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

6:45 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Real rule out new contract for Figo

Fred Varcoe

TOKYO, July 30 (Reuters) - Luis Figo will start planning for a future away from Real Madrid in December after being told by the club that they will not renew his contract.

Figo, 31, joined Real from Barcelona in a record 37million deal in 2000. He has one more season to run on his contract, plus an option for a further year.

'My lawyer tells me the club has no intention of extending my contract so around December I have to think about what I am going to do,' Figo told reporters after a training session in Tokyo where Real are on a pre-season tour.

'Until December, at least, I will put my heart into playing for Real Madrid.'

The Portugal winger, who played a big part in his country's run to the Euro 2004 final which they lost 1-0 to Greece earlier this month, says there is little he can do about the situation.

'It's the club's way and I have to accept their decision, but I have to make a decision on my future,' Figo said.

'There are a number of possibilities but I can't make a decision right now.'

Figo has been reported as saying he would like to play in England and many clubs would vie for his services but for now he is happy working with new Real coach Jose Antonio Camacho.

'He (Camacho) has only been working with the club for two weeks and I only joined up with the team a week ago but so far I think we have a good relationship,' said Figo. 'He's a coach who wants to win right from the word go, which is good.

'Last year, we didn't win any titles and so the goal for this year is to win something. I think if I can stay strong both physically and mentally, I will be happy.'

Real will play Tokyo Verdy 1969 on Sunday in Tokyo before heading back to Spain on Monday.
They beat JEF United Ichihara 3-1 in their first match at the National Stadium on Thursday.

6:22 PM
t.r.a.c.y

EXCLUSIVE

Rooney's aphology to Col

By MARTEL MAXWELL, Showbiz Reporter

TROUBLED Wayne Rooney has splashed out on a holiday for his fiancee and two of her pals - to say sorry for sleeping with a hooker.

The Everton ace is treating pretty Coleen McLoughlin, 18, to the 3,000pounds Mediterranean trip after she demanded time apart.

Wayne, also 18, is still in the doghouse after confessing he cheated on her two years ago.

One friend of the couple said: "Coleen told Wayne she needed time to get her head together and think about their future.

"She wants a chance to relax in the sun, have fun partying and have a good think about what has happened.

"She has had a lot to cope with over the last week since finding out about Wayne.

"She just wants to escape for a week. Coleen is planning to set off in the next few days. She wants to get away as soon as possible.

"Wayne was more than happy to pay for Coleen and two of her best friends to stay in a top hotel - he's still got a lot of making up to do.

"He's told her she can have as much spending money as she wants."

Last weekend, the soccer sensation admitted paying Charlotte Glover 140pounds for sex.

He had already been dating schoolgirl Coleen for four months at the time.

Coleen, who shares the England star's mansion in Formby, Merseyside, told him their relationship was over and threw her engagement ring into nearby woods.

He has begged for her forgiveness and publicly she has agreed to stand by him.

They have kissed and smiled for pictures but behind the scenes Coleen is barely speaking to her childhood sweetheart.

Rooney is not the first footie star to make up for playing away with expensive gifts.

In April we told how David Beckham splashed out 1million on pink diamonds as a 30th birthday gift for wife Victoria after claims he cheated on her with his personal assistant, Rebecca Loos.

6:20 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Liverpool's in my blood

From PHIL THOMAS in Toronto

MICHAEL OWEN has revealed why he is staying at Liverpool.

England striker Owen, 25, ended months of speculation by committing himself to three more years at Anfield.

And he will formally put pen to paper when the Reds return to England from their pre-season tour of North America.

The cream of Europe had been hovering to swoop - but the hitman admits his love of the Kop club made it IMPOSSIBLE for him to walk away.

He said: "I've been at Liverpool since I was about 11. Liverpool is in my blood and always will be, no matter what I'm doing.

"I certainly don't want to let the club down. I said I'd never walk out and leave them in the lurch - and that still stands. I have a commitment to this club."

Now Owen is hoping the arrival of new boss Rafa Benitez will help catapult the Reds back into English football's elite.

The 59-cap superstar added: "I want to be winning things, I want to be going for the big prizes - that's never been any different from the day I first started.

"I think most people in football are ambitious and I'm no different to any of them. Of course I want to win trophies, that is what it is all about.

"Last year we were quite far away from winning any of the big prizes and we do need to catch up a bit. But, hopefully, now we can close that gap. I'm sure we will be much closer this time.

"It's certainly excellent news for the club to have a manager with Rafa's track record.

"He left a very successful side in Valencia to come here. And there is no doubt that a change of management does spur people on again.

"It means everyone has a fresh, new start.

"And, in a way, everyone sets targets for the season.

"Players not in the team are really working hard to prove they should be in there again and others are trying to make sure they stay in."

Despite all the talk of where his future lay, Owen and his advisors held just FIVE MEETINGS with the Anfield top brass before agreeing to stay on.

All of the talks were based around the club's plans for the future.

Yet, ultimately, the major deciding factor came down to loyalty - and the debt he still feels he owes to the club which set him on the road to superstardom.

Owen added: "I didn't want anything dragging on - it was clear we needed to sort something as soon as possible.

"Everyone was talking about my contract six months before we even had the first meeting so, although it seemed that it has gone on for ages, it isn't that long really."

It remains open to debate as to whether Owen would have been so keen to commit his future to Liverpool had Benitez not arrived this summer.

And the club-record signing of 14million Djibril Cisse, 22, from Auxerre merely proved the icing on the cake.

Owen added: "I have not played alongside him yet but I've seen what Djibril can do in training and there's no doubt he is a very good player.

"He was top scorer in France last year - and you have to be good to do that. Certainly the first signs from him have been very encouraging.

"We are very different kinds of strikers but everyone knows his attributes - he's quick and he can certainly score goals. All in all, he has a very good all-round game.

"With a bit of luck, he will prove what a good player he is in the Premiership and I think his arrival gives us a great mixture of strikers at the club in general."

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

Butt: I want more glory

By ROSS GREGORY

NICKY BUTT roared into Toon insisting he has not given up hope of adding to his medal collection by joining Newcastle.

The England midfielder was unveiled on Tyneside yesterday after penning a 2.5million move from Manchester United.

Butt, 29, won seven Premiership titles during a glittering 13-year career at Old Trafford.

And now he is determined to end the Geordies' depressing 35-year run without a trophy since they lifted the Fairs Cup way back in 1969.

He said: "I'm fit, I'm raring to go and I've not come to Newcastle just to sit on my backside.

"I've come to try and win things with my new club, and I'm confident that can happen.

"I won seven Premiership titles at United and I've not come here thinking my best days are over.

"Newcastle are known throughout the Premiership as a very attacking side. Hopefully I'll be able to offer them something in the way I play."

Butt, who has signed a four-year, 50,000pounds-a-week contract, revealed it was a tough decision to quit United after spending his entire career at Old Trafford.

But he is excited by the prospect of linking up with Bobby Robson's squad and fellow summer signings James Milner and Patrick Kluivert.

He added: "It's a wrench to leave Manchester United after being there for so long.

"But what made it easier was knowing just how much Newcastle wanted me.

"I'm changing from playing alongside Ruud van Nistelrooy and Ryan Giggs to top men like Alan Shearer and Patrick Kluivert.

"I've not got anything to prove, just perhaps to prove to myself that I can carry on well into my late 30s.

"I'm swapping one set of fantastic fans at Old Trafford for supporters I have always considered to be awesome at St James' Park.

"And it will be good to hear them supporting me instead of booing!"

Toon boss Robson is delighted at Butt's arrival - and revealed he is still in the hunt for Portugal’s Euro 2004 full-back Miguel.

Robson said: "We know what we've bought with Nicky. He is experienced and mature and just what the team needs.

"Players like him don't come on the market very often and we're very satisfied to get him. If Alex Ferguson says we've got a bargain, then that's up to him."

Benfica are holding out for more than Toon's current 5million offer for Miguel. Robson added: "We need a new full-back. It's taking longer than I thought but we'll keep at it."

Butt makes his debut in the Newcastle-Gateshead Cup at St James' this weekend. Toon face Rangers today and either Sporting Lisbon or Feyenoord tomorrow.

But defender Jonathan Woodgate will not feature after suffering a recurrence of the thigh problem which ruled him out of Euro 2004.

And goalkeeper Shay Given is also out, suffering an eye infection.

Robson said: "Jonathan had a significant injury when he ruptured his thigh in April, and was told it would take four months to get back.

"He felt a little flutter in training and has gone for a scan as a precaution. We're waiting for the results.

"We have to be careful but we're not over-concerned and hopefully he will be back training on Monday."

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

Fergie all out for title

From NEIL CUSTIS in New York

ALEX FERGUSON wants to beat Arsenal to the Premiership more than he wants the European Cup.

Fergie, here with Manchester United for today's Champions World match against AC Milan, admitted: "It has become such a competitive league now.

"I remember when we started in the European Cup I just kept talking about the European Cup.

"But the rivalries and intensities in the league are so great you're sometimes sidetracked into that.

"The rivalries have become more intense - maybe beating each other is more important than beating teams in Europe. Two out of the top four managers lost their jobs last season because they did not win the league."

Inevitably, United boss Fergie and Arsenal chief Arsene Wenger will be at centre stage - as rivals but never friends.

Ferguson said: "What sets us apart is our teams are successful. That's as good a reason as any.

If we weren't, who's to say what might have happened.

"A lot of what people say about the relationship between us is nonsense and I don't take much notice of it. You don't have time to, because you have to concentrate on what you're doing yourself.

"The thing about Arsene is that he never comes into my office for a drink after the game, but I think that is maybe a European thing."

Fergie finished 15 points behind Arsenal last season, something he does not see happening again.
He said: "You only have to look at how Manchester United have reacted to adversity in the past.
"In seasons after we have not fulfilled expectations we have bounced back."

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

Revolt

By MARK IRWIN

ENGLAND stars insist Mark Palios should be sacked over the Soho Square sex scandal - not Sven Goran Eriksson.

They believe FA chief executive Palios must go because he vowed to clean up football then got caught with his trousers down.

Key members of the Euro 2004 squad reckon the FA probe into the Faria Alam affair is targeting the wrong man.

One England player said: "We want Palios out and not Sven."

Palios, 51, had a fling with secretary Alam, 38, BEFORE coach Eriksson did.

Now the players are in revolt and are demanding to know why Palios has already been cleared by FA chairman Geoff Thompson, while lawyers continue to look for cause to axe Eriksson.

The stars are determined to make their feelings known before next Thursday's emergency board meeting which will decide the Swede's fate.

Palios is unpopular with the players after the way he handled the Rio Ferdinand drug-test row last season.

And he further outraged them when he ordered Alan Smith's removal from the squad.

Striker Smith, then at Leeds, was under investigation for throwing a bottle into the crowd at Elland Road.

Eriksson's troops now want former Tranmere midfielder Palios to get the boot for failing to provide the tough moral lead he promised when taking charge at Soho Square last summer.

The England player added: "After the problems over Rio and Alan Smith and all of his threats towards the players, he now looks a laughing stock."

Eriksson's aces caused outrage last October when they threatened to strike in the run-up to the crunch Euro 2004 qualifier in Turkey.

Now they risk further alienating the public by demanding a say in the 56-year-old boss' future.

David Beckham and Frank Lampard have issued pledges of loyalty to Eriksson, who could be sacked over claims he misled the FA into denying his fling with Alam.

But Eriksson insists he neither confirmed nor denied a relationship.

5:57 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Friday, July 30, 2004

Fergie: I'll play reserve Community side

Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed he will send a weakend team to face Arsenal in the Community Shield on August 8, if they get a Tuesday date for their Champions League qualifier. The draw is being made tomorrow.

'The key game really is what kind of team I have got to play against Arsenal,' the United boss said.

'It depends on whether we get a Tuesday or a Wednesday game in the Champions League. That will be crucial.

'If it is a Tuesday game, I would certainly not play a lot of the first team players in the Arsenal game.

'I would be sure I was protecting the team for Tuesday. A Wednesday game is different.'

Ferguson is praying for the luck of the draw in Switzerland.

'Obviously I hope we qualify. You can get some difficult ties. You can go to Russia, Latvia and places like that.

'We are mindful of the draw we could get and I am also hopeful I will have a stronger squad by that time.

'August 11 is a target day for sharper football, fitter players and a more Manchester United looking-team.'

Ferguson takes his team into their next match, against Milan, without a victory in the ChampionsWorld series.

They went down 2-1 to Celtic at Lincoln Financial Field after losing on penalties to Bayern Munich.

The Scottish giants recovered after losing Alan Thompson to a Chris Eagles challenge, which was described as clumsy by Ferguson.

He said: 'The boy is not great when it comes to tackling. He is more of a footballer.

'It is unfortunate a player gets injured in pre-season matches. It is the last thing you want to see. I know what it is like for us with injured players.

'The boy Thompson is quite an influential player for Celtic.'

Celtic opened the scoring through a Chris Sutton penalty after 18-year-old defender Jonathan Spector was judged to have shoved Stilian Petrov.

The young American ended up getting a tongue lashing from captain Roy Keane.

Ferguson said: 'I am not sure it was a penalty. I thought it was pretty soft.

'Losing the ball to begin with was the worst part really.

'He (Spector) will learn. I would think any young boy playing for United with Roy Keane is the greatest benefit he will ever get in his life.

'If you don't learn from that guy, there is something wrong.
'There is a rough edge to it but that is football.

'You have to learn what the big game is now he is not playing college football in America. He is in the big league now.'

Meanwhile, striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will see a specialist in Sweden on August 7 after suffering a setback from a knee operation.

11:10 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Eagles apologies for Thompson tackle

Manchester United's Chris Eagles has apologised to Alan Thompson after his reckless challenge left the Celtic midfielder fearing a serious injury.

The 18-year-old has earned himself an unwanted reputation with bad tackles on German star Michael Ballack and now the England international in America.

But the talented midfielder held his hands up and admitted that he lost his head because he was charged up with his elevation to the senior side.

Eagles explained: 'I went into the dressing room to make sure he was okay. He seems to be fine and he has just had a few stitches. I was just excited because I have come up from the reserves and I was just recently playing for the under-18s. I went in and I didn't need to do it.

'Afterwards Chris Sutton came up and said `Watch yourself' and the size of him made me feel proper small. You don't think about things because the adrenalin was pumping. If I had pulled out then people would have said I was too soft.'

United skipper Roy Keane exchanged words with Sutton after the incident and he was quick to jump to the youngster's defence in the aftermath.

'Chris has not a bad bone in his body,' said the Republic of Ireland international. 'Maybe that is the problem. I ran over to him when the tackle was made because that is what you do in football - look after each other, especially the young lads.

'I honestly think he tumbled into the tackle and slipped and his foot went over the ball.'

The Old Trafford favourite also denied that he had poached United youngster Liam Miller from Celtic and Scotland-born Aiden McGeady for the Republic of Ireland.

'I honestly had nothing to do with him playing for Ireland,' Keane continued. 'There was talk about me getting Liam Miller here as well and that is just nonsense.

'The first time I met Aiden was at the international match (against Jamaica). I have been up to watch Celtic three or four times and Liam hardly played. The first time I met him was at United and Liam is one of a number of talented players such as the ones that were out on the pitch.

'But it is not just about talent, it is about attitude as well and a desire to win. That is the question you always put against a player.

'If they didn't have talent then they would not be out there and that goes for McGeady and the young lads.'

11:07 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Fergie: It's getting tougher at the top

Sir Alex Ferguson plans to field a strong side against AC Milan tomorrow at the Giants Stadium after admitting that life is getting tougher in the top flight.

England midfielder Paul Scholes and France defender Mikael Silvestre are likely to play their first games in the ChampionsWorld Series.

Roy Keane, Ryan Giggs, Alan Smith as well as Gary and Phil Neville have also been pencilled in for the final match of the tour.

United have a hectic build up to the new season and before the campaign gets underway will play two matches in the Vodafone Cup next week before the Community Shield clash with champions Arsenal.

Then a few days later the club will be involved in a Champions League qualifier.

Ferguson believes good preparation is vital. 'The Premiership is getting harder,' said the United manager.

'There is an accent on stocking up and getting bigger squads, which gives each club a better opportunity to achieve success.

'There are also other factors like tradition. Clubs like Arsenal, Newcastle, Liverpool, Tottenham, Aston Villa have fantastic tradition. You can't write them off.

'They have that burning ambition. It could be a great season next year.'

Ferguson said the club continues to try to move forward.

'The minute me and my staff stand still everyone [at the club] will stand still with us,' he added.

'We have always gone with the attitude to move on, like the moving bus. If you miss the bus, I am sorry we are away.

'We have been as quick as that. We make changes all the time. We are making technical improvements in the club which puts us in the front part of the posse.

'This club is too important to too many people.'

New Jersey-born goalkeeper Tim Howard is expected to face the Italians after a superb first season in England. Ferguson has high hopes for the former MetroStars shot-stopper.

'What we expect this year is a better maturity,' he said. 'The experience of last year without doubt will help him in that respect. Also another factor is he has had a rest, whereas last year came he straight from Major League Soccer and played non-stop right through to February.

'Maybe we should have rested him them rather than waiting until he showed signs of fatigue. He should be fantastic next season.'

England defender Gary Neville added: 'Tim has been excellent. No-one had really heard of him when he came over but nothing fazed him. He was brilliant right the way through the season.

'He looks to have everything to become a great goalkeeper.'

United are still looking for their first win in the series but Ferguson said: 'There are lots of ways of measuring what success is. Sometimes it is not in the result but in your eyes and what you see.'

Certainly he has been delighted with the form of Smith following his £7million move from Leeds.

He scored his first goal for the club in the 2-1 defeat by Celtic in Philadelphia on Wednesday.

Smith is enjoying his new life. 'This club wants winners,' he said. 'People like Roy Keane, Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville demand youngsters coming through the ranks adopt the same winning mentality as them.

'That feeling goes right through the club. That is what has impressed me most. I have fitted in quite well. I have great respect for players who have won so much yet retain the hunger to win even more.

'You see what drives them on - in that aspect the move has lived up to my expectations. As soon as you walk through the doors, you realise why the club has been so successful over the last few years.

'I want to start games - every player would say the same thing. We have a good squad, the manager spoke about resting players for some games, and we all know that will happen if we are to challenge for every trophy.'

11:04 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Man United 1 Celtic 2

ROY KEANE is 'kicking ass' out in the States to make sure Manchester United's new breed of youngsters grow up fast.

Keane gave the teenagers a verbal roasting after this defeat in Philadelphia - the second reverse on their pre-season tour.

He told them it was time to grow up and show some pride or their days as United players would be quickly over.

Keane said: "You have to be tough on these young players sometimes.

"I am not one to put my arm around them. They have to grow up fast and learn fast. They are not just on a trip out here.

"I have told them they have to get in the habit of winning and show some pride and I hope they have taken that on board.

"That is the sort of thing Bryan Robson told me when I first came to this club.

"We have lost both our games so far and I don't want us going home with a third defeat when we play AC Milan on Saturday."

Alex Ferguson has blooded teenagers like Chris Eagles, Phil Bardsley, David Jones, Jonathan Spector and Kieran Richardson while the squad has been out here. And the United boss believes they could have no better mentor than Keano, no matter how tough it might be at times.

Ferguson said: "I think any young boy who aspires to play for Manchester United cannot gain greater benefit than playing with Roy Keane.

"It is like going to the Sorbonne finishing school.

"If you do not learn from that guy then there is something wrong.

"Sometimes there can be a rough edge to it but that's football."

Keane could be seen raging at some of the youngsters throughout the game.

One of them, Eagles, found himself at the centre of controversy early on in the clash with Celtic.

Eagles' heavy challenge on Alan Thompson saw the Celtic player taken off on a stretcher with a cut ankle and now he will miss the start of the new season.

Chris Sutton was quick with his retribution on Eagles with a heavy challenge of his own.

Eagles said: "There was certainly nothing intentional on my part. But Sutton did come up to me after the challenge and warned me."

While United might have lost their second game after going down on penalties to Bayern Munich in the first, at least Alan Smith got off the mark in the 2-1 defeat.

But United went down to a Sutton penalty and a Craig Beattie winner. Smith used all his power to get to a far-post cross and force a header home.

Captain Keane believes, despite some misgivings people might have about Smith's goals record, the former Leeds man will thrive on the service United will provide him.

Keane said: "Alan will bring a competitive edge to us up front but obviously we will look to him to get goals.

"I remember when Dwight Yorke came, people said he was not an out-and-out goalscorer but he proved them wrong.

"I think Alan will thrive on the service we can provide him.

"The evidence of what he can do we saw in the goal he got against us at Old Trafford last season which dealt a big blow to our title hopes."

Ferguson will fly out both Paul Scholes and Mikael Silvestre for the final game of the tour tomorrow against Milan in New York.

He had hoped to bring out both Ruud van Nistelrooy and Louis Saha but they are carrying knocks.

United had come under pressure from organisers Champions World to play stronger teams with more recognised names after a poor opening match against Bayern in Chicago.

11:44 AM
t.r.a.c.y

Beckham offers support to Eriksson

By Fred Varcoe

TOKYO (Reuters) - David Beckham has given his support to under-pressure England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson.

The Swede's future is in doubt after an affair with a Football Association secretary but England captain Beckham said on Thursday: "As far as I'm concerned he's been a great man to me and a great man to the rest of the (England) players.

"Every one of the players respects him as a manager and what he's done for the team and what he's done for the country."

Speaking after his club Real Madrid beat J-League team JEF United Ichihara 3-1 in Tokyo on Thursday, Beckham was asked for his opinion of his manager's current problems.

"That's for other people to decide, but as far as I'm concerned, he's a great England manager.

I've enjoyed working with him and hopefully I can carry on working with him."

Beckham is no stranger to media intrusion himself, though, and he added a note of realism to his comments, saying: "At the end of the day we love playing under him and if people decide otherwise then so be it.

"But my comments and I know the rest of the players' comments will be that he's a great manager and we love working with him.

"But we'll have to see. There's always going to be criticism and sometimes you have to take the rough with the smooth, and when you come through it you're a stronger person.

"But that's how our country is. I've said it before, you come through some tough stages in your life and career, it makes you a stronger person."

HUMID CONDITIONS

Beckham said he had not spoken to Eriksson since his vacation.

"I spoke to him when I was on holiday, but that was it."

After the game with JEF in hot and humid conditions, Beckham deflected criticism of Real Madrid's tough schedule on their tour to Japan by saying it was good preparation for the upcoming season.

"As I said, it's good to come to Japan not because of the fans, the way they are to me and all the players, but (because) the climate is very tough and to have a good workout like that in this climate is good for the players."

As for Japan, he said he wouldn't rule out playing there toward the end of his career: "Maybe. You never know. At the end of my career, you never know what might happen.

"I never say never, but I'm a Real Madrid player and I enjoy playing for this team and in the country (Spain), so we'll see."

Real Madrid will play Ossie Ardiles's Tokyo Verdy 1969 on Sunday before heading back to Spain on Monday.

11:27 AM
t.r.a.c.y

Beckham: We back Eriksson

By ERIC BEAUCHAMP in Tokyo

DAVID BECKHAM last night warned the FA they risk alienating the players if they carry out their threat to sack Sven Goran Eriksson.

England skipper Becks gave his total backing to the beleaguered Swede from the other side of the world.

And he insisted he was speaking on behalf of EVERY member of Eriksson's squad.

Beckham said: "As far as I am concerned, Sven Goran Eriksson has been a great man to me and to the rest of the players.

"Every one of us respects him as a manager, what he does for the team and for the country.

"I am saying this from my position as team captain and I'm sure I speak for the rest of the players when I say this.

"He is one of the best managers in the world and we all love working with him.

"He is a great England manager. I've enjoyed working with him and I hope to carry on working with him next season."

Beckham was a key figure in the threatened player revolt before last year's Euro 2004 qualifier in Turkey.

And he has not forgotten how Eriksson backed his troops' strike call over the order to axe Rio Ferdinand for missing a drugs test.

Becks also recalls the personal backing he received from the 56-year-old Swede when he was at the centre of his own media storm following revelations of an alleged affair with Rebecca Loos.

Now the boot is on the other foot and it is Eriksson who needs an ally. And Beckham is only too happy to provide that support.

The Real Madrid midfielder said: "We spoke when I was on holiday after Euro 2004 but we've not had a chance to talk since because I've been working hard."

Speaking to SunSport from his club's pre-season tour of Japan, Beckham insists Eriksson should be judged solely on results, NOT his private life.

Becks added: "That's how I see it but, unfortunately, that's for other people to decide.

"The team loves playing under Sven but it is not the players who decide. We will just have to wait and see what happens."

Beckham knows anyone connected with the England squad will be subjected to intrusion into their private life.

That is the price they must pay for the celebrity lifestyle.

Beckham, 29, said: "There is always going to be criticism and you have to take the rough with the smooth. That's how it is.

"I've said this before but because football and the England team are so high-profile there are bound to be tough times in your career.

"There are hard stages in your life and they make you a stronger person. That's what happened to me and that's what will happen to Mr Eriksson.

"But when you come through it you are a stronger person."

Eriksson has been lying low since the news of his affair with Faria Alam surfaced last week.

He will flee his Swedish bolt-hole today when he flies to Amsterdam to watch Arsenal's pre-season clash with River Plate.

But he insists he will not be adding to last night's defiant statement in which he all but declared himself to be unsackable.

He has already pulled out of a scheduled Press briefing at Newcastle next Wednesday to promote England's upcoming friendly against the Ukraine.

Yet he has no doubts he will still be in charge for that August 18 fixture - even though he will NOT attend next week's FA board meeting which will decide his fate.

And his survival prospects have been boosted by the verdict of a leading expert on contractual law, who claims Eriksson's Human Rights have been infringed by the FA. The coach has maintained an absolute silence about his private life throughout his four-year reign as England boss.

And the FA could now be sued for unfair dismissal just for asking him whether he had an affair with fellow Soho Square employee Alam.

Roger Welch, a senior lecturer in sports law, said: "The FA could argue the affair itself was gross misconduct.

"But that would apply only if there was a clause in Eriksson's contract expressly forbidding him to enter a relationship with an employee of that organisation. That seems unlikely, given it has been established that Mark Palios, the chief executive of the organisation, had a similar relationship with the same woman.

"Instead, it appears they are trying to establish whether Sven lied in response to a direct question about the relationship.

"But under Article 8 of the Human Rights Act they were not actually entitled to ask that.

"Eriksson is perfectly entitled not to answer the question.

"Even if his answer was incorrect, he cannot be held responsible because the question should not have been posed.

"So if the FA do decide to sack him, I can't see any way the case would not end up in court."

11:25 AM
t.r.a.c.y

Eriksson: Sack me if you dare

By MARK IRWIN

SVEN GORAN ERIKSSON has declared all-out war on the FA and defiantly told his furious bosses: Sack me if you dare.

The England chief came out fighting as he broke his 10-day silence over the sex scandal threatening his job.

And the simmering Swede says he is innocent of all charges ahead of next week's emergency FA board meeting to investigate his affair with secretary Faria Alam.

His attack came on the day England skipper David Beckham gave his total backing to the under-siege coach. Now FA chiefs must decide whether to axe Eriksson, even though it could cost them 14million.

Eriksson, reeling from accusations that he deliberately misled FA lawyers into denying his affair with Alam, finally blew his lid last night.

In a strongly worded statement he defiantly declared: "I wish to state unequivocally that I have at no time either categorically confirmed or denied any relationship with Ms Faria Alam.

"Moreoever, neither I nor my advisors had any prior knowledge whatsoever of the statements authorised by the FA on behalf of Ms Alam.

"Nor were either myself or my advisors consulted in any way about the contents of either statement.

"I therefore welcome the opportunity to discuss these matters with the Football Association next week and I look forward thereafter to our qualification campaign for the 2006 World Cup.

"I will make no further comment until such time as the FA's enquiry has been concluded."

Eriksson's claims came as a bolt out of the blue to FA bosses, who had no input to the statement and were made aware of its contents only moments before it was released by the Swede's advisors.

Soho chiefs are particularly intrigued by his claim that he did not 'categorically' deny the affair.

And his exact response to the FA's initial probe a week last Monday will now prove central to the independent legal enquiry.

Eriksson's statement has been described as a kick in the teeth for FA executive director David Davies.

It was he who asked his close friend Eriksson about the truth of reports of an affair with Alam.

Davies will meet the enquiry lawyers today to give his version of events.

And if there is any discrepancy between his story and Eriksson's claims, Sven could still find himself on the scrapheap next week.

Yet he clearly feels he is now unsackable - and the backing of Becks and Co further strengthens his survival prospects.

He still has two years of his 4million-a-year contract to run, with the option of a further two years.

It seems likely he cannot be dismissed for gross misconduct so Eriksson would demand a 14million pay-off the FA vote to sack him next week.

11:25 AM
t.r.a.c.y

Defiant Eriksson comes out fighting

Defiant England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson went on the offensive tonight by insisting he is relishing the chance to tackle the Football Association about the inquiry they launched into his affair with secretary Faria Alam.

And Eriksson is so confident that he will survive the outcome of that 12-man FA board inquiry next Thursday that he adds he is relishing the England 2006 World Cup qualifying campaign that follows.

The FA launched their inquiry after being forced to make an embarrassing U-turn.

Having issued a denial to allegations about an affair between Eriksson and Alam they had, in the wake of newspaper revelations, to admit there had been a relationship between Alam and Eriksson and between Alam and FA chief executive Mark Palios.

But the Swede is clearly angered by the FA's intrusion into his private life and came out fighting tonight with the following statement.
'It is my policy never to comment on my private life. This policy has always been fully understood and accepted by my employers, the Football Association.
'However, I have been so distressed by recent inaccurate comment and speculation about my professional integrity that I feel I must now make the following statement.
'With regard to the Football Association's forthcoming enquiry announced on July 27 into `the circumstances which led to the FA issuing legal statements based on misleading information', I wish to state unequivocally that in keeping with the above policy I have at no time either categorically confirmed or denied any relationship with Ms Faria Alam.
'Moreover neither I nor my advisors had any prior knowledge whatsoever of the statement authorised by the Football Association on behalf of Ms Alam on Monday, July 19, nor of the press release issued by the Football Association on Saturday July 24, nor were either myself or my advisors consulted in any way about the contents of either statement.
'I therefore welcome the opportunity to discuss these matters with the Football Association next week, and I look forward thereafter to our qualification campaign for the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
'I will be making no further comment on these matters until such time as the Football Association's enquiry has been concluded.'

Earlier the FA had announced the cancellation of Eriksson's scheduled press conference looking ahead to England's friendly with the Ukraine on August 18.

Eriksson was due to meet the media to discuss his plans for the game in Newcastle next Wednesday - a day before the FA board are due to meet to discuss their inquiry.

The FA have also called off the press conference for England Under-21 coach Peter Taylor at Middlesbrough on Tuesday.

FA chairman Geoff Thompson launched an urgent inquiry into how the governing body came to issue a denial of an affair between Eriksson and Alam - only to have to admit there had been one days later.

Meanwhile, according to an expert on contractual law in sport, the FA will need to brace themselves for a costly and lengthy legal battle if they attempt to sack Eriksson next Thursday.

Roger Welch, a senior lecturer at the University of Portsmouth and an expert in sports law, believes Eriksson would almost certainly succeed in any battle for compensation should he opt to seek it.

He points out that under article eight of the Human Rights Act, the FA have no right to ask the Swede about any aspect of his personal life, whether he lied in response or not.

'The FA could argue that the affair itself was gross misconduct, but that would only apply if there was a clause in Eriksson's contract expressly forbidding him to enter a relationship with an employee of that organisation,' said Welch.

'That seems unlikely given it has also been established that the chief executive (Mark Palios) of the organisation had a similar relationship with the same woman.

'Instead, it appears they are trying to establish whether he lied in response to a direct question about the relationship, which under Article 8 of the Human Rights Act, they were not actually entitled to ask.

'While most employers are not directly bound by European Convention, the courts are obliged to apply the law.

'So, if the FA did decide to sack him, I can't see any way the case would not end up in court because Eriksson has either refused to answer the question, which he is perfectly entitled to do, and therefore cannot be held responsible for the statement that was released, or he has given an incorrect answer to a question that shouldn't have been asked.

'Clearly that would cause more problems than if he had given an accurate response but the fact still stands that any organisation is not legally allowed to pry into the private matters of their employees.'

Throughout his four years in charge of the national side, Eriksson has maintained an absolute silence - to both the public and his employers - about his personal life, including his high-profile relationship with TV presenter Ulrika Jonsson.

1:34 AM
t.r.a.c.y

Thursday, July 29, 2004

Butt seals Newcastle switch

By Rob Stewart

NEWCASTLE (Reuters) - Newcastle United have completed the signing of England midfielder Nicky Butt on a four-year deal from Manchester United, says the premier league club.

The transfer ends the 29-year-old's long association with Manchester United, where he started as a trainee in 1991 and went on to win six English league titles, two FA Cups and the 1999 European Cup.

The fee has not been disclosed but media reports suggest it is in the region of 2.5 million pounds.

"Nicky Butt has officially completed his transfer from Manchester United this morning," a Newcastle spokesman said on Thursday.

"The player has signed a four-year contract and has been given squad number four for the 2004/05 season."

Butt slipped down the midfield pecking order at Old Trafford last season and the last of his 387 appearances for United came as a late substitute in the FA Cup final victory against Millwall at the Millennium Stadium in May.

A holding midfielder, Butt nevertheless found the net 26 times for United.

Butt, whose hopes of representing England at Euro 2004 were scuppered by injury, has played 35 times for his country and Pele described him as the best player of the 2002 World Cup finals in South Korea and Japan.

He could make his Newcastle debut against Rangers in a pre-season tournament at St James' Park this Saturday alongside fellow new signing Patrick Kluivert.

10:36 PM
t.r.a.c.y

REDS TO DELAY ROO BID

From David Mcdonnell

MANCHESTER UNITED have pulled out of the race to sign Wayne Rooney this summer because they feel Everton's 30million asking price is totally unrealistic.

Rooney remains top of Sir Alex Ferguson's wanted list but Old Trafford chiefs are prepared to wait until Everton drop their price for the England striker.

United are likely to launch their first official bid for Rooney in next January's transfer window, with an offer in the region of 20million to test Everton's resolve.

Fergie has met with the Old Trafford board to discuss the move for Rooney and the club have decided they will not be held to ransom. United have put a maximum 20million valuation on England's Euro 2004 hero and are not prepared to meet the inflated asking price Everton have quoted.

Fergie is determined to win the race to capture Rooney but there are cash restraints on the United boss's spending imposed by the club's plc board.

Sanctioning a bid of more than 20million would provoke a backlash from shareholders.

10:35 PM
t.r.a.c.y

SAVE THIS BORE TOUR

Four stars will fly 3,500 miles to play half an hour of football simply to 'rescue the reputation of United'

David Mcdonnell reports from Philadelphia

SIR ALEX FERGUSON is flying four of his biggest stars out to New York in a desperate bid to save Manchester United's pre-season tour and their reputation in America.

United were booed off the pitch in their opening game in Chicago for playing a host of unknown youngsters in the dreadful 0-0 draw with Bayern Munich.

Tour organisers have pressured Fergie to fly out Ruud van Nistelrooy, Louis Saha, Paul Scholes and Mikael Silvestre for the last game to avoid the 12-day event becoming a complete flop.

Fergie had wanted to leave all four at home following their exploits at Euro 2004 but the fierce criticism from the American public and media has forced United's hand.

It means the quartet will make the 3,500 mile, six-and-a-half hour flight from Manchester to New York to play just half an hour of United's final game against AC Milan on Saturday.

Fergie said: "I feel for the American fans and the people who have come to watch the games, that we have brought so many young lads with us.

"They are entitled to see the best Manchester United players and it's hard for them to understand the difficulties I have in presenting that to them."I would dearly love to have all my best players here now, as I did last year.

"We want to field as strong a side as we possibly can for the next two matches. I don't want to be disappointing anyone here in the United States.

"So I'm very conscious of what we have to do in the next few days in terms of getting the big names over here for the final game in New York. The players who come over will probably only play for half an hour. You may say that's a waste of time for them to come over one day and then go back the next.

"But they will fly first class, it's only a six-and-a-half hour journey, and it may be worth all of that for our reputation over here."

The four players United are flying out have been in training all week at the club's Carrington training ground and are likely to arrive in New York on Friday. Fergie added: "I'm looking at bringing out van Nistelrooy, Saha, Silvestre and Scholes. We are constantly in touch with our fitness coach to monitor how they are doing.

"There's been a lot of criticism of the team we put out and I wish I could have put out a better side but there was just no way I could do it.

"I read one American journalist say he'd rather sit at home and watch his kids play than our game with Bayern.

"Well I was actually quite pleased with the young players I played. But the people here want to see the stars, and that's something I now realise. We don't want them to think we're being blase about having 72,000 people come to see us in New York. We don't want them to think we're taking that support for granted.

"When I say the players will play just half an hour, it will be in the second half when the tempo of the game drops."

10:33 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Armstrong tributes pour in

President Bush led the praise for six-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong by calling his fellow Texan's efforts "awesome".

The President phoned Armstrong moments after he had wrapped up his sixth-straight overall win in Paris.

Fellow American Tyler Hamilton was also quick to hail Armstrong's achievements, saying his feat would never be matched.

"To win six Tours in a row is truly incredible - I don't think anyone will do it again," said Hamilton.

Armstrong netted his historic sixth victory by more than six minutes from second-placed rider Andreas Kloden.

Tour de France director Jean-Marie Leblanc also paid homage to Armstrong, but said he was not unbeatable.

"He's the only one to have won it six times," said Leblanc.

"He won stages of all kinds, time trials, mountain stages - he's an accomplished champion but he's not invincible."

King of the Mountains winner Richard Virenque, who once finished second to Armstrong overall, admitted he had changed his tactics because of the American.

"When I saw the way Lance started winning the Tour, I knew it was useless going for overall victory," he said.

"I went back to chasing the King of the Mountains jersey - and I'm glad I did."

Third-placed finisher Ivan Basso paid his own tribute to Armstrong but vowed to win the event one day.

"Armstrong was impressive. He won every stage he could in the mountains and the time trials, showing yet again he is the best rider in the world," the Italian said.

"But one of the reasons I'm happy with my Tour was that I was the only rider to stay with him in the first two weeks and was even a little bit stronger than him in the Pyrenees.

"I have seven or eight Tours de France ahead of me. I know I will win it one day."

2:56 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Celtic beat Man Utd

Craig Beattie scored the winner as Celtic beat Manchester United 2-1 in the Champions World Series.

Chris Sutton had given Celtic an early lead with a penalty after Jonathan Spector fouled Stilian Petrov.

Alan Smith equalised with a header from a corner before 20-year-old Beattie's winner after Roy Keane lost possession.

But Celtic's evening had already been sullied when Alan Thompson was stretchered off after a heavy challenge from Chris Eagles.

The Celtic players reacted angrily to the challenge and Thompson appeared to be in some distress as he was taken from the field.

Thompson was playing his first match of the tour - Celtic had previously lost to Chelsea and Liverpool - after being troubled by a calf injury.

Celtic manager Martin O'Neill flew in only a few hours before the match in Philadelphia and named a strong team.

United brought back goalkeeper Tim Howard as well as the Neville brothers, Gary and Phil, after losing on penalties to Bayern Munich on Sunday.

After Celtic took the lead through Sutton, United responded strongly.

Kieron Richardson headed wide from close range and Eric Djemba-Djemba shot over from close range.

United equalised after 35 minutes through Smith and the former Leeds striker should have added a second for United in the 50th minute but lofted a shot over the bar.

Celtic's winner came after 71 minutes, with Beattie beating Howard from a tight angle.

United substitute Diego Forlan found himself clear but a poor first touch allowed keeper Magnus Hedman the chance to collect the ball.

Phil Bardsley could have put United level on the stroke of full time but hooked the ball over from a good position.

After the game O'Neill revealed that Thompson could miss the start of the season but that his injury is not too serious.

"Alan has a stud mark," said O'Neill. "Roddy Macdonald (the doctor) cleaned out the the wound and he thinks it might take a little bit of time to heal up.

"It was a blow considering the season is only 10 days away and that appears to be too early for him."

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson paid tribute to summer signing Smith's contribution.

"He has great confidence and that is impressive," he said. "He could have got four goals in this game, not one."

Ferguson added: "This game had a quicker competitive edge to it than the one against Bayern Munich.

"We played some intelligent football and we got some of our key players back, which was important."

2:55 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Wednesday, July 28, 2004

Neville will miss Butt

Gary Neville has first-hand knowledge that football can be a risky and ever-changing business.

While the Manchester United right-back has secured a new five-year deal, close friend Nicky Butt is heading for the Old Trafford exit door.

Butt is expected at Newcastle today after the clubs agreed a fee - believed to be 2.5million - for the 29-year-old England midfielder. He is due to finalise personal terms and take a medical at St James' Park.

Neville said: 'Nicky and I have become the best of friends over the years.

'Some players do move on and you wish them all the best. But it is particularly difficult when you have become close to someone.

'Nicky has joined a big club and I am sure he will do well.'

On a deal that takes him to 2009, Neville said: ' Obviously I am honoured that I was able to sign a new contract.

'But I am conscious of the fact it will only last as long as I perform.

'Hopefully if all goes well I can see out those five years.

'But the first target is to try and win the title again.

'I always feel positive and it is a really great challenge for us this season to go and try and win trophies.

'I think the squad is strong and we will be in better shape in certain terms then we were last year.'

Butt, however, found himself down the pecking order last season after 15 years with the club.

He wanted more first-team games but Ferguson could not offer any guarantees.

The Old Trafford boss believes Newcastle have got real value for money.

'Nicky will be a great signing for them,' said the Old Trafford boss. 'He has been a fantastic performer for our club.

'They have got a bargain, really, as far as I am concerned. I hope he goes on and enjoys many great years.'

Ferguson revealed they decided at the end of last season that Butt could move on if the deal was right.

He said: 'We had a difficulty in me not picking him and Nicky accepting that situation.
'He wanted more appearances than I could possibly promise him.

'Young players like Darren Fletcher are breaking through. Then there are others in that role like Djemba-Djemba, Kleberson, Scholes and not forgetting Phil Neville.

'The common sense verdict was to let him get on with another career and we wish him well.'

Butt joined United as a 14-year-old and Ferguson said: 'Nicky is the same today as he was then.

His attitude and character has never changed.'

Ferguson intends to reinstate goalkeeper Tim Howard against Celtic tonight in the ChampionsWorld Series match.

He initially intended to name Ricardo but has had a change of heart after being stung by criticism for the team he put out against Bayern Munich on Sunday.

Only Roy Keane who started had made more than 35 appearances for United.

Ferguson said: 'I think I will play Tim Howard and leave Ricardo until the Vodafone tournament (at Old Trafford next month).

'We want to show that we are taking these games seriously despite what some people may think.'

Old Trafford captain Keane, Ryan Giggs as well as the Neville brothers are all expected to play at Lincoln Financial Field.

Ferguson expects it to be fairly competitive against their Scottish rivals.

'It is always quite an emotional game,' he said. 'Celtic have wonderful support that is inspirational to them and they never play friendlies.

'They are fully committed matches and Celtic will have a go at us.'

9:33 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Smith revels in return to the front line

Alan Smith is back playing in the front line after a three-year absence and he could not feel more at home.

The 7million Manchester United recruit is determined to make the most of his stay after leaving his hometown club Leeds.

Smith made his bow yesterday in the penalty shoot-out defeat by Bayern Munich at Soldier Field in the ChampionsWorld series.

Even though he missed a spot-kick it could not disguise an impressive performance by the 23-year-old striker.

Smith said: 'I definitely prefer playing up front. I haven't played there much for two or three years now.

'When you are a kid at 18 and 19 learning to play new positions it does hinder you but I was quite willing to do that for Leeds.

'They were a club who needed different players in different situations and I was willing to do it.

'But the manager (Sir Alex Ferguson) has said I am going to play up front.

'When you come to a club of this stature then they have enough midfield players to fill two teams so they won't need a striker playing in midfield out of position.'

Ferguson was pleased with Smith's performance.

'Our expectations for him are high,' said the Old Trafford boss. 'There are some players who have natural enthusiasm, which is never lost on you when you see that enthusiasm.

'He is self-motivated, which is great and has great determination. He knows where he is going in life and that pleases me.

'People like that generally do well, no matter what they do. So I am excited and very impressed with the boy.

'I thought he did exceptionally well during a difficult period for Leeds. The boy really carried the banner for them. For a 23-year-old lad to do that, it takes a lot.'

Next to Roy Keane, Smith was the most experienced player in the United side.

He said: 'The gaffer gave me a bit of responsibility because of playing the young lads. Once you step over the white line it is like playing for anybody else.

'When you have a lot of young lads it was important defensively that we had a solid line across the middle. We had five in there at times.

'It didn't feel strange at all. I have been here a couple of weeks now. I have got to know the players in training but I think you get to know them even better in a game situation.

'We are just looking for fitness. Your touch and positional play will get better.

'By the time the Community Shield and the Champions League qualifier comes around everyone will have their pre-season training under their belt.

'My touch was good. I enjoyed my performance and can't wait for the next one.'

There were other positives for Ferguson, who fielded a side full of fringe players in the absence of Ruud van Nistelrooy, Cristiano Ronaldo, Louis Saha, Paul Scholes, Mikael Silvestre and Diego Forlan. They have all missed the tour as they are resting up.

Keane, playing as a sweeper, was the only one in the starting line-up, who had started more than 35 games for United.

Phil Bardsley, Bojan Djordic, Chris Eagles, Paul McShane, Jonathan Spector and Keiran Richardson were all included.

Keane said: 'Only time will tell with these young lads. But if they are good enough at United they are given a chance.

'We have a lot of young players with a lot of talent. But it is not just about talent, it is about becoming good characters and being determined to do well.

'When you come back pre-season it is always exciting. They should be loving every minute of it and I am sure they are.'

9:32 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Fergie reveals December rest plans

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is planning to rest a number of his squad in December.

Players who appeared in Euro 2004 are likely to stand down at different times for two weeks to recharge their batteries.

That would see United deprived of Ruud van Nistelrooy, Cristiano Ronaldo, Louis Saha, Mikael Silvestre and the Neville brothers, Gary and Phil, for a short spell.

Ferguson believes giving them breaks could benefit the club long term in his bid to re-take the high ground from Arsenal and Chelsea.

He said: 'I will give them two weeks rest during the season at different periods.

'These players will have been involved in Euro 2004, so the month of December looks like the month to do that.'

Captain Roy Keane, however, is determined to feature in as many games as possible.

Losing the title to Arsenal and going out of the Champions League to Porto still hurts the Republic of Ireland midfielder.

'After a setback we tend to respond quite well,' he said. 'It is dangerous, though, to look too far ahead.

'As a player you are looking to improve all the time. We didn't quite produce last year.

'We have got new players like Alan Smith and Liam Miller who are hopefully going to be hungry.

We've also got one or two coming through the youth system.

'We have a lot of young players and a lot of competition for places.
'It is a great challenge for me and I want to play as many games as I can and get us back to the top where I feel we belong.
'Every year when we come back pre-season I feel we will be in with a shout.

'But it is not about Roy Keane winning the European Cup. It is about Manchester United winning the European Cup.

'There is such a fine line and you do need a bit of luck.'

Ferguson may be tempted to give defender Jonathan Spector another run-out tomorrow against Celtic after his impressive show in the penalty shoot-out defeat by Bayern Munich.

The 18-year-old was not fazed by playing in his hometown of Chicago.

On Spector's strengths, Ferguson said: 'He spots danger very well for a young lad. He is very quick and is a good athlete.

'He has only been with us nine months but in that time he has made great strides. He had a good season last year and ended up playing in the reserve team.

'He played in a variety of roles so he has had good experience of English football in his first season.'

United are due to have training session at Lincoln Financial Field tonight ahead of their second ChampionsWorld Series match.

They have returned to Philadelphia and taken up residence again at the NovaCare Complex, the home of gridiron side Philadelphia Eagles.

Ferguson said: 'We think we have a wonderful set up at Carrington but this place is something else.'

9:28 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Tuesday, July 27, 2004

FA fall in with FIFA guidelines

Players sent off in the Premiership next season will begin their suspension immediately under a new disciplinary code unveiled by the Football Association.

Under the new code, which will be implemented as a pilot scheme for next season in the Premier League, Football League and Conference, suspensions will come into effect immediately following a red card, bringing this country in line with FIFA regulations.

However, there will be the possibility of clubs making a claim for wrongful dismissal or mistaken identity against their players, which must be made to the FA by 12 noon the next working day after the game in which the red card was issued.

All claims will be dealt within four to five working days of a fixture.

There is also a new procedure for on-field incidents not seen by match officials but which are caught on video.

If there is a case to answer charges will be issued within two working days, along with an offer of a punishment which will mirror that which the player would have received had he been sent off by the referee.

Former West Brom player Brendon Batson, project manager for the FA's new disciplinary code, said: 'One thing we were mindful of was the FIFA directive, and so we have put in place particularly a fast-track procedure for incidents on and around the field.

'The main objective was to improve the speed and clarity, with a sense of fairness. We wanted to ensure players had a right of appeal if an injustice appeared to have been done.

'The pilot scheme will be monitored throughout next season and there will be a review to see how things have worked.'

In a written statement, FA chief executive Mark Palios commented: 'When I first came into this job, I consulted with people at all levels of the game about what issues needed to be addressed and the top priority was always improving the disciplinary the system.

'This is the most far-reaching review of disciplinary procedures since the mid-1990s.

'We have aimed to improve both the speed and the clarity of our processes, while maintaining the central principle of fairness. The system is now in place and we need everyone to play their part in making it work.'

The new procedures were also welcomed by the players' union, the Professional Footballers' Association.

'We are extremely pleased with the co-operation we have had from the FA and the other involved parties after some problems encountered last season,' said PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor.

'The review has resulted in a new system with improved transparency, efficiency and speed which applies to both on-field and off-field discipline.

'We are very pleased with the outcome of the review and hope that we will see its fruits during the coming season.'

10:01 PM
t.r.a.c.y

I STILL LOVE ROO

By Steve Mccomish

WAYNE Rooney's fiancee kissed him goodbye yesterday, quashing rumours the couple have split.

Coleen McLoughlin was said to have dumped Wayne after he allegedly paid a prostitute for sex.

But though Coleen, 18, felt betrayed she still wanted to show she had forgiven her man. When Wayne left her parents' home at Croxteth, Liverpool, after spending Sunday night there she ran after him with a coat to protect him from the rain.

Then the pair, who have dated since they were both at school, kissed tenderly before Wayne drove off with his agent Paul Stretford.

Coleen's mother Colette said: "It's rubbish that they've split up." A source added: "They're as much in love as they've always been."

England star Wayne, 18, was on his way to physio. Later Coleen joined him at home in Formby, Merseyside.

9:40 PM
t.r.a.c.y

EXCLUSIVE

You've made me feel dirty

By MARTEL MAXWELLand GUY PATRICK

THE fiancee of cheating soccer star Wayne Rooney threw away her 25,000pounds engagement ring as she walked out on him over his vice girl shame.

The diamond sparkler may be lost forever because raging Coleen McLoughlin, 18, hurled it into a densely-wooded SQUIRREL sanctuary near the pair's home in Formby, Merseyside.

Sobbing Coleen stormed out on sex scandal soccer star Rooney after telling him: "You've made me feel dirty."

And as the couple rowed over Rooney's seedy romp with a hooker, disgusted Coleen yelled: "F*** you. I'm off."

She told the England hero their relationship was dead in the water.

Then she bolted from their 1million mansion and ran a quarter of a mile through the night towards a National Trust red squirrel sanctuary.

Coleen tore off her diamond and platinum engagement ring, which she proudly displayed on the couple's recent holiday in New York. And she hurled it as hard as she could into the dense woodland.

Everton striker Rooney gave chase but was unable to stop her ditching the sparkler.

A friend of the pair said: "The squirrel sanctuary is full of trees and bushes. It will be a nightmare to find the ring.

"Wayne was gutted. He designed the ring himself and was so proud of it."

More details of the couple's furious bust-up emerged as they tried to keep up appearances yesterday by staging a sham kiss outside the home of Coleen's parents.

One of Rooney's aides advised the teenager to give the player a peck for the cameras as he set off for Everton's training ground - wearing flip-flops AND socks.

A source close to the pair, who were due to wed next summer, said: "It was suggested that Coleen should kiss Wayne. But it's all a pantomime. She is deeply upset."

Coleen learned of Rooney's sordid two-timing on Saturday night as a Sunday newspaper prepared to reveal how he had sex in a dingy bathroom with 140pounds-a-trick tart Charlotte Glover, 21.

The romp happened in December 2002, four months after the star and Coleen became an item.

The couple's friend said appalled Coleen "totally lost it".

The pal added: "She was screaming at the top of her voice and suddenly sprinted out of their house.

"When she got to the squirrel sanctuary she lobbed her engagement ring as far as she could.

"She wanted to teach Wayne a lesson - show him she was serious about ending their relationship."

Coleen - who would be entitled to half the 1million mansion in the event of a permanent split, as it was bought in joint names - later fled to her parents' house in Croxteth. Euro 2004 hero Rooney followed her there on Sunday - and begged her to forgive him.

The source said: "He apologised profusely to her mum and dad, then spent more than four hours pleading with Coleen to take him back.

She was sobbing uncontrollably and having none of it. He told her over and over that it happened nearly two years ago and he has grown up since.

"But Coleen feels totally humiliated. She's not with Wayne for his money - she was his girlfriend long before he became a rich footballer."

The source added: "In the past Wayne has turned up at home with knickers in his pocket. When Coleen has asked him for an explanation, he has said that girls in clubs put them there to get him in trouble.

"All this was dragged up again - and Coleen finally made Wayne promise three times that no more sordid allegations would come out.

"She said that if he ever went near a prostitute again, that would be it - end of story.

"They talked until the early hours and Wayne stayed the night in the house. But he and Coleen didn't share the same bed. He was on the couch."

After their "kiss" yesterday, Coleen popped out to a Liverpool store to buy a new DOG BASKET.

Hooker Charlotte, who has been sacked by Liverpool-based escort agency La Femme, has fled to Benidorm in Spain.

The teenage couple's pal said: "It's just as well she has run off. Coleen's so angry there's no telling what she'd do if she found her."

Rooney was due to fly to Texas yesterday to join Everton's squad at a pre-season training camp.
But he cancelled his flight in a desperate bid to hang on to Coleen.

A spokesman for the player insisted: "They are together."

Glum Rooney did manage to cheer himself up a tad last night by taking delivery of a 50,000pounds Cadillac Escalade. The huge 4x4 is like one which he took a shine to during the New York trip.

9:39 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Monday, July 26, 2004

Beckham shines on his return to Lisbon

England captain David Beckham enjoyed a happier return to Lisbon's Estadio da Luz last night as Real Madrid drew 2-2 with Benfica as part of the Portuguese giants' centenary celebrations.

Barely a month and a half after he skied his penalty into the crowd, as England crashed out of Euro 2004 at the stadium, Beckham showed glimpses of his best form before making way at half-time as new Real Madrid coach Jose Antonio Camacho made a host of changes.

Although they slipped a goal down after only a minute when Benfica midfielder Zlatko Zahovic fired home from the edge of the area, the Spanish giants quickly picked themselves up.

Beckham was playing in central midfield, as he had done last season, but it was a perfectly-flighted ball from the right wing which helped Ronaldo level the scores barely two minutes later.

Beckham could have put Madrid ahead on the five-minute mark, but his thundering shot from outside of the area hit the crossbar and bounced out. Raul did head home the rebound but the referee ruled it out for offside.

Beckham was looking tidy and active while the arrival of Argentina international defender Walter Samuel seems already to have tightened things up in defence.

Two more crosses from Beckham had Benfica in trouble, but neither was capitalised on as the teams failed to add to the scoreline before the break.

Camacho, who replaced Carlos Queiroz in the summer, made five changes at the break, with Beckham among the players to make way.

The move seemed to pay dividends with one of the substitutes, Fernando Morientes, capping his return to the Madrid fold with what looked like being the winning goal after 77 minutes.

But Benfica were not to be denied and former Brazil international Geovanni ensured honours would finish even when he popped up to head home a corner in injury-time.

8:04 PM
t.r.a.c.y

EXCLUSIVE

I can't stand by man who went to bed with a hooker

By GUY PATRICK and LYNDSEY WEATHERALL

WAYNE Rooney's devastated fiancee has dumped him over revelations that he had sex with a hooker.

Tearful Coleen McLoughlin SLAPPED the 18-year-old soccer sensation when she learned of his sordid romp.

Coleen, 18, had a "monumental bust-up" with the soccer wonderkid when she learned of his seedy sex session - and walked out on him.

A source close to the couple said Everton and England hero Rooney confessed to the frolic with the 140pound-a-trick vice girl and promised it would never happen again.

But shocked Coleen, who has been living with 18-year-old Rooney at his 900,000pounds mansion in affluent Formby, Merseyside, was inconsolable.

The source said: Coleen went absolutely mad. She was screaming at him in tears. She was so upset that she slapped him and was hitting out at him.

He begged her not to go and promised he'd never do it again. But she wasn't having any of it.

She accused him of all sorts and they are now both back at their respective parents' homes.

She has told her friends there's no way she'll stand by a man who sleeps with a prostitute - and everything looks off at this stage.

Wayne has spent hours crying his eyes out. He is in pieces because he loves Coleen so much.

But right now the two of them are not speaking - and neither are their families.

Wayne is being consoled by his mum but he's exhausted. It was a monumental bust-up.

The split happened days after 30million-rated Rooney and Coleen - due to wed next summer - returned from a two-week holiday in Barbados and New York.

And it came just weeks after the Euro 2004 star poured out his love for Coleen an an exclusive interview with The Sun.

Rooney is said to have paid for sex with leggy escort girl Charlotte Glover after a night out with pals in December 2002 - four months after he became an item with pretty Coleen.

A report in a Sunday newspaper claimed the pair romped in a shabby bathroom at a friend's house while Charlotte's twin sister Katie - also a hooker - had sex with a friend in a bedroom.

Charlotte told the paper: "I couldn't believe he was paying for sex at the same time as putting on this lovey-dovey act for Coleen. He's so two-faced."

The report claimed Rooney wrote her an autographed note reading: "To Charlotte. I s****ed u on 28 Dec. Loads of love, Wayne Rooney."

It was the same day the striker grabbed the only goal in Everton's home win against Birmingham City - scoring in the 69TH minute.

Four days later, Rooney is said to have blown his top after he met Charlotte again but she rejected his advances.

The hooker was working behind the bar of Liverpool's Jolly Roger pub on New Year's Day 2003.
She was invited to a party by one of Rooney's pals - and later agreed to join the player in a car for a chat.

Charlotte told the paper: "I told him I was not having sex with him but he started trying it on. I said 'No' as deep down I felt cheap because of what happened the last time in the horrible bathroom. I felt sad he knew I was a prostitute and that's the way he'd look at me, no matter how nice I was.

"When I knocked him back he offered me money. I felt ashamed and degraded."

Charlotte claimed Rooney called her a "f***ing slag" when she snubbed him. The hooker claimed she and Katie worked for Liverpool's La Femme escort agency, which hires out girls for 140pounds an hour or 500pounds a night.

But agency manager Sue Thompson, 42, said the twins only signed up last Monday. She said: "There's no way they were working for us when this happened.

"I've even got their application form - signed and dated. I won't go near these girls again."

Coleen learned of the story on Saturday night - and hit the roof.

Rooney, who has a tattoo of his fiancee's name, would not talk about the split last night.

A spokesman for the star said: "We have absolutely no comment."

But his uncle John Morrey said: "This doesn't sound like the kind of thing he'd do to Coleen."

9:58 AM
t.r.a.c.y

Sunday, July 25, 2004

I'LL WIN BECK THE NATION

Andy Dunn In The Beckham Camp

DAVID BECKHAM says he's prepared to deal with a '98-style backlash when he leads England out next month.

Beckham returned a villain from the World Cup in France and got a rough ride from some of his old supporters.

And now, six years on, the England skipper could face yet another battle to win over English fans after he was painted as one of the guilty men following Euro 2004.

"I hope it is not the same as '98 and I don't think it is the same situation," he said. "But if that's the case, I will just have to work hard to change people's minds."

Beckham is clearly unsure of the reception he will get on August 18 when he pulls on the armband for the friendly against Ukraine at St James' Park.

There have even been suggestions in some Spanish quarters that he might be forced to miss the game as it is sandwiched between two crucial Champions League qualifiers for Real Madrid.

"If the manager selects me, I will be there," said Beckham. "This club has always been good about releasing me for international duty and I don't see that changing.

"It will be good to get back playing for England. It is always an honour to play for your country and what happened in Portugal has not changed that.

"It is even more of an honour to captain your country. It is special. And it will be special to do it again next month."

Sven Goran Eriksson will deliver his report to the FA on England's ill-fated Euro campaign over the next couple of weeks, but he has already had a debriefing with his captain. "I spoke to Sven while I was on holiday... and we are both over it now," said Becks, who will have a reminder of his much-pilloried penalty miss when he plays against Benfica in a prestige friendly at the Estadio da Luz tonight.

The SP caught up with Beckham at Real Madrid's sun-drenched training camp just outside Jerez in southern Spain and reports of the Real midfielder's return to peak fitness appear not to be exaggerated.

At the end of one morning session, the players were given special 'tachograph' watches and were told to do 'laps' for 15 minutes.

While Ronaldo toiled badly in temperatures nudging 40 degrees, Beckham pounded around the Montecaspillo sporting complex to clock up the most metres.

And that was despite missing the previous two sessions with slight soreness in an ankle. "I feel good," said Beckham. "I feel refreshed, but a lot of that is because I have had two weeks with my family."

Beckham will have the added boost of being with his family for a lot longer in the coming season, with Victoria and the children due to move to Madrid at the end of next month.

That has helped convince sceptics in Spain that he is totally committed to life with Real. And his attitude to the tough pre-season regime has impressed new boss Jose Antonio Camacho, who is renowned as a strict disciplinarian.

Madrid insiders told me the technical staff were delighted by Beckham's approach to the gruelling schedule, which has been geared towards the two-legged Champions League qualifier next month. Before then - and after the revisit to the scene of England's Euro 2004 exit - Beckham will be the star attraction of Real's visit to Japan.

And having spent a few days in the Madrid camp - where the public are allowed to watch training sessions - it is clear he is still the club's top commercial attraction.

Becks was chosen to model the new strip and his presence helped influence adidas to commit to a new £20million kit deal with Real.

Beckham spent hours during the training camp signing shirts, kissing girls and posing for photographs.

Such is his commercial value that president Florentino Perez has told Camacho he can pick and choose in the transfer market ... but the England captain is not for sale.

However, Beckham wants to distance himself from the idea that he is merely a marketing tool.
In fact, I understand he is scaling down his commercial commitments and that his deal with Gillette will be his last major outside contract for some time.

He wants to concentrate on restoring his reputation as one of the world's top footballers.

And as well as achieving domestic and European success at club level, that means leading England to a successful World Cup qualifying campaign - hopefully in tandem with his national manager and mentor.

With the spotlight again on Eriksson's private life, there are renewed fears in some Soho Square circles that the Swede might decide enough is enough.

Beckham hopes not. He added: "I hope Sven will take us to the World Cup in 2006. He is the best man for the job and has the total respect of the players."

10:43 PM
t.r.a.c.y

New deals for the Nevilles

Gary and Phil Neville have signed new five-year deals that will effectively see both brothers finish their careers at Manchester United.

The club confirmed today from their training camp in Chicago they had sealed the players' futures until 2009.

Gary joined as a trainee in 1991 and Phil followed him down that road two years later and the new contracts will take them into their 30s.

They are due to link up with the squad today ahead of United's opening match in the ChampionsWorld series against Bayern Munich tomorrow at Soldier Field.

Gary Neville was one of the stars of England's unsuccessful Euro 2004 campaign.

He gave a string of superb performances at right back in a difficult period for the national team.

A member of the famous 1992 Youth Cup winning side he has continued to raise his game at Old Trafford during the glory years.

He has a Champions League-winners medal to his name as well as six Premier League and three FA Cup winners medals in his collection.

Phil showed his adaptability last season when he switched to midfield from defence and managed to keep Nicky Butt out of the side.

Although he was a member of the England party in Portugal he had to be satisfied with being on the fringe of the action rather than in the thick of it.

12:33 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Saturday, July 24, 2004

FERGIE: THESE LADS ARE RUNNING ON EMPTY

David Mcdonnell Reports From Chicago

SIR ALEX FERGUSON last night repeated his plea for a mid-season break in the Premiership as his Manchester United side continued their gruelling 12-day tour of America.

Ferguson has long argued for time off in the winter to allow players to recuperate, but the irony in the timing of his latest outburst will no doubt be lost on the bullish Old Trafford boss.

While he blasted the FA for rejecting the idea, football chiefs are entitled to ask why he is taking his players on an 8,000-mile round trip to the USA.

"The FA have to change their mind on a mid-season break," said Fergie. "They're stagnating in terms of progress.

"The rest does everyone good. It gives coaches a mental rest, it gives players a chance to get over their injuries. It brings back freshness into the camp.

"For example, this December we've got nine games - that's a lot of football.

"It would be sensible to get over the New Year, because there are good crowds over the holiday period, and have a break for the rest of January. It just needs people with vision at the FA."

Yet careful examination of how his team have performed following a long pre-season haul indicates he would do well to get his own house in order first.

True, United embarked on their best ever start to a Premiership campaign last term after their first pre-season slog across the Atlantic.

But the players tired as the campaign wore on, United lost nine games, finished third and now must qualify for the Champions League.

And Fergie blamed tiredness from their pre-season trip to the Far East for their poor showing in the 2001-02 season, where they were third in the Premiership behind Arsenal and Liverpool.

Yet, the season in between, when United travelled the relatively short distance to Scandinavia to tune up, they reeled in Arsenal to win the title, ending the season with a 19-game unbeaten run.

The training facilities here in the US may be the best in the world and the climate appealing, but United's summer exodus is driven primarily by a desire to tap a lucrative commercial market.

The decision to visit Seattle, Los Angeles, Philadelphia and New York last summer, was one born of a commitment to their sponsors Nike.

So while the jaunt to the US might increase United's global profile and allow the players to use pristine pitches and state-of-the-art training centres, there appear to be few long-term benefits.

Yet Fergie is smitten with the America experience.

"The training pitches are incredible and I'm flabbergasted by the facilities here," he said.

"This is by far the best preparation we have had pre-season. It's completely different from what we've done in the past and the players really benefit."

In fairness to United, matches in front of big crowds and against proven opposition like Bayern Munich, Celtic and AC Milan give the players a chance to sharpen their competitive instincts.

And in America, the players are also away from the demands of football-obsessed fans.

Fergie was typically bullish when asked whether preparation for the forthcoming campaign would be damaged by commercial pressure or pre-season commitments.

"No, that's not a problem," he said. "It doesn't matter if we stay at home or go abroad. Sometimes we go to Sweden or Denmark, sometimes we go the Far East."

He is sure England will not again win a major tournament until the issue of a mid-season break and the number of games played is addressed.

He put Greece's Euro 2004 success down to their players having had the fewest games leading up to the tournament.

"What it tells you is preparation is vital," said Sir Alex. "Greece had the perfect preparation, simply because their players were the freshest.

But is a tiring slog across the Atlantic the best way to get ready for a season that could ultimately determine Ferguson's future as United manager?

Only time will tell.

10:16 PM
t.r.a.c.y

RONALDO: I AM OFF TO THE OLYMPICS

From David McDonnell in Philadelphia

CRISTIANO RONALDO last night defied Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson by declaring he WILL play for Portugal at the Olympics.

Fergie was determined to pull Ronaldo out of the Portugal squad to ensure he was available to start the season with United but the 19-year-old midfielder has put himself on a collision course with the Old Trafford boss by insisting he will play in Athens.

Ronaldo said: "Being in the Olympics is a unique opportunity in anyone's career and a once-in-a lifetime experience. I am very proud to represent Portugal in this way and I intend to play.

"I understand the problem with Manchester United. Sir Alex is defending my interests and it's natural that he wants me to play in Manchester. But I have decided I want to play in the Olympics and that is it for me."

Ronaldo's declaration is sure to infuriate Fergie, who had hoped to persuade the gifted teenager to pull out of the squad.

The United boss fears Ronaldo is heading for burn-out after helping Portugal to the final of Euro 2004 and now being called upon to represent his country in the Olympics.

Fergie had hoped to persuade Ronaldo to withdraw from the Portugal squad by claiming he would need at least two months off if he played in the Olympics and would therefore not be available to play for United until November.

Fergie said: "With Cristiano having played such a large part at Euro 2004, if he went to the Olympics we would lose him for the whole of August. We would then need to give him two months off to recharge his batteries which would mean he wouldn't play for us until November."

But that threat fell on deaf ears in the Ronaldo camp and United are now set to be without one of their most influential players for a significant chunk of the new season.

Ronaldo will miss United's Champions League pre-qualifier as well as key Premiership clashes with Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal.

Fergie is also facing another Olympic headache with new £6.9m signing Gabriel Heinze also set to miss the start of the season having been called up to the Argentina squad.

Fergie had intended to start the season with Heinze as first-choice left-back but will have to reconsider if the 26-year-old decides to feature in Athens.

10:03 PM
t.r.a.c.y

O'Shea to miss United opener in USA

John O'Shea will rest up when Manchester United face Bayern Munich on Sunday in their opening ChampionsWorld series match.

However, the Republic of Ireland defender is aiming to return in the following two games when Celtic and then AC Milan provide the opposition.

The match at Soldier Field has come a little bit too quickly for O'Shea, who needed a small knee operation in the summer.

He said: 'I won't be okay for this first game but hopefully I will be for the other two. I just don't want to push it too much and come back too quickly, especially with the amount of games coming up in August.

'It is going to be an important time and I have to be right.'

O'Shea felt discomfort when walking and found out that the injury could have occurred last season.

'They trimmed a little bit off the cartilage and I am told it is as good as new now,' he said.

'What the surgeon said to the doctor was that it may have happened during the season. It was something that was waiting to happen.

'I was fortunate it did happen in the summer because it was obviously off-season, no games. So I was lucky.

'It happened while I was walking and I just got it checked out. There was a little problem there.'

American goalkeeper Tim Howard has linked up with the squad ahead of the opening game and looks set to start.

Defender Jonathan Spector, 18, could be given a run-out on home soil as some of United's top players are being rested.

Manager Sir Alex Ferguson is hoping the intense pre-season programme, beginning here in America, will kick-start their Premiership season, which begins on August 15.

The United boss and his assistant Carlos Queiroz led the squad in another training session today in searing humidity.

He takes great stock from getting the planning spot-on and believes it was what happened before Portugal that led Greece to an unlikely victory in Euro 2004.

'Preparation is vital,' he said. 'Greece had perfect preparation.

'The players were fresher, so more could be done with their preparation.

'One thing is obvious. The major countries failed in Portugal and you have to ask why.

'Was it down to preparation or was it down to what happened before preparation?

'Greece were the fresher team and the coach did a great job.

'They were disciplined, committed and the fitness team in the tournament.'

Ferguson believes you cannot push players too hard too early in the close season.

'You have to consider how much football has been played before you think about preparation,' he said.

'When I was coach with Scotland, I made a decision that we did no endurance work during the World Cup, only football training.

'I felt that come the end of the season having played through a hard programme it was ridiculous to ask the players to do endurance work.'

United are without their big names like Ruud van Nistelrooy, Cristiano Ronaldo, Paul Scholes and the Neville brothers Gary and Phil.

But ChampionsWorld spokesman Charlie Stillitano said: 'It is something you have to live with. It is why these teams have such big squads. There are no limits like there are in the NFL or Major League baseball.

'Not having Ruud (van Nistelrooy) is obviously disappointing.

'But we have been blessed with the other teams - especially Chelsea and AC Milan - they are bringing everyone.'

10:00 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Beckham tells Vieira: Come and join us

David Beckham has urged Patrick Vieira to consider no other team than Real Madrid if he decides to leave Arsenal this summer.

Beckham became the sixth `Galactico' on the books at the Bernabeu when he joined last summer, and now he wants Arsenal's French international midfielder to make it a magnificent seven for Real.

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is known to be keen on Vieira and has quizzed his international team-mate, Madrid superstar Zinedine Zidane, about the 28-year-old's virtues.
'When a club wants to sign a player it is always the player who decides,' Beckham told club website www.realmadrid.com.

'Vieira is one of the best midfielders that exist. I admire him. If he decides to change team then let him come to Madrid.'

Beckham pointed out that, when Perez makes his move, he usually gets his man.

Speaking of his own move last year, Beckham said: 'Real Madrid is a special club.

'When the president calls you, 99% of the time he gets the player he wants.

'It was a special moment for me. It (the transfer) went well for me even if I won nothing (last season).

'Playing in front of the Real fans and with these players is very special.'

He gave short shrift to any suggestion that he had been forced out of the door at Old Trafford by Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

'There is no doubt that I came to Real Madrid because I wanted to,' said Beckham.

'I have no regrets. My first six months were the best of my whole life, but afterwards I had two (months) that were not and the rumours started that I wanted to go back to England.

'I have always said I wanted to stay.'

Beckham was dogged with rumours about his private life in the closing months of last season and his form dipped on the field too.

He admits he is getting fewer opportunities from free-kicks, with Zidane, Luis Figo and Roberto Carlos all determined and well qualified to shoot from distance at set-pieces.

'In the past at Manchester I scored quite a lot of goals because I always took the free-kicks,' added the England captain.

'With Madrid there are many players like Zidane, Figo and Roberto Carlos. The solution is to practise more.'

On Sunday, Real will play Benfica at the Estadio da Luz - where Beckham missed penalties for England in Euro 2004 against France and Portugal.

'I had good and bad experiences,' said Beckham. 'On Sunday, Luis Figo will take the penalties and not me.

'I have good memories of Portugal. They were very nice with us. I must forget the past quickly and look forward.

'I am looking forward to play in this team with the new players.'

Previously, when Beckham was made a pariah for his sending-off against Argentina in the 1998 World Cup, he bounced back by winning the treble of Premiership, FA Cup and Champions League with Manchester United.

Beckham hopes he can bounce back again from disappointment on the international stage by achieving similar results with Madrid.

He said: 'I hope this year will be as good as 1999. The most important thing is that we play well and we are happy.

'Last year was disappointing because we won nothing and Madrid must always win. I hope we win three trophies.'

9:58 PM
t.r.a.c.y

EXCLUSIVE

Shut it Fergie

By ANDREW DILLON

ALEX FERGUSON has been told to shut up and stop moaning about the Olympics.

FIFA hit back after the Manchester United chief's rant over losing Cristiano Ronaldo.

Portugal whizz Ronaldo insists Fergie will not stop him playing in Athens and the Old Trafford boss claims he will be forced to rest the player for two months afterwards to avoid burn-out.

But a FIFA spokesman said: "The Olympics hasn't suddenly been announced, it's been on the calendar for years.

"It's not something new. Managers like Ferguson know this. They also know foreign players often go away on long trips to play for their country.

"It's not an obligation for the player to go. Usually they are proud to represent their country, it's a once-in-a- lifetime opportunity.

"The country asks the player and they are usually happy to go."

Ronaldo, 19, agreed, saying: "Playing in the Olympics is a unique opportunity.

"I am very proud to represent Portugal.

"I understand the problem and it is natural that Alex Ferguson wants me in Manchester.

"But I WANT to be at the Olympic Games."

Fergie has already warned 6.9million Argie new-boy Gabriel Heinze, 26, that he may sacrifice his United place playing in the Games event, which takes place between August 12-29.

Fergie will not be punished for his outburst but FIFA take a dim view of his attitude towards a tournament that they officially sanction.

The spokesman added: "His comments are not helpful.

"Just like Real Madrid and all the other big clubs in the world, Manchester United sign famous players to earn money from them.

"They know having well-known players is good for them.

"But famous players play in lots of competitions - that's why they are famous.

"Ferguson believes what he says in his mind but we will leave him to his mind."

9:56 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Only title will do

From NEIL CUSTIS in Philadelphia

ALEX FERGUSON has told his players: We MUST win the title this season.

Manchester United's boss delivered his no-nonsense message just in case any of his stars were thinking of a doze in the comfort zone.

Last season the club slipped badly to finish third. But they have not gone successive Premiership campaigns without the championship and Fergie wants the same again.

He declared: "We have to win the league this season.

"That is the expectation level, that is what we have to do and that is all we will be satisfied with."

Ferguson is looking for a similarly successful American tour to last season, when United followed up friendlies against the likes of Barcelona and Celtic with a best-ever seven wins from their first nine Premiership matches.

This year they will face Bayern Munich, Celtic and AC Milan to get them up to the speed they hope will see them hit the ground running once the league kicks off next month.

Ferguson added: "Last year the intensity of the matches out here brought an early extra edge to our game.

"That is why I thought it was a good idea to come back here and do it again."

Despite their fine start to 2003-04, United wilted and suffered their worst Premiership campaign.

Ferguson means to avoid that this time by giving some of his big names a winter break at Christmas.

He insisted: "I think they will need a break at some stage and I will give them that."

9:55 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Smith seeks to raise game at United

Alan Smith can take his game to a higher level now he has switched from Leeds to Manchester United.

That is the verdict of manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who is poised to hand the striker a debut against Bayern Munich on Sunday.

Smith looks certain to be drafted in for their opening match of the ChampionsWorld series in Chicago as Ruud van Nistelrooy, Louis Saha and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer are all absent.

Ferguson is delighted to have Smith on board.

'We are all looking forward to seeing him play,' said the Old Trafford boss. 'In training he has been very impressive.

'There are guarantees bringing Alan Smith in from a general point of view.

'For the last five years he has been a magnificent performer for Leeds.

'So he brings that experience and consistency of performance to Manchester United. Hopefully by coming to us he will keep on improving.

'It is exciting signing someone as young as Alan Smith, knowing that he has fantastic potential and that he comes with certain guarantees.'

Smith insists he will give United 100% just as he did for his hometown team Leeds.

'I did everything I could for Leeds and my passion and commitment for Manchester United will be the same as it was for Leeds,' he said.

'This club always wants to win trophies, whether they have won it the last three years on the trot.

'I have only been here two weeks and I have seen how much people want to win trophies. I have seen how professional the players are and how focussed they are at winning the Premiership and other trophies as well.

'This club has never been nervous about anything. Players who are here believe in their ability and in their team-mates.

'We believe we have a good enough squad to win the championship, there is no doubt about it.

What other clubs do and how much money they spend doesn't bother anyone here. We have a good enough squad to win trophies and I am sure that is what we will do.'

United kick off their campaign with a Champions League qualifier on August 11 and Smith cannot wait to get a taste again of Europe's top club competition.

'It is where everyone wants to play. We had a great run in the competition at Leeds and got to the semi-final against Valencia.

'That probably does help at international level because European football is similar to playing for your country.

'I am looking forward to playing all the games, not just in the Champions League.'

Ferguson added: 'We were a bit fortunate with Alan because of the circumstances at Leeds.
Once they were relegated it was obvious that a player of his ability was not going to be staying there.

'We spoke about him as soon as the season had finished. We thought let's wait and see what happens.

'When I met him, I couldn't have been more impressed with his character. He kept saying `I want to get here - I want to prove myself, I can't look forward to anything more than this opportunity'.

'When you get that enthusiasm you know you are getting something of real substance.'

American goalkeeper Tim Howard has linked up with the squad ahead of the opening game and looks set to start.

Defender Jonathan Spector, 18, could be given a run-out as some of United's top players are being rested.

But John O'Shea will rest up as he completes his recovery from a small knee operation.

The Republic of Ireland international is aiming to return for the next two matches against Celtic on Wednesday and AC Milan the following Saturday.

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

Friday, July 23, 2004

Beckham: "Winning titles with Real is my goal"

- There are always many eyes one you, and it mustn't easy to live with that. How are you dealing with that burden?

- I have had to live with that for the last ten years, just as my family has. There's a lot of attention on me, lots of people talk about my life without knowing me. But that's a situation I'm used to, and I can live with it.

- The hype over your signing is over. That might be good for you both sports-wise and personally, and to help you play more calmly this season.

- The pressure is on the whole team, because the team has to win titles. Personally, some people say that I didn't really do that well, and turning around those comments is a challenge. I want to do something good in the competitions we're in and perform well. The aim this year is to repeat the good start we had to the season when I signed with Real.

- That means your adaptation to Real was complete some time ago.

- Yes, I'm fully adapted to Real. When I arrived, I knew that one of the hurdles would be to fit in, but I tackled it the way I had to. Playing alongside this group of players and sharing matches with them is worth it. I love football.

- Another objective would be to keep the confidence the Bernabeu public gave you from the start.

- It's really hard to come to a team like Real Madrid and for people to welcome you the way they did with me. I thought it could be tough, but it really wasn't. I love the fans, because from the very first match they cheered me on and helped me give my all on the pitch.

- One of people you trust at Real Madrid is Raúl Bravo.

- Yeah, he's a great guy, but I can't say that there is anyone on the team who isn't a good person. I'm surrounded by great players, so I can't talk about just one of them.

- Is language still a barrier in the dressing room?

- Obviously, I'm not fluent. I'm learning Spanish, I understand what they say in the training sessions, but I'm going little by little. Spanish is really hard for me, though I'm picking it up (That's when Beckham starts speaking a little Spanish: "Aprender el español es muy difícil para mí" [It's really hard for me to learn Spanish]. But a joke from Santiago Solari ruins his next phrase).

- Can you understand Camacho well?

- So far, I can understand some things, though it's really tough. I'm trying to have no problems, but it's difficult.

- For you, ending the season speaking Spanish would be like winning a title.

- I would like to go in that direction. Everything from winning all the trophies possible to making the fans happy with my work. If I finally end up learning Spanish, that would be an achievement. But I can't have just one wish.

- Thanks, David.

- Thanks. Hasta luego ([see you later], in perfect Spanish).

12:28 AM
t.r.a.c.y

Thursday, July 22, 2004

Beckham: "The players like Camacho"

-You're starting your second season in Spain, after a first one that had more positive than negative moments. How do you feel about this new challenge?

- I hope it will be like the first six months in Madrid, when I was enjoying myself and having a good time. Then came the poor results in the second half of the season. The team felt bad about it for the fans' sake, but we gave it our all to reach our goals. I want things to work out better in that sense.

-Though not even a week has gone by since your return, could you give us an early assessment of the preseason in Montecastillo?

- It's proving to be very positive, also because we're in a quite lovely place. The team is training well and we're in the hands of a great coach. The players like Camacho quite a lot. Also, it's nice to be with my teammates again.

- Some of the other players worked with Camacho when he was the Spanish national coach, but not in your case. Is he being as hard as they say this preseason?

- Sure. It's always good to have someone like that, and I'm used to working with professionals of that kind. We have to bear the burden if we want to get anywhere this season.

- Has he spoken to you yet about your position on the pitch, about whether he's going to use you on the right or in the centre?

- So far, he's asked me how I feel after the three weeks of holiday, about whether I like the training sessions, if I feel comfortable.

- You unquestionably learned things in your first year with Real, from both the good and the bad.

- Yes. You're always learning, all the time, from both the good and the bad. Last season, in some matches we played fantastic football, better than I'd played in a long time. Then, in others we weren't so successful, and those are the matches we have to win this year. I did the best I could, as always. But no one can tell the team it didn't fight hard to the end.

-This year's Real seems more compact, more balanced.

- I agree. Plus, when you have new players come aboard and especially when you haven't won any trophies, players give it their all. We're dying for the season to get started.

- It always comes down to the same thing: win, win, win.

- Sure, but that's very important. Winning the Spanish league is a key goal, just like the Champions' League. In the competitions we play in, we'll be ready to go all the way.

- And with Samuel directing from the centre of the defence.

- He's a great player, he doesn't have anything to prove, because we've already seen him in Argentina and in Rome. He's going to play really key role for us because he has a lot of experience. We know you don't play in Spain like in Italy, but I was coming from England, where they also play differently, and I fit in with Spanish football without too many problems, and I'm sure he'll enjoy it as much as I do.

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

Beckham's Euro ball sold for 19,000 pounds

MADRID (Reuters) - The ball blasted over the bar by David Beckham in England's Euro 2004 penalty shootout defeat to Portugal has been sold for 28,050 euros (19,000 pounds).

Pablo Carral, a basketball fan from La Coruna in northern Spain, caught the ball high in the stands of the Luz Stadium in Lisbon after Beckham's miss helped Portugal to victory in the quarter-final last month.

The ball had been the subject of several fake bids, including at least one of 10 million euros, but was eventually sold for a more modest figure when bidding ended on the eBay online auction site on Thursday.

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

BECKS SNAPS BACK AT SNIPERS

By Martin Lipton

THE CRITICISM was ferocious and relentless as Golden Balls found his image and reputation tarnished like never before.

From hero to zero, in the time it took for his shoot-out spot-kick against Portugal to sail into Row Z of the Estadio da Luz.

But, perhaps, it was only a matter of time. The negatives had been rising in the background, ready to overwhelm him, from the maelstrom surrounding his private life to the disciplinary lapses that saw him sent off twice for Real Madrid.

Yet David Beckham refuses to give up, refuses to give in.

The England skipper knows that he has ground to reclaim, that his status as the country's footballing idol has been overtaken by Wayne Rooney, that his image has taken a huge hit.

There can be no doubts that the attacks have hurt.

Beckham did not enjoy being the scapegoat for England's Euro 2004 failure.

But he conceded that he had arrived in Portugal in the wrong condition to lead the country's assault on glory, all the more so after the allegations made by former PA Rebecca Loos.
Those private ghosts have to be exorcised.

Beckham, though, retains the undiminished faith of his international coach Sven Goran Eriksson.
More importantly, despite the anguish and heartache of Portugal, he remains utterly convinced of his own abilities on the pitch.

As he prepared for his second season in the white shirt of Real Madrid, he promised that nothing will deflect him from his mission to win over the doubters, to prove his detractors wrong.

For Becks, the upcoming campaign will be pay-back time, the opportunity to redeem himself in the eyes of the Madrid and England fans who had expected so much.

Beckham insisted: "Over the last 10 years I have had to learn to survive with all the attention, and so has my family."What irritates me is that people speak about me when they don't know me at all. But I'm used to it now. I know what it's like to have to deal with it, and I can live with it."

Laying the demons to rest will not be accomplished without a fight. Beckham accepts that he has to provide the answers.

He said: "Some people said I didn't have many good moments last season. My aim and my goal is to send those comments back from where they came.

"Over the whole season I want to reproduce the form I showed at the beginning of last season when I was first signed by Real.

"The first six months were very good for me but then came the bad results in the final part of the season, and that was tough.

"The whole team felt that we hadn't given the fans what they wanted, although I know we gave everything to reach our goals. My aim now is for the fans to think differently about me by the end of next season."

Beckham knows he needs to win over a doubting public - both in Spain and now at home as well - who need convincing that he is more than just a glorified, and lucrative, clothes horse. As Madrid's season floundered last spring, so his own form dipped markedly.

The former Manchester United star was roundly criticised for his lack of influence on matches as Real finished up without a trophy.

The England fans who flocked to follow Beckham and his team-mates in Portugal still retained confidence in his talent and power.

But the penalty misses against France and the hosts, topping and tailing a tournament in which he failed to shine, brought new and unexpected doubts.

He accepts that he has to answer all his critics, beginning with the Madrid fans who will demand instant success under new coach Jose Antonio Camacho.

Becks added: "When new players come and the club doesn't win a trophy, it hurts. But now we are feeling like crazy people because the season is about to begin.

"Our key missions are to win La Liga and the Champions League. We know that is what we have to do now, to go all the way in both of them."

Things have changed for Beckham in Spain. Madrid have made it clear that his frequent flights home to Hertfordshire on days off must be curbed. Strong-man Camacho is clamping down on the mobile phone and party culture that many blamed on the soft-touch philosophy of his predecessor Carlos Queiroz.

For Beckham, it also means a crash course in Spanish, with Camacho unable to explain himself in English and demanding a one language dressing-room. Beckham admitted: "I understand some things in Spanish on the training pitch, but I'm only picking it up little-by-little.

"I can understand some of the things Camacho says and I'm making an effort, but it is difficult and complicated. I want to get better and to be able to speak the language.

"If I manage to conquer the language that will be an achievement."

With his sons now enlisted for an English school in Madrid, Beckham also has more chance to feel at home in the Spanish capital, insisting that he has made a huge step forward.

"I have totally adapted to Madrid," he said. "When I arrived I knew that adapting would be a barrier but I integrated myself as I needed to.

"Playing alongside players of this calibre and sharing games with them makes it worthwhile. Training is good, the coach is good and it is good to be back with my team-mates. Football here enchants me."

For Beckham to be truly happy, he needs the fans to be enchanted with him as well. But his desire is as strong as ever. He knows that deeds, rather than words, will be the key to that, on and off the pitch.

Only Beckham himself can reclaim that lost ground.

6:22 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Becks is history

RUUD VAN NISTELROOY last night told David Beckham that Manchester United are not missing him.

The Dutch hot-shot insisted United had moved on since Becks moved to Real Madrid for 25million last summer.

Van Nistelrooy, 28, said: "It's not disastrous if Beckham doesn't come back. Bryan Robson left, Eric Cantona left. Other players have filled their boots.

"I don't think he wants to come back. Real had a poor season and David will not want to leave Madrid as a loser."

1:23 PM
t.r.a.c.y

... But he still can't speak la lingo

From ERIC BEAUCHAMP

DAVID BECKHAM insists he will go all out to master Spanish to boost his chances of being a hit for Real Madrid.

The England ace must speak the lingo because new boss Jose Camacho insists his players communicate in Spanish.

Becks proved he knows how to swear after being sent off in his last Real game for calling a linesman a 'son of a whore'.

But he admits he still needs to improve his everyday use of the language.

He confessed: "I haven't conquered Spanish yet. I'm learning and understand what's said during training.

"But I am progressing little by little. Spanish is very difficult for me, although I am getting used to it.

"I am making an effort. It's complicated. But if I can conquer Spanish, it will have been a great achievement."

HERE ARE A FEW THINGS HE MAY SAY

¡NO! Déjame lanzar la penalty (No! Let me take the penalty)

SVEN, puedo ayudarte con sus problemas matrimoniales. (I'll help with your relationship problems, Sven)

¡OYE! ZZ, pásame la pelota! (Oy! ZZ, can I have the ball!)

¿TE apetece venir a mi casa para tomar una copa de vino, Fergie? (Fancy coming round for a glass of vino, Fergie?)

ECHO de menos la lluvia típica de Manchester. (I really miss that old Manchester rain)

1:22 PM
t.r.a.c.y

I'll prove critics wrong

From ERIC BEAUCHAMP in Jerez

DAVID BECKHAM has vowed to get his Real Madrid career back on track and insisted: "I'll prove the critics wrong."

Becks aims to regain his Goldenballs reputation after a disastrous debut season in Spain - on and off the pitch - and his personal horror show at Euro 2004.

Now he is determined to convince new Bernabeu boss Jose Camacho he deserves to keep his centre-midfield spot as Madrid bid to make up for a trophyless last season.

Becks, 29, said: "Some people have said I've not done so well and to prove them wrong is the huge challenge for me.

"I want to do well in all the competitions we’re involved in and give some great performances.

"And I'll try to do the best I can, like I always do. No one can say I don't fight for the team."

The England skipper was on top of the world when he joined Real from Manchester United in a 25million deal last summer.

Club president Florentino Perez believed he had signed someone who could do no wrong as Becks became the most famous and marketable player on the planet.

But Beckham's world came crashing down around him after an alleged affair with Rebecca Loos.

As the rumours of troubles in his private life raged out of control Becks' form suffered.

Real ended the campaign without a trophy and Beckham's misery was made worse by his poor displays at Euro 2004, including TWO missed penalties.

Yet Becks remains upbeat. He added: "You always learn something from all your experiences, from the good ones and the bad."

He will be put under more pressure if Arsenal's Patrick Vieira decides to join the Galacticos.

But he has impressed task-master Camacho at Real's pre-season training camp - and even came out on TOP in the squad's fitness tests.

Becks added: "It all feels positive."

Wife Victoria insists she will be based in Madrid this year, along with sons Brooklyn and Romeo.

And Becks insists he can handle living abroad because playing alongside the likes of Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo and Roberto Carlos makes it all worthwhile.

He added: "I'm totally adapted to Madrid. And to play alongside quality players made doing that worthwhile.

"I'm surrounded by great players!"

1:19 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Que? Beckham still struggles with language

MADRID (Reuters) - David Beckham is still having trouble with Spanish as he prepares for his second season with Real Madrid.

"Obviously, I'm not fluent," the England captain told Real Madrid's website in an interview from the squad's training camp in the south of Spain.

"I'm learning Spanish and I understand what's being said in training but I'm going slowly. Spanish is very difficult for me, although I'm taking in more all the time."

Last season, Beckham's coach at Real was the Portuguese Carlos Queiroz, a fluent English speaker who had followed him from Manchester United.

This term he is faced with trying to decipher the blunt-speaking Spaniard Jose Antonio Camacho.

"At the moment I understand some things he says but it's pretty difficult," Beckham said. "I'm trying my best...but it's tricky."

Beckham made a good start at Real following his move from United but his form deserted him over the second half of the season and he was also a long way from his best for England at Euro 2004.

"I hope this season goes like my first six months in Spain," Beckham said. "I had some really good moments and I enjoyed myself."

7:48 AM
t.r.a.c.y

Wednesday, July 21, 2004

Provinces clash over "King Arthur" links

By Pete Harrison

CEFYN BRYN (Reuters) - As King Arthur and his legend lay siege to box offices around the world, conflict rages in the land of his birth.

For not only was Arthur Britain's saviour in the Dark Ages against invading Saxons, he also works wonders on the tourism earnings of depressed local economies -- and several are vying for his services.

The tale of Arthur, the sorcerer Merlin, and the quest for the Holy Grail has long been a staple of British schoolchildren.

Most were taught he was born of an illicit tryst between the English king Uther Pendragon and the wife of his rival Gorlois after Uther sneaked into Gorlois' Tintagel Castle high on Cornwall's craggy Atlantic cliffs.

"They say it was right here that Merlin magicked Uther into the likeness of Gorlois so he could sneak into the bed of his wife, Ygerna," Cornish expert Rob Tremain told Reuters from within the stronghold's slate walls.

"We're quite confident that this was Arthur's birthplace," he added.

But a revolt is simmering north of the border in Scotland, according to author Alistair Moffat, whose book "Arthur the Lost Kingdoms" argues he was a Scot.

"The Cornish got seriously upset with me," he said. "A lot of the Cornish tourist industry depends on this."

ENTER THE WELSH

Jerry Bruckheimer's movie, "King Arthur", has Arthur as a Romano-British mercenary, played by a stoic Clive Owen. He leads a band of knights against Celts in Scotland, helping the Roman Empire as it retreats from Britain.

Guinevere, played by Keira Knightley, persuades the knights to switch sides, joining her Celtic brethren against Saxon invaders as they rush to fill the power vacuum left by the Romans.

To coincide with the film's British release Scottish Borders Tourism has launched a campaign highlighting local Arthurian connections.

It places Arthur's fortress of Camelot at Roxburgh, a full 470 miles away from the Cornish tourist board's preferred location near the town of Camelford in southwest England.

As further evidence to back up the Scottish claim, Moffat cites a 7th century poem found in Edinburgh, "The Gododdin", as the first reference to the warrior-king.

Enter the Welsh.

Twelfth century poetry from the "Black Book of Carmarthen" describes Arthur as a Welsh warlord, says Steve Blake, director of the Centre for Arthurian Studies in North Wales.

References to the castle in Tintagel merely stem from confusion with the Welsh word Dindagol, meaning city on the headland, he says.

To historians, however, the conflict and confusion serve to illustrate a much more sobering possibility.

Folk historian Juliette Wood says that when different regions lay claim to a legendary figure, it can often be taken as proof that the figure was more myth than actual history.

"This localisation of Arthur is the dead giveaway," she said. "In common with most academics, I don't think he was ever real."

10:56 PM
t.r.a.c.y

United Set Off For United States

Manchester United's squad are due to arrive in Philapdelphia at 14:30 BST after setting off from Manchester Airport at 9:30BST on Wednesday morning.

The 18-man travelling party are without the likes of Ruud van Nistelrooy, Paul Scholes, Ronaldo and Louis Saha, but will be joined by Tim Howard.Gabriel Heinze, Diego Forlan and Kleberson, who have all been on Copa America duty this month, will join up with the squad midway through the tour.

It will be Gabriel Heinze's first opportunity to meet his new United team-mates.

Gary and Phil Neville are scheduled to join the rest of the team this Saturday in Chicago.

USA Tour Squad

Goalkeepers: Tim Howard, Roy Carroll, Ricardo.

Defenders: Wes Brown, Jonathon Spector, Phil Bardsley, Rio Ferdinand, John O'Shea, Paul McShane.

Midfielders: Roy Keane, Chris Eagles, Kieran Richardson, Eric Djemba-Djemba, Nicky Butt, Luke Chadwick, Bojan Djordjic.

Forwards: Alan Smith, Ryan Giggs, David Bellion.

Players joining the squad in Chicago: Phil Neville, Gary Neville.

Players joining the squad in New York: Gabriel Heinze, Kleberson, Diego Forlan.

Report by Ben Hibbs.

10:51 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Ronaldo gets Olympic call-up

Manchester United will be without Cristiano Ronaldo for four Premiership games, a Champions League qualifier and their trip to the United States after he was included in Portugal's squad for the Olympic games.

Ronaldo was today name in the 18-man squad as Portugal - defeated as hosts by Greece in the Euro 2004 final - look to turn the tables on the Greeks by winning in Athens, the home of the Olympics.

Fulham's Luis Boa Morte is also included while Newcastle's Hugo Viana, who has joined Sporting Lisbon on loan, and Chelsea new boy Tiago are also named in the party.

The squad will meet on August 1 before flying to Greece on August 8 after a friendly with Paraguay in Faro.

Portugal are drawn with Iraq, Morocco and Costa Rica in Group D. The tournament begins on August 11 and finishes on August 28 with the gold medal match.

10:50 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Butt jets out with Man United

Nicky Butt was included in an 18-man Manchester United squad that flew out to begin their three-match, 10-day American tour.

The 29-year-old midfielder was thought to be on the brink of a move to Newcastle, with some suggestions he might even report to Tyneside for a medical Wednesday.

Instead, the England midfielder will continue what looks to be a vain battle to win back a regular first-team berth, starting in the opening game of the tour against Bayern Munich in Chicago on Sunday.

However, Sir Alex Ferguson was forced to head across the Atlantic without Norwegian striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

The 30-year-old has suffered a worrying recurrence of a knee problem that required an operation last September and kept him out for most of season.

Solskjaer will have a scan on the problem over the next few days and, having only just brought his striking options back up to strength following the acquisitions of Louis Saha and Alan Smith, Ferguson will be desperately hoping for some good news about the man who famously won United the European Cup in 1999.

With Gary and Phil Neville, Saha, Mikael Silvestre, Paul Scholes, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Cristiano Ronaldo all ruled out of the early stages of the trip because of their exertions at this summer's European Championships, it is a mixed blend of youth and experience that will represent United in the opening stage of their packed pre-season programme.

As well as established stars such as Roy Keane and Ryan Giggs, members of the talented youth team squad - Chris Eagles, David Jones and Paul McShane, plus impressive American defender Jonathan Spector were all part of the squad.

Luke Chadwick and Spanish goalkeeper Ricardo, whose long-term Red Devils' future are also in doubt, were part of Ferguson's squad too.

However, it was the presence of a non-playing member of the United squad that attracted most attention in Terminal Two, as Rio Ferdinand, not due to return from his eight-month ban until September 20, was surrounded by a swarm of autograph hunters.

10:50 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Double blow for United

Sir Alex Ferguson's pre-season plans have been hit by a double dose of bad news even before touching down in the United States.

First Ferguson learnt that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, one of the four strikers he expressed so much delight in having available just 24 hours earlier, had suffered a worrying recurrence of the knee problem which wrecked last season.

Then, while he was still airborne, star winger Cristiano Ronaldo was selected for the Portuguese Olympic squad, ruling the talented teenager out of the first six games of United's season, including the two-legged Champions League qualifier.

Instead of taking on Chelsea in the Premiership opener at Stamford Bridge on August 15, Ronaldo will be facing Morocco, having already played in Portugal's opening game of the tournament against Iraq three days previously.

Ferguson was desperate to retain Ronaldo's services and hoped the 18-year-old's impressive performances in steering his nation to the Euro 2004 final would see him left out of the largely Under-23 competition.

However, now his worst fears have been realised, the United boss is powerless to do anything about his selection as the Olympics are a FIFA-registered competition and release of players is automatic.

Because a third-place match is also part of the tournament, should Portugal reach the last four, it would effectively mean Ronaldo will not available for United until the September 11 visit to Bolton, by which time he will also have played in World Cup qualifiers against Latvia and Estonia.

If that news was not bad enough, Ferguson will also be waiting anxiously for the results on the scan Solskjaer is due to have this week on the right knee which was operated on last September.
Solskjaer had been expected to be part of the squad which flew to the United States today but was pulled out at the last minute following a recurrence of the injury and instead remained at home for the damage to be assessed.

'Ole is still experiencing some discomfort in his right knee,' explained a United spokeswoman.
'He will not be going on the tour and will consult a specialist about the problem.'

The big fear is that the knee may require more surgery, a prospect that Solskjaer dismissed at the back end of last season.

At the time there were worries that the 30-year-old may have had to retire from the game completely, a subject the Norwegian refused to even discuss. Even so, he has admitted the six months he spent on the sidelines last term were among the most frustrating of his entire career.
'I never experienced an injury setback like that before,' he said.

'There is no doubt last season was the most disappointing of my entire career. I didn't count on how hard it would be to get back.'

If Solskjaer is ruled out of the opening month of the campaign, with Ronaldo also missing, Ferguson may be forced into a quick revision of his plans for new signing Alan Smith.

The United boss stated categorically yesterday that he saw Smith as a centre-forward, not a right-sided midfield player where he operated frequently for Leeds in his last two seasons at Elland Road.

But with Darren Fletcher also out of the US tour with an injury he picked up on international duty at the end of last season with Scotland, there may be few other alternatives available.

Smith has at least made the trip across the Atlantic, unlike Ferguson's other two close-season signings Liam Miller, who is also injured, and Gabriel Heinze, who helped Argentina make the final of Copa America with a 3-0 win over Colombia last night.

Also included in a youthful-looking squad that included Kieran Richardson, Paul McShane, Phil Bardsey, Chris Eagles and Chicago-born defender Jonathan Spector, was Nicky Butt, who is still believed to be a target for Newcastle.

While this tour does not have quite the same ground-breaking feel as the one United embarked on 12 months ago, for the young lads at least it offers a clear opportunity to impress Ferguson.

It was on last season's trip that Fletcher emerged as a first-team contender and Richardson for one, is hoping to follow the Scot's example.

'I am hoping to make a big impact this year,' said the 19-year-old Londoner, who has been linked with a move to Crystal Palace.

'Darren did exceptionally well last season and I want to emulate that.

'I have heard other clubs are interested but I just want to make it here. There is nowhere better than Manchester United.'

10:48 PM
t.r.a.c.y

POSH POPS TO THE SHOPS

By Jessica Callan

VICTORIA Beckham went shopping in the south of France yesterday - after paying 25,000pounds hiring a jet to fly there for the day.

She took sons Brooklyn, five, Romeo, 23 months, dad Tony Adams and friends to a furniture store on an industrial estate near Cannes, buying soft furnishings and picking up a brochure.

After a quick visit to the villa she and husband David own 50 miles away, the party landed back at Stansted early last night.

A source said: "Victoria's always had a canny eye for bargains but this was a bit of an expensive way to do the shopping!

"Luckily for her, there was a sale on, but even by her standards this was a long and pricey way to go to buy some sofas."

Posh may have been buying furniture for the 1.5million, 15-bedroom holiday home the Beckhams bought last May in the medieval village of Bargemon in Provence.

Yesterday's visit to the 250 acre spread was her second in 10 days.

She and David spent four hours there last week. They have yet to move in.

10:43 PM
t.r.a.c.y

RAT'S A GREAT IDEA

Westlife are releasing a "Rat Pack" album at Christmas, we can reveal.

Our favourite four Irish boys will cover classics made famous by Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr.

Kian, Shane, Mark and Nicky have also just signed a deal to host a show on ITV on December 18, where they'll perform songs from the new album.

There'll be a celebrity audience and we're told some big name surprise guests will join in the singing on stage.

"It's all Simon Cowell's idea. He reckons the album will be a huge hit. All those songs like Strangers In The Night, The Lady Is A Tramp, I've Got You Under My Skin and My Way are such classics that they just can't fail," says our source.

"The TV show has just been sorted out. It'll appeal to their fans of all age groups. The boys have just finished their tour and couldn't wait to get their teeth sunk into something new."

The boys went to see the Rat Pack musical at the Strand Theatre in London on Monday night to prepare themselves for the show tunes album.

They then went partying to Tantra until 4.30am to - er - discuss the new album. And of course have a few bevvies.

Looks like Christmas for the boys will be a bit of a cracker!

10:41 PM
t.r.a.c.y

FERGET IT, JOSE

By David McDonnell

SIR ALEX FERGUSON reignited his bitter feud with Jose Mourinho last night when he warned that Chelsea's record-breaking spending will not guarantee immediate success.

Ferguson was involved in a furious spat with Mourinho following Porto's Champions League draw with United last March when the Red Devils boss refused to shake his opposite number's hand after claiming the Portuguese had dived and cheated their way into the last eight.

The pair resume their rivalry on the opening weekend of the campaign when United head to Stamford Bridge to face a Chelsea side reinforced by a £60million summer spending spree that has brought in Didier Drogba, Petr Cech and Arjen Robben, a one-time target of Ferguson.

But Manchester United boss Fergie taunted new Premiership rival Mourinho by claiming his unrivalled spending power in the transfer market will not deliver automatic glory.

"I don't think money is the issue at all," said Fergie.

"It's all about the quality of player you have and making sure you pick the right ones."

Fergie's barbed remarks were the first warning shots fired ahead of the new campaign and a clear message to Mourinhothat he will not have it all his own way in his debut Premiership season, despite completing the £24m record signing of hitman Didier Drogba last night.

Fergie admitted this could be one of the most exciting seasons in Premiership history, although he repeated his long-held belief that the title race is likely to come down to a two-horse race.

"It could be a very interesting season," added Fergie. "Chelsea and Liverpool both have new managers, so Arsene Wenger and myself are fast becoming the old fuddie-duddies.

"I can't believe Arsene has been at Arsenal for seven years. I thought it was only four or five, but that just shows you how time flies. You can't look beyond ourselves, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool.

"At the start of the season we always say four teams can challenge, but then two always break away from the rest."

United head off for their 10-day pre-season tour of America today without injured trio Darren Fletcher, Quinton Fortune and new signing Liam Miller, but Nicky Butt will travel despite being poised for a move to Newcastle.

Gary and Phil Neville will join up with the squad on Saturday, although Ruud van Nistelrooy and Cristiano Ronaldo will miss the tour following Euro 2004.

10:38 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Kirsten Dumpst flying solo

SPIDER-MAN beauty KIRSTEN DUNST has dumped Hollywood heart-throb JAKE GYLLENHAAL.

Kirsten broke the news to the actor just two weeks ago - and he has told pals he is "devastated".
The break-up explains why The Day After Tomorrow star Jake wasn't by Kirsten's side at the UK premiere of Spider-Man 2 last week.

The actress was careful to deflect the inevitable questions about her fella, insisting: "I don't discuss my private life."

But my revelation that they have split explains the real reason why she was so secretive.

A source close to Jake told me: "Kirsten and Jake had been spending a lot of time apart because they both had filming commitments.

"But Jake was totally besotted with her and is devastated that she has broken up with him.

"Kirsten's career has sky rocketed. She's one of the hottest young actresses in Hollywood right now.

"She is determined to prove herself as a serious actress and get rid of the child actor tag she got for being a young star. Remember, she was in The Bonfire Of The Vanities in 1990. She was just eight when it was released.

"Kirsten felt her relationship with Jake was emotionally draining and she couldn't cope with it on top of her work. Its very sad for Jake. He is really heartbroken."

Kirsten and Jake were one of Hollywood's hottest young couples.

She became a huge star after landing the leading lady role in Spider-Man alongside her ex-boyfriend, TOBEY MAGUIRE.

Jake won an army of female fans when he starred in hit disaster movie, The Day After Tomorrow.

He has also starred in Donnie Darko and The Good Girl.

He met Kirsten through his big sister, Hollywood actress MAGGIE GYLLENHAAL. She was starring in last year's Mona Lisa Smile with Kirsten when she first tried to match-make.

But following her failed relationships with Tobey and BEN FOSTER, from telly black comedy Six Feet Under, Kirsten wasn't interested in another high-profile bloke.

But she developed a crush on Jake after seeing him in the comedy film Lovely & Amazing, called Maggie and asked her to arrange a date.

They soon became an item.

Only last month Jake was talking of how he felt about the pretty actress.

He said: "Yes, we are in love. She's the only girl for me."

Poor Jake. Although I don't suspect he'll have much difficulty finding a new girlfriend.

If anything, they'll be queuing up.

10:36 PM
t.r.a.c.y

EXCLUSIVE

Posh 'raider' a Hitler fan

By IAN HEPBURN

THE drug-crazed maniac seized in the grounds of Posh and Becks' mansion is a Nazi fanatic who turned his flat into a shrine to Adolf Hitler, it was revealed yesterday.

A swastika has been carved into the front door of the shaven-headed 38-year-old's second-floor council flat.

Inside, the walls are adorned with Nazi flags and pictures of Hitler.

Families living near him in Harlow, Essex, said he picked rows with neighbours and bombarded them with loud music at all times of the night.

He had been banned from a string of pubs and went off the rails four years ago, ending up in a psychiatric unit.

One woman neighbour said: "He is a complete nightmare - the neighbour from Hell."

He was seized inside the grounds of "Beckingham Palace" in Hertfordshire on Sunday night armed with firelighters and petrol-soaked rags.

He was grabbed by security men and handed over to police.

The man was released on police bail on Monday evening.

VICTORIA tried to put the horror behind her yesterday by hiring a jet for a day trip to France looking for furniture for another of the family's homes, near St Tropez.

10:20 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Get your grit out

By NEIL CUSTIS

ALEX FERGUSON has ordered Alan Smith to put some grit back into Manchester United's football.

Far from trying to calm down the firebrand, the Old Trafford boss wants all the striker's snapping, snarling, physical presence to be on show in every game.

Ferguson believes he has a technically better side to the one he formed 10 years ago - but he fears they lack the physical presence of the class of 94.

Now he wants his 7million buy from Leeds to put the fire back into United.

Ferguson said: "Alan is a good, strong, old fashioned striker.

"There is no doubt he will give us more of a physical presence. He is a real aggressive front-running player.

"The team of 10 years ago had an incredible aggression about it, with players such as Mark Hughes, Paul Ince, Eric Cantona and Roy Keane.

"This team now is a brave one with better technical ability - but that side was a physically powerful one. And that is the type of player Alan is."

From his first meeting with Smith, Ferguson knew he had someone who was determined to put United back on top of the pile.

Ferguson said: "I could not have been more impressed with his character.

"Alan said, 'I want to get to the club, prove myself, I cannot wait for it'. That enthusiasm showed me there was real substance to him.

"I have never doubted his ability, it was just a question of whether he would ever make the move from Leeds to Manchester United given all the history involved.

"But when he said he wanted to come I thought, 'You'll do for me' because he had immediately shown courage, he had made a brave decision and that speaks volumes.

"We have got a striker who is not only experienced both domestically and in Europe but who, at 23, has many playing years ahead of him."

Ferguson wants to see the same battle between his current four strikers as he had between Dwight Yorke, Andy Cole, Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in winning the Treble in 1999.

This time, it is Ruud van Nistelrooy, Smith, Louis Saha and Solskjaer battling for the places.
Ferguson said: "We have been short of strikers but now I have four again and I want them giving me problems and moaning at not being picked - as it was in 1999."

Ferguson refused to be drawn on whether this would be the last of his spending this summer.

Wayne Rooney remains the big target, though the problem is the 30m asking price to prise England's new boy wonder away from hometown club Everton.

Co-incidentally, Smith admitted he simply had to escape the club of his boyhood dreams.
He said: "There was a time when I just used to enjoy playing football and playing for my local team.

"But when money starts coming into it all, it is difficult to accept. I decided towards the end of last season that I had to go because it was obvious they wanted money in.

"I gave Leeds everything I could, but once I decided I had to leave, United was the only club I wanted to come to.

"Rio Ferdinand told me it was going to take courage to move - but if you're a certain type of character, you can make that step."

United also paraded yesterday new midfielder Liam Miller, who signed a pre-contract deal back in January when he was still at Celtic.

Ferguson said: "Liam's ability to see space in front of him and his running off the ball is superb.
"He is a player who is going to offer us something different from what we have."

While injury will keep Miller at home, Smith joined the United squad this morning as they set off on their tour of America - where they will play Bayern Munich, Celtic and AC Milan over 10 days.

It looked initially as if Fergie would leave all his Euro 2004 players at home, but England's Gary and Phil Neville will join the squad for the final two games as will France's Louis Saha.

Yet Ruud van Nistelrooy will not be in the US, having played for Holland up to the semis in Portugal.

10:13 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Armstrong back in Tour lead

By Francois Thomazeau

VILLARD-DE-LANS, France (Reuters) - Lance Armstrong's pursuit of a record sixth Tour de France victory has gained momentum after he reclaimed the yellow jersey from Thomas Voeckler.

The American beat his main rival Ivan Basso in a dramatic sprint finish at the end of the gruelling 180.5-km 15th stage between Valreas and Villard-de-Lans, to snatch the 18th stage win of his career in the world's most famous cycling event.

Jan Ullrich, the German 1997 Tour champion, was third, crossing the line three seconds behind Armstrong and Basso on Tuesday.

"I don't think it's over," the Texan said with a smile.

"Ivan is riding super. It's not over. I think Ivan can ride a good race tomorrow," he said.
With a decisive 15.5-km individual time trial at l'Alpe d'Huez to come on Wednesday, Basso appears to be the only man capable of stopping the U.S. Postal rider.

The Italian held off Armstrong to win the 12th stage in the Pyrenees resort of La Mongie and came a close second to the American the following day. He is now second overall, just one minute and 25 seconds behind Armstrong.

Spaniard Iban Mayo, who won the Alpe d'Huez stage last year and would have been expected to again do well there, withdrew from the Tour before Tuesday's stage, complaining of exhaustion.

TOO TOUGH

The seven climbs scattered on the day's route proved too tough for Frenchman Voeckler, who finally relinquished the yellow jersey after 11 days.

The 25-year-old, who had a slim 22-second lead at the start, finished nine-and-a-half minutes behind Armstrong and now lies eighth overall.

"I'm not too disappointed because I knew it was bound to happen. When the real fight started I knew it was over," Voeckler said.

Third overall is German Andreas Kloeden, who finished fourth on Tuesday after he was helped by team mate Ullrich.

Ullrich had managed to attack Armstrong on the first category Echarasson climb, briefly opening up a gap of 1:09 before Basso's team mates worked hand in hand with the U.S. Postal team to reel him in.

"With the help of my team mates Floyd Landis and Jose Azevedo and with Ivan's team mates, we never were in trouble," Armstrong said.

"We knew the course very well and for us it was not really a threatening situation," he said.

Kloeden also tried to launch an attack with 500 metres to go but Armstrong reacted in merciless style, surging past the German and Basso to show he was still the undisputed boss.
It was the 32-year-old's 61st yellow jersey.

"I still remember when I put on the first one and I was the happiest man in the world, that would have been enough for me to take to the grave," he told Eurosport television.

"Hopefully I'll have it for another five days."

1:13 AM
t.r.a.c.y

No regrets for Queiroz over Real

Carlos Queiroz insists he has no regrets about his ill-fated year at Real Madrid.

Queiroz is back at Manchester United as assistant to Sir Alex Ferguson, just 12 months after leaving the job to jump into the Bernabeu hot-seat.

Despite an impressive start in Spain, Queiroz was unable to halt an alarming slump which saw Real dumped out of the Champions League at the quarter-final stage and collapse to fourth in La Liga after topping the table in early March.

Club president Florentino Perez wasted no time in dumping Queiroz and Ferguson, who had still not appointed a permanent successor to the former Sporting Lisbon coach, was quick to reappoint his old number two.

Yet despite being back exactly where he started, Queiroz claims to have had a 'fantastic time' in the Spanish capital.

'From a professional point of view, it was a great season,' he told the Manchester Evening News.

'Unfortunately, the results didn't reach what we would expect but during those eight months we created some magic and entertainment and overall, it was very good for me.

'Just because you don't win a title, it doesn't mean you are moving in the wrong direction.

'I don't regret leaving United originally and going to Madrid because when I made the decision, it was the right one at that moment.

'But coming back is special because from a professional point of view, it means people must have been happy with me.'

Roy Keane and Ryan Giggs have already spoken of their delight at Queiroz's return and clearly the Portuguese's innovative training techniques are popular within the United camp.

He took charge of the first stages of United's pre-season programme and has already made his presence felt by persuading Ferguson to appoint fitness guru Valter di Salvo to the Old Trafford backroom staff.

Di Salvo was the man apparently blamed by David Beckham for his lack of fitness during Euro 2004.

It was part of a public spat between Beckham and Queiroz, that led to the coach supposedly claiming the former Manchester United midfielder was 'always looking for excuses' for his disappointments.

However, the pair have since got together for a chat and accepted each other's comments had been twisted.

'I had the opportunity to talk with David Beckham and we understand together what was going on with regards to those comments,' he said.

'He knows exactly what I said and I know exactly what he said.

'We discussed it and it is clear between us. There is no problem. David never questioned the fitness at the Bernabeu.

'I just laughed at those comments because I knew the truth. I like to laugh and sometimes you laugh at fun things and sometimes you laugh because they are so ridiculous and stupid that that is the only way to react. That's what happened.

'The information that came out over the fitness was manipulated by one specific source that from the very first day I arrived at Madrid tried to damage the work I was doing.

'It started when I went there. It went on during the season and didn't finish when I left. It was nothing new. There was no innovation, no imagination, just rubbish.'

1:11 AM
t.r.a.c.y

Smith candid over move to Man Utd

Alan Smith's desire to join Manchester United hardened when boyhood idols Leeds started to push him through the Elland Road exit door before their disastrous season had even come to a close.

Most Leeds fans are still seething with anger that a man they regarded as one of their own turned his back on the West Yorkshire outfit for their hated rivals when he completed his controversial £7million cross-Pennine switch last May.

Even Sir Alex Ferguson admitted he had grave doubts over whether he could lure the 23-year-old to Old Trafford given the bitter rift which divides the two clubs.

Smith though is unrepentant, insisting he had no regrets about the move, which he made with the full backing of his Leeds-supporting parents.

And he claims the decision was made easier once he found out he was being shoved out in a desperate search for cash.

He said: 'I did everything I could for Leeds.

'But as the season drew to a close I saw a different side to the game.

'Prior to that I had just enjoyed playing for my local team - a team I cared about.

'Then it became obvious they needed to get some money in. Leeds had paid nothing for me because I came through the academy ranks, so they knew whatever fee they received would be pure profit.

'Once money came into it from their point of view, it was difficult to accept.'

Having stripped away all the emotion, the straight-talking Yorkshireman was left with a simple decision.

'Once I had decided to leave, I only wanted to join one club - and that was Manchester United,' he said.

'I spoke to Rio Ferdinand about it but I think everyone appreciates that for me, coming from Leeds, the step was a bit different than it was for him.

'But if you are a certain type of character, you can make the step easily.

'I did everything I could for Leeds but my passion and commitment for Manchester United will be exactly the same.'

It is that straightforward, clear thinking which appealed to Ferguson, who wasted no time making his move once he started to receive positive vibes from the Smith camp.

And rather than use the England international in the type of midfield role he occupied for Leeds at times, Ferguson has only one role in mind for the new recruit.

'I see Alan as an old-fashioned centre-forward,' said Ferguson, 'an aggressive front-running player. The fact he can play in other positions is coincidental as far as I am concerned.

'I truly believe he will be a tremendous player for us. He has five years experience in the Premiership and the Champions League and he is still only 23.

'And aside from his ability, I couldn't be more impressed with his character. I knew a move to us from Leeds would be difficult and it takes courage and bravery to make the decision he has.

'It would have been easier to take up one of the other half-dozen offers he had but when you see the kind of enthusiasm Alan had to come here, you are getting someone of real substance.'

After less than two weeks' training, Smith has already found out how much hunger and desire is seeping out of the Old Trafford camp to wrest the Premier League title back from Arsenal.

He will pull on the famous red United shirt for the first time on Sunday, when the Red Devils take on Bayern Munich in the opening game of their three-match United States tour, part of a packed programme which builds towards a Champions League qualifier on August 11 and the opening game of the new Premiership campaign at Chelsea four days later.

'I haven't been here long but I have already seen how professional the players are and how much people want to win trophies,' he said.

'The players here believe in their own ability and that of their team-mates.

'What other clubs do and how much they spend doesn't bother anyone here.

'We believe we have a good enough squad to win trophies and I am sure that is what we will do.'

1:08 AM
t.r.a.c.y

Tuesday, July 20, 2004

Intruder arrested at Beckham home

A man carrying a petrol can was arrested in the grounds of David and Victoria Beckham's Hertfordshire home this weekend, police have confirmed.

The intruder was tackled by five guards before police officers and a helicopter arrived at the scene.

A 38-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possessing a controlled drug and carrying equipment to damage the mansion. He was later bailed.

Mrs Beckham, 30, was alone at home with their two children at the time.

David Beckham, 29, was in Spain preparing to begin pre-season training at Real Madrid.
The man got in to the 24-acre estate by scaling a 7ft wall and was heading for the main buildings when he was tackled.

A Hertfordshire Police spokesman confirmed he was discovered by staff at around 2020 BST on Sunday and questioned at a nearby station.

The security system at the couple's home in Sawbridgeworth is thought to have captured the intruder on CCTV camera and triggered a link to local police.

Guards reportedly said the intruder was ranting about the England captain.

A spokesman for Mrs Beckham said she remained calm when she was told about security breach.

'Worrying'

He said: "I spoke to Victoria last night and this morning and she wasn't frightened by what happened.

"She doesn't really know much about what happened, or about the man who did this, so we will wait to hear more from the police.

"What was worrying is that we understand the man was carrying drugs and other items to attack the house and he clearly knew he was at the home of the Beckhams."

Police said the suspect, from Harlow, Essex, had been released on police bail to return to Hertford police station on 24 September.

The family's spokesman added: "David and Victoria are now used to this kind of incident and are very happy with their security.

"On their recent holiday in France there was a problem with two people who were arrested on their land."

3:06 PM
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Monday, July 19, 2004

BECKS IN COP QUIZ

By Stephen White

DAVID Beckham faces a police quiz after his bodyguard allegedly attacked a photographer at a marina - and threw him in the water.

Francois Glories claims the minder charged at him just yards from the England captain and his family in the French Riviera port of Villefranche-sur-Mer.

He said the minder dragged him to the water's edge and hurled him in, with £7,000 worth of equipment.

Mr Glories added: "It weighs quite a lot and I struggled to free myself before I could scramble out.

"It was a completely unprovoked attack. Beckham and his family did nothing but stand back and watch."

Mr Glories has issued a complaint for assault with the police.

David, wife Victoria, and sons Brooklyn and Romeo, were strolling around flanked by two bodyguards during their holiday last week. Mr Glories said: "I was with three other photographers when this huge bodyguard ran at me.

"I admit I was there to take pictures, but we were all standing about 15 yards away. We were not hassling them."

He is demanding compensation for the loss of his equipment.

The bodyguard - believed to be British - has not been named.

A French police spokesman said: "A charge against this bodyguard has been made and we will need to interview him and any witnesses to the alleged attack. This includes David Beckham and his wife."

7:19 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Cops' quiz for ace David

COPS are to quiz David and Victoria Beckham after claims one of their minders attacked a photographer.

Francois Glories says he was 15 yards away from the star and his family when the bouncer charged at him.

Glories claims he was dragged off and thrown into the sea, along with £7,000 of photographic equipment.

He has issued a complaint for assault over the alleged incident while Becks, left, was in the French port of Villefranche-sur-Mer on holiday.

Police said: “A charge has been made and we will need to interview the photographer and any witnesses, including David Beckham and his wife.”

Glories said: “It was an unprovoked attack. Beckham and his family did nothing but stand back and watch.”

7:07 PM
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Sunday, July 18, 2004

HOL'S OVER..BACK TO LONG-DISTANCE LOVE

By Ben Todd

DAVID and Victoria Beckham were last night more than a thousand miles apart...again.
Posh and Becks had been trying to put their marriage woes behind them by enjoying a family holiday at Sir Elton John's home in the South of France.

But on Friday it was back to the long-distance relationship that has proved so testing over the previous months.

Becks had to leave his family behind after 17 days together and returned to Madrid, before heading with his Real team-mates to their training camp in Jerez. He took an early-morning scheduled flight from Nice to Spain - after waving goodbye to the family in the Cote d'Azur.

Within hours of David's departure, Victoria was on a private jet back to England with their two children.

Yesterday, Victoria - who has said she plans to move to Spain full-time for the new football season - was believed to be back at Beckingham Palace in Sawbridgeworth, Herts.

A friend said: "David and Victoria have had, for them, a long time away together and they've both really enjoyed it.

"But now it's back to the old long-distance relationship that caused them so much trouble in the last 12 months."

The couple headed out to Marrakesh in Morocco at the end of June.

But after word leaked out of their whereabouts, they went to Sir Elton's.

There they met up with their sons, five-year-old Brooklyn and 22-month-old Romeo, and enjoyed days by the pool.

6:54 PM
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IT'S CALL OVER

By Ben Todd Showbusiness Editor

DAVID Beckham has been banned from using his mobile phone by his strict new boss.

Tough Real Madrid manager Jose Antonio Camacho has demanded the text-loving England captain and his team-mates switch off their mobiles in the afternoons during the club's pre-season training.

And he has told Becks that if wife Victoria wants to get hold of him, she has to ring in the morning or evening.

Camacho's get-tough approach follows concerns at the club - sponsored by Siemens Mobile - that Becks' turbulent private life affected his performances in the second half of last season.

A club insider said: "Camacho doesn't want any distractions and has told Beckham in no uncertain terms that he doesn't want him receiving any phone calls in the afternoons.

"His mobile has to be switched off between a quarter to one when he goes down for tapas before lunch and five when he finishes his afternoon nap. That goes for calls to his bedroom too.

"Camacho's view is that lunchtime and siesta time are sacred. The same goes for dinner time." Becks' former PA Rebecca Loos and escort girl Sarah Marbeck both claimed the star sent him sexy text messages during alleged affairs.

Former Spanish national team manager Camacho, who played for Real in the Seventies, took over Real last month.

But while he has slapped a phone ban on Becks, 29, for the nine-day training session in Jerez, southern Spain, he looks set to let him jet back to England on rest days.

Becks' use of a private jet to make regular return trips to Britain was thought to have concerned Real Madrid president Florentino Perez.

But Camacho has told Becks he can go where he wants on rest days, as long as he tells the club.

The insider said: "You couldn't get Beckham off his phone last year."

6:47 PM
t.r.a.c.y

BECKS BACK GRIN FORM

By Gerard Couzens

DAVID BECKHAM showed he was fighting back to fitness yesterday - by outrunning team-mates at the start of pre-season training.

The England captain looked a different man to the dejected figure who finished Euro 2004 out of sorts after two missed penalties and a string of below-par performances.

He was tanned and looked relaxed during his second work-out since returning to Spain after his summer holidays.

And he quickly dispelled any doubts over his fitness levels by coming through the gruelling morning session in 80-degree heat in flying colours.

Beckham blamed his poor Euro 2004 showing on the training regime of former Real Madrid manager Carlos Queiroz. He said it was too relaxed.

But successor Jose Antonio Camacho looks like he will give Beckham no cause for concern, working his pampered stars into the ground.

Beckham, new signing Walter Samuel and team-mates who played in Euro 2004 including Raul Bravo, Zinedine Zidane and Raul trained apart from the rest of the squad.

But whereas Friday's session was 20 minutes of light running, yesterday was a slog designed to raise fitness levels.

There was no football in sight. Instead, Camacho made the stars do five timed runs of up to 2,000 metres each around football pitches next to their hotel in Jerez, southern Spain.

The players set off at 15-second intervals and first time round Beckham caught Raul on the third lap.

Second time round Zidane had Beckham breathing down his neck after the second lap.

And when Beckham started first he soon outdistanced the pack - a clear sign he has looked after himself during summer holidays in Morocco and the south of France.

In between runs the players did push-ups, sit-ups, skipping and squat thrusts.
The only time Beckham stopped during the 80-minute work-out was to stretch. At the end there were just a few beads of sweat on his forehead.

Becks looked happy as he signed autographs for fans. And he joked with team-mates - letting striker Portillo put him in a headlock before responding with a friendly slap.

Striker Ronaldo said he was impressed with Beckham's fitness. "He looks extremely good to me. The training session was hard.

Fellow striker Raul added: "David looks well rested. I think he's turned the chapter on Euro 2004 and is looking forward now, not back. He's a great player and he has great hopes for the season that's coming."

6:44 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Saturday, July 17, 2004

Manchester United Pre-Season Training

2:31 PM
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2:29 PM
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Friday, July 16, 2004

Gill: Queiroz will inspire United

Manchester United chief executive David Gill reckons the return of Carlos Queiroz will spark the Red Devils back to life this season.

Sir Alex Ferguson wasted no time in luring Queiroz back to Old Trafford when his ill-fated spell in charge of Real Madrid was brought to a premature close by Florentino Perez.

Queiroz made a huge impression as Ferguson's number two during the 2002-03 campaign, with the Portuguese coach's innovative training routines winning favour with the players and being credited with playing a major role in United's eighth Premiership title triumph.

And though Queiroz's trophyless stay at the Bernabeu was not an entirely happy one, Gill believes United can benefit from the positive aspect of the experience.

'Carlos had a very big impact in the year he was with us,' Gill told the Manchester Evening News.

'We won the league and if you speak to the players individually, a number of them benefited from his coaching skills and innovations.

'He left us on a high and went away for a year and albeit it wasn't that satisfactory for him in that he didn't win any trophies in Madrid, he will have gained from the experience and we can only benefit from it.'

Ferguson spent most of last season trawling Europe for a successor, with new Tottenham assistant Martin Jol among those linked with the post.

Eventually, the United boss brought in old mate Walter Smith to help out in the latter stages of the season, taking some of the strain off Mike Phelan, who carried out the job for most of the year.

Gill acknowledges though that having some permanency in the post will aid United's illustrious 62-year-old manager.

'Alex will be the first to say he needs a top right-hand man because running a football club as big as Manchester United is so huge,' he said.

'It wasn't for the want of trying that we didn't get someone in last year because Alex was scouring Europe and speaking to everyone about who would be a good right hand man, so to get Carlos back was great.

'He has the benefit of having that European flavour. He speaks four languages and both the manager and players - as a group and individuals - will benefit from Carlos returning.'

Although Queiroz's assertion that he is now favourite to take over from Ferguson when the Scot eventually stands down has been played down by the United camp, he has wasted little time in making his presence felt, masterminding the arrival of fitness guru Valter di Salvo earlier this week.

Between them, they will ensure each player is given their own specific pre-season programme to ensure they are in top condition for the first competitive game of the new campaign - an unwanted Champions League qualifier on August 11.

Before that, United embark on a three-match tour of the United States, host the Vodafone Cup and take on old rivals Arsenal in the Community Shield.

Meanwhile, Ferguson has also learned that the return of the three South American members of his squad; Kleberson, Diego Forlan and new signing Gabriel Heinze will be delayed as their respective countries; Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina, all reached this weekend's quarter-finals of Copa America.

12:00 AM
t.r.a.c.y

Thursday, July 15, 2004

Becks' 10 million-euro ball bid a fake!

MADRID, July 15 (Reuters) - A 10 million-euro bid for the ball that David Beckham blasted into the stands during England's Euro 2004 shootout defeat against Portugal has been ruled a fake.

After running checks on the bids, the Spanish site of Internet auctioneers eBay decided to reduced the top offer for the ball from 10 million to a mere 23,650 euros ($29,270).

The ball was put up for sale by the Spanish football fan who grabbed it while he was watching the Euro 2004 quarter-final from Row Q of the Luz stadium in Lisbon.

A bidding war believed to involve genuine collectors and British newspapers, anxious to get hold of the ultimate memento of a penalty miss that helped cost England a place in the semi-finals, was also joined by pranksters who hiked the price to astronomical levels.

The interest in the ball has created a major headache for the eBay, who have had to introduce a new series of security checks in order to establish the authenticity of the bids.

'Nothing like this has ever occurred in Spain before,' company spokesperson Inma Solis said on Wednesday.

'We are having to check out each bid with our departments in other countries and are trying to cancel out those we believe to be false.'

Pablo Carral, the 25-year-old Deportivo Coruna fan who caught Beckham's spot kick, said he only realised the interest the ball might generate after he had been contacted by a British newspaper who were anxious to get their hands on the trophy.

'I decided to put the ball up for auction after a British paper tried to buy it,' he said.

'I was also rung up by several Irish daily papers saying they wanted to get hold of it in order to poke fun at Beckham and the English - it's complete madness.'

The ball, embossed with the names of the teams, the date and match venue, will be up for sale until July 22.

11:59 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Wednesday, July 14, 2004

Sky's the limit for Beckham ball

MADRID (Reuters) - The ball that David Beckham blasted into the stands when he missed a penalty in England's Euro 2004 shootout defeat by Portugal has attracted a bid of over 2.8 million euros (1.8 million pounds) on an Internet auction site.

Beckham's wild spot-kick contributed to his side's quarter-final elimination, and collectors have decided it is worth battling for the ultimate memento of an error the England captain would much rather forget.

The Spanish football fan who claimed the trophy when it landed in his arms in Row Q of the Luz stadium in Lisbon decided to put the ball up for sale on the Spanish site of Internet auctioneers eBay (www.es.ebay.com) after a British newspaper offered to buy it for 18,000 euros.

The ball, embossed with the names of the teams, the date and match venue, went on sale on Monday at a starting price of one euro but after 48 hours it had reached an astronomical 2,800,800 euros.

The auction is open until July 22 and ebay says bids can only be withdrawn in special circumstances.

Pablo Carral, a 25-year-old Deportivo Coruna fan, admitted he could hardly believe his luck when the ball sailed into his hands.

"The incredible thing was that the ball reached us because we were so far from the goal," he said.

7:09 PM
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Becks' penalty ball fetches high bids

MADRID, July 13 (Reuters) - The Spanish football fan who grabbed David Beckham's wayward penalty in England's Euro 2004 quarter-final defeat against Portugal has put the ball for sale on an auction website.

The ball was fetching 9,050euros on Tuesday on the Spanish site of Internet auctioneers eBay (www.es.ebay.com), a day after it went on sale with the first bid at just one euro. The auction is open until July 22.

Pablo Carral, a 25-year-old Deportivo Coruna fan, claimed the trophy when Beckham's first attempt in the penalty shootout landed in his arms in Row Q of the Luz stadium in Lisbon.

It is embossed with the names of the two teams, the date and the venue of the game.

'The incredible thing was that the ball reached us because we were so far from the goal,' he said.

Carral said he has already received an offer of 18,000euros from a British newspaper for the ball, and was hoping it would fetch a higher price in the Internet auction.

4:58 PM
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Tuesday, July 13, 2004

Trump's New Challenge

Big-Apple billionaire DONALD TRUMP will soon be back for a second season of "The Apprentice" and the grand prize (a gig as president of a Trump division for one year) is well worth the fear of hearing those dreaded boardroom words, "You're fired."

So much so that Trump boasts that more than one million applicants, including graduates of Harvard, Yale, Princeton and Wharton, applied for round two. He also reveals that this year's group is even sharper than the first, because the 18 finalists studied every episode of the original show and came ready to play!

On tonight's ET, our JANN CARL is with The Donald to get the inside story on "The Apprentice 2," which is currently shooting in New York City, and to find out how he is dealing with his new notoriety.

"Look, I thought I was the biggest star before but now I am bigger," Donald admits. "It is beyond what I had anticipated."

"The Apprentice" is one of the smartest reality shows on TV with contestants competing each week in tasks as diverse as operating a Swap-meet location, renovating real estate in rundown neighborhoods and even producing a rock concert. The tasks for season two are even more sophisticated, according to the real-estate magnate. Now that the show is a success, The Donald and series creator MARK BURNETT have been approached by numerous companies to become a part of the show.

In addition, last year's winner, BILL RANCIC, currently working on a new Trump building in Chicago, IL, will also be a part of "The Apprentice 2." Bill stepped into the boardroom when Trump's executive vice president and senior counsel, GEORGE H. ROSS, was forced to miss a few sessions due to a business trip. The buzz is that the up-and-coming entrepreneur is reportedly tougher on the candidates than George! And Bill may not be the only season one candidate who makes an appearance. When asked if OMAROSA returns, the billionaire didn't give a direct answer, but smiled.

Donald also says he is signed on the dotted line through "The Apprentice 3," despite earlier indications he might quit after the second season.

"I jokingly said Mark totally misrepresented [the time it would take] when he got me to do this deal," Donald says. "He said about three hours a week, but it was a lot more. What made it very palatable for me, though, was the success of the show. When you have something this successful, it becomes easier to devote the time necessary."

4:10 PM
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Donald's Prenup Advice For Britney!

"The Apprentice" star and prolific dealmaker DONALD TRUMP knows a thing or two about mergers and acquisitions, both in the business world and his never-boring personal life. That's why The Donald, who has had ample experience at marriage, offers some marital advice for the soon-to-be-married BRITNEY SPEARS!

"I heard Britney Spears is not going to have a prenuptial agreement," he tells ET. "She's making a huge mistake. Just a huge, traumatic and potentially ruinous mistake."

The super-successful songstress announced in June that she is engaged to boyfriend KEVIN FEDERLINE and there are reports the two will wed as soon as November. But Trump, who has been married twice (once to IVANA TRUMP and once to MARLA MAPLES), is clearly an advocate of the prenup.

"You have to have it," he says. "You're just doing yourself a tremendous disservice if you don't have a prenuptial agreement." Trump, who is said to be worth $6 billion, admits it's not a pleasant procedure, but says he feels it must be done.

"It's a horrible instrument. It's a horrible thing to be talking to your future bride or husband for the next 100 years and you say, 'Darling, when we get divorced, this is what is going to be. It's all horrible. But if you don't have it, it's just a tremendous mistake."

And one can bet he'll be practicing what he preaches, now that he is engaged to longtime girlfriend MELANIA KNAUSS. As the mogul predicts he and the brunette beauty will be saying their "I dos" sometime early next year, he reveals what it takes to make a high-profile marriage work.

"I think, ultimately, you have to be friends," he says. "If you're not friends, it's not going to work. And the other thing is, you really have to be attracted to each other."

And when pressed what kind of wedding he and Knauss have planned, he says it's the planning of the marriage, not the actual wedding, that should count the most.

"I've done it all different ways. I've had all sorts of events that were big, small -- and not only marriages," he says. "But in the end it doesn't really matter. The most important thing is that after the wedding you go home and get along for the rest of your lives. That's really what's important."

4:07 PM
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We only buy Ferraris

By CHARLIE WYETT

MANCHESTER UNITED chief executive David Gill has hit back at the club's fans over criticism of Alex Ferguson's signings.

For the first time in 15 years, United will begin a season as THIRD favourites for the title with most of the bookmakers' money being taken on Arsenal and Chelsea.

The key reason is United are no longer attracting the world's very best players - with some supporters accusing Fergie of bringing in "fleets of Ford Fiestas instead of a Ferrari."

Yet Gill insists United will come out "with all guns blazing" when their Premiership season begins against Chelsea on August 15.

Boss Ferguson has previously splashed out almost 100million on stars such as Rio Ferdinand, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Juan Veron.

Yet only 12million Portuguese wonder-kid Cristiano Ronaldo and goalkeeper Tim Howard emerged as successes last term. David Bellion, Kleberson and Eric Djemba-Djemba were all flops, while Louis Saha was a late arrival.

United have again failed to make a major plunge into the transfer market and only 13million has been spent on Leeds striker Alan Smith and defender Gabriel Heinze from PSG.

Gill, whose third-placed team finished 15 points behind Arsenal last season, said: "I don't think anyone could class Tim Howard or Ronaldo as Fiestas unless I am watching a different game of football to them.

"As for the other players, you've just got to give them time. Young players like Kleberson can take a while to settle in. Look at another Brazilian, Edu, for example. For his first three years at Arsenal, he played second fiddle to Gilberto Silva but last season everyone was raving about him.

"We bring in players on four or five-year contracts so let's view them in the medium term, not after one season.

"Although you might not win the league every season, when we've lost it before, we've lost it towards the end of the season - and that didn't happen last term.

"We need to be up there challenging into March, April and May. Then if you don't win it, you've at least made a great race of it.

"We've got to get back to that. Winning the FA Cup was a great end to the season for the team, the manager and the fans.

"But we need to come out all guns blazing next season, so we get up there in the league and we reach the latter stages of the European Cup."

Gill also revealed how desperate he is for banned defender Ferdinand to return. The England star is due to be back in action in September and has been sorely missed by both club and country.

He added: "You don't lose a 30million defender - one of the top defenders in European football and one of the best at the 2002 World Cup - without it hurting you.

"It would be stupid to say it didn't. We desperately want Rio back on September 20 as the world-class defender he is - and to get on with our lives.

"If you looked at our form before Rio was suspended, we had the best defence. I think we'd conceded only 15 goals in 23 games and we were sitting at the top of the league in very good shape. Then the wheels came off a bit, so losing Rio was a big blow."

Gill said it was difficult to forecast what would have been the outcome of Ferdinand's case had he accepted blame from the start after failing to attend a routine FA drugs test.

He admitted: "There are lessons to be learned from it.

"I think Rio, the club and indeed the FA would agree with that. We clearly felt aggrieved at the way certain aspects were handled in terms of it coming out into the public domain much sooner than in any other case.

"Clearly, if you look at some of the precedents on punishment, they were a lot less than the eight-month ban that Rio ended up with.

"But it's important to note that the FA, both at the original hearing and at the appeal, were pushing for a 12-month sentence. So I think it's difficult to know what the situation would have been.

"What's important now is that everyone has learned lessons from it. I think the procedures that the FA are bringing in for discipline next season will be a great improvement in terms of clarity for everyone concerned.

"We've just got to learn from it and make sure we push on and put it behind us. We want a good relationship with the FA and want to move that forward."

Gill shrugged off any effect of the high-profile bust-up between Ferguson and the club's biggest shareholders JP McManus and John Magnier over stud rights for the racehorse Rock Of Gibraltar.

He said: "Sir Alex's dispute was running before Christmas when the team was still performing well, so I wouldn't say that was a distraction.

"We were obviously very pleased that it was settled."

Even so, the bookies are not convinced, making Arsenal the 6-5 market leaders with Chelsea second best on 2-1. United are third on 5-2.

Ladbrokes' Balthazar Fabricius said: "We believe the tide has changed and expect Chelsea to follow Arsenal home."

But United and Arsenal have retained their place among the elite group of top seeds for next season's Champions League.

Chelsea and Liverpool must settle for being part of the second set of teams.

That means the Gunners and United - who first face a qualifier - will go into the group stage of the tournament, knowing they will avoid the four Spanish sides and champions Porto.

2:00 PM
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EXCLUSIVE

I'll fit you in

By CHARLIE WYETT

ALEX FERGUSON is signing the man David Beckham blamed for poor fitness at Euro 2004.

In a massive slap in the face for Becks, Manchester United boss Fergie has offered a job to Real Madrid's health guru Valter di Salvo.

Old Trafford No 2 Carlos Queiroz - boss of Real last season - persuaded Fergie the Italian, 40, is the right man to help lead United's revival.

Di Salvo told pals he was hurt and disappointed by Becks' attack after the European Championships.

When England crashed out against Portugal in the quarter-finals, skipper Becks claimed his fitness and stamina levels at Real had not matched those he enjoyed at United.

Queiroz - picked up by Fergie after being booted out of the Bernabeu - then blasted Becks as a slack pro who always looks for 'excuses' to explain his lack of form.

Fellow Real midfielder Luis Figo then rounded on Becks and criticised him for his outburst.

The Portugal skipper pointed out he had done exactly the same kind of work and was in top condition all the way to the Euro 2004 final.

Di Salvo, who worked for Sven Goran Eriksson at Lazio, is a believer in using hi-tech methods to measure fitness.

He is considered in his own country to be the most innovative and daring fitness coach in Europe and new Inter Milan coach Roberto Mancini wanted him to work at the San Siro.

United's stars will be introduced to the world of personal computerised fitness programmes.

But di Salvo's arrival leaves Becks' best mates in football, Gary and Phil Neville, being put through their paces by a man their pal does not rate.

1:59 PM
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Monday, July 12, 2004

MEND IT LIKE BECKS

By Fiona Cummins, Showbiz Reporter

DAVID and Victoria Beckham were yesterday back at the secluded mansion where they spent their honeymoon trying to put the strains on their marriage behind them.

The couple's holiday last week in Morocco was reportedly marred by rows so they have flown on to Sir Elton John's hideaway on the French Riviera where they can have peace and privacy.

They honeymooned there five years ago after their wedding in Ireland. Their children Romeo, one, and Brooklyn, five, have also joined them.

An insider said: "They had planned to stay in Marrakesh for a few extra days but then Sir Elton invited them to stay.

"They've been moving around because they just want to keep a lot to organise with the move to Spain to they are enjoying precious time off."

Sir Elton often lends his bolthole to stars in crisis. Becks, 29, and 30-year-old Victoria were rocked by claims he slept with PA Rebecca Loos.

The England captain had one less problem last night after the candidate for Real Madrid club president who threatened to sell him was not elected.

6:08 PM
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Sunday, July 11, 2004

Eriksson focused on England job

Sven-Goran Eriksson has revealed his desire to coach Sweden in the future but he insists his current focus is fixed firmly on taking England to the 2006 World Cup.

Eriksson was a guest at the Swedish Open tennis in Bastad on Saturday and took part in a question-and-answer session from a group of local businessmen.

When asked about coaching his homeland at some point, he replied: 'Yes, I would like it. But before taking that job I would prefer to be a coach for a club and feel the atmosphere and smell from the dressing rooms.'

The Swede, however, has a contract with the Football Association until 2008 and insists he is not looking beyond that just yet.

'Sweden has just changed coach with Tommy Soderberg stepping down and Roland Andersson joining Lars Lagerback, so I don't think Sweden's FA is even thinking about making a new change,' Eriksson added, before speaking of his immediate and longer-term plans.

'I will stay a week more in Sweden, to see my parents and friends in Varmland, and then go back to England.

'When thinking about football, the big thing is to take England to the next World Cup in Germany, not to look for some other job.'

11:31 PM
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Perez heading for landslide win

MADRID, July 11 (Reuters) - Florentino Perez is heading for a landslide victory in his bid to be re-elected as Real Madrid president according to early exit polls on Sunday.

A poll run by Spanish sports daily Marca showed that of 700 club members who had voted on Sunday morning, 661 said they had voted for Perez, 25 for former president Lorenzo Sanz and 14 for third candidate Arturo Baldasano.

Perez was already reported to have gained 11,034 postal votes from the 65,197 club members entitled to vote in the election, while Baldasano had garnered 34.

Sanz, who had tried to have the election postponed because of what he said were irregularities in the way Perez had collected postal votes, had registered none.

Perez, who won a surprise victory over Sanz four years ago, was in confident mood.

'I would be very surprised if I lost,' he told sports daily AS on Sunday.

'The club members know what my aims are and they know that if they support me Real Madrid will construct a team that will make history by recruiting the best players in the world every year.'

He made no promises about which new players he might sign, but has admitted that he has been negotiating with European champions Porto to bring in defender Ricardo Carvalho and midfielder Costinha.

Polling ends at 1900 BST, with the result expected to be announced within three hours.

11:27 PM
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HE'S BECK AT ELTON'S LOVENEST

David & Posh in 'honeymoon No2'

DAVID and Victoria Beckham have returned to Sir Elton John's South of France home for a "second honeymoon".

Last night, a friend revealed: "They look happier than they have in years. It's like going on another honeymoon."

The couple first went to Sir Elton's house five years ago following their marriage at Luttrellstown Castle in Dublin.

On Tuesday, they returned to the rock star's pad - jetting in from Marrakesh two days after the fifth anniversary of their wedding.

The couple have been joined by their children Romeo and Brooklyn on the second part of their holiday. They are having a blissful time relaxing by the swimming pool and even playing with water pistols.

They have been determined to put Becks' alleged affair with his former PA Rebecca Loos and a series of rows during Euro 2004 behind them.

The whole family have been spending days by the pool and have visited nearby Monaco - eating at restaurants and buying gifts at the chic boutiques.

By night, the couple have been relaxing at Sir Elton's home watching videos and just enjoying being together.

Last night, a close friend said: "They came to Elton's because they know what a safe bolthole it is. They have been here many times since they got married and they are always relaxed here. Although Morocco was great, they didn't feel they could relax as much as they would have liked. And although they loved just being together as a couple they were constantly on the phone to the children, so they couldn't wait to see Brooklyn and Romeo again."

The children, who visited Chessington World Of Adventures with their grandparents in Surrey earlier in the week, flew out to be reunited with Posh and Becks.

The friend said: "David is always at his happiest when he has his family around him - and he is really happy at the moment.

The couple have been enjoying delicacies cooked by Elton's chef. They tucked into fresh lobster after a delivery earlier in the week as well as fish delicacy St Pierre. The couple were last night planning to enjoy a romantic meal together at a nearby restaurant.

On Wednesday David, 29, and 30-year-old Victoria and the children headed to Zebra Square restaurant in Monaco, a stone's throw from the royal palace in the principality.

Afterwards, the couple strolled through the streets of Monaco, going to boutiques. An onlooker said: "They were just like any other family. David ran his hand through Victoria's hair as they walked. They were relaxed and happy."

Next day, the couple - who called off plans to renew their wedding vows in Morocco at the last minute a week ago - returned to the restaurant again.

The friend said: "Elton's pad is home from home for David.

"Victoria can relax as well. Despite everything, she finds it hard always being in the public eye. But behind closed doors she can really let her hair down.

"Contrary to her public image, she's a really down-to-earth girl - and that's now shining through.

People wouldn't recognise Victoria."

After months of troubles, the couple have fought for their relationship - and are making it publicly clear they are determined to stay together.

11:26 PM
t.r.a.c.y

COWELL RAP FOR BAND'S GUN STUNT

POP tycoon Simon Cowell has been slated by ad watchdogs for glorifying the use of guns.

A poster for his rap band Outkast showed one artist brandishing a pink, smoking gun.

The Advertising Standards Authority agreed with a complainant that it was "irresponsible".

Cowell, Pop Idol's Mr Nasty, is director of the band's label BMG UK & Ireland, which put out the poster.

Watchdogs said the ad suggested the gun had been recently fired.

The record label argued that many film posters featured much more explicit images of guns and violence.

They said they believed those who saw it would realise it was a joke because the gun was pink.

Another complainant to the Advertising Standards Authority said the poster promoted racial stereotypes, but watchdogs disagreed.

11:23 PM
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MARRIAGE CRISIS OF TV JAMIE

By Ben Todd Showbusiness Editor

JAMIE Oliver's four-year marriage has hit trouble because of his punishing workload.

The super-chef's wife Jools has been feeling neglected because they are spending so little time together.

Jamie is so concerned he is spending this weekend at a secret country hideaway with Jools and their children Poppy Honey, two, and 15-month-old Daisy Boo.

The couple's marriage has long been regarded as one of the strongest in showbusiness.

But it has been put under enormous pressure by 29-year-old Jamie's exhausting work rate.

On Thursday, he did not return to their home in Belsize Park, North London, until past midnight. When he emerged from a people carrier, he was clutching a hold-all and looked tired and dishevelled.

Jools has become increasingly unhappy as she runs the family home while Jamie has spent time working on his restaurant and his TV projects. Matters came to a head last week. A friend revealed: "Jools was becoming more and more upset. She loves Jamie to bits - but she felt like she was never seeing him.

"There were tears. After all, it's hard enough bringing up two children. And it's made even worse when you're barely seeing your husband. In the end, with Jamie working so much, the stress and the pressure just got to her."

The friend added: "Jamie lives and breathes the job. But he realises he's got to start thinking more about his family before the marriage is put under real threat."

Rumours began circulating last week that the marriage had hit a rough patch after Jools, also 29, told friends she was at her wit's end with Jamie's hectic work schedule.

Realising that his wife was desperately unhappy, Jamie wrote a heartfelt message on his personal website on Friday.

After posting a new photograph of Poppy, he wrote of his love for Jools and his daughters - and told how much he missed them.

He said: "I was searching through the photos of the girls on my computer and I could not resist putting this one up of Poppy.

"I have really missed Jools, Poppy and Daisy. I am so looking forward to this weekend as we are spending time together in the country. It will be great as I have not seen them all week."

His message continued: "Jools works so hard running my family life whilst I am away. In fact tonight, my darling I will massage your feet for more than three hours!!"

As well as overseeing his TV restaurant Fifteen, Jamie has been working on a new series for Channel 4 called Jamie's School Dinners.

That has seen him spending much of his time filming at Kidbrooke School, Blackheath, South East London. He has also been busy organising a cookery series based in Italy.

Jamie - who also has commercial obligations to supermarket giant Sainsbury's - has been busy preparing for a visit to his restaurant by former US President Bill Clinton tomorrow.

He is close to opening a Fifteen restaurant in Amsterdam and is making plans for another in America. Jamie also has his own range of cookware which he has promoted as far afield as Toronto.

In October, he will publish his fifth book, Jamie's Dinners, which he will promote in a nationwide tour of Britain and in America.

The friend revealed: "Jamie's life on TV and in the restaurant sees him regularly working 16-hour days. That's a chef's life. Jools knows that and accepts it. But with two young children, things can get on top of you - and that's what she found. It's not the first time Jamie's work has caused problems between the two - but it's certainly been the most serious."

Jamie and Jools started dating in 1993, years before he found fame. But by the time the couple married in June 2000, Jamie was a star.

The Essex-boy's meteoric rise to fame began in 1997 when TV executives spotted the then-junior chef while making a programme on London restaurant The River Cafe.

They asked him to be the star of a new series for BBC2 which became The Naked Chef - and made Jamie a culinary superstar. "I only got on TV by a fluke," he said afterwards. His recipe books became best-sellers and he was hired by Sainsbury's to be the new face of the supermarket.

That long-running deal is now said to be worth £1million a year. In 2001, he produced a live show Happy Days, which he toured across Britain, New Zealand and Australia.

More books and TV shows followed before he took on 15 youngsters with the aim of turning them into professional chefs in their own restaurant - with all profits going to charity. Jamie's Kitchen, the story of the bid to launch the eaterie in London's East End, became must-see TV. It has since become one of the most fashionable and fully-booked restaurants in the capital.

In June 2003, Jamie was given an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List. He has also become a star in America, where his TV series has proved a huge hit on cable TV.

Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt became such fans they asked him and Jools to fly over for Brad's 40th birthday and last month joined Jools and Jamie at Fifteen.

A year ago, Jamie admitted that Jools "deserved a medal" for her commitment to the family.

Speaking of the pressure, he admitted: "Juggling kids and a new venture like this has been really hard.

"I couldn't have done it without Jools. She deserves a medal for putting up with me."

Jools even admitted that Jamie was so busy she had to look at his website diary to find out what he was doing on any day.

The strain was too much during the filming of Jamie's Kitchen and the couple were seen rowing after he allowed TV cameras into the hospital while she was having Poppy. At the time, he admitted: "Jools didn't like having cameras in her face. She gave me a real pasting."

Afterwards, Jamie claimed they had reached a compromise on his schedule, saying: "I'm allowed to work my arse off during the week as long as I give my wife the weekends."

But last night, one friend said: "Jamie has to realise that there is more to life than work. Jools feels neglected by him Jamie has to confront that.

He has to let her know just how much he adores her and the kids before it's too late."

11:20 PM
t.r.a.c.y

ELTON BATTLES TO SAVE POSH & BECKS

From Sean O'Brien On The French Riviera

POSH and Becks are getting crisis marriage counselling from Elton John - locked away at his French Riviera palace.

The gay pop legend, a close pal, is battling to bring the couple together after their fifth anniverary getaway to Morocco exploded into a series of disagreements.

A source said: "Elton is acting as a marriage guidance advisor. They respect his judgment and advice. He's a great listener and isn't taking sides.

"He is by far the best person for the job because there is a real bond between him and the Beckhams. He knows them better than practically anyone."

Elton, 57, invited the couple to hide away for a week at his palatial hilltop home at Mont Boron, near Nice, after they spent a disastrous holiday in Morocco bickering.

Our source added: " He knows they are going through the most testing time of their relationship and offered them the ideal surroundings to get back together. His house is like a fortress and it will be their little oasis where they can get away from all their troubles."

The pair have stayed before at the seven-bedroom holiday home when their old friend wasn't there.

But this time the singer thinks that Victoria, 30, and David, 29, are less likely to row if he and his partner David Furnish are present.

The source said: "Victoria is very close to David Furnish so she and Becks each have someone to confide in."

Elton also has an insight into marriage problems. He wed Renate Blauel in 1984 but they split up four years later and the star declared he was gay.

"He has been through it all himself," said the source.

The Beckhams' five-year marriage was rocked by revelations of the England captain's fling with his sexy former PA Rebecca Loos. And the rows with his former Spice Girl wife got worse as his loss of form on the pitch added to the stress.

But Elton's soothing influence seemed to be working yesterday.

He joined Becks, who was calling for sons Brooklyn and Romeo to come in from the garden for lunch on the terrace. Both men were heard shouting: "Buster (the Beckhams' nickname for Brooklyn), and Romeo, time to come inside now."

A close pal of Posh and Becks said: "It's important for them to spend some time with the children - they are what is keeping them together most at the moment.

"They both dote on their boys and wouldn't do anything to hurt them."

The Beckhams have their own holiday home at Bergamon, a short drive away.

But it is being renovated so they jumped at the chance to stay at Elton's white-painted mansion in its three acres of grounds with a tennis court. The star's staff are on hand to cater for their every whim.

A neighbour said: "The Beckhams haven't ventured out at all. They seem to stay at the house all day, sometimes sitting by the pool. Nobody has heard of them even going out to a restaurant for an evening."

Close friends are praying that the Riviera break works.

One pal said: "Their trip to Morocco ended up being a source of more disagreement.

"When when they got back home to Beckingham Palace they realised they were in need of another holiday.

"If there was a disagreement it often escalated and Victoria would mention Rebecca Loos. Then it became a full-blown row.

"And because David is down about his poor performance on the pitch he is less patient and more tetchy and so any provocation sets him off.

"In the past David would be much less confrontational and if his wife annoyed him he would just walk away and say nothing but now he will start bickering with her."

Now Elton hopes to get the marriage back on an even keel.

11:20 PM
t.r.a.c.y

BECKS: I'M UP FOR REAL FIGHT

By Simon Baskett And Simon Mullock

DAVID BECKHAM has revealed: "I am ready to fight for my Real Madrid future."

Becks knows he will have to prove himself to the new Real boss Jose Antonio Camacho when he returns to the Spanish capital next week.

A close friend of Beckham last night told the Sunday Mirror: "He's very much up for the new season and he is looking forward to working with Camacho.

"Whether he plays in the centre or on the right of midfield just pulling on the Real Madrid shirt is a great honour for him. He has fought and overcome challenges nearly every season of his career and this is no different."

Camacho has already expressed doubts about the 29-year-old's ability to excel in the central midfield role he was given by Carlos Queiroz when Madrid finished without a trophy last season.

And the Real coach has indicated that Luis Figo will be given the chance to continue in the wide position on the right, a position where Beckham cut his reputation.

Current Madrid supremo Florentino Perez is expected to win the club's presidential elections today.

Perez said: "Beckham's behaviour and performance were satisfactory last season, given the fact that it was his first at Real Madrid.

"Beckham is an important player for us and an extraordinary professional. Next season is going to be Beckham's season.

"He started very well when he arrived and his enthusiasm and hard work infected the rest of the team. Now he is really keen to prove himself again and is convinced that he will make everyone happy.

"He knows that the first year was a really tough one."

Perez's rivals for the Real presidency, former chief Lorenzo Sanz and leading businessman Arturo Baldasano, have both criticised the decision to sign Beckham.

They insist the England captain was bought to sell shirts and crack merchandising markets in the Far East rather than opposition defences.

Perez countered: "The best players attract attention from the media. Remember, Beckham is nothing less than the captain of the English national team."

Former Spain coach Camacho only agreed to quit Benfica for Madrid on the understanding that he has full control of team affairs - prompting the instant removal of powerful sporting director Jorge Valdano.

Beckham has blamed a lack of fitness at Euro 2004 on Real's training regime.

Camacho has already brought in measures to improve the physical condition of his squad even though Beckham and other players on European Championship duty have been given an extended break.

11:17 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Saturday, July 10, 2004

Wilko fancies life abroad

By FRANK LEWIS

SHY-GUY Jonny Wilkinson admits he is considering playing rugby abroad at some stage.

The Newcastle fly-half - who kicked the match-winning drop-kick for England in the World Cup final - says he dreams of doing something different.

Speaking in Japan, he confessed: "It's very much an open-ended dream - an open-ended desire that, at some point, I want to do something different.

"One of my goals is to become fluent in another language and French is a language I have a tiny bit of a base in.

"The idea of going to play in France, perhaps to learn the language - or even coming here - is definitely a suggestion that lingers with me.

"I'd love to experience more of life.

"I didn't know that until I came this far and realised what's out there."

Wilko, 25, who has not played for his country since the win over Australia last year because of a neck injury which needed an op, is making his first visit to Japan.

And he said the trip, which has included stop-offs in Singapore and Hong Kong was just what he needed.

He added: "There was a point where I felt I was starting to hide away a bit because I feared what was round the corner.

"I was hiding away a bit, getting suspicious of everything.

"I was going to cinemas, then turning round and leaving without going in just because I was so uncomfortable.

"I felt that had to change. So I thank this trip, where I've been able to accept being in front of the camera. It's made me feel more at ease.

"I've not worried so much about what I look like or what people think, which is in my nature as a shy person.

"Being relaxed will help me when I face the odd intrusion of my privacy - which happens in England."

12:37 PM
t.r.a.c.y

EXCLUSIVE

I'll save summer

By STAN PIECHA

JENSON BUTTON wants F1 fans to get their St George's flags flying high again for tomorrow's British Grand Prix.

The red and white bunting has been left hanging at half-mast after England's catalogue of sporting flops in recent months.

But the BAR racer is determined to lift the gloom hanging over the nation's sporting summer by succeeding where David Beckham, Tim Henman, Lawrence Dallaglio and the rest have all failed.

Button has ditched his Union Jack crash helmet for Silverstone in favour of a red and white colour scheme featuring the Cross of St George.

And he believes Button's Barmy Army will give him the extra boost to finally upstage runaway world championship leader Michael Schumacher and grab his first GP win.

Button, 24, revealed: "For the first time in my career, I have a chance of winning at Silverstone and I'm sure that’s going to make a difference to the number of fans supporting me.

"In the past there have been plenty of Union Jacks around the track.

"But hopefully loads of people have kept their St George's flags and will put them to good use at Silverstone.

"It would be awesome to give them victory on my home track - especially when you look at how other English sporting stars have failed recently.

"I was listening to somebody on the radio asking who would be the next sportsman for fans to cheer for after England went out of Euro 2004 and Tim Henman lost at Wimbledon.

"The reply was 'It has to be Jenson Button.' It was really weird hearing that, but also very uplifting.

"I always want to do well and while I know there are great expectations for the race, it's a pressure that just spurs me on.

"My response to the fans' reaction every time they see me on the track will be to try and give them something to really cheer about.

"It's spine-chilling seeing the support, specially from the bunch I call Button's Barmy Army.

"But what is really nice is that some of those fans have been with me right from the start and supported me through the bad times.

"Now I have a good car and a good team it's like giving them something back."

The Northamptonshire circuit will be packed with 100,000 fans hoping to see a first English winner since Johnny Herbert in 1995.

Expectations have been raised by the Honda-powered BAR earning Button six top-three finishes this season, including second place at both Monaco and San Marino, lifting him into third place in the drivers' championship table.

The team's transformation from no-hopers to front-runners has amazed everyone on the grid - even Button.

And he has risen to the challenge of being the team's No 1 driver by pushing BAR's boffins for a few more mph to close the gap on Ferrari.

Button added: "During winter testing we knew we had a quick car - but I never imagined we would be so much better than McLaren and BMW Williams.

"I was confident I would score my first podium this season. But six from the first 10 races is remarkable.

"But with success, our aims have also risen. Podium finishes are great but what I really want now is to savour that first win.

"We want to send the fans potty. And if it happens here, I might have to miss the next race - because I'll have the biggest hangover of my life.

"Winning an F1 race is different to Tim Henman playing tennis because you need the right equipment.

"But we shall be trying to get the upper hand on Ferrari and the rest."

Button was an instant hit in his debut season with Williams in 2000.

But switching to Renault the following year to make way for Juan Pablo Montoya almost wrecked his career.

The team were unhappy he was not instantly on the pace and he faced accusations of being a playboy after being pictured on his yacht during the Monaco Grand Prix.

Yet he was afraid of saying anything controversial in case it upset his bosses.

These days, however, there is a new spring in Button's step and BAR boss David Richards encourages him to speak his mind.

Button admitted: "The 2001 season at Renault was the worst of my career - possibly the worst of my life - but it has made me a lot stronger.

"Going through the mill toughens you up. You quickly realise you don't want to go there again and you have to work a lot harder in every area.

"It's nice being able to express myself these days.

"The team are prepared to listen when I make suggestions on how to make the car go quicker.

"I push them hard because we are all working together for that first victory."

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

JOHN TERRY has been all but confirmed as the new Chelsea skipper.

Boss Jose Mourinho revealed he will appoint an Englishman to take over the armband from outgoing Marcel Desailly.

Terry, 23, has already acted as regular stand-in and is now set to land his dream job permanently.

Midfield ace Frank Lampard, 26, is the only other potential candidate.

Mourinho said: "The captain should be an Englishman. I believe it is best for the captain to have a Chelsea heart.

"I need to get to know the players and live with them for 24 hours a day - but I think John Terry could adapt to the role.

"In his character he is very concentrated."

12:34 PM
t.r.a.c.y

EXCLUSIVE

Get El Roon

By PHIL THOMAS

REAL MADRID will go all out to sign Wayne Rooney - if Florentino Perez is re-elected as president tomorrow.

Perez hopes Roon's friendship with David Beckham as a lever in transfer talks. Having Becks at the Bernabeu would be a massive draw for the Everton superkid.

Rooney, 18, is a big fan of Becks - and wants him to carry on as England skipper despite his Euro 2004 misery.

Everton officially opened contract talks with Rooney's agents yesterday about a new five-year contract worth 12.5million.

Goodison spokesman Ian Ross said: "Initial talks have opened and will continue."

But the Merseyside club are bracing themselves for Rooney to snub their new offer.

Manchester United thought they had a free run at the England teenager when Chelsea chief Jose Mourinho insisted he was not interested.

Yet Everton insiders are convinced that the Chelsea interest is far from dead and believe Roman Abramovich is waiting for others to show their hand.

But now Real are gearing themselves up to do battle - and Perez is determined he will not be beaten.

Madrid sports paper 'Marca' trumpeted the club's intention yesterday.

Perez admitted: "Wayne Rooney has shown at Euro 2004 that, at the age of 18, he is already a splendid player.

"He is mature enough to develop both physically and mentally in order to become the most important player in the world.

"If our new coach Jose Antonio Camacho tells me he would like him, I will do my best to sign him."

Everton are nearly 40million in debt and want to pay off Duncan Ferguson and Kevin Campbell for the final year of their contracts in order to help fund Rooney's deal.

But they know the quickest way to take a huge chunk out of that debt is by selling Rooney - and will listen to offers of 35million.

The Goodison youngster would initially have preferred a move to another Premiership club.

But with that growing increasingly unlikely - United have still to make any official approach - he is now prepared to consider a move further afield.

Perez looks to be the odds-on favourite to beat another former Real president in Lorenzo Sanz, with Arturo Baldesano the rank outsider.

The winner gets four years in charge of the famous Spanish club.

12:32 PM
t.r.a.c.y

EXCLUSIVE

15million to stitch on Button

By STAN PIECHA

JENSON BUTTON will be offered a 15million deal after tomorrow's British Grand Prix - win or lose.

BAR already have an option on the British hero for next season but are anxious to draw up a new contract which would keep him at the ever-improving team for the next three years.

Button, 24, is lying third in the World Championship - behind Ferrari's Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello - and has started to attract interest from rival teams.

Ferrari technical director Ross Brawn has already stated that Button would be on the Italian team's list to replace Schumacher, who is set to retire at the end of 2006.

And BMW Williams, where Button made his F1 debut in 2000, are still searching for replacements for their two departing drivers Juan Pablo Montoya and Ralf Schumacher.

BAR boss David Richards is confident he can tie-up Button to his Honda-powered team and keep the sort of driver continuity which have made Ferrari the biggest force in F1.

Richards said: "I take a long-term view on everything. We want to work towards clear goals rather than taking things one year at a time.

"A racing driver has enough pressure just getting on with the job and we want to create a situation which makes Jenson feel comfortable.

"He is in an environment where he feels valued and it's allowing him to push his limits.

"Next year is going to be very difficult for us. The expectations are going to be high and everyone’s going to have to dig very deep."

A source close to Button said: "Jenson is very happy to commit himself to BAR. There are just a few minor details in the contract to sort out."

12:32 PM
t.r.a.c.y

EXCLUSIVE

Becks: I quit

By VICTORIA NEWTON

DAVID BECKHAM was so devastated by his Euro 2004 penalty miss he told wife Posh: "I'm retiring."

The England captain held his head in his hands after he fluffed his spot-kick in the shootout defeat to Portugal in the quarter-final.

And Becks, 29, told Victoria: "I can't go on. I'm retiring. I'm finished."

A source close to the couple said: "David was deadly serious. He told Victoria he wanted to retire from football because he felt so low.

"He said to her there was no point carrying on playing after his poor performance.

"But Victoria was amazing. She led him back to their hotel suite and had a heart-to-heart with him.Thankfully she managed to change his mind.

"David is very stubborn when he makes a decision and he just felt so depressed he couldn't see any way out.

"Victoria has been a tower of strength. She told him he'd been through worse when he was sent off against Argentina at the World Cup in 1998.

"She said 'David, you are the England captain and I'm proud of you. You go back out there and show people what you are made of'."

12:30 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Friday, July 09, 2004

BECK IN VOGUE

Range Rover gift to tell in-laws he's sorry

EVEN when he's making an apology, it seems David Beckham has to do it with a grand gesture.

The Real Madrid star has just splashed out on a £80,000 Range Rover for his in-laws, to say sorry for all the hurt caused by stories of his alleged affairs.

Victoria's dad Tony Adams is now the proud owner of a dark silver Vogue, complete with leather interior, DVD player, satellite navigation and LCD TV screens.

He picked it up from Beckingham Palace in Herts before Posh and Becks flew to Morocco to renew their wedding vows at the weekend.

It now has pride of place in the Adams' driveway in nearby Goffs Oak.

A source close to David reveals: "It was a gift to say sorry for all the hassle he has put Tony, Jackie and their daughter Victoria through.

"It is strange that on his wedding anniversary he should be giving a present to his father and mother-in-law, but David felt it necessary to say thank you for their support.

"When Victoria is unhappy, her parents are unhappy. David hates that he put them through all that.

"It came totally out of the blue but Tony absolutely loves it and thinks it's a dream to drive."

Becks himself owns a fleet of flash cars, including a Ferrari, Bentley, Aston Martin and a Lincoln Navigator. But when it comes to splashing the cash, his own family don't fare quite so well.

When David's mum Sandra celebrated her 50th birthday recently, he bought her a silver sports car. It cost him £20,000 - a fraction of what he's forked out for Tony's motor.

Our insider adds: "Becks just wants to put everything behind him and make up for the events of the past few months.

"He's always been a generous man... He's trying to say sorry in the only way he knows how."

Beckham's woes began in April when his former PA, Rebecca Loos, claimed they'd had an affair, and he'd sent her lots of steamy text messages, while 30-year-old Victoria was desperately trying to reinvent her pop career.

The Beckhams called the claims "ludicrous" and also dismissed later allegations by escort girl Sarah Marbeck that she'd also had a fling with the England captain.

But the rumours failed to go away. And while the couple tried to present a united front in public, behind closed doors insiders say it has been a different story.

After England crashed out of Euro 2004 in Portugal, Posh and Becks are said to have had a series of rows which left him a "shattered, broken and beaten man".

But tomorrow night, Becks will pretend to receive sexy texts in a BBC Sports Relief Spoof.

He may be "broken", but at least he hasn't lost his sense of humour.

7:57 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Schumacher backs London's GP hopes

By Alan Baldwin

SILVERSTONE (Reuters) - The idea of racing through the streets of London appeals to Ferrari's Michael Schumacher.

The six times world champion backed the possibility of a grand prix being held one day in the British capital, providing safety can be guaranteed.

"It sounds a very interesting and enthusiastic project," the German said on Thursday at the British Grand Prix.

"I've been in London for the last two days... and I've had a lot of reaction from people living there.

"They were all enthusiastic to have a race in London. It sounds impractical in a way but everything is possible on the other side. Why not, if you can guarantee the safety.

"It would be great to have a race in London.

"The atmosphere in London is good, it would be another Monte Carlo but hopefully more safe."

Schumacher was speaking after eight of the 10 teams, including Ferrari, held a demonstration run along central London's Regent Street on Tuesday evening.

That event led to London Mayor Ken Livingstone promising to 'bust a gut' to secure a race in the city.

"I have said to (Formula One supremo) Bernie Ecclestone that, if he lets us know what he would need, we will do all we can to clear the way," the Times quoted him as saying.

"I am backing a grand prix for London 100 percent."

BRITISH BACKING

Other drivers, including Britons Jenson Button and David Coulthard, were also keen on an idea despite the threat to traditional venue Silverstone.

"It would be great to see a race there in the future," said BAR's Button.

"I think in many ways you would have more scope to produce a good street circuit than you have in Monaco," added Coulthard. "And if you can do it in Monaco every year then there is absolutely no reason why you couldn't do it in London."

Williams' Colombian driver Juan Pablo Montoya, who also drove in the demonstration, said there were plenty of precedents.

"There are some big cities -- Vancouver, Toronto, Denver, Miami -- where they've closed the downtown...I think the idea is good.

"Why is Monaco one of the best races of the year and there is no overtaking? Because it's Monaco. And the other one would be London -- because it's London."

7:55 PM
t.r.a.c.y

SCHUEY'S PLAYS MIND GAMES WITH JENSON

By Byron Young

MICHAEL Schumacher is hoping Jenson Button's British Grand Prix hopes will be crushed by the weight of expectation this weekend.

Over the last 12 years a succession of rivals have crumbled under the pressure as Schumacher has cruised to one victory after another.

As Button set his sights on his first Formula One victory, the Ferrari ace is hoping the 24-year-old's peace of mind will be shattered by the hopes of 100,000 fans at Silverstone.

"Being on home ground is not necessarily an advantage," said the German.

"Motor racing is not like football.

"It always depends on what type of person you are as to whether it makes you a little bit nervous and how you react to the pressure of the fans. People react differently."

Button has already fallen for the German's mind games once this season in Spain and will not easily be caught a second time. Schumacher tipped him as favourite for the fifth round and the BAR driver's focus suffered.

"Jenson and his team are a force to be reckoned with," added Schumacher.

"They are doing a great job."

Last week in France, it was Fernando Alonso who emerged as Ferrari's key rival.

"It was a close race and a tough one and I think it is going to be a tougher at Silverstone."

It took a brave gamble on a mid-race change in strategy for the world champions to slip victory from the Renault man's grasp. Far from being another of his comfortable triumphs Schumacher had to earn his money at Magny Cours. "I am not surprised the rest are catching up on me, I always predicted it would be that way," added Schumacher.

Button and his close friend David Coulthard, enjoying a renaissance with the new McLaren race machine, are hoping there will be not one Brit mixing it at the front but two. "There is a chance that both of us could be on the podium on Sunday, " said Coulthard.

Button smiled at the thought. "I'll tell you what. There would be a great party afterwards. If I win I don't know if I'd be sober for the next race."

Far from giving him the jitters Button was yesterday thriving on memories of his friend's back-to-back victories at Silverstone in 1999 and 2000 and the mayhem that ensued. In his debut season, 2000, he finished fifth as the Scot triumphed.

"I was in the points here in my first year when David won and the crowd went wild. It was great to see. Hopefully either of us can emulate that.

"It would be pretty special to do that in front of your home crowd."

No contemplation of victory would be realistic without an appreciation of the Red Baron's chances.

"Ferrari's performance advantage is such that they can do anything they want with strategy," added Coulthard.

"I've had cars where you cannot imagine driving any slower and you are still doing a second a lap faster than anyone else.

"The only thing that will catch them out will be reliability.

"They have redefined Formula One in terms of reliability several seasons ago when Schumacher went through a season without a mechanical problem while the rest of us are still getting them."

7:53 PM
t.r.a.c.y

WE WERE IN PARADISE.. BUT IT WAS HELL FOR ME

Alex Spink, Rugby Correspondent

JONNY WILKINSON hit rock-bottom as he sat on a beach with his girlfriend in the sun-kissed paradise of Mauritius.

Viewed through their telephoto lenses, the paparazzi lurking offshore saw the perfect picture opportunity: England World Cup hero relaxing with beautiful girl.

The truth was far darker. They had exposed Wilkinson at his most vulnerable. They had pictured a man living with the pain of the present and in fear of the future.

He can be philosophical about it now. The question mark over whether he will play again has, he insists, been lifted. It is now a question of when, not if.

But back then, there was no lighter side to life. His body was broken and he genuinely feared he was becoming a recluse, a prisoner in his own mind.

Wilkinson revealed all this yesterday, lifting the lid on his inner-most emotions as he completed the final leg of a tour of Asia where he has been promoting grassroots rugby on behalf of sponsor adidas.

He did not volunteer any thoughts about the World Cup, about that drop goal, about his OBE, or about life as reigning BBC Sports Personality of the Year. He preferred to chart, quite candidly, his journey back from the depths of despondency to a point where he can finally contemplate hitting a tackle bag once again.

"It was difficult to deal with the low times," admitted the 25-year-old, for whom nothing had previously seemed any great problem. "I just tried to keep myself busy by training.

"The more I thought about the possibility my body would not recover sufficiently for me to play again, the more I tried to help it get better. I refused to accept that I may never play again, even though deep down I knew it was a possibility."

Which was fine once his shoulder and neck had mended sufficiently for him to start moving again. But in the days immediately after surgery, he was left alone with his mind. And that proved a dangerous place to be. So he packed his bags.

"I decided that the best place for me to get all my thoughts together and write my new set of goals was somewhere abroad, somewhere hot," he said. "It proved to be my biggest mistake.

"I had just had the operation and my general health was pretty low. I was in a lot of pain and I just wanted a break from everything. I was trying to deal with the question of whether I'd played my last game.

"I was also dealing with the aftermath of the pain of the operation and the surgeon's message that waiting was pretty much all I could do. I was also getting a bit down, hiding away a lot, afraid to do anything."

Far from finding an inner peace, Wilkinson encountered turmoil.

"If ever I questioned whether winning the World Cup was the right thing to do, if that was the payback, then that was the time," he said. "I was very upset by what happened because it was such an important period for me."

Time has proved a healer. Or so it appears. As Wilkinson's body has strengthened so his increased confidence has brought him out of his shell. "Hopefully I can deal with things a bit better. Maybe not hide away quite so much," he said.

"This trip to Asia with adidas has taught me to be a bit more relaxed about things.

"I wish I could have been as relaxed then as maybe I'm becoming now. I would like to have been more prepared for everything. But I dealt with it as I saw it."

England coach Sir Clive Woodward has also confessed that he was unprepared for life after winning the World Cup, and it is evident from his team's results in 2004 that he speaks for the whole set-up.

But just as Woodward has now drawn a line under the 2003/04 season, so too has Wilkinson. "The World Cup was a great moment, but you're judged on your next performance, not your last," he said.

"When I wrote down my goals after the operation that for me became the end of chapter one.

"I more or less closed the door on the first part of my life.

"All the work I'd done up to then had been for that moment, that competition. Now I have to start again.

"I have to look deep inside myself and ask what it will take to become a better player. How can I improve?

"This is the start of chapter two and while I don't know how long this chapter will be I can't wait to get started on it."

Wilko's year of highs and lows:

NOV 22, 2003: Lands a last-gasp winning kick in England's 20-17 World Cup final victory over Australia. Later reveals he was playing with a shoulder injury.

DEC 13, 2003: X-rays reveal a stress fracture in Wilkinson's shoulder, but the Newcastle fly-half remains confident he will be back in action before Christmas.

DEC 28, 2003: Wilkinson's first game since the World Cup, against Northampton, ends after 53 minutes when his shoulder injury forces him off the field.

FEB 10, 2004: Undergoes surgery on trapped nerve in neck.

MAY 14, 2004: England coach Clive Woodward announces Wilkinson will be unavailable for selection for the tour of Australia and New Zealand.

JULY 5, 2004: Handed all-clear to participate fully in the Falcons' pre-season campaign.

7:51 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Ferguson: Rio absence was so costly

Sir Alex Ferguson has claimed Rio Ferdinand's suspension was the key factor in Manchester United losing the title to Arsenal.

The Old Trafford manager looked on with a sense of disbelief as his team fell away in the second half of the season.

Ferdinand was banned for failing to take a drugs test - he is not due back until September.

Ferguson's frustration increased when defenders Mikael Silvestre, Gary Neville and Quinton Fortune all suffered injuries.

When asked if it was Arsenal stepping up a gear or United dropping off, Ferguson said: 'Obviously we'll point to the Rio Ferdinand suspension, and that will always stick in my throat.

'That's simply because we were four points clear. We had the best defensive record in the country.

'We were playing with great consistency and we usually do well in the second halves of the season, but after Rio's ban, we then hit a spate of injuries.

'Quinton Fortune, first of all, injured himself in training in early February and missed the rest of the season.

'Then Mikael Silvestre got his ankle injury and he was out for three to four weeks.

'Gary Neville got a thigh injury and a suspension so our back four was changing every minute.

'There is no question that unless you have a regular back four at that level, going in to that part of the season you are going to struggle - and we did.'

Ferguson is looking to regain the high ground in the new season.

'I think that we've got to make sure that we are better,' he told www.leaguemanagers.com.

'I am not concerning myself with what Arsenal are going to do, I'm only interested in what Manchester United are going to do.

'Our issue is to make sure we're covered better defensively than we were last season, and we'll get that improvement.'

United also missed out on a place in the Champions League semi-finals, losing to eventual winners Porto when they scored from a late free-kick.

Ferguson said: 'I think everybody knows about the refereeing decisions in the game - but they had only one shot on goal.

'Then there was the free-kick in the last kick of the game, in the last minute of injury time and everyone was gutted.

'It was so sudden because you couldn't see a goal coming. You could not see them mustering an attack.

'We handled them really well on the night even though we didn't play particularly well. They didn't give us any problems.

'Any chances that were made were made by us, so to lose was really disappointing for the players and hard to take.'

12:15 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Ferguson blames it on Rio

By ROSS GREGORY

ALEX FERGUSON has claimed Rio Ferdinand's ban was the key factor in Manchester United losing the title to Arsenal last season.

England defender Ferdinand, 25, was banned for failing to take a drugs test and is not due back until September.

United boss Fergie said: "Obviously we'll point to Rio's suspension - and that will always stick in my throat.

"That's simply because we were four points clear at the time and had the best defensive record in the country.

"But after Rio's ban we were then hit by injuries to Mikael Silvestre, Quinton Fortune and Gary Neville.

"There is no question that unless you have a regular back four going into that part of the season you are going to struggle - and we did.

"Now we must make sure we’re covered better defensively and we'll get that improvement."

12:14 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Everton fury over Wayne

By PHIL THOMAS

EVERTON are preparing to tell their rivals: Put up or shut up about Wayne Rooney.

Goodison bosses are growing annoyed at what they consider a dirty tricks campaign to prise him from Merseyside.

No club has been given permission to talk to the most wanted man in Europe and no official approaches have been made to Everton.

Manchester United are the biggest admirers of the England star and their full-back Gary Neville revealed in SunSport yesterday he could see Rooney leaving Everton.

Although he stopped short of saying the sensation of Euro 2004 should join him at Old Trafford, Goodison top brass feel it was a clear "come and join us" message.

Everton insist they will only start talking at 35million but are resigned to the fact it is only a matter of time before their prize asset heads down the M62.

But, privately, they believe United are trying to get him on the cheap.

Rooney could also be courted by Real Madrid and some high-ranking Everton officials would rather he moved to Spain.

Rooney has had the plaster cast removed from the foot he broke against Portugal at Euro 2004.

Everton physio Mick Rathbone revealed: "He had his second lot of X-rays on Wednesday and it's so far so good.

"He is now in a light walking boot and we will reassess the situation in two weeks."

Meanwhile, Everton's Canadian international striker Tomasz Radzinski, 30, has rocked the club by rejecting the offer of a new three-year contract.

Fulham have already had a 900,000pounds bid turned down while Charlton and West Brom are also interested.

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

EXCLUSIVE

Mourinho lays down law

By ANDREW DILLON

JOSE MOURINHO boasted on his arrival at Chelsea: "I am the Special One."

But no one among his gobsmacked audience believed for one minute that he was referring to Special K.

The Portuguese hardliner's rule that the players eat breakfast together at 9am every day before training is a surprising addition to life at Stamford Bridge.

But it is just a little cog in a vast machine designed to finally end Chelsea's 50-year wait for the title.

No one can accuse the Blues of slacking last season. Teams do not finish second in the Premiership and reach the semi-finals of the Champions League by letting things slide.

But Mourinho is determined to tighten the necessary nuts and bolts to bring success. And if he has to screw down his players to do so, then so be it.

The team are being issued with unflinching new guidelines on what will and will not be acceptable under his charge.

These also include a midnight curfew on week days, an alcohol ban for most of the time and a strict dress code for players.

Striker Ediur Gudjohnsen is one of just six first-team players and around a dozen youth-teamers already sweating through pre-season training.

The club's Euro 2004 stars are enjoying a rest after their exploits in Portugal but will feel the full force of the law when they report for duty on July 21.

Gudjohnsen said: "You have to be impressed. That's the sort of confidence a team must have because a major part of winning is spreading belief into the team that we can win and develop into something amazing.

"You can see he is a winner. He wants every pass to be good, the little details which can win you games.

"He puts you under certain pressure to be on your toes all of the time. To think about your next pass or movement.

"He wants you to put everything you can into every session and every moment. Not until then will he be satisfied."

Backroom staff are also in the loop, having been told things are changing at Chelsea for good.

It is a tried and trusted philosophy that will weed out the layabouts and those not 100 per cent prepared to live by Mourinho's code.

Slightly-built with big ambitions and a justifiably high opinion of his talents, Mourinho tested his beliefs at previous club Porto.

In the summer of 2002 he wrote to each and every member of the squad during their holidays to introduce himself. The letters sent shockwaves through the club.

Mourinho wrote: 'Welcome to Porto. I hope you have recharged your motivation and ambition. From here each practice, each game, each minute of your social life must centre on the aim of being champions.

"'First-teamer will not be a correct word. I need all of you. You need each other. We are a TEAM.'"

Along the bottom margin he inscribed an equation: Motivation + Ambition + Team + Spirit = SUCCESS.

It was labelled 'Mourinho's bible' and it clearly works - as Porto won back-to-back Euro trophies, the UEFA Cup followed by the Champions League.

He also helped groom Benni McCarthy from a useful midfielder into the deadly striker who played a huge part in dumping Manchester United out of Europe last season.

At present, the players back at work are enduring punishing double training sessions that require mental toughness just to get through each day.

Former youth team boss Steve Clarke has been promoted to joint-assistant boss, to provide specialist knowledge of the English game.

Mourinho has also brought with him tried and trusted lieutenants to help enforce the rule of law.

Baltemar Brito has equal billing with Clarke as the boss' right-hand man and adviser.

Fitness coach Rui Faria is drilling the players the Mourinho way on the training pitch.

Andre Villas is the scout who will be sent each week to spy on the upcoming opposition — and his dossiers on rivals will be a must-read for the Chelsea players.

And Silvinho is the former AC Milan keeper now helping Carlo Cudicini.

It is no surprise Mourinho's Mob have already formed into an awesome management team hired by Blues owner Roman Abramovich. One coach said: "Everyone has been really impressed with the new regime.

"Jose's ability to organise and motivate are top-drawer."

Now Marcel Desailly may also tap into Mourinho's revered skills.

The French defender, 35, claims he has been offered a chance to make an immediate return to Chelsea - to join the backroom staff.

He quit the club by mutual consent just two days ago. But he is now weighing up his options after also being linked with Celtic.

He said: "Chelsea have been fantastic with me by freeing me from the final year of my contract, since when I've given myself 10 days to decide what my future will hold.

"I am reflecting on opportunities, knowing two possibilities are open to me. To extend my playing career or take up an opportunity with Chelsea.

"I am flattered that my name has not been ignored."

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

EXCLUSIVE

Jose: You're toast, lads

By ANDREW DILLON

JOSE MOURINHO has turned Chelsea into the breakfast club as he lays down the law at Stamford Bridge.

It is just one aspect of a tough new rule book being issued to every one of his stars for the coming season.

The new boss says all players will have to report for work at 9am and eat together an hour before training starts.

He has slapped a midnight curfew on his squad during the week.

Even before a day off the players must be in bed no later than 2am - and alcohol is strictly limited to non-working days only.

Smart dress codes are being imposed to ensure his team look and feel the part.
The uncompromising new code of conduct is part of hardliner Mourinho's masterplan to transform Chelsea into champions.

A special booklet has been handed out and each player must be fully aware of his responsibilities before the big kick-off against Manchester United on Sunday, August 15. Striker Eidur Gudjohnsen said: "It is impressive because it makes you feel you are part of the team already.

"It's early days but it's very exciting. I've been impressed with the organisation and everything is set out from the first minute.

"The new manager says training lasts for 90 minutes and the last stretch will take place in the 90th minute. That's how organised he is."

Mourinho's law may not sit so well with some.

Adrian Mutu was told to curb his partying ways last season but the coach will give the 15.8million striker a second chance.

12:09 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Thursday, July 08, 2004

NEVILLE NOT CHEESED OFF AT SWISS REFEREE

Gary Neville has spoken out in defence of Urs Meier following England's Euro 2004 exit.

The Swiss referee has been criticised for disallowing a Sol Campbell 'goal' that would have given Sven Goran Eriksson's men a quarter-final victory over the host nation Portugal.

But in the latest of a series of exclusive interviews with Sky Sports News, Neville leapt to the official's defence and insisted the media reaction to the decision went way over the top.

"It's difficult, it's one of those decisions," he said. "It's a tough call and it went against us, but that happens in football.

"I don't think cheating's ever a word you would hear us use, I don't think for for one minute the referee did that. I've heard people say that but I think it's a little bit overboard.

"He made a decision and he's a human being."

But Neville still feels that the decision could well have cost England the European Championship.

He claims England were more than capable of lifting the trophy had they got past Portugal and says the fact that Greece went on to win the final shows that Eriksson and his side could have gone all the way themselves, but for Meier's intervention.

"We were geared up for winning this tournament and I think the boss said to us on the day that it was a fine line - and it is such a fine line, we saw that in the final," he said.

"It's not always the best team that wins and we just needed one or two more things to go our way. But in the end there can be no excuses, we didn't get where we wanted to be and we just have to look forward now to the World Cup."

And looking forward to the World Cup, Neville says Eriksson has the backing of the whole country - players and supporters alike.

He was quick to point out the air of calm the Swede has instilled in the national side and believes that he is the only man to guide them to Germany 2006.

"He has the maximum support," he said. "I think that he's given a real calm feeling. Even going out of this tournament, I don't think there's been the same furore surrounding the team.

"In defeat he's calm, in victory he's calm and I don't think anybody wants Sven to leave - certainly the players. I don't think it's even a point of discussion to be honest, with the players or with the fans."

7:27 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Eriksson not on 4million a year - FA

Football Association supremo Mark Palios has denied Sven-Goran Eriksson is paid 4million a year to manage England.

The FA chief executive was responding to claims that the national boss was by far the highest-paid manager at Euro 2004.

Palios, speaking at the Institute of Chartered Accountants annual meeting, said the Swede's salary was 'significantly less' than the reported figure.

2:40 PM
t.r.a.c.y

ENGLAND CLIMB FIFA RANKINGS

By Kevin Lynch

England's exploits at Euro 2004 have seen them climb five places to eighth in the latest set of FIFA rankings published today.

Unsurprisingly, the biggest climbers are shock new European champions Greece, who have moved up 21 places to 14th - their highest ever position.

Elsewhere Scotland have slipped four places to 59th, with Wales close behind at 61, while Northern Ireland have fallen to 112th.

World champions Brazil retain their place as top ranked team ahead of France and Spain.

2:39 PM
t.r.a.c.y

EXCLUSIVE

Sea lions sub Beckhams

By EMILY SMITH
TV Editor

POSH and Becks were replaced on a top TV chat show - by performing sea lions.

The Beckhams were due to be interviewed by Jay Leno, one of America's leading telly hosts.

But they pulled out to extend a holiday in Morocco - so Leno brought on dolphins and sea lions as his late substitutes.

A show insider joked: "Instead of Beckham's three lions, the viewers got sea lions.

Some might say the sea lions could have been better at taking a penalty than David.

"But producers were disappointed when the Beckhams said they would not be able to do the interview after all."

Show bosses immediately began searching for a replacement act or personality.

They opted for a performance by creatures from SeaWorld, in Florida.

England skipper Becks and wife Victoria hoped the Leno interview would help them break into the American market.

But sources on the Los Angeles-based NBC show, screened on Tuesday, said they chose a rest instead following England's exit from Euro 2004.

2:22 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Wednesday, July 07, 2004

Neville: 'England weren't good enough'

Gary Neville has admitted that England fell short of the players' own expectations in Euro 2004.

The campaign, which began with such high hopes, ended at the quarter-final stage when eventual finalists Portugal went through on penalties.

Manchester United defender Neville said: 'Supporters and people back home may well have thought a semi-final place would be par for us and acceptable.

'But that wouldn't have been acceptable for the players because we were looking to go all the way.

'You hear all the excuses about why we went out but, the fact is, we didn't have that extra edge.

'People turned on the referee, injuries and other excuses but, at the end of the day, we were not quite good enough.'

Neville, currently running a soccer camp in Malta, says there were positives for England.

'I do believe the nucleus of the team will be kept on, with some new players, such as Jermaine Defoe and Shaun Wright-Phillips of City, showing what exciting talents they have, ' he told the Manchester Evening News.

On his good friend David Beckham's poor form, Neville said: 'He is strong enough and a great player, and his football will always do the talking for him.'

Greece went on to win the tournament against the odds and Neville was full of praise for the way they went about their business.

'The final was the first game I watched since England were knocked out, and anyone who criticises Greece is just ignorant, just extremely ignorant, ' he said.

'They deserve all the credit they're getting. They beat Portugal twice and France and then the Czechs.

'The big nations are starting to say that Greece are not worthy winners, but that is just wrong.

'The performance of the Greek right back, Georgios Seitaridis, and the two centre backs in the final was just first class.

'They deserve credit for holding on to the lead to win the tournament, beating the host nation, as well as the first and second favourites.'

Wayne Rooney has rubbished suggestions from some critics that Sven-Goran Eriksson should be replaced as England boss.

The Swede has come under fire over his tactical substitutions during Euro 2004, amid fears he also lacks the passion to inspire the national team.

However, Rooney told The Sun: 'I think Sven is a great manager. I have worked with him for just over a year and, although he isn't as loud as some managers, he definitely gets his views across.

'If he needs to tell you something he gets his message across - and all the players respect the way he works.

'When you lose any game you can see just how disappointed Sven is - and he certainly was when we went out to Portugal on penalties.

'Maybe he doesn't show it that much but, if you know him as well as I do, you know he is hurting just as much as everyone else.

'He desperately wanted us to go out and win the whole thing - and we all believe that if we'd won that quarter-final we would have gone all the way.

'I have never seen Sven lose his temper but he will certainly tell you if you have done something wrong, even though he won't shout at you.

'He doesn't throw things around the dressing room - he doesn't have to get angry.

'He is the England manager, so if he tells you to do something you listen and take it in. Before each game, he just told us to go out, do the best we could, enjoy it but try to win.'

Everton striker Rooney admits to being flattered by Eriksson's comments comparing him to Pele, but insists it is far too early for such talk.

'It was flattering to hear people saying that but I don't go along with it, especially when you consider everything Pele did' added the 18-year-old.

'Obviously, I am delighted with how things have gone so far - apart from my broken foot - but my aim is to still be up there in five or 10 years.'

11:35 AM
t.r.a.c.y

Potter has nice ring to it

HARRY Potter author JK Rowling has revealed she trawled through the PHONE BOOK to get names for her characters.

She also yesterday admitted leafing through baby name books and war memorials for ideas.

Rowling, 38, said: "You name it, I've got names from it! Hedwig was a saint, Dumbledore is an old English word for bumble bee and Snape is a place in England.

"I also make up names, the most popular one being Quidditch."

Writing on her website, she also revealed the first chapter of the sixth Harry Potter book The Half-Blood Prince is one she previously discarded.

She said that she had almost used it in three previous books - but added: "Here, finally, it works, so it’s staying."

11:34 AM
t.r.a.c.y

Posh's 25k kesh & carry

From NEIL SYSON in Marrakesh, Morocco

POSH Spice has splashed out 25,000pounds on antiques, furniture and carpets from a shop in Marrakesh.

She and hubby David launched the amazing spree at a store billed as an "Aladdin's Cave" of African artefacts on their holiday in Morocco.

They snapped up the giant haul for their Beckingham Palace home during two hours of shopping.

Store owner Abdul Khalid then joined them at their 1,500pounds-a-night villa on the outskirts of Marrakesh to discuss shipping their treasure trove home to Sawbridgeworth, Herts.

An insider said Victoria, 30, was bowled over by the shop - in the city's bustling souk district. He said: "She was enchanted by everything she saw.

"Victoria and David were like two modern-day Ali Babas. I'm sure they would have cleared out the whole store if they could have."

Posh and Real Madrid ace Becks, 29, who earns 11million a year, also bought a string of vases, urns and other traditional trinkets.

The couple had toured the city's Medina district at the weekend.

They marvelled at craftsmen carving wood and shaping metal into Marrakesh mementos.

The Beckhams are due to return to the UK for a few days on Saturday before Becks begins training for the new season in Spain.

11:34 AM
t.r.a.c.y

Tuesday, July 06, 2004

Becks 'must recover and be strong'

HIS mate David Beckham may have done a 'Wilkinson' on more than one occasion but Jonny Wilkinson has yet to do a 'Beckham' - at least not since he was a kid.

England rugby star Wilkinson, in Singapore yesterday to open adidas' latest store at Bugis Junction, was amused when Timesport asked if he had done the equivalent of Beckham skying his penalty at Euro 2004 - putting his rugby penalty kicks under the bar.

'I'm sure I had as a kid, but not since then,' said the 25-year-old World Cup winner, before joking: 'I haven't even thought about it and, hopefully, you haven't jinxed me now.'

Wilkinson feels for his friend.

He said: 'People don't realise that it takes courage to take a penalty. I've missed many kicks in my career and you really feel down.

'I thought Becks played a good tournament, created a few goals and worked his socks off. It's just funny things turned against him which I thought was a little unfair.'

Beckham missed three penalties in the Euro competition - against Turkey during the qualifiers, against France in the opening match and then shot into the darkness of the night against Portugal in the quarter-finals.

The important thing now, added Wilkinson, is for Beckham to come back a stronger man.

He said: 'I remember playing against Australia in my debut year in 1998 and I missed two crucial penalties that could have changed the outcome of the 0-76 scoreline.

'If I had scored those two, we may not have gone on to lose by that much. The score might have been something like 6-42 and our trip might not have been dubbed 'The Tour of Shame'.

'But these things happen in sport and your job is to be able to bounce back from such setbacks.'

Wilkinson, who got to know Beckham when the pair did an advertisement for adidas together, said they occasionally trade phone calls and messages.

Said Wilkinson: 'I called him after the Turkey game and told him that I liked his comment after the Turkey miss, when he said he missed maybe because he was kicking with me too much.

'He is a great bloke and I still think he has one of the most educated feet in sport. He has taught his feet to do things that amazes me, like spraying a 60-metre cross-field pass or playing a 10-m diagonal ball with the outside of his foot.

'Even when we were kicking a rugby ball during the commercial, he just smacked it over with such ease. I've no doubt he will be back.'

7:03 PM
t.r.a.c.y

More talented than Beckham

Rugby fly-half Wilkinson's kicking helped England lift the World Cup

By Marc Lim

THEY call him rugby's David Beckham - having shot to fame for his unerring kicking accuracy. But the careers of rugby's Jonny Wilkinson and football's Beckham could not be heading in more opposite directions.

The England fly-half is still largely seen as the main reason his team lifted the World Cup in Australia last November, scoring a last-minute drop-goal to send the English to a 20-17 win over the hosts.

Beckham? He has yet to lead England to any trophy and his stock as a footballing icon has fallen dramatically following a disappointing Euro 2004 campaign.

Wilkinson's impact in Australia resulted in a debate on whether rules should be changed because his deadly-accurate kicks were seen as giving England an unfair advantage. Two points instead of three for a drop-goal was a proposal.

The Beckham talk after Euro 2004 surrounds the England captain's quickness to give excuses for failures.

But ask rugby's hottest name about his influence on the game and comparisons with pal Beckham, and chances are the unassuming star will play down the hype.

Recalling the talk of two-point drop-goals after his successful World Cup campaign yesterday, Wilkinson, who was in Singapore as an ambassador of sports company adidas, said: 'I don't think it was specifically because of me. People were accusing England of being boring and that we only relied on penalties and didn't play the ball.

'Yet we were desperate to play as much as possible. But when other teams commit an infringement, you have two choices: try and run the ball for a try or kick to get points.

'And when it's a tournament like the World Cup where we all play to win, putting the ball over will do.'

His left foot was instrumental in the English success Down Under, much like Beckham's right foot had done the job for England before.

So while he may not take umbrage with the moniker that he is 'rugby's Beckham', rugby purists might because Wilkinson, to them, is already a greater talent in his sport than Beckham can ever hope to be in soccer.

Wilkinson can run with the ball, defend, dictate play and, at 25, already boasts a World Cup winners' medal. Yet he does not live the life of a prima donna.

He cannot remember the last time he had a bag of chips. The last time he had alcohol was a year ago and it has been years since he last tasted a bar of chocolate.

Although he was out of action for the last seven months, mainly after undergoing surgery for a troublesome neck injury in February, Wilkinson has been careful not to miss out on training, and continues working on his craft with his club side Newcastle Falcons.

He said: 'I see the World Cup as the first phase of my life. Now it's time for the second. When I was out after surgery, I sat down and made a list of what I want to achieve in the next phase. And ranked high up is to come back a better, stronger player.'

He trains six times a week and his praying mantis-like pre-kick stance is a result of years of practice and evolution.

He recalled: 'It was not until I met England's kicking coach Dave Alred that my whole outlook on kicking changed.

'He showed me how it was possible to put the ball where you want it, just by focusing.

'My routine is all about channelling my energies on putting the ball between the posts. It started with my hands apart before I found clasping my hands the most effective. It helps me block out distractions and find calm.'

Describing Alred, who was a kicker for the Minnesota Vikings in the 1970s, as one of the key persons who has helped his career, Wilkinson said he has not ruled out following his kicking coach to the United States' National Football League.

But he added: 'Just not now though. As a sportsman, you always want to excel at a new level, but there are things I still want to achieve in rugby. Like winning another World Cup.'

6:39 PM
t.r.a.c.y

EXCLUSIVE

Becks: Let's score a girl

By VICTORIA NEWTON in London and NEIL SYSON in Marrakech

POSH and Becks are trying for another baby during their romantic break in Morocco, The Sun can reveal.

And they would love to have a GIRL to give sons Brooklyn and Romeo a little sister.

The Beckhams have chosen an exotic hideaway near Marrakech to work on rebuilding their marriage after a year of scandal and heartache.

And they reckon having a third child would be just what the doctor ordered.

Victoria, 30, has also been helping England soccer skipper David, 29, come to terms with his disappointing performance at Euro 2004.

A pal of the pair said: "David is distraught about what happened at the tournament.

"He feels he is under so much pressure and that his footballing abilities are in question.

"It is the first time in his career when his performance on the pitch has been so severely criticised - and he is relying on his wife to get him through.

"Victoria has been a tower of strength for him and is determined to help him get through this crisis.

"They have talked about having more children and would be thrilled if they had a little girl.

"There's nothing either of them feel is more important than their kids - and David simply adores them.

"A new baby would be a great way for them to put their troubles behind them and start a new life together in Spain."

Posh and Real Madrid ace Becks jetted to North Africa last week for a ten-day break.

They chose to leave Brooklyn, five, and 21-month-old Romeo at home for the first few days so they could relax and spend quality time together.

In particular, they wanted to put the affair allegations that have dogged David behind them.

His former PA, sleazy senorita Rebecca Loos, and Sydney slapper Sarah Marbeck both claim Becks romped with them.

And just last week blonde bombshell Gaynor Morgan - daughter of ex-Man Utd star Willie - claimed Beckham caressed her thigh as they canoodled in a bar.

The player dismissed the stories told by Rebecca and ex-hooker Sarah as "ludicrous". And he has called in lawyers over Gaynor’s account, branding it "untrue".

Posh and Becks celebrated their fifth wedding anniversary on Sunday tucked away in their private villa in the exclusive Amanjena Hotel complex.

They had talked of renewing their wedding vows but decided not to after news leaked out.

Yesterday they ventured out of the 1,500pounds-a-night villa to have a lunchtime salad by a hotel pool - and acted like a pair of lovestruck teenagers.

Singer Victoria, in sunglasses and green mini-dress, repeatedly embraced Becks, who was wearing a trendy Stetson hat and black vest.

They exchanged tender kisses and shared intimate jokes.

At one point Posh, who has cleared her diary to spend time with David, fed bits of bread to sparrows hopping around their table.

Then she giggled as she looked at Becks and said, "Bread?" before tossing crusts into his open mouth. Two minders, waiters and security staff joined in their giggles.

A hotel insider said: "We have heard all about talk of their marriage having problems. But from the way they are acting, David and Victoria are still truly in love. They are all over each other."

11:27 AM
t.r.a.c.y

Axe for Becks if Art wins

By STEVE BRENNER

DAVID BECKHAM faces the axe at Real Madrid if Arturo Baldasano is voted in as president on Sunday.

And Baldasano, who aims to depose Florentino Perez in the vote, insists Real have the cash to land England whizkid Wayne Rooney.

New Bernabeu boss Jose Antonio Camacho would get the final say on Becks' La Liga future, which is back in doubt after he blasted the club's training methods.

But Baldasano believes the Spanish giants' best move is to cash in on the England skipper, 29, and invest their millions in fresh talent.

He said. "When Beckham came to Real Madrid last year it was not because of sport, it was for marketing and economic reasons.

"Beckham is a good player but his position in the team was already filled by Luis Figo.

"And if Camacho tells me he does not need him now, then we will sell."

Manchester United are struggling to come up with 40million which would persuade Everton to part with 18-year-old Rooney.

But Baldasano revealed: "If Camacho wants Rooney, I do not think finding the money will be a problem."

11:20 AM
t.r.a.c.y

Monday, July 05, 2004

WE'RE LOVIN' IT

By Nathan Yates And Fiona Cummins

DAVID and Victoria Beckham spent yesterday holed up in their hotel as they enjoyed a romantic break from the pressures of life in the spotlight.

The couple had reportedly gone to Morocco to renew their wedding vows in an effort to put their marriage back on track after claims the England skipper had been unfaithful.

But friends insisted Posh and Becks had travelled to North Africa to spend some precious time alone together and dismissed claims it was a "make or break" holiday.

A source said: "They just want to spoil each other and make the most of this rare time on their own."

Another hotel guest added: "I heard Victoria had asked for a lot of roses to fill her room. It sounds like she's trying to make the break as special as possible."

Real Madrid star David and Victoria beefed up security after pictures of him wearing an Arab headdress and her shopping at a market appeared in newspapers yesterday. Local police and security guards were deployed to ensure the couple's privacy.

The pair were said to be furious that news of their romantic break at the Amanjena Hotel in Marrakesh had leaked.

A source said: "Security here is normally very good. It's a very private resort for the rich and famous but it's now gone into overdrive."

Our sister paper the Sunday Mirror told how the couple had gone to renew their vows. But friends played down the report.

One said: "They had literally gone away for a few days' holiday, so they could just be together and enjoy each other's company. They were surprised as anyone to hear they were supposed to be renewing their wedding vows, and just couldn't believe it."

However, the Mirror understands preparations for the renewal of their vows were underway last night - on the fifth anniversary of the couple's lavish wedding in Ireland.

After pictures of Posh and Becks appeared a friend said the pair may now leave the resort.

The source added: "They will probably move on to another destination because the whole point of going on holiday was to get away from the stresses and strains of the last few months. The children are at home and they are spending time together doing the usual things that couples do."

On Saturday, David and Victoria wandered around Marrakesh's bustling market area, spending hundreds of pounds on souvenirs and antiques. Becks was dressed in traditional Arab robes for the hour-long walkabout - prompting locals to dub him "David of Arabia".

The holiday follows a torrid few months for the midfielder following claims he had a fling with his PA Rebecca Loos in Madrid. He branded the allegation "ludicrous".

9:21 PM
t.r.a.c.y

BUTTON: I'LL FIND THE SPARK FOR SILVERSTONE

By Byron Young

JENSON BUTTON vowed revenge at Silverstone after Michael Schumacher scooped the spoils yet again at the French Grand Prix.

Britain's top racer believes he can come out on top in front of his home fans at the British Grand Prix in six days' time.

The 24-year-old was brimming with confidence he could notch up his first victory here in Magny-Cours but a mystery electronic glitch and a storming performance by Ferrari and Renault left him fifth.

"I am a little bit down but it won't affect my determination going into the British Grand Prix," said Button.

"It is a race I believe we have a good chance of winning."

The victory disappeared in a twinkling of an eye as the lights went out at the start.

Jarno Trulli charged through with another of the fast starts Renault specialise in and Button sat behind for the rest of the race.

"That cost me the race," said a dejected Button.

But fourth became fifth in the closing stages when Rubens Barrichello's charge from 10th carried him on to the podium.

"I couldn't believe how quick he was," said Button. "He just fired past me on the straight. We couldn't overtake people because we didn't have the pace for some reason."

In the final round of pit stops, clever strategy earned BAR-Honda the chance to get past the Italian only for electronic gremlins to strike.

"It was a disaster really. The guys did a great pit stop but the anti-stall kicked in as I moved away and Trulli got ahead of me," Button said. "I'm really disappointed." But team boss David Richards vowed it would be different at Silverstone.

To the sell-out 100,000-strong crowd expected there, he said: "Keep the faith. I am confident we can produce a contest, a race and hopefully a victory.

"Home teams always play well on home pitches and we are going to ours next weekend

"Just as Renault did well here, we want to do well at Silverstone. The crowd is always great there.

"It won't affect Schumacher but it will lift the whole team. There is a lot of momentum and I feel very confident."

British fans could be on for double delight as David Coulthard provided an impressive debut for the new McLaren-Mercedes, finishing sixth - a place ahead of team-mate Kimi Raikkonen.

"It's a great start and now we have got to keep on making more steps," said the Scot. "I'm now looking forward to my home Grand Prix."

Just plain racing would do after the worst Grand Prix of the season yesterday - at what should be renamed Magny-Bore.

The tactical battle going on behind the scenes was lost on most fans. All they could see was Schumacher storming away to his ninth win in 10 starts.

There was not one overtaking manoeuvre among the leading runners between the first lap and the last.

Pole-starter Fernando Alonso and Schumacher swopped places in the second pit stop, Trulli droned along behind them and Button followed on. End of story.

It was left to Barrichello to provide anything resembling racing on the very last lap when he got past Button and then, on the very last lap, dived down the inside of Trulli to grab third.

Trulli, the Monaco winner, had to leave the track immediately to avoid the wrath of boss Flavio Briatore for spoiling an impressive home race for Renault which could have seen both cars on the podium.

"I don't know what he was doing," said Button who had a ringside seat sitting behind the Renault.

"He slowed so much on the previous corner it was obvious Rubens was going to get him."

Ferrari changed strategy mid-race because of the Renault threat and decided to go to four stops instead of three.

That lightened Schumacher's race machine and gave him the extra speed to slip out in front of Alonso 22 laps from the flag.

But there was no more than three seconds in it as the Ferrari came out on lap 58.

Ferrari have 158 points in the constructors' championship, double their nearest rivals Renault, and are well on their way to winning it again.

But if every race is as boring as this one then many fans will probably say they are welcome to it.

9:15 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Theo named the best

By SUNSPORT REPORTER

UEFA have named Theodoros Zagorakis as the player of Euro 2004 and four England players in their best 22 of the tournament.

The ex-Leicester City midfielder capped a series of magnificent performances by leading his country to a shock victory in yesterday's final against hosts Portugal.

The UEFA technical study group, led by UEFA's technical director Andy Roxburgh, also revealed their All-star 23-man squad of the tournament which features four England players.

Four-goal star Wayne Rooney has been named among the strikers and is joined by midfielder Frank Lampard and defenders Ashley Cole and Sol Campbell.

UEFA Euro 2004 All-Star Squad:

Goalkeepers: Petr Cech - Czech Republic, Antonios Nikopolidis - Greece.

Defenders: Sol Campbell - England, Ashley Cole - England, Traianos Dellas - Greece, Olof Mellberg - Sweden, Ricardo Carvalho - Portugal, Georgios Seitaridis - Greece, Gianluca Zambrotta - Italy.

Midfielders: Michael Ballack - Germany, Luis Figo - Portugal, Frank Lampard - England, Maniche - Portugal, Pavel Nedved - Czech Republic, Theodoros Zagorakis - Greece, Zinedine Zidane - France.

Strikers: Milan Baros - Czech Republic, Angelos Charisteas - Greece, Henrik Larsson - Sweden, Cristiano Ronaldo - Portugal, Wayne Rooney - England, Jon Dahl Tomasson - Denmark, Ruud van Nistelrooy - Holland.

9:11 PM
t.r.a.c.y

EXCLUSIVE

Don't sack Beckham

By PHIL THOMAS

WAYNE ROONEY has leapt to David Beckham's defence as the knives come out for the England skipper after his Euro 2004 flop.

Becks is under mounting pressure to step down as captain after his dismal form in the tournament - capped by his penalty shootout miss in the quarter-final defeat by Portugal.

But hitman Rooney says he should lead the team for YEARS - and revealed how the Real Madrid superstar has helped him handle life in the limelight.

Rooney, 18, said: "I've learned so much just being around people like him and Michael Owen. That's why this tournament can only benefit me - not only as a player but off the pitch as well.

"After the Croatia match Becks pulled me to one side and told me he knew what it would be like and what I should expect.

"He said people I knew would be sniping but said 'you'll just have to forget about it and get on with life'."

Beckham, 29, had a nightmare Euro 2004 - looking jaded and missing a penalty against France before his quarter-final howler.

He blamed his below-par displays on Real's laid-back training regime.

Some critics say the England skipper's armband should go to Owen, Steven Gerrard or Sol Campbell.

But Rooney declared: "Becks is a really good captain. He certainly knows what he is talking about and deserves to be England captain for years.

"In these tournaments it's all about preparation and you see so many little things and pick up so much from him.

"For example, he told us that when we scored, because it was so hot out there and we needed drinks, we should run to the corner flag and walk back so we all got a rest.

"He was always a huge help and having a few words here and there about things.

"Like when Darius Vassell missed his penalty.

"Darius knew what would happen but although Becks had missed his, as captain he put his arm around his shoulder and talked to him about it.

"He just told him to try and forget about it and get on with things and that these things happen."

9:10 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Rooney backs Beckham as skipper

Striker Wayne Rooney wants David Beckham to lead England for years to come.
Beckham looking jaded during Euro 2004 and missed a penalty against France as England lost their opening game.

The 29-year-old has been under mounting pressure to step down as captain after his penalty shoot-out miss in the quarter-final defeat by hosts Portugal.

He blamed his below-par displays on Real Madrid's laid-back training regime.

Rooney, who in contrast had a fantastic Euro 2004, has backed Beckham to stay on as captain, however.

'Becks is a really good captain,' Rooney told The Sun. 'He certainly knows what he is talking about and deserves to be England captain for years.

'In these tournaments it is all about preparation and you see so many little things and pick up so much from him. I have learned so much just being around people like him and Michael Owen.'

9:09 PM
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Sunday, July 04, 2004

BLUE CALL IT A PAY-DAY!

Final tour to protect their fortune

BLUE are set to split next year - so they can walk away with their millions.

They will call it a day after a money-spinning tour to pay off the taxman.

Gobby singer LEE RYAN let slip the secret to partygoers at ELTON JOHN'S White Tie and Tiara Ball.

And he confessed that the lads' farewell is for the benefit of the Inland Revenue rather than their army of screaming girl fans.

A pal of 21-year-old Lee confirmed: "He told us that the guys want to do a final tour.

"It's so they can all cover their tax debts and walk away with a fortune.

"Blue have made a lot of money over the past few years as one of Britain's biggest groups.

"But now the taxman is looking to take a large chunk of that cash off each of them.

"So they want to clean up on their last tour and painlessly pay off the taxman."

Such a moneygrabbing departure by Lee, DUNCAN JAMES, ANTONY COSTA and SIMON WEBBE is, I suppose, better than the exit by the SPICE GIRLS - who simply left the country at the peak of their fame to avoid massive tax bills.

And then there's the likes of Rolling Stones' legend MICK JAGGER, who spent lengthy periods away in tax exile.

But in ending all the speculation about whether or not Blue are packing it in, Lee revealed he also intends to quit Britain himself after his final payday.

My spy said: "He told us that after the band finish he'll try for a solo career in the States. He was quite indiscreet about it."

5:16 PM
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THANK YOUR LUCKY STARS

By Scott Piecha

RALF SCHUMACHER is lucky to be alive says the man who survived motor racing's biggest-ever crash.

Alex Zinardi watched Schumacher's Williams hurtle into a wall at Indianapolis at nearly 200 mph... and feared the worst.

In 2001, Zinardi lost both his legs when he spun into the path of Alex Tagliani while racing in the IRL series, America's version of Formula One.

And the former Williams F1 driver and team-mate of Ralf in 1999 admitted Ralf's accident was a lot like his because it was a sheer freak.

Zinardi now walks with false legs, while Ralf has a broken back and is expected to be out of F1 for at least three months. Zinardi said: "Ralf's crash was a lot like mine because it came out of nowhere and could have been fatal.

"When the IRL race on the Oval circuit at Indianapolis they go the opposite way round which means that when they turn into a corner there are no padded, protective walls."

"Ralf crashed where no-one would have expected him to go off and that's why there was no protective wall to take some of the impact.

"Freak accidents are always the worst because if you are not expecting it, then bad things can happen.

"I lost my legs in my accident and looking at Ralf's crash I would say he is very lucky to have come away with what, in the long run, are hopefully only minor injuries.

Williams boss Sir Frank Williams also feels Ralf was extremely lucky.

"If he had not hit the wall straight things could have been a lot worse," he said.

"It was a freak accident and Ralf took a lot of force. The car took a lot of the brunt but it was still a big, big crash that happened out of the blue." Marc Gene steps into the Williams cockpit for today's French GP but the team will not review their driver options for next season until after the race.

Jacques Villeneuve has been rumoured to be in talks with the team but Williams said: "We will decide Ralf's replacement after this race."

Zinardi might be out of F1 but he has still managed to get back behind the wheel of a racing car.

He has been competing in European Touring Cars with BMW and says he does not fear anything happening to him again.

He explained: "When you are injured with a freak accident you don't think about it again because, as they say, lightning is unlikely to strike twice.

"I am enjoying racing again with BMW and have been able to compensate with some changes to the car because although I lost my legs I never lost my brain - and that's what makes you a racing driver."

An English version of Zinardi's biography, published by Haynes, will be on sale in September.

5:14 PM
t.r.a.c.y

BECKS TOOK THE PISTE

From Andy Dunn

DAVID BECKHAM spent too much time skiing with his wife to make an impact at Euro 2004, it was claimed last night.

In the strongest attack yet on the England captain, Carlos Queiroz - his manager at Real Madrid last season - turned on Becks.

Beckham had claimed he lacked fitness during the finals because of the training regime at Real.

But Queiroz raged: "In the last three weeks of the season Luis Figo was at every training session, giving 100 per cent, while you'll have to look at those that David missed for one motive or another.

"Figo wasn't skiing while his team was still in the Champions League, and that's where the difference lies. In the final analysis, one player keeps performing until the end and the other doesn't.

"David missed sessions for one reason or another. And sometimes for no reason at all.

"I'm not hurt by what David said but the reality is there for everyone to see.''

And Queiroz, who has returned to Manchester United as No.2 to Sir Alex Ferguson, continued: "I am not surprised by Beckham's comments as he has always had excuses.

"He's always making personal excuses. When he failed at the World Cup in Korea, and when he failed in Portugal, he always has an excuse.''

And last night German legend Jurgen Klinsmann attacked Beckham, claiming he let down his country when they needed him most.

Beckham missed a penalty in the shoot-out against Portugal as England crashed out in the quarter-finals and his lacklustre performances also have been criticised.

Beckham says he will stay on as England captain - and has also vowed to come back better.

But former Spurs striker Klinsmann, speaking at the Mastercard Team of the Tournament announcement, rapped: "When England needed a leader, Beckham was not there to make a difference.

"That is what happened with all the big teams who went out - when they needed someone to step up, they weren't able to.''

Beckham, 29, has put himself under pressure to return fitter than ever at Real Madrid next season.

The Spanish superpower sacked Queiroz after he failed to win a trophy. It was the first time in five years that Madrid did not win a single thing.

5:11 PM
t.r.a.c.y

POSH AND BECKS TO RE-MARRY IN SECRET CEREMONY

DAVID and Victoria Beckham will renew their marriage vows today on their fifth wedding anniversary.

The Sunday Mirror can exclusively reveal how Britain's most famous couple will recommit to their marriage this afternoon during an intimate religous ceremony at a luxury resort in Morocco.

They have just begun a secret two-week break in the North African paradise following England's defeat in the Euro 2004 soccer tournament.

David and Victoria hope renewing their vows will put their troubled marriage back on track. It has been rocked to the core following claims of Becks' adultery and a series of bitter rows.

They have even cancelled a promotion tour to launch "Brand Beckham" in America in favour of the make-or-break holiday.

The couple have asked a local minister to bless their marriage today in a concerted effort to put their woes behind them once and for all.

They have chosen today because it is exactly five years since the lavish wedding in Ireland - on "his and hers" thrones - that made them Britain's alternative royal family.

A close friend of the couple revealed last night: "They believe the best way to heal the rifts are to be alone and together in paradise. What better way to celebrate their wedding anniversary than by renewing their wedding vows."

Posh and Becks secretly jetted out to the exclusive Amanjena resort on the outskirts of Marrakesh on Thursday.

They arrived at the hotel with a security guard who is staying in the next-door apartment to them. Even before arriving at the idyllic venue they had asked hotel bosses to make sure a priest would be available today.

A hotel source revealed: "It was a special instruction. They wanted to know if our papa (the Moroccan term for priest) was available on Sunday, and we duly booked him."

Staff were then told to prepare for a traditional Christian ceremony in the lavish grounds of the hotel.

On Friday David and Victoria were seen walking hand-in-hand through the hotel's grounds. Then yesterday they left the hotel in a blacked-out limousine. It was then that David - known for his trendsetting fashion sense - revealed a huge surprise.

He stepped out of the limo into the burning heat dressed in a jellaba - a traditional desert garment of a long white gown and all-over white headscarf that covered everything but his eyes.

He even wore a grey scarf around his neck to cover his large new tattoo.

"He looked more like Lawrence of Arabia than a famous football player," said one onlooker. "Maybe he should be renamed David of Arabia." Victoria was happy to wander the market, which is crammed with street sellers, spice stalls and snake-charmers, in a black skirt and small vest top plus her trademark dark sunglasses.

The couple spent half an hour in Khalid's Art Gallery where they bought several hundred pounds worth of Moroccan antiques. Store owner Mr Khalid said: "It was good to see Beckham in here - we have many famous visitors."

The pair then wandered into a nearby courtyard called Caravan Siri, where local craftsmen worked on different handmade items. They bartered for a giant wrought-iron lantern costing 1,000 dirham (60pounds). The pair, flanked by a minder and a guide, then went into the heart of the crowded market, wandering from stall to stall looking at the clothing and leather items. They even looked at a sports stall selling replica football shirts of Moroccan players.

The couple's guide - who recently escorted Beckham's Real Madrid team - mate Raul through the ancient city - described the history of the old city and took them into courtyards selling traditional paintings and leather footwear.

Western tourists visiting Marrakesh failed to recognise the famous pair as they shopped. But after more than an hour in the labyrinth of shops and narrow streets, local children began to crowd round. As word spread they were mobbed by local people as their chauffeur whisked them away from the market at around 12.30pm, when the temperature had soared to 44ºC.

One bystander: "We didn't recognise Beckham because he was wearing white robes. You could only see his eyes but my friend spotted his wife and that's when everyone went, 'Ah, Beckham!'"'

Later the couple returned to their hotel to prepare for their big day - but Posh went to the market again without David in the early evening.

The couple, who have left sons Brooklyn and Romeo behind, are staying in an exclusive maison at the hotel - the most luxurious villa available - with private swimming pool and garden.

A close friend said: "David and Victoria may be the world's most famous couple but they are real people and they have been through the mill.

"There has been the whole Rebecca Loos thing and being apart for so long since David went to Spain. Then there was Euro 2004 and all their rows.

"They needed to do something to put their romance back on track and this was perfect. They are able to spend more quality, private time together than they have in years."

Brooklyn and Romeo will fly out with Victoria's parents to join their mum and dad later this week. The family will return to Britain next week, in time for David to jet back to Madrid for pre-season soccer training on July 14.

5:07 PM
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Saturday, July 03, 2004

Beckham's a world-class whinger says Queiroz

MADRID (Reuters) - Former Real Madrid coach Carlos Queiroz has dismissed suggestions from David Beckham that the club's fitness regime was partly to blame for his poor form at Euro 2004 and said the England captain was merely looking for excuses.

"I'm not surprised by Beckham's comments," Queiroz told Radio Marca on Saturday. "He's always making personal excuses. When he failed in (South) Korea, when he failed in Portugal with England he always had an excuse."

Queiroz, sacked by Real at the end of the season after the club ended the campaign without a trophy for the first time in five years, said that Beckham should look to team mate Luis Figo as an example.

"During the last three weeks of the season Figo was at every training session giving 100 percent, but David missed some for various reasons, or sometimes for no reason at all."

Queiroz also said that Beckham's decision to join his family at an Alpine skiing resort in April while he was banned from Real's Champions League quarter-final, second leg against Monaco could have had an effect on the player's performance at the end of the season.

"Figo didn't go skiing in the winter while the team were still playing in the Champions League," he said. "That's where the difference lies. In the final analysis, one player keeps performing until the end and the other doesn't.

"I'm not hurt by what David said but the reality is there for everyone to see."

Beckham played in all England's matches at Euro 2004, but failed to shine.

He missed a penalty in his side's 2-1 defeat to France in their opening group game and another in the shootout in their quarter-final defeat against hosts Portugal, blaming the miss on the poor state of the pitch.

Figo, who has said that he feels in good shape despite a tough season at Real, has played a key role in leading his side to Sunday's final where they will face Greece.

9:07 PM
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BUTTON: I MIGHT SAVE IT FOR SILVERSTONE

Byron Young Reports From Magny-Cours

RAIN lashed the paddock and howling winds rocked the motor homes here yesterday but Jenson Button's million-megawatt smile refused to fade.

The 24-year-old has vowed to end Britain's summer of sporting misery with his maiden victory in tomorrow's French Grand Prix.

But, with the British Grand Prix just around the corner, he cheekily added: "I might save it for Silverstone."

A Button victory would be the perfect tonic for a nation gasping for good news after devastating defeats in tennis, rugby, cricket and football in the last few weeks.

British teams have come up trumps in just two events - bog snorkelling and fishing. Thursday's one-day victory against the West Indies lifted the country's spirits a little but BAR-Honda driver Button wants to send them soaring.

Incredibly, his optimism is based on his worst result of the season at the last round in America where the Frome Flyer failed to finish for the first time this season, but team-mate Takuma Sato was a record-breaking third.

"We really are looking for that win now," said Button."We were very competitive in Indianapolis and unlucky not to get a win.

"The funniest thing was we were disappearing from the field sat behind Michael Schumacher, pushing him around the circuit.

"We were losing about six-tenths of a second a lap. We were both sat behind Michael and yet it was so easy. It was hilarious.

"It was so easy to overtake people and that just shows how strong the car is.

"That gives us a lot of confidence and the whole team is looking forward to the next few races because we really feel we are on the up again."

And Button believes the all-conquering Ferrari camp could have problems in France. "Ferrari's tyres were blistering a lot in America and they are going to have the same sort of tyre problems they had there unless they go very extreme on the set-up."

Schumacher has won every race he has finished - eight out of nine - and his seventh championship is all but wrapped up but he is well aware of the gathering clouds being blown by BAR's speed.

Ferrari pressed a more powerful engine into service earlier than expected this week in a bid to maintain their advantage.

But it will be a notable feather in Button's cap if he can go toe to toe with the German here of all places.

Nowhere is Schumacher's domination more complete; he has won this race six times in total and wrapped up the fastest title triumph here two years ago.

The past is one thing - the future, Button believes, quite another. "The future has BAR written all over it," he added. "I like the Magny-Cours circuit. It is very smooth, very flowing.

"If I had been on the podium in America I would have been delighted but still thinking 'damn, we should have beaten the Ferraris'.

"That first win is the most amazing feeling at any level of the sport."

9:03 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Van Nistelrooy gets two match ban

LISBON (Reuters) - Netherlands striker Ruud van Nistelrooy has been banned for two World Cup qualifying matches by UEFA after insulting Swedish referee Anders Frisk after the final whistle of their Euro 2004 semi-final against Portugal.

UEFA said on Friday that the suspension applies to the Netherlands' first two qualifiers for the 2006 World Cup although Van Nistelrooy can appeal against the verdict by midnight on Monday 5 July.

12:04 AM
t.r.a.c.y

Friday, July 02, 2004

SCHU: ONE OF US IS GOING TO DIE

Byron Young reports from Magny Cours

MICHAEL SCHUMACHER warned there could soon be another death in Grand Prix racing unless spiralling speeds are cut.

And brother Ralf has threatened to sue doctors as his career and health hang in the balance following his near-fatal Indianapolis smash.

In the build-up to Sunday's French Grand Prix the six-time world champion said Ralf's 190mph crash in the last race was a timely warning to the sport. He called for reduced speeds and increased safety in a sport that has seen lap speeds cut by four seconds this season.

Ironically, his fears come days after he tested an improved Ferrari with an even more powerful engine in a bid to maintain his runaway start to the season

"There could be another death unless speeds are cut," said Schumacher. "This is a warning signal that we have to be careful and a good opportunity to make F1 safer. I hope it is going to be used."

His younger brother was knocked unconscious after hitting a concrete wall backwards during the United States Grand Prix.

Ralf was released in acute pain after overnight examinations only to be told by specialists in his native Germany that he has two spinal fractures that could put him in a wheelchair for life. The damage is such that Schumacher has to wear a corset and fears being paralysed.

He claims Indianapolis medical experts failed to spot the fractures.

"It's a scandal," fumed Ralf Schumacher. "The Americans did not discover the broken bones. There will certainly be repercussions."

The sport is without a fatality since the deaths of Ayrton Senna and Roland Ratzenberger in 1994 but is riding its luck with two serious accidents in as many races. In the race before Schumacher's accident, Felipe Massa could have been killed had it not been for the new neck strap.

"Had I crashed laterally and not with the back of my car, I would be dead now," Ralf added. "I am in severe pain and before I return my body must be strong enough to take a similar impact.

"France, England and Germany are out but I am planning to come back this season."

Spaniard Marc Gene deputises for Ralf this weekend at Magny Cours and will still be at the wheel for the British GP seven days later.

8:12 PM
t.r.a.c.y

CHELSEA WILL ROO THE DAY

By David Mcdonnell

MANCHESTER UNITED are confident Wayne Rooney will become the latest player to snub Chelsea and instead agree a move to Old Trafford in a £25million deal.

United have put a maximum 25million valuation on England's Euro 2004 hero and are not prepared to meet the extraordinary 40million asking price Everton have quoted.

The Old Trafford club believe Rooney's desire to stay in his native north-west will signal the end of Chelsea's bid to sign him, despite their abundant wealth, and leave them in pole position to land the striker.

Although Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich could easily meet the 40million price Everton are asking, Rooney has decided United is his choice and has ruled out a move to London.

Rooney will join the growing list of stars to snub Chelsea this summer which includes his England team-mates David Beckham and Steven Gerrard as well as Spain's Fernando Morientes.

Sir Alex Ferguson is determined to win the race to capture Rooney's signature this summer, but there are cash restraints on player spending which have been imposed by United's board.

United chief executive David Gill knows the plc board are unlikely to sanction a bid of more than 25million for Rooney for fear of a backlash from leading shareholders.

They include John Magnier and JP McManus, who own 28.17 per cent of United and who recently demanded an internal investigation into all of the club's transfer deals of the past five years.

8:11 PM
t.r.a.c.y

Posh: I know perfect spot

By THOMAS WHITAKER

VICTORIA Beckham is whisking husband David away on a romantic break - to help him get over his Euro 2004 penalty nightmare.

Posh, 30, fixed up the secret trip to celebrate the couple's fifth wedding anniversary on Sunday.

But it ALSO coincides with the soccer tournament's final in Portugal.

Gutted England skipper Becks, 29, helped dump his team out of Euro 2004 last week when he skied his shot in a penalty shoot-out with the host nation. He blamed dodgy turf on the penalty spot.

A source close to the couple said: "The ideal anniversary present would have been Becks lifting the cup. Of course that's not possible.

"David has understandably been down in the dumps since England were knocked out.

"Victoria is hoping that this holiday will lift his spirits."

The destination is top secret but is somewhere in Europe. The couple's children Brooklyn, five, and 21-month-old Romeo are going with them. Afterwards the family will move into a new home in Madrid.

Posh has vowed to spend more time in the Spanish capital after the couple were rocked by claims that Real Madrid hero Becks cheated on her.

The pal said: "She wants them to spend quality time together before the season at Real Madrid starts.

"They rarely have time together as he is always so busy on the football pitch.

"Claims they are about to divorce are so wide of the mark."

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

Thursday, July 01, 2004

DOSH SPICE

SHE may be thrifty when it comes to herself but "cut-price Spice" Victoria Beckham isn't tight with her children.

The 30-year-old, who was recently spotted shopping at discount store Matalan, lavished 10,000pounds on a party for son Brooklyn to say farewell to his classmates just weeks before he moves to Spain for good.

A friend of Posh's says: "She really adores her sons and wants to do anything she can for them.

"She knows that moving to Madrid is essential to keep the family together, but it'll be a big strain on Brooklyn as he has a lot of friends who he'll miss."

Sixty of the five-year-old's pals were treated to donkey rides and trips on a model railway in the grounds of Beckingham Palace.

5:09 PM
t.r.a.c.y

REF MEIER IN HIDING AFTER 'DEATH THREATS'

Simon Bird

REFEREE Urs Meier has gone into hiding with police protection because of the backlash from England fans.

The Swiss official who wrecked England's Euro 2004 hopes by disallowing Sol Campbell's last minute "winner", also claimed is under the same level of pressure pressure as David Beckham.

Meier is "living in fear" and "in shock" after receiving 16,000 abusive emails, including death threats.

But he has hit back at English fans who have contacted him, accusing them of being "overheated".

Meier, 45, has revealed he is in hiding in his homeland but is still refusing to admit he got it wrong during England's quarter-final clash against Portugal.

The defiant shopkeeper, who has closed his business because of the adverse publicity, said yesterday that the "whole world knows I was 100 per cent correct".

Swiss police are guarding the bearded official day and night after advising him to go into hiding where no one will recognise him.

He said: "This has taken on unacceptable proportions. People are trying to destroy me. There are limits - and they've been broken.

"Going after my family, digging into my private life - that's totally unacceptable. I'm not afraid for my own life, but I am afraid of what might happen to my loved ones.

"I am in ths same sort of position as David Beckham."

The e-mail threats were sent to his website, which offers the chance to join the "Urs Meier fan club" has dozens of pictures of him in action and reveals how fit he is with a series of graphs and statistics.

But Meier, who left his wife and children to set up home with a top woman refereeing colleague, is now annoyed that newspapers have publicised his website, www.ursmeier.ch/referee.

He said: "I have security problems, and this is not the right way to handle referees' decisions, whether they are right or wrong. "I am taking these threats very seriously. I had a wonderful tournament with three fantastic games, and I feel good about that.

"But the English newspapers have caused a big problem. The police are here with me now as we speak and I'm taking these threats very seriously. I'm not going to leave Switzerland but I am somewhere where nobody knows me."

"The decision was 100 per cent correct and the whole world could see that.

"I always thought the spirit of fair play was important in England, with respect for officials. I never expected this reaction.

"I like English football and the people in England. I spent my holidays there last year and I know not all the people are the same.

"But some of the fans are really overheated now and it isn't right to invade a person's private life in this way.

"I feel very sad about this reaction, especially after a right decision. Everyone saw it was foul play by Terry and the keeper from Portugal was fouled."

Euro 2004 will be Meier's last tournament. His decision on Campbell's "goal" was backed up by UEFA's referees committee.

In an outburst that will further anger the England camp, Meier added: "After the game I had a good feeling, and I'm sure all the players and coaches, including those from England, were also happy with my refereeing in the game. But at the moment it's not easy."

5:07 PM
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