking at the gate of the luxury house yesterday, John said: "Rebecca's a very pretty and intelligent girl. Lots of people say so and I suppose David has seen that as well. I can well imagine he's going to get a bad Press now and my sister may be branded a marriage-wrecker."

"She for one knows her life is never going to be the same again after this. But she has insisted to me she is not the person who exposed the affair. She says she feels betrayed and hurt herself by what's in the papers. She has denied totally co-operating in any way."

Told that Beckham was denying an affair with Rebecca, John replied bitterly: "That doesn't surprise me."

And he added: "Rebecca's made no mention of an apology for Victoria or the children. At the moment she is far too upset. She is distraught."

John and Rebecca's parents are away in Australia. Last night one neighbour said: "She is a lovely girl and I'm not surprised Beckham found her attractive."

At around the time of the alleged fling - last September - Rebecca and Beckham were pictured smiling and chatting during a night out with pals.

Rebecca was also seen with Posh on September 13 as the singer held son Romeo during a Real Madrid game. The day before, Rebecca and Posh went shopping in Madrid.

Another time, Rebecca was at the Bernabeu stadium - this time with four-year-old Brooklyn Beckham, to see David score in Real's 3-0 win over Mallorca. Victoria was working in New York.

12:28 PM
t.r.a.c.y

BECKHAMS IN CRISIS

Becks and the sex texts

DAVID Beckham is alleged to have exchanged a string of explicit mobile phone txt messages with Rebecca.
The messages, printed in the News of the World yesterday, are said to have been sent after Rebecca was axed as Beckham's assistant.

They referred to a variety of sex acts and the language was so strong that many of the words were asterisked.

DB: When u start your job (Rebecca left sports agents SFX in November)

RL: Sign contract next week. Can't stop smiling jumping around.

DB: Happy for you. If you have any jumping around to do come here.

RL: Where?

DB: At the hotel?

RL: Which?

DB: Same one as last time - but a lot of press today might not be a good idea. Maybe next time.

RL: OK will stop jumping and save it for when I see you and just keep smiling till then.

DB: OK, you need to save all that energy for ****.

RL: Is it ****.

DB: Very, very ****, thinking of your **** and the *****.

RL: Remember the last time your tongue was all over me I have never **** so hard.

DB: Now I am doing something, thinking about your ****.

RL: ******* your ****, feeling you **** deep down my ******

DB: Can't wait for that. When can we do this and where?

RL: It's difficult. You know best. Me always free.

DB: OK we have to try.

ON MARCH 20, THERE WAS ANOTHER FLURRY OF TEXT MESSAGES BETWEEN THE PAIR.

RL: U made me so horny the other day had nightmare trying to focus. U playing tonight?

DB: Playing tonight and playing now which is good for me. Glad I can still do that to you.

RL: That and so much more. When am I going to feel u?

DB: Where do you want to feel me most?

RL: Your tongue ** **** ** **** ***** then softly on my **** **** *** **** ** ** mouth and u choose from there.

DB: OK that's what will happen then. What u doing now?

RL: Playing with my nipples, waiting for more, enjoying every second.

DB: Shame I can't hear and see that. Would be nice to join in.

RL: U can join in any time u want and way you want.

DB: Where are u, in your bedroom?

RB: Yes am home alone.

DB: Can just imagine how *** *** **** u are.

RL: U should see me, naked with only white cotton G-string.

DB: Love the sound of that cotton just *** *** *** ***** getting more *** and your *** all nice *** ***.

RL: Call me then and you'll hear the real sound.

Beckham calls but instantly hangs up after laughing.

RL: Did you hang up or was that me? Was just about about to get started!

DB: Someone just came in my room. S*** I was looking forward to that. Have u any of my stuff that you need bring round to me?

RL: What sort of stuff? Why, u at hotel? What do u need? I haven't **** yet, u bastard.

DB: Any stuff u need to bring to the house one night. I am away right now. Just lay back and think of what I done to you and *** *** ****.

RL: Sorry for the delay but just **** so **** and ****. Am sure I can find something to give u. R u still same house?

DB: Yes. And I'm sure u have something to give me and am sure it tastes good.

RL: Well just think about it and when safe etc let me know ... just u me in the dark alone...well candlelit dark.

DB: Not a problem, we will have fun.

RL: It was nice to hear u laugh. When I see u I want to hear u groan and moan. I can't wait.

DB: Don't worry, you will and I want to hear u scream.

12:28 PM
t.r.a.c.y

BECKHAMS IN CRISIS

I warned him about girl

By VICTORIA NEWTON
Showbiz Editor

WORRIED Victoria Beckham had warned hubby David to "watch out" for Rebecca Loos, it emerged last night.

She took an instant dislike to the pretty personal assistant now accused of an affair with soccer star Becks - and told him to stay away from her.

A source close to Posh said: "Victoria didn't like Rebecca from day one and made it clear she didn't trust her."

"Victoria's instincts about people are usually right and the first time she met Rebecca she said to David afterwards, 'You'd better watch out with that interpreter of yours'."

But despite claims yesterday that Becks, 28, had hotel romps with Rebecca in Madrid - and exchanged steamy texts - Victoria is convinced that nothing happened between them.

She is furious though that her husband is being linked to the Spanish-born linguist who worked for SFX, the sports management agency.

Victoria, who is 30 on April 17, told Becks in a late night phone call: "You have ruined my birthday."

The source continued: "Victoria was worried Rebecca would try something with David and she didn't like the fact that they spent so much time together."

"She realised David needed someone to help him in Madrid but she wished it was someone less attractive."

"She was furious when pictures appeared of Rebecca and David at a nightclub. It was the final straw and she insisted Rebecca was fired."

"Now Victoria feels totally vindicated. Her instincts have been proved right. She knows she was right not to trust Rebecca."

The former Spice Girl was said to be close to collapse after she heard the allegations of a torrid affair.

Tearful Posh told pals: "I can't believe this is happening to me."

"How did he get himself into a situation like this where he can be manipulated? It's so stupid."

"I believe David is telling me the truth. He didn't have an affair with Rebecca."

"But I can't stand people thinking that he has done it - it's horrible."

"It has wrecked my birthday celebrations and it's awful for the kids with all the media attention."

The News of the World claimed that Real Madrid star Beckham turned to Rebecca for comfort because of Victoria's reluctance to join him in Spain.

Victoria was dealt the bombshell news in a late night phone call.

She and David then had a series of heated calls. A family source said: "Victoria went mad. She told David that it had ruined her birthday."

She immediately turned to her family for comfort and yesterday flew to Geneva with her parents and sons Brooklyn, five, and Romeo, 18 months.

David was due to join them last night.

A source close to Victoria said: "She is devastated about the effect these horrible allegations will have on the family. She believes David but it hurts to see it all over the newspapers."

Last night England captain and former Manchester United ace Beckham issued a statement branding the claims "ludicrous."

Sources close to the star said he was "totally devastated and furious".

One said: "David feels betrayed by Rebecca. He thought he could trust her but now he feels she must have been involved with the story in some way."

"I think he was quite attracted to her initially. She is well spoken, multi-lingual and very sophisticated. She's a very pretty girl."

"But today he is the most upset he has ever been. He is adamant he never had an affair and is praying everyone believes him."

"He has told Victoria he has had no contact with Rebecca for ages and he insists he never sent her any text messages."

"He says he's prepared to go to court and show his mobile phone records to prove he never sent the messages."

Beckham's dad Ted, 53, said last night of the reports: "I am very surprised. But I can't say anything more because I don't know what's going on."

12:27 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Jenson's best of the rest
By STAN PIECHA in BAHRAIN

JENSON BUTTON emerged from the desert dust with a sand-sational drive to cement his growing reputation as best of the rest.

Michael Schumacher may have used the Bahrain Grand Prix as an Arabian amble to his 73rd victory.

But Button gave another superb performance to suggest he is a future winner.

The BAR ace, who only drove to his first podium finish in Malaysia two weeks ago, again stood alongside his invincible foe thanks to a brilliant third place.

And this time he came away smelling of roses along with Schumacher and second-placed Rubens Barrichello - because of the champagne substitute used to respect the alcohol laws of the Middle East.

The specially-made fizzy concoction called Warrd was created from fruits of the desert mixed with carbonated rose water.

Button, 24, said: "You could say I'm feeling very rosy after this latest success. It may be my second podium on the trot, but it feels as fantastic and as exciting as the first."

"I am not going to be happy until I finally climb on to the top step. It's going to take a while because Ferrari are still ahead - but I'll get there."

While Schumacher zooms towards his seventh world crown thanks to maximum points in the opening three showdowns, Button and BAR are third in their respective championships.

Button added: "When you say third it doesn't sound that great."

"But it's certainly a brilliant reward for all the hard work we carried out through the winter."

"My confidence is sky high at the moment. We can make even greater improvements to our car during the rest of the season than Ferrari. We still have a good way to go to catch them, though."

Leading up to the race there had been forecasts of desert storms putting the skids under Ferrari's supremacy, talk of BMW Williams drivers Juan Pablo Montoya and Ralf Schumacher powering their way by the scarlet machines and even a suggestion Barrichello would upstage his team-mate Schumacher.

But as so often happens in this part of the world, they were nothing more than cruel mirages.

Barrichello again dubiously claimed a brake problem and a dodgy pit-stop prevented him racing wheel to wheel with the German.

But the signs of fans witnessing Schumacher in a true track tussle this season look remote.

Not just because of the German's sheer speed, skill and dominance - but because the teams who have promised to dethrone him are a complete shambles.

Kimi Raikkonen, who took Schumacher to the title wire last season, had been tipped to go all the way this time.

But the Iceman's chances went up in a massive ball of flames when his Mercedes engine exploded after a mere 26 miles.

McLaren team-mate David Coulthard looked like at least grabbing a point for eighth until his car ground to a halt coming out of the pit-lane.

Montoya was on course for third - but with 10 laps to go he developed gearbox problems and he coasted across the line in 13th.

If you had looked in Barrichello's wing mirrors, there was plenty of action down the field in the first Formula One contest in the Middle East.

Jaguar Racing's Mark Webber and Coulthard had an early battle for ninth position, while Fernando Alonso - 16th on the grid - spent the afternoon mixing it with anyone he came across to finish sixth.

BAR No 2 Takuma Sato had a brush with Schuey Jnr and still came in fifth. But Schuey Snr revealed his pre-race preparations went far from smoothly. For he forgot to bring his lucky charm - his wife Corinna's amulet.

Schuey, 35, said: "Just before the race I noticed that I didn't have her amulet with me and I had left it in my hotel."

"Someone dashed over there to get it for me and brought it back. That was perhaps the decisive difference today."

"Corinna and my two children may be in Switzerland - but they are always with me through the amulet."

"The race was hard work and we had a tough time getting everything spot on."

"You also had to be very careful to stay on line because the track was very slippery - which is why I drove just slightly on or below my limit."

"They have prepared a circuit for us which was very interesting to drive. It was technically very difficult and a big challenge."

"It was a little bit surprising. I certainly expected it to be a closer race. That might have been the case if the temperatures had been a bit higher but, fortunately, that wasn't the case."

"The welcome of the fans, all the people here, was very warm so it was a very nice experience. I look forward to coming back."

Ferrari boss Jean Todt crowed: "I had not expected to witness Ferrari put on such a spectacle on such a fantastic circuit. Michael was simply majestic."

Ferrari technical director Ross Brawn added: "We are still keeping our feet on the ground because there are another 15 races to go this season."

"The cloudy skies and the dust on the track worked a bit in favour of our package."

Which just goes to prove Schumacher is currently unstoppable - come rain, shine or even dust.

MANOEUVRE OF THE RACE: BAR's Takuma Sato nipping by McLaren's David Coulthard on lap 33 while battling for sixth spot.

STRATEGY OF THE RACE: BAR for managing to send Jenson Button out ahead of Renault's Jarno Trulli on the final set of stops.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

At least one Schuey's a flop

From STAN PIECHA

AT least there is one driver named Schumacher who is not inch-perfect this season - Michael's brother Ralf.

Schuey the Younger infuriated his BMW Williams bosses by having no less than THREE prangs during the 57-lap Bahrain showdown.

His biggest came when he collided with BAR's Takuma Sato on lap seven, forcing him in for an early pit-stop for a new nose cone. But he then had brushes with Renault's Fernando Alonso and Sauber's Giancarlo Fisichella to limp home eventually in seventh spot.

All Williams technical director Patrick Head would say was: "Ralf's race was a bloody mess."

But Schuey Jnr insisted: "After all that happened in my race, I would define my final position as a limitation of damages."

"The collision with Sato was an unfortunate race incident."

12:23 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Being apart is strain for him
By DEIDRE SANDERS

IF David has strayed from Posh, they will be joining a long line of couples whose marriage has hit trouble while one of them works away.

They may be the most glittering couple in the land but I hear all the time from people with similar problems.

The trouble is, you can't nurture a relationship in a vacuum.

True intimacy - which oils the wheels of day-to-day life as well as priming passionate sex - demands close contact.

Also Victoria and David have had a genuine clash of needs and interests adding to their tensions.

Posh was all for Becks' move to Madrid - but neither seems to have thought through how this would affect her career.

While David's emotional need was for his wife and family to move to Spain with him, Victoria had her own agenda.

It's a dilemma for almost every double-celebrity or even double-career marriage.

In my experience one career has to go on hold.

If Victoria felt it was her turn, she shouldn't have encouraged David to make a move that would tear them apart.

Posh and Becks tried to have it all and learned that it's impossible.

They need to look at where they went wrong.

And while there is no excuse for cheating, Posh needs to acknowledge her role in weakening their marriage.

A one-off fling is usually a symptom of a relationship problem rather than a serial cheat.

David should have been grown-up enough to tell Victoria their marriage was at risk - but perhaps he did try and this is how he tried to make her hear.

12:07 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Why I feel so sorry for her
By VICTORIA NEWTON

WHEN Victoria Beckham revealed she nicknames her husband "Goldenballs" she was poking fun at his unblemished reputation.

David Beckham is England's favourite footballer.

He's a good-looking, kind family man who doesn't fall drunk out of nightclubs.

Who could be more perfect?

Victoria has found it impossible to get the public on her side and is hurt by that.

She knows people hate her and feels she can't do anything right - she has told me so in interviews.

But the nation must feel sympathy for her today.

The mum of two knows many people want this gossip to be true.

She thinks people WANT her and David to split up - and for it to be her fault.

This is unfair.

Victoria is blamed for the alleged affair for spending more time here than in Spain.

But this does not make her a marriage wrecker.

Her children are settled in Hertfordshire and she is putting them first - unlike many celebs who pack their kids off with a nanny.

Victoria loves her children and feels it important to be with them.

Even if she does spend too little time in Madrid, surely it does not give her husband the right to play away?

Victoria deserves kindness and respect as she comes to terms with what is going on in her life.

12:06 PM
t.r.a.c.y

WORLD EXCLUSIVE: Beckham's secret affair

90 minutes after this picture was taken, they made love for first time
By Neville Thurlbeck, Chief Reporter in Madrid

DAVID Beckham has had a secret torrid affair with an exotic beauty in Madrid, the News of the World can reveal.

He took his beautiful personal assistant Rebecca Loos to bed just 90 minutes after this picture of the two of them together was taken at a club.

The lonely England soccer ace turned to the 26-year-old privately-educated daughter of a Dutch diplomat for comfort after feeling abandoned by wife Posh in their troubled long-distance marriage.

While Victoria stayed 800 miles away in London concentrating on her recording career, Becks fell head over heels for Rebecca as she worked for him, helping him settle into his transfer to Real Madrid.

Today over the next five pages - in a story that will rock millions of Posh and Becks fans worldwide - we detail how the former Manchester United star secretly made love to Rebecca at two top hotels in the Spanish capital.

How he sent her a stream of graphic text messages telling her what he wanted to do to her in bed.

And how Victoria failed to see the signs that she could be losing her man.

"David is a lonely man in a foreign country," said a close family friend who Rebecca confided in about her astonishing secret. "He is a very sensitive guy and is so hurt because Victoria is ignoring him.

"The affair is a surprise to no one who knows him. He's been going weeks without sex, trying to stay faithful to her. But something had to give."

When we confronted Rebecca - who speaks perfect English - about her relationship, she said: "I am afraid I have no comment for you. Please leave me alone."

Passion

The News of the World first revealed Becks' friendship with the beauty in a picture exclusive on September 28 last year. That led to fury from Posh and the end of Rebecca's professional involvement with the star couple.

But on the night we spotted them together Becks, 28, kissed Rebecca for the first time after playing a sexy game of Truth or Dare with her and friends at a Thai restaurant before going to Ananda, one of Madrid's top clubs.

Then he swept her off to his suite at the Santa Mauro hotel - to the astonishment of his drivers and bodyguards - for a night of the kind of passion he has been missing with Posh.

"As soon as they got in the room, Rebecca said he seemed a little nervous. He realised he was taking a very big step," said the friend, spilling the intimate secrets Rebecca had shared with her.

"He held Rebecca's head in his hands and kissed her passionately and said, 'I have wanted to be with you like this for so long'.

"It was a very powerful moment. He dimmed the lights and started taking his clothes off. Rebecca stripped off too and they stood naked in the middle of the room, kissing passionately.

"David was a sensational lover - their sex was highly-charged and explosive. They made love for hours.

"He kept telling her, 'I know we shouldn't be doing this but I can't help it. I really want this to happen. It makes me so happy. I want you to stay with me all night long'."

It was the start of a string of trysts between the forlorn soccer star and the well-bred, self-confident stunner.

Becks was truly smitten. "Rebecca is an attractive and cultured young lady," says the family friend. "Although she was born in Madrid, she went to a private English school and walks, talks and dresses like a girl from Chelsea. He really liked that."

The affair began on September 18 last year after the two had an evening out together. They had been with four of Rebecca's colleagues from SFX Group - the sports personalities management company - at a Thai restaurant.

Becks was at his lowest ebb over his marriage. Victoria was in England with sons Brooklyn and Romeo. Out of his first 89 days in Madrid, Victoria would only spend 35 with him. And he was missing his family.

The friend told us: "It was a lively evening in the restaurant. David wanted to really let his hair down and he ordered a bottle of champagne. As they all became tiddly, they decided to play Truth or Dare.

One of David's truth questions turned to sex. The group, including Rebecca, asked him if he had ever had sex on a plane. He said he had but not who with.

"Everyone was amazed how frank he was being. He told everyone, 'This is the first time I have had any real fun since I came here two months ago.'

Wiggle

Becks then dared Rebecca to go to the ladies and walk through the entire restaurant with a length of toilet paper dangling from the back of her trousers.

"Rebecca is a fun girl and duly obliged. She even did a little wiggle in front of the table," said the family friend. "David was loving it.

Later, at the Ananda, David couldn't take his eyes off Rebecca. And he kept gently touching her waist as he guided her through doors."

It was then that Becks took a telling step away from his marriage. "He asked her, 'Do you want to come back to the hotel suite for a drink with the other four afterwards?'

"Rebecca said she would and he added, with a grin, "Why don't we dump the other four and just come back with me instead?!'

"She was a little stunned but regained her composure quickly with a laugh and a jokey, '**** off!'."

When they left at 3.30am - an hour after our picture was taken - there were two cars waiting outside.

David, Rebecca and one couple got in one and the other couple followed behind. "David was determined to get Rebecca back to the hotel discreetly.

"But after they dropped their two passengers off he could wait no longer. He turned to Rebecca and kissed her long and gently.

"Her heart was racing. He was kissing her and caressing her hair and neck. He told her, 'I've been waiting ages to do that to you'.

"They kissed all the way back to the hotel. David was in a state of high arousal when they got into the bedroom at 4am and there was no going back. She was lying on her tummy and he kissed her all over.

"She said David's stamina was extraordinary. She could feel his energy pulsating through her as he made love to her on the bed."

The following night he met her at a tapas bar with her friends. "David was playing footsie with her under the table," said the friend.

Once again they went back to the Santa Mauro and his bed. "Again he said, 'I know we shouldn't be doing this but I can't help it. I want this to happen. It makes me so happy.

"The lovemaking was just as passionate as before with David being a little more adventurous." But a few days later the affair ran into trouble when a rumour went round SFX employees that David and Rebecca had become very close at the Ananda.

When Posh heard, she was livid and telephoned Rebecca to say, "It is not your job to go out clubbing with my husband so back off."

Suspicion

Beckham too was given an earbashing from his wife because he phoned Rebecca and said, "The s**t has hit the fan. Victoria knows what's been going on. We'll have to be careful."

Their next meeting was on September 22, at Real Madrid star Ronaldo's birthday party at the Brazilian's house. The pair arrived separately to avoid suspicion and hardly spoke to each other all night.

"As they left he texted her, saying, 'R u coming back to the hotel?'. Rebecca said she would," added the friend.

"They didn't have full sex that night but decided to experiment, pleasuring each other in a variety of ways involving all manner of kissing and fondling."

The pair had one more sexual encounter, in December, just before a Real Madrid home game. Beckham asked Rebecca to join him in the Hotel Fenix.

The family friend said: "It was the least satisfying of all the meetings." After that tryst Beckham ended his dealings with the SFX Group - and never saw Rebecca again.

The family friend said: "Rebecca is heartbroken this story has come out but she knew it would eventually. Too many people have seen her texts and they've got into the wrong hands.

"Everyone knows about the affair in the Beckham camp. Rebecca is a very well-bred young woman. She didn't plan this relationship, she's not some starstruck girl.

"But David pursued her and made it very clear that he wanted her sexually. She wasn't in love with him but admitted it was heading that way."

12:05 PM
t.r.a.c.y

EXCLUSIVE

Posh's agony over Becks 'affair'

VICTORIA Beckham fights back tears on a plane yesterday over claims that husband David had an affair.

Posh, 29, looked ashen-faced at reports that England soccer skipper Becks had romped with his aide Rebecca Loos on nights out in Madrid. Victoria battled to control her emotions as she flew to Switzerland with her family for a skiing holiday.

She seemed absorbed in thought following 28-year-old David's denials that he had been seeing former personal assistant Rebecca, 26.

She told a pal: "I believe David is telling me the truth - he didnt have an affair with Rebecca."

Posh wore no make-up, little jewellery and did not touch her in-flight meal.

She spent much of the trip pleading with sons Romeo and Brooklyn to be quiet - or sitting with her hands to her forehead.

The trio sat together in the second row of Business Class aboard British Airways flight BA730 from Heathrow to Geneva.

Behind Posh were her parents Tony and Jackie Adams while sister Louise and her girls, Tallulah and Liberty, sat across the aisle.

Posh leaned heavily for support on Louise, who at one point leaned across to touch her arm comfortingly.

Even some wine ordered by Posh's mum and dad did little to lighten the gloom.

Only Brooklyn was excited, hurling Smarties around and leaning over his seat to shout: "Nana, Papa, we're going skiing!"

Minutes before the flight landed, Posh put on some make-up, then donned a fur jacket and shades.

At Geneva, her bodyguards whisked her through customs and into a van, refusing to answer questions.

Last night Real Madrid star David was believed to be flying up from Spain to join the group.

Posh has said in the past: "If David was to ever cheat on me, I think I would die of a broken heart. I probably would. It would kill me."

"When my first fiance dumped me, I felt like I was dying."

But Rebecca's brother John claimed yesterday she confirmed to him in a phone call that she HAD bedded Becks.

And Becks' ex-bodyguard, Cuban security expert Delfin Fernandez, said the star and Rebecca kissed "like teenagers" as he drove them to Madrid hotels.

12:05 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Beckham: The denial

"During the past few months I have become accustomed to reading more and more ludicrous stories about my private life. What appeared this morning is just one further example. The simple truth is that I am very happily married, have a wonderful wife and two very special kids. There is nothing that any third party can do to change these facts."

12:05 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Sunday, April 04, 2004

FOOTBALL: GUNNERS TREBLE ON THE ROCKS
By Anthony Clavane

IT WAS like the last five years had never happened. Same ground, same competition, same outcome.

Gary Neville, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes all linking up to defeat the old enemy. United triumphant, Arsenal in despair.

This time, at least, Arsene Wenger agreed to shake Fergie's hand.

No doubt the French coach wanted to shake his old rival by the throat!

For this FA Cup semi-final win at Villa Park wrecked, rather than ignited, a great team's Treble hopes.

It is unlikely that the Gunners will ever have as good a chance to emulate the Red Devils' triple-glory success.

Yesterday, against a very beatable United side missing Ruud van Nistelrooy up front, they simply blew it.

Ferguson's men were more pumped up for the occasion. Man for man, even with Thierry Henry rested from the starting line-up, the north Londoners are superior. But Arsenal just weren't as hungry for the win.

Perhaps this is understandable, what with Chelsea in the Champions League and Liverpool and Newcastle in the Premiership coming up in the next super-hectic seven days.

Whatever the reason, United played as if the FA Cup meant more to them than it did to Arsenal.

Back in 1999, of course, a Giggs wonder goal saw off the Gunners. This time the Welshman was involved in a superb team display, perfectly illustrated by the winning goal.

Gary Neville's through ball played in the unmarked Giggs, who cut back for Scholes. The England midfielder's first-time strike gave Jens Lehmann no chance.

So, instead of one moment of brilliance it was a collective effort that propelled United to the final this time.

For Fergie's men, out of the title race and Champions League, it was win or bust. And they played like it.

Animosity is rarely far from the surface in these big showdowns. And while there were no explosions to rival last September's infamous Van Nistelrooy brawl, Arsenal - too easily wound up by their opponents - were fortunate to keep all their players on the pitch.

Robert Pires - who had one of his less effective games, missing a clear-cut chance when he headed Sol Campbell's cross over from a few yards out - should have been sent off when he felled Gary Neville and Lehmann was lucky not to be red-carded for knocking Ronaldo over.

Ronaldo was simply a revelation in the first half. If it wasn't a cliche you could say he tore Clichy to shreds.

Not as spectacular as Giggs five years ago, but just as effectively, he inspired another great semi-final win.

The latest Wenger bargain at £250,000 from Cannes, young Gael showed there is some way to go before he can be seen as a capable understudy for Ashley Cole. Panicked into leaving Giggs unmarked by Ronaldo's presence on the touchline, you could argue the teenager was at fault for the goal.

But this was, in truth, a poor all-round performance by Arsenal.

Strangely lacklustre in most departments, only skipper Patrick Vieira gave his all, driving the side forward in the second half.

It was a half which the Gunners dominated, yet failed to create one clear-cut opportunity.

United, perhaps fortunate to take the lead after being given a pounding in the opening few minutes, defended magnificently.

Wes Brown is back to his brilliant best - is it too late for Sven Goran Eriksson to take note? - and Mikael Silvestre was awesome.

In desperation Wenger threw on three more forwards - Thierry Henry, Kanu and Jose Reyes.

But the even the great Henry didn't seem up for it. His half-hearted half-volley in the dying seconds summed up his side's lack of dynamism.

Pundits have been announcing a shift in power from Manchester to north London for a long time now. But while the Gunners are 12 points ahead of United, and 30 matches unbeaten in the League, Fergie's men cannot yet be written off as a fading force.

Whisper it in north London, but after setting the pace in such blistering fashion, Wenger's men could even conceivably end up with nothing.

They had a chance to put United to the sword in the first few minutes. But a mixture of bad luck and poor finishing got their opponents out of jail.

Dennis Bergkamp had one shot blocked by Roy Carroll then another cleared off the line by Brown.

Then Edu chipped against the bar and Carroll made a point-blank save from Toure.

The tension appears to be getting to Arsenal.

Fergie cheekily suggested that they'd lose to Chelsea on Tuesday, although he did concede that they would win the Premiership.

The fact that Sir Alex actually came to the post-match press conference - he normally opts out - suggests that this victory was a special one for the Scot.

And the way he, his players and his fans celebrated when the final whistle was blown indicates that this triumph was just as sweet as the famous 1999 victory.

ATTENDANCE: 39,939

JENS LEHMAN 7
The former Borussia Dortmund keeper was not at fault for the goal and had little to do during the game except pick the ball out of the net.

LAUREN 6
Not as effective as in previous games, the tough-tackling right back wasn't allowed by United to be his normal rampaging self.

SOL CAMPBELL 7
Great run and cross to set up a sitter for Pires but gave the ball away too cheaply allowing United to begin move which led to their goal.

KOLO TOURE 6
Unsung hero this season and looked comfortable in possession. But wasted a fantastic chance when heading against bar from close range.

GAEL CLICHY 5
Given a torrid time by Ronaldo who tore him to shreds in the first half. The youngster was out of his depth and at fault for the United goal.

FREDDIE LJUNGBERG 5
Made a few trademark runs but the Swede put in another sub-standard display, never troubling United. Had one half chance but fired wide.

PATRICK VIEIRA 8
Arsenal's best player by a mile. Worked his socks off but his team-mates failed to respond - praised by Fergie after the game.

EDU 6
One of his poorer games. Hit the bar with a fine chip but miscued a number of long-range efforts and was out-battled by Darren Fletcher.

ROBERT PIRES 4
Not the Frenchman's finest hour. Missed with a poor header when it looked easier to score and was lucky not to be sent off for felling Keane.

DENNIS BERGKAMP 6
Tried hard to get his side going and make amends for 1999 last-minute penalty miss in semi-final against United. But looked out of sorts.

JEREMIE ALIADIERE 4
Out of his depth, never troubling the United defence. Strangely preferred ahead of Reyes as a replacement for Henry.

ARSENE WENGER 6
The Arsenal boss got it wrong by leaving Thierry Henry on the bench and throwing three forwards on in the second half.

SUBSTITUTES

Jose Reyes 6
Snuffed out by Mikael Silvestre.

Kanu 5
Made not a jot of difference.

Thiery Henry 5
Failed to make impact.

Man Utd Ratings

ROY CARROLL 8
The Northern Ireland keeper was superb making two brilliant saves early on which kept United in the game from Bergkamp and Toure.

GARY NEVILLE 8
Fantastic pass to Giggs to set up Scholes' goal, managed to wind up Robert Pires and drive his side on with the usual passionate display.

WES BROWN 8
Sven Goran Eriksson should note his superb form of late. Headed Bergkamp's shot off the line and is back to his best.

MIKAEL SILVESTRE 8
Excellent display by the £4.5m signing from Inter Milan - a towering performance which kept Arsenal's forwards at bay in the second half.

JOHN O'SHEA 7
Looked solid at left-back not allowing Arsenal's Freddie Ljungberg to get a look in and looks to be back to last season's form.

CRISTIANO RONALDO 9
A scintillating first half display had Arsenal - Clichy in particular - reeling. Every time he got the ball the Gunners were on the back foot.

DARREN FLETCHER 8
A surprisingly mature display by the 20-year-old who out-battled Edu in midfield and even matched Vieira with his tackling and distribution.

ROY KEANE 8
The United skipper might not have the legs but his drive and determination make him as influential as ever - and he is controlling his temper well.

PAUL SCHOLES 8
Took his goal superbly well. Now let's hope he can do for England in Euro 2004 what he's been doing for United this season.

RYAN GIGGS 8
Five years since his wonder goal proved he's just as important to United. Great cut-back to set up Paul Scholes's winner.

OLE SOLSKJAER 7
Van Nistelrooy was missed but Solskjaer's intelligence and vision helped United overcome the Dutchman's absence up front.

ALEX FERGUSON 8
The great man is no fading force as he proved after masterminding this superb win. Tactically got it spot on.

SUBSTITUTES

David Bellion 6
Came on for Ronaldo and looked solid.

Phil Neville 7
Performed defensive duties well.

4:52 PM
t.r.a.c.y

FOOTBALL: HAUNTED BY INJURY NIGHTMARE
By Anthony Clavane

SVEN Goran Eriksson fears his Euro 2004 hopes will be wrecked by an injury to a key player - just like in Japan two years ago.

Eriksson was devastated when Steven Gerrard dropped out of his 2002 World Cup squad at the last minute and is scared the same thing will happen before Portugal.

David Beckham, Michael Owen, Gerrard and Sol Campbell are the core of his side - but they all face an exhausting schedule in the next two months.

Eriksson said: "My biggest worry is that someone will be injured at the end of the season. Remember the World Cup when, with Gary Neville already out, we suddenly lost Steve Gerrard one day before we left.

"It concerns me that Michael Owen's season has been disrupted by injury. But I can't do anything about it - I will just have to keep my fingers crossed.

"If there are problems I will protect those players in the friendlies we are playing in June. The reason Beckham, Owen and Gerrard weren't in Sweden was because I wanted to protect them.

"There was an international week scheduled in April but I'm not taking that up because I'd rather my players stay at home and have a rest."

Campbell is facing three games in the next seven days and Eriksson hit out at the Premiership's insistence that Arsenal play Chelsea, Liverpool and Newcastle in such a short space of time.

The coach said: "Arsenal's programme is crazy. Every manager in the world would object to it. If you talked to a doctor they'd tell you it was impossible to recover from that.

"I don't know if they will rest Campbell or any other players in those games but it's an absolutely hectic programme."

But Arsene Wenger has given Eriksson a big boost by revealing that Campbell will be fit for Euro 2004.

The Arsenal coach said: "I'm optimistic that Sol will be ready for the summer.

"I don't think he'll need an operation because if he has a groin problem before the Newcastle game next Sunday I won't play him."

4:37 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Albacete 1-2 Real Madrid: FT Report

ALBACETE, April 3 (Primera Liga) - Two deflected Roberto Carlos free-kicks continued Real Madrid's scramble to the Primera Liga title, but yet again they failed to impress.

In fact had their lowly opposition had more of a cutting edge upfront then the outcome may have been very different as Albacete enjoyed good spells of possession, especially in the second half.

As it was, Brazilian star Roberto Carlos saw the defending La Liga champions through with two powerful dead ball shots, albeit with the help of lady luck.

His first, 19 minutes in, clipped off of a defender breaking from the wall and wrong-footed Albacete keeper Manuel Almunia.

Then, 21 minutes from time, the confident left-back blasted a shot goalwards from long distance which struck team-mate Luis Figo and went in.

It was harsh on Albacete who battled gamely throughout, but who in the end had just Libero Parri's consolation strike 10 minutes from the end to show for their efforts.

An evenly contested opening half saw little goalmouth action, although Real tried to up the tempo after the opening goal.

Albacete, who headed into this game on a run of one defeat in eight matches, defended stoutly in the main, although they did receive a lucky escape shortly before the break.

The lively Ronaldo set off on a run from midway inside the hosts' half, beat three defenders before firing away a tame shot which Almunia saved with ease.

Albacete were by far the more lively side after the interval, and had twice fired wide before forcing a great save from Real keeper Iker Casillas.

The Spain number one showed his great agility to brilliantly block Mikel's close-range header just after the hour.

Casillas' fantastic save proved even more important 10 minutes later when the visitors doubled their lead.

Roberto Carlos, never one to be scared of shooting from distance, let fly with a shot from fully 35 yards which found the net via Figo.

Albacete were far from dejected after the injustice, however, and provided a frantic finally.

They pulled a goal back through Parri, a shot from the edge of the area which bounced just in front of Casillas and went over his outstretched arms, before almost completing the comeback two minutes from time.

Antonio Pacheco had the chance, but sliced his rising right-footed drive from just inside the area into the side-netting.

4:33 PM
t.r.a.c.y

FERGIE'S TAUNT AT WENGER
By Simon Mullock

SIR ALEX FERGUSON greeted Arsene Wenger on the Villa Park touchline with a midday handshake and smile.

But 90 minutes later the Arsenal manager must have felt like the hands of the Manchester United manager were wrapped around his throat.

Not content with bringing an end to the Gunners' dream of joining United in Treble-winning immortality, Ferguson couldn't resist a dig.

He cruelly dismissed Arsenal's chances of adding the Champions League to the Premiership trophy that will surely be transported from Old Trafford to Highbury in the next month.

It was a bad day all round for Wenger as Jose Reyes was ruled out for three weeks with a knee ligament injury inflicted by Paul Scholes' crude tackle from behind and Freddie Ljungberg will be out for a similar period after breaking his hand.

And Ferguson couldn't help but add insult to injury after Scholes had sent United through to the fifth FA Cup Final of the Scot's reign by telling Wenger that he expects Chelsea to knock his team out of the Champions League on Tuesday night.

Arsenal may go into the quarter-final return holding a 1-1 first-leg draw and an unbeaten record against the west Londoners that stretches 17 matches, but Fergie reckons his gambling instincts tell him it will be Claudio Ranieri's night.

"Maybe we had a bit of luck to win today and maybe Claudio Ranieri and Chelsea will get a bit of luck on Tuesday night," was Ferguson's warning.

"Arsenal will still win the League because they are in such a great position but I certainly wouldn't place a bet on them against Chelsea. It is not going to be easy for them. Arsenal won't have it all their own way against Chelsea.

"They will say we were lucky to win here - and we could have been 2-0 down inside the first five minutes but for a couple of great saves by Roy Carroll - but we have competed very well.

"Semi-finals are about determination and desire - and we showed that in abundance here."

Wenger's view was that United were lucky to maintain their unbeaten semi-final record under Ferguson - which now stretches to 10 matches - and if Dennis Bergkamp, Edu and Kolo Toure had accepted early chances the outcome could have been different.

And the Frenchman's disappointment was tinged with anger that Scholes escaped with just a yellow card for his tackle on Reyes while Roy Keane's challenge from behind on Robert Pires was punished with just a free-kick by referee Graham Barber.

Wenger moaned: "We are disappointed. We felt we didn't deserve to lose because we dominated most of the game and United were just content to sit back in their own half and defend after they scored.

"It is a big blow for us, but an even bigger blow is that we have also lost two important players and now have to face Chelsea, Liverpool and Newcastle inside the next week. We do not have a big squad."

Wenger, who left Thierry Henry on the bench for the first 56 minutes, insisted: "It was the right decision. Thierry was very tired after playing for France in the week and we have some big games coming up."

Henry insisted: "I wanted to play but I understand that the manager had the decision forced upon him by the games we now have to play.

"The people I blame are those who are making us play four games in nine days. They may think it is a good challenge for us to cope with, but they must realise that we are human beings and not machines."

United captain Roy Keane declared: "Arsenal are good enough to come back from this, but today I only want to think about United and the FA Cup Final."

4:28 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Arsenal 0-1 Man Utd: FT Report

Paul Scholes scored the goal that shattered Arsenal's Treble dream and sent Manchester United into their first FA Cup final of the Millennium Stadium era.

The Gunners, chasing a record fourth successive final appearance, were made to pay for wasting four glorious chances inside the opening three minutes and despite dominating for long periods after half-time and introducing Thierry Henry, failed to test Roy Carroll and subsided to only their third domestic defeat of the season.

Scholes crashed home the 32nd-minute winner in typical fashion when Ryan Giggs found space inside the Gunners box and fed the flame-haired midfielder, rested from England duty in midweek, who then produced the brutal finish for the only goal of the game.

Remarkably, the win, United's 11th successive FA Cup semi-final success dating back to 1970, was achieved without Ruud van Nistelrooy and came after one of the worst periods of Sir Alex Ferguson's entire Old Trafford reign.

Now Ferguson will get the chance to lead his team out in a cup final for the sixth time on May 22, knowing the Red Devils will be hot favourites to beat either Sunderland or Millwall.

Such is the infamous nature of Ferguson's pre-match injury pronouncements that, having informed the world Ruud van Nistelrooy was extremely doubtful for the encounter, the last thing anyone expected was for the prolific Dutchman's name not to be on the United teamsheet.

Arsene Wenger had dropped his own striking bombshell by leaving out Henry, but at least the Frenchman was available on the bench, should the game turn against the Gunners, as it eventually did, and after 57 minutes, the lethal striker was introduced.

Without Van Nistelrooy, Ferguson gave Ole Gunnar Solskjaer a lone striking berth and opted to play Cristiano Ronaldo and Ryan Giggs in wide positions, an inspired move as it turned out for the young Portuguese winger kept finding yards of space down the United right and had the Arsenal defence at full stretch to stop him.

Given the respective recent form of the two sides, what a difference it would have made to the game had Arsenal taken one of the four clear-cut chances that came their way in a 60-second spell not that long after the start.

Defensive misjudgement in the Red Devils' ranks allowed Dennis Bergkamp to sprint onto a long ball pumped out of the Gunners half.

Clean through, the Dutchman steadied himself but saw his initial shot blocked by Roy Carroll's legs. Bergkamp was still expected to stroke home the rebound but, having retreated to the goal-line, Wes Brown kept his nerve to head the curling shot clear.

Straight from the corner, Edu's neat chip came crashing off the crossbar. Carroll's attempts to save seemed to have taken him out of the action, but when Kolo Toure nodded the rebound towards the empty net, the Northern Ireland international - given his chance by Ferguson ahead of the impressive Tim Howard - scrambled back to his feet and clawed the ball away.

It was hard to tell who should gain most confidence from such an amazing start, and from the breathtaking action that followed, there was no clear-cut evidence either way.

Just as they had done six days ago, United tried to make up for their lack of comparable fluency with an absolute refusal to lose any 50-50 confrontations and an admirable drive.

Given the nature of the club and its manager, and that their whole season depended on this one game, it was perhaps no surprise.

Yet Pires might have put them in front before Scholes lashed home the opener, but headed a Bergkamp cross tamely over.

The goal was an act of simplicity once Giggs had found space on the edge of the Gunners' box and Neville had picked him out with a neat pass. The Welshman advanced into the box, then picked out Scholes with a cut-back and he cracked home an unstoppable shot.

Roy Keane sent a header crashing off his own post as he attempted to clear a Pires free-kick in the last minute of the opening period but United held their advantage at the interval and scrapped for all they were worth to preserve the lead after half-time.

Though Henry was introduced, it was Vieira who led the Gunners' assault, yet despite long periods of domination, Arsenal could not find a way through.

Wenger furious at costly exit

Following the final whistle Arsene Wenger was left fuming after seeing his dreams of a glorious treble smashed in a tempestuous and tough-tackling FA Cup semi-final.

Jose Reyes suffered a medial ligament injury when he was tackled from behind by Paul Scholes and will be out for at least three weeks while Freddie Ljungberg suffered a broken hand and will be sidelined for three weeks.

It left Wenger raging: 'Against Reyes there was a very bad tackle. Scholes and Keane got away with some very bad tackles today. Unfortunately we now lose Reyes for three weeks. It is a big blow not only to lose but also to lose two players. We are very disappointed. It was the kind of game we didn't deserve to lose.'

Ferguson, however, then put the boot in by predicting that the second part of Arsenal's treble bid, the Champions League, could also come to grief at Highbury on Tuesday night.

'I think they've got a difficult game on Tuesday night,' said Ferguson. 'I think where we got a bit of luck today Ranieri's due a bit of luck after everything he's been through.

'I wouldn't bet on them on Tuesday night. It's a difficult game, it's not easy.'

With Tuesday in mind, Wenger had chosen to leave Thierry Henry and Reyes on the bench, throwing them on with only half-an-hour remaining.

United, meanwhile, had started the match without Ruud van Nistelrooy, who had not recovered from a knee injury, and were lucky not to go a couple of goals down after the Gunners hit the crossbar through Edu and saw United goalkeeper Roy Carroll save a point-blank range header from Kolo Toure.

Ferguson, however, was delighted with the commitment of his players, singling out Portuguese winger Ronaldo and 19-year-old Darren Fletcher for special praise.

'Arsenal had nothing to lose and we had a couple of breaks,' said Ferguson.

'We could have been two goals down in the first five minutes.

'Ronaldo put in a fantastic performance. He tired but he didn't get back from international duty until 5am on Thursday morning but he had to come into training because we were looking at the side for today.

'Fletcher also did very well and Wes Brown is getting better every week.'

Ferguson revealed he was surprised Arsenal had played with three strikers in the last half-hour - Henry, Reyes and Dennis Bergkamp.

'By putting three up they made it easy for us,' he said. 'They kept losing the ball and giving it back to us and in the second-half I don't think they really had a chance. All they were doing was happening outside the box, just a couple of long-range shots from Henry, and we were happy with that.

'But I thought they put in a great effort in the second-half. Vieira was all over the place and both teams played with great spirit and desire.'

Ferguson admitted he thought Wenger would have rested Henry for the league encounter between the teams last weekend rather than today.

'With a 12-point lead in the league I thought they might have made those changes then,' he said.

'But in the circumstances I thought it was the right decision to have Henry on the bench. Next week is very, very big for them.'

Wenger, meanwhile, must raise his side's spirits for a match against Chelsea which now takes on even more important proportions.

'We had chances in the first half and we had all the domination in the second half,' said Wenger.

'They scored a good goal but then tried to defend and you can't blame them for that. We were in too much of a hurry.

Explaining his reasoning behind resting Henry he said: 'Henry played for France in midweek and came back very tired. Four games in seven days - they are only human beings these guys.

'We were a bit unlucky to lose. Manchester United defended very well but some of the tackles were on the limit.'

Arsenal physio also received a head injury after being hit by a coin thrown from the crowd. A man was arrested by West Midlands Police.

4:26 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Real ride their luck in Albacete

MADRID, April 3 (Reuters) - Brazilian free kick expert Roberto Carlos struck twice to help Real Madrid secure a narrow 2-1 win at Albacete on Saturday that keeps them top of the Primera Liga for at least another week.

The Brazilian gave Real the lead with a deflected 20-metre piledriver in the 19th minute and was somewhat fortunate to put them 2-0 up midway through the second half when another powerful free kick ricocheted off team mate Luis Figo into the net.

But their modest opponents, who had matched Real for much of the game, refused to fold and pulled a goal back with a superb long distance effort from midfielder Libero Parri eight minutes from time to set up an exciting finish.

The result leaves Real top with 67 points from 31 matches, four clear of Valencia who play basement side Murcia on Sunday.

Earlier on Saturday, struggling Espanyol had a severe blow dealt to their hopes of staying in the top flight when they slumped to a 1-0 defeat at Sevilla.

4:23 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Saturday, April 03, 2004

Albacete v Real Madrid: Preview

MADRID, April 2 (Primera Liga) - "Stay at home'' was the message to Real Madrid fans living in Albacete as Cesar Ferrando stepped up his preparations for Saturday night's big match.

Ferrando would rather his club lose out at the turnstiles than see the white shirts of the title chasers flecked about the Carlos Belmonte stadium.

He fears that many Albacete fans might switch allegiances for the game, recognising that those who attend Albacete matches do so to support their `second club', as Madrid command massive backing all across Spain.

"At the start of the season, our fans almost expected us to be relegated and now they know the dream of staying up can happen,'' said Ferrando, whose side have embarked on a superb recent run of form which has lifted them clear of the drop zone.

Going into the weekend, they have a six-point cushion over the bottom three, and with only eight matches remaining, another couple of victories should see Albacete survive in the top-flight.

"The people of Albacete have to support us,'' said Ferrando.

"And if not, they should stay at home.''

To beat Madrid is a massive ask, but Albacete are evidently charged up for the occasion.

Ferrando is playing the cheerleader role expertly, and he would have double the reason for delight should Albacete pull off the shock result.

He was a player at Valencia, Madrid's title rivals who go into the weekend trailing the leaders by just a single point.

And before moving to Albacete he bossed Valencia's reserve team, strengthening his ties to the club.

"I used to play for them and it is a club that I love,'' said Ferrando.

After a lull in their form, Madrid appear to have bounced back to form in the past 10 days, with their victory over Monaco in the Champions League followed by a 5-1 trouncing of Sevilla last weekend.

A poor run of form prior to those two wins has seen their lead whittled down from eight points to a solitary point, so it is most definitely game on in the title race.

Carlos Queiroz, the Madrid coach, is eager for all his big-game players to be fit and involved at this stage of the season.

David Beckham is one of those players who rises to the big occasion, and has a welcome habit of performing well to dig his teams out of a crisis.

But the England midfielder missed his national team's match against Sweden in midweek due to a right calf injury.

He has looked unusually tired over the past six weeks, and despite setting up two goals last week against Sevilla, Queiroz is concerned about his well-being.

Asked this week whether Beckham was able to reproduce his early-season form, which was so impressive and instantly endeared him to the most sceptical of Madrid fans, and Queiroz was non-committal.

"I am not certain because it is hard to speak when players have been injured,'' said Queiroz.

"It's a problem that he has missed five training sessions and an injury can bring psychological problems.''

Despite Queiroz's doubts, Beckham will almost certainly be back in action, as will Zinedine Zidane who missed France's midweek friendly with a slight muscle strain.

One player who is expected to sit out the trip is the centre-back Ivan Helguera. A groin problem forced him out of Spain's friendly against Denmark on Wednesday, and he has not sufficiently recovered to return to duty.

Albert Mejia will probably confirm his rise into the favour when he returns to partner Raul Bravo in central defence.

"This has all been very quick,'' said Meija.

"I came up from the 'B' team and in only a few months I am playing in the first team.

"The best thing about all of this is the confidence they are showing in me.''

Madrid will be wary that both Valencia and the increasingly impressive Barcelona have home games this weekend which on the face of it they are highly unlikely to lose.

Valencia take on Murcia on Sunday, and Villarreal are the visitors to the Nou Camp in Saturday's late match.

Madrid may need all the support they can get on Saturday as they aim to put pressure on Valencia.

A four-point lead by the end of Saturday night would be a persuasive indication that their troubles of weeks gone by are long gone.

11:41 PM
t.r.a.c.y