Hit Soapstar Superstar is axed

GLITZY sing-a-along karaoke show Soapstar Superstar has been dumped — despite bumper ratings.

The news will shock fans of the programme, which was fronted by Zoe Ball and which pulled in around SEVEN MILLION viewers for January’s final.

It has run for only two years — but an insider explained: “ITV1’s new bosses think it’s time to give it a rest.

“They feel it is a bit too similar to X Factor. We know this won’t go down too well among some viewers — but we are planning to come up with other great shows instead.”

This year’s series was a runaway success — thanks largely to the ample charms of former Hollyoaks babe Gemma Atkinson.

She set tongues wagging while filming the show in Manchester by dating Man United footie ace Cristiano Ronaldo. And the production gave a major career boost to this year’s winner Antony Cotton, Corrie’s Sean Tully.

He is now in talks with ITV about hosting a chat show. Last year’s winner was Weatherfield’s Richard Fleeshman.

An ITV spokeswoman said: “We have decided to rest Soapstar Superstar next year. But it may well come back one day.”

Soapstar Superstar was hailed as the ultimate entertainment show by ITV when it launched last year — mixing soapstars from all channels with an X Factor-style contest.

The first series featured Cilla Black, Billy Sammeth and Chris Cowey on the judging panel — with Fern Britton and Ben Shephard as the hosts.

This year’s show saw Martine McCutcheon and Michael Ball replace Cilla on the panel.

Record breaker: I'm finishzzzed

EXHAUSTED Tony Wright collapsed into bed yesterday — after going without sleep for 11 days.

The researcher, who launched the record-breaking attempt to study the effects of sleeplessness on the brain, had not had a kip since 6am on May 14.

But there were fears last night Tony’s bid could have failed by just ten hours.

He broke what was thought to be the record of 264 hours at 6.01am yesterday but stayed awake for two more hours.

Tony, 43, was based at the Studio Bar in Penzance, Cornwall, and monitored by six CCTV cameras and a live webcam.

He stayed awake by playing pool, listening to music, drinking tea, keeping a diary and talking to supporters. Tony revealed at the time: “It’s very strange — everything around me has become more intense and colours seem brighter.

“There were a couple of tricky moments where I could feel my body wanting to shut down.”

Scientists say depriving the body of sleep for long periods can result in depression, dizziness, hallucinations, irritability, nausea and loss of memory.

The previous record was set in 1964 by student Randy Gardner, 17, in San Diego, California.

But the Guinness Book of Records withdrew its backing because of health risks. It once reported a longer record — 276 hours by Toimi Soini in Hamina, Finland, also in 1964.

It was not known last night if that attempt was under properly controlled conditions.

Kop payback: This one's on U.S.

LIVERPOOL’S American bosses will cough up cash for fans who were barred from the Champions League final despite having valid tickets.

An estimated 2,000 were turned away from the Olympic Stadium in Athens on Wednesday night as bungling stewards allowed hordes of non-ticket holders to barge through security.

But Reds followers who bought official tickets through the club and missed out on the big match against AC Milan could now get their money back.

The idea came from the club’s new US owners, billionaires George Gillett Jr and Tom Hicks.

The businessmen, who took over the club this season in a deal said to be worth around £430million, were horrified to see footage of supporters in tears outside the ground.

And yesterday they were in talks on how to ease the pain of Kop fans who suffered the double blow of missing the game and having their team, skippered by Steven Gerrard, beaten 2-1.

A source said: “The new owners were appalled to see fans left out of pocket after travelling all the way to Athens at great expense.

“The scenes of people holding legitimate tickets for the game and being unable to get into the ground really wound them up.

“It is a major gesture. They already feel part of the club and were swept away by the tide of emotion all the way to the final.

“They will leave no stone unturned to make sure that genuine Liverpool fans have a chance of getting their money back.”

Gillett and Hicks have already managed to endear themselves to the Kop faithful by exploring the possibility of extending the capacity of the club’s proposed new stadium.

Gemma doesn't do Ron, Ron

BUSTY soap babe GEMMA ATKINSON was last night accused of MAKING UP her romance with soccer ace CRISTIANO RONALDO — by his mum!

The Manchester United hunk’s mother accused the 34F ex-Hollyoaks stunner of foul play.

Feisty Dolores Aveiro insists there is no relationship — and that her boy has never even had a fling with Gemma, 22.

Mum-of-four Dolores, 54, stormed: “He doesn’t have a girlfriend. I put my hands in the fire as he did not go with the girl people say is his girlfriend. I don’t know her and don’t care if she’s beautiful.”

Ronaldo, 22, has NEVER spoken of Gemma as his girlfriend and they have NOT been pictured together.

But Gemma’s pals last night insisted the two were an item and were planning a summer holiday.

She has landed a string of modelling jobs and magazine shoots since revealing her new man.

Gemma, who is currently abroad on a calendar shoot, first spoke of Ronaldo as her boyfriend in January.

She said: “He’s gorgeous. I’ve heard other women are jealous of me and I’m not surprised!” The blonde said she met Ronaldo at a Unicef charity event.

A pal said: “Ronaldo’s mother is probably just being protective. I’ve seen the texts they send and they’re definitely boyfriend and girlfriend. Gemma’s a down-to-earth lass and not interested in him as a publicity stunt.”

Gazza's hospital heart scare

BOOZY soccer legend Paul Gascoigne dashed to hospital in a heart scare, it emerged last night.

Gazza, who is 40 tomorrow, complained of chest pains just days after a drunken trip to Dubai.

He was taken to Barnet General Hospital in North London yesterday and had tests including an ECG heart scan.

But the ex-Spurs and England star yesterday claimed he only went for treatment for his BURNT FEET. And he denied he was drunk.

A source who saw Gazza at the hospital at 2.30am said: “Paul looks terrible. He’s very thin and his hair is falling out. His trousers are hanging off and he must have lost weight.”

Gazza — who has battled booze for years — said he burnt his feet on hot sand in the Gulf resort.

And his dad John said he had a “reaction to medication” taken after he burnt his feet.

But a source told The Sun the star had a series of tests, including an ECG, before leaving 90 minutes later, declaring he was feeling better.

An ECG, or electrocardiogram, is a test recording the activity of the heart.

Gazza — staying at an £85-a-night motorway services hotel since his holiday — said: “I wasn’t drunk, it’s my feet. In Dubai, I stupidly played football on the sand without shoes on and I burnt my feet. They are really sore.”

Student Oliver Miocic, 18, said he saw Gazza “hammered” in a Dubai bar.

Gazza’s agent Jane Morgan said: “Paul categorically denies having any heart palpitations or tests on his heart. He went to have his feet bandaged.”

Mozambique fan killed for celebrating goal

MAPUTO, May 22 (Reuters) - A Mozambican soccer fan was stoned and stomped to death after celebrating a goal by his side in a premier league match in the southern African nation, Mozambique's national newspaper reported on Tuesday.

The incident occurred on Sunday in the northern city of Lichinga during a hotly contested match between hosts Lichinga FC and rivals Ferroviario de Nampula, according to Noticias.

Angry Lichinga fans attacked the unidentified man after he jumped onto a stadium terrace to celebrate Ferroviario's second goal in the 69th minute, the daily newspaper said. It quoted witnesses as saying that police failed to intervene.

Soccer-related violence is not common in Mozambique.

Ferroviario won the game 2-0.

Star-Studded Cast Compete in the BMW PGA Pro-Am

Stars of stage, screen and sport will take to the West Course at Wentworth Club on Wednesday (May 23rd) for the BMW PGA Championship Pro-Am.

The event is free for spectators and offers the unique chance to see some of the leading golfers who are preparing to compete for one of the most prestigious titles in golf and the €725,000 first prize, as they enjoy a relaxed round in the company of celebrities including Hollywood actor Hugh Grant, footballer Andriy Shevchenko, model Jodie Kidd and former motor racing World Champion Nigel Mansell.

Ian Poulter, a keen Arsenal fan, will play in a fourball with Chelsea striker Shevchenko and former Arsenal players Lee Dixon and Ray Parlour, while other groups of particular interest include Vijay Singh playing with Grant and Sir Michael Bonallack OBE, a PGA European Tour Board Director, Paul Casey teaming up with Kidd and INXS guitarists Garry Beers and Tim Farriss, Colin Montgomerie playing with Mansell, and 1999 Open Champion Paul Lawrie competing in a team with former footballers Gary Lineker and Mark Bright and the golf commentator and former US PGA Championship winner Wayne Grady.

The BMW PGA Championship Pro-Am begins with a shotgun start at 12 noon and tickets will be available on the Gate for each of the four days of the Championship, May 24-27, or online by visiting www.europeantourtickets.com. All four days will be broadcast live on BBC Television.

England’s David Howell will defend the title following his five stroke victory last year and the world-class field includes no fewer than eight Major Championship winners with Lawrie and Singh joined by Michael Campbell, Ernie Els, Retief Goosen, José Maria Olazábal, Sandy Lyle and Ian Woosnam.

Hooligans give Danny a fright

MEETING the world’s football hooligans for a new TV series proved a scary experience for hard man actor Danny Dyer.

Danny, 29, who presents Bravo’s Real Football Factories International from Monday, says he was lucky to escape unscathed after meeting hooligans from Brazil, Italy, Holland and Argentina.

He told us: “In Brazil the director and film crew were on a bus with hooligan fans of Sao Paulo’s Palmeiras club and they came under gunfire from rival supporters of Botafogo.

“A car chased the bus and the crew had to crouch on the floor to avoid being shot and I was glad I wasn’t with them. That’s how serious they take football there – it was like a movie script!”

The series also gives some insight into the violence, which erupted at the Roma v Manchester United Champions League clash in April.

Danny attended the Rome derby between Roma and Lazio and he said: “I spent the first half with the Roma fans, then changed scarves and went into the Lazio end in the second half. The hate between the fans was pretty heavy.

“I also met Juventus fans called the Droogi, named after the gang in A Clockwork Orange and I didn’t get a very warm welcome as they hate the English because of the 39 Juventus fans who died at Heysel in 1985. It was scary.”

Danny also met up with Ajax and Feyenoord hooligans in Holland and he went on: “They didn’t want to talk to me but I was told that they like to use bombs – they make our hooligans sound tame.”

He also endured some hairy moments attending the Galatasary v Fenerbahce derby in Turkey. He commented: “It was very naughty there as the police let off tear gas and they were firing rubber bullets to control the crowd.”

During filming, Danny also met female hooligans in Argentina and Russia and he laughed: “They were actually very fit and pretty but they love fighting!”

And he continued: “I’m pleased with how the series has panned out as it’s got more of a journalistic slant.

"I’m pleased with what I have achieved and glad to have got away with it as I’m not a violent man but I did put myself in some frightening situations while making it.”

Last year West Ham fan Danny made The Real Football Factories about the history of UK hooliganism.

He confessed that the new series could be his football documentary swansong, as he wants to concentrate on spending time with his growing family.

Danny, whose girlfriend Joanne, gave birth to their second daughter Sunnie, three weeks ago, admitted: “No more football series - quite a few people advised me not to do this one but I had the baby on the way and I got paid quite a bit of money.

“I also got to see the world which was nice and I suppose I’m a kind of alternative Michael Palin!”

The actor, who also has a daughter Dani, 10, with Joanne, is currently taking a break after an exhausting spell, which has seen him make three major movies as well as TV appearances.

He starred in the violent thriller Outlaw with Sean Bean and Bob Hoskins; played Gillian Anderson’s lover in Straightheads; and he’s also in The All Together with The Office’s Martin Freeman.

He also guested on TV in Hotel Babylon and Skins earlier this year.

As for the future, apart from continuing to cheer on West Ham in the Premier League following the clubs’s survival, Danny might try his luck in Hollywood in the future.

He added: “The Americans want me to go out there and after a break I might be tempted to go out there for a few months.”

Wayne's Justin time for concert

HERE’S WAYNE ROONEY taking fiancée COLEEN McLOUGHLIN to see JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE play.

The Man United star turned out for Justin’s gig in the city after the singer wore a Red Devils beanie hat to watch them play West Ham at the weekend.

Now a few smart arses have claimed that in my report on Justin’s hat I got wrong Liverpool’s track record compared with United.

But when I wrote “We’ve won it five times . . . ” I was referring to the famous Kop song about LFC’s five European cup wins — which I assumed any footie fan would know.

And just for further clarification, Liverpool have won the league 18 times compared with Man United’s 16. So there.

See you in Athens for the Champions League final.

Oops, forgot you were only Almost In Greece.

Tevez shoots for different goal

WEST Ham ace CARLOS TEVEZ is hoping to do an EMINEM — and star in a big screen film about his own life.

The Argentine striker is in talks with movie bosses.

Tevez, nicknamed The Apache, has been flooded with offers from Europe’s top clubs after his goals helped The Hammers avoid relegation.

And now Hollywood has come calling as film chiefs battle to film the tale of his rise to fame from his impoverished childhood in Buenos Aires to the world footie stage.

Tevez revealed: “We’re putting together plans for a film about my life and if it gets made it will be great.”

As a toddler he was scarred for life on his face, neck and chest after tipping boiling water on himself.

The player’s agent, Adrian Ruocco, added: “The movie would be similar to what Eminem did in his film 8 Mile. Carlos would play himself.”

Hired and fired in ten minutes

EX-soccer star Leroy Rosenior was appointed boss of a struggling club — then sacked after TEN MINUTES.

The former West Ham and Fulham striker broke the record for English football’s shortest managerial reign after being introduced with a fanfare by Torquay United.

Sports journalists were summoned to a press conference which finished at 3.30pm. Then — at 3.40pm — Leroy was told by the chairman that the Devon club had been sold to a business consortium. And that meant he was OUT.

Last night Leroy, 43 — who was once tipped to be the first black England manager — said: “For it to happen ten minutes after I finished the press conference was a bit of a shock. But we had a good laugh about it afterwards.”

Leroy smashed the previous record for the shortest time as manager — Dave Bassett’s 72 hours at Crystal Palace in 1984.

He joked: “Obviously they thought I had done a fantastic job after ten minutes and let me go.”

The post was Leroy’s second stint at Torquay, who will face next season in the Conference after finishing bottom of the Football League.

He was boss between 2002 and 2006 when he left by mutual consent. Since then the club has been in a managerial crisis, with four different bosses in the hot seat.

Leroy — who was unveiled as manager at the club’s Plainmoor stadium — said: “I wish them the very best of luck. They are going to sort me out a bit of compensation.”

Last night Torquay director Debbie Hancox insisted the club’s sale was not done and dusted — which could mean Leroy might still be manager.

She said: “Nothing has been confirmed legally on this yet.”

Giggs bruv in hotel fight

MAN United ace Ryan Giggs split up a brawl at his annual star-studded charity do after his brother allegedly punched a guest.

Rhodri Giggs is said to have lashed out at a Londoner who made taunts about United’s 1-0 FA Cup final defeat to Chelsea.

The fight broke out at a black-tie dinner and golf fundraiser at the famous Belfry Hotel, near Birmingham, which is organised by Welsh star Ryan, 33.

An onlooker claimed: “Rhodri punched the bloke in the face and burst his nose. Ryan stepped in to grab his brother and calm the situation down. Then the cops turned up.”

Stars at the function included Ryan’s team-mate Wayne Rooney with fiancée Coleen McLoughlin, Robbie Williams’ pal Jonathan Wilkes and Ex-EastEnder Michael Greco, who used to play Beppe di Marco.

Police were called in the early hours of Monday and Rhodri, 30, was arrested and locked up. He was questioned during the day.

United winger Ryan organises the Belfry party with Hotel Babylon actor Max Beesley. It cost £2,500 for a team of three to play golf. The event raised £180,000 for a scanner appeal at Manchester Children’s Hospital.

The onlooker added: “Several United players were trying to forget about their disastrous FA Cup final and celebrate winning the Premiership. The fight took the shine off a successful day.”

Warwickshire police said: “A 33-year-old man from London was assaulted but did not need hospital treatment. A 30-year-old man was arrested and released on police bail.”

Stars salute our national heroes

THE Queen was last night named the Greatest Living Briton at a star-studded live TV show backed by The Sun.

The Greatest Britons 2007 ceremony was the finale to weeks of voting by Sun readers.

Prince Edward accepted the award on her behalf by video link. He said: “I am just sorry that my mother can’t be here to receive this in person. She feels very honoured to receive this.”

And Helen Mirren, who played Her Majesty in movie The Queen, said: “She deserves to win. She has dedicated her life to Britain.”

Sun readers had whittled down a list of 50 brilliant Brits to a shortlist of five.

Then ITV viewers picked the Queen ahead of rival finalists Robbie Williams, Sir Paul McCartney, Dame Julie Andrews and Baroness Thatcher.

Dame Helen, 61, was also a winner — in the awards’ film category.

She said: “How great to be up there with fish and chips, bangers and mash and a good old cup of tea.”

David Beckham, 32, was named Britain’s greatest ambassador.

The Real Madrid and former England star jetted into London from Spain to collect the honour from Arsenal’s Thierry Henry.

He said: “This is an honour and a privilege.”

A celebrity panel decided eight other categories.

Comedian Ricky Gervais, 45, was Greatest Briton in the TV category.

Newlywed Brit singing sensation Amy Winehouse, 23, beat legend Sir Elton John in the music category. Judge Kelly Osbourne collected the award on Amy’s behalf.

Gordon Brown made his first big award ceremony appearance since becoming PM-in-waiting. He presented the best British business award to smoothie drinks firm Innocent.

British adventurer Sir Ranulph Fiennes, 63, beat off competition from Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton and boxer Joe Calzaghe — who arrived with stunning partner Jo-Emma Lavine — to become No 1 Brit in the sports category.

Sir Ranulph collected his award from 1966 England World Cup legend Sir Geoff Hurst.

Graffiti artist Banksy was named top Brit in the art category. Duncan Goose was best campaigner.

Celebs at the show, hosted by Kate Thornton, included Sir Bob Geldof, Geri Halliwell, Natasha Bedingfield and Sophie Ellis-Bextor.

Sir Bob had been rooting for Macca and called him a “copper bottomed genius.”

Other judges were former Olympic gold medallist Lord Coe, Marks and Spencer chairman Stuart Rose, BBC Dragons’ Den pundit Duncan Bannatyne, T4 presenter June Sarpong, Radio One film critic James King, DJ Trevor Nelson, Four Weddings And A Funeral writer Richard Curtis, designer Kelly Hoppen, hurdler Colin Jackson, ITV newsreader Andrea Catherwood, designer Zandra Rhodes and eco-campaigner Zac Goldsmith.

Beckham to Open Soccer Academy in China, Tour With L.A. Galaxy

May 15 (Bloomberg) -- Former England captain David Beckham will set up a soccer academy in China and tour the most populous nation with the Los Angeles Galaxy, the club's owner said.

Beckham, who will join the Galaxy from Real Madrid in July, will choose Shanghai, Beijing, Macau or another unidentified Chinese city as the site for his first academy in Asia, said Tim Leiweke, chief executive officer of Anschutz Entertainment Group, the Los Angeles-based company that owns the Galaxy.

``We'd like to have something done with David by the time he starts playing for the Galaxy because we're going to have other things we're doing here,'' Leiweke said in an interview at the International Football Arena's conference in Beijing today. ``We'll be announcing extended training and touring of China.''

Beckham signed a five-year contract with the Galaxy in January that will pay him a Major League Soccer-record base salary of $5.5 million annually and may be worth as much as $250 million with his cut from jersey sales and endorsements.

Beckham will attract revenue that more than covers his salary based on his global popularity that extends to Asia, Leiweke said. He didn't say when Galaxy will visit China.

``I've always had fantastic support from people in Asia and it is an honor to have an academy there,'' Beckham said in a tender document for an academy in Asia issued in July.

The 32-year-old former Manchester United midfielder has established youth academies in Los Angeles and London as part of ventures with Anschutz. Simon Fuller's 19 Entertainment, which created American Idol, is a partner of the Asia academy.

Other academies are planned for Asia, where Beckham has been mobbed by fans on previous tours with United and Madrid. He is set to make his Galaxy debut against England's Chelsea on July 21 in an exhibition game in Los Angeles.

The London academy, located next to the former Millennium Dome in Greenwich, is the biggest children's sports teaching facility in Europe, according to a statement from Beckham, Anschutz and 19 Entertainment.

Beckham has already brought the Galaxy an additional $13.3 million in revenue, more than enough to cover his salary for two years, Leiweke said last month.

``David Beckham will pay for himself,'' Leiweke said today.

German Football Stars Win Vibrator Claim

A German sex shop chain has been ordered to pay football stars Michael Ballack and Oliver Kahn £34,500 each after using their names for vibrators without permission.

The sex toys, dubbed 'Michael B' and 'Olli K', had been marketed before Germany hosted the World Cup in 2006.

Although the surnames of the two German football stars were not used, it was clear they referred to the Chelsea midfielder and Bayern Munich goalkeeper.

The pair sued company Beate Uhset for unauthorised use of their names.

"The products have been withdrawn," said a spokeswoman for the company.

Beate Uhse is Europe's largest porn retailer, selling erotic lingerie, sex toys and videos by mail-order and through its chain of more than 300 sex shops in 10 countries.

It had annual sales of more than £150m and the business is growing at around 11% a year.

Footie stars' £750k for nurses

A NURSES’ hardship fund has raised £750,000 — after some of the Premiership’s best-paid stars pitched in with a day’s pay.

Arsenal captain Thierry Henry, Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard and Man United winger Ryan Giggs are among players who contributed.

Top footballers can earn over £100,000 a week — compared to an average nurse’s salary of £21,000.

But six months ago fundraiser Dr Noreena Hertz knew no one in the world of football.

Now she has recruited 239 players to the May Day For Nurses campaign. She came up with the idea after helping organise Live8.

Noreena, 38, said: “Every single Premiership club is now on board and almost half of the players are giving up their pay today.”

The cash raised will go into a Royal College of Nursing fund for nurses who need money for things such as childcare or transport to work.

Managers including Terry Venables, Sir Alex Ferguson, Sam Allardyce and Martin O’Neill and former players such as Jamie Redknapp and Graeme Le Saux also took part.

And over 29,000 fans agreed to give up a day’s wages.

The entire squad at Watford gave up a day’s money — and nurses led out the team yesterday.

All the players for Fulham and West Ham’s first teams also paid up.

Reading had 27 contributors, Sheffield United 23, Blackburn 23, Bolton 22 and Spurs 20.

Worst were Chelsea — with no players donating, although the club did.

Middlesbrough also failed to cough up but boss Gareth Southgate did get out his chequebook.

Noreena’s next target is PM-in-waiting Gordon Brown

Calum: Taming of the Screw

WILDMAN CALUM BEST says he is being tamed — by Hollywood hellraiser LINDSAY LOHAN.

Calum, 26 — dubbed The Screw for his bed-hopping ways — has told pals he is serious about the Mean Girls actress.

Lindsay, 20, invited him to the US premiere of her latest film Georgia Rule before the pair jetted off to the Bahamas for a week’s romantic break.

They were spotted kissing and cuddling on the beach.

Calum playfully grabbed her from behind in the sea, while she giggled and kissed his cheek. One fellow sunbather said: “They looked totally smitten with each other.”

Lindsay has even introduced the son of late footie legend GEORGE BEST to her mum. Calum is notorious for drug-fuelled romps and was linked to a £1,000-a-night hooker.

He has also been linked to Big Brother star ORLAITH MCALLISTER, pop singer SARAH HARDING and ROD STEWART’S daughter KIMBERLEY STEWART. But the hunky model has told close friends he is interested in settling down and is “fascinated” by wild child Lindsay.

He said recently: “I’m fed up with one-night stands and meaningless relationships. I’d like to find the perfect wife.”

One pal said: “This is very unusual for Calum. We’re having trouble taking it seriously.

“But he has said he really likes Lindsay and wants to have a go at it.”

His agent Dave Read said: “Calum and Lindsay get on really well together. But this is Calum. We’ll have to see.”

Calum and Lindsay met days after a video was released of her allegedly snorting cocaine in a club. She is also being sued by a photographer who claims she drove over his foot.

Ace banned for 100mph sprint

ASTON Villa ace Gabriel Agbonlahor has been banned from driving after he was caught doing almost 100mph in a 50mph zone.

Agbonlahor, 20, was nabbed shortly after midnight.

Villa’s Young Player of the Year had been out with friends in Birmingham, he told Coventry magistrates.

He said he was rushing to see his girlfriend, who had abdominal pains, when cops spotted him speeding on Birmingham’s Aston Expressway.

The teetotaller had a clean licence and had been driving for two years, his lawyers said.

Birmingham-born Agbonlahor, who is an England under-21 winger, pleaded guilty and was banned for four months and fined £1,500.

Ace Joe pops the question

FOOTIE star Joe Cole has got engaged to girlfriend Carly Zucker, it emerged yesterday.

The Chelsea midfield ace, 25, got down on one knee with a £50,000 ring at their Surrey mansion.

He and Carly, 24, had just come back from a meal at the trendy Ivy restaurant in central London on Friday night.

They celebrated by playing songs by Cole’s favourite band Oasis then announcing the news to their two pet bulldogs.

A source said: “Joe is over the moon. He’s so in love with Carly and reckons that her saying yes is the best thing that ever happened to him.

“It is likely they will marry at the end of next year’s football season. They are both very, very excited.”

The couple had another celebration with Cole’s team-mates at Brinkley’s Bar in Chelsea, West London, on Sunday night. Carly was so happy she was in tears.

Setting the Premiership alight

HE is the boy from the slums who scored a £60million golden goal on Sunday.

That’s the value of Carlos Tevez’s winner at Manchester United which kept West Ham in the top flight.

It made the £5.5million the Hammers were fined for irregularities over his signing look like chicken feed.

Little wonder five Premiership clubs — including relegated Charlton and Sheffield United — are threatening to sue, saying The Hammers should be docked points for playing him.

Even less surprising is that Argentina’s latest heir to the Maradona mantle is being head-hunted by some of the world’s top clubs including Real Madrid and Liverpool for a rumoured £25m price tag.

The prospect of a courtroom battle will hold few fears for 23-year-old Tevez.

Growing up in the rough Fort Apache neighbourhood of Buenos Aires, he cowered in bed as gunshots rang out in the night.

He recalls: “I felt fear — real fear — very often. I remember lying in bed at night with my brothers and parents and hearing gunshots and screams right outside our window.

“You didn’t even think of leaving the house after dark. I wouldn’t wish that kind of childhood on anyone.

“Everything I am comes from where I am from. I left to pursue football, but I go back whenever I can.

“I’ll hang out with my mates, throw some steaks on the grill and maybe even play a little football on the streets if anybody is kicking a ball around.

“It’s who I am.”

Known as Apache, after his old neighbourhood, the stocky star is the oldest of five children raised by parents Raimundo, a bricklayer, and Adriana. Life was a struggle for the family, but Carlos’s began particularly painfully.

He has a distinctive scar from the right ear down his neck to his chest. As a ten-month-old, he pulled a kettle of boiling water over himself.

It caused third-degree burns and left him in intensive care for two months.

He later declined plastic surgery because that would have meant missing out on playground football. “I would have been out of the playground for four months,” he said. “No education and no football. I wouldn’t do it.”

The scars meant he was often teased as a youngster, but fortunately young Tevez had his football skills to fall back on.

He says: “Street soccer made me grow up. It is the greatest thing in the world, just you and your friends against the rest.”

He signed for Argentinian legends Boca Juniors before moving to Corinthians in Brazil, then controversially signing for West Ham last year in a deal shrouded in financial mystery.

He says of his success: “It is something which must be earned, it can’t be given.

“You don’t do it by trying to impress in training or trying to make friends.

“I did it humbly — head down, training normally. Little by little I started showing who I was. I knew, even in the difficult times, that eventually people would see me for who I am.”

Tevez courted controversy in his homeland when he was accused of two-timing long-time love Vanessa Mansilla.

But the couple are now back together and since the scandal he has become a dad to Florencia, born in April 2005.

He was a member of a raunchy band — Piola Vago — and sang a seedy song about wanting to whip a girl for pleasure and begging her to bed him.

Yet Tevez has been a dedicated professional since arriving in Britain.

He is a non-drinker who visits the gym most days after training.

He says: “I just don’t like the taste of alcohol. I play golf in my free time. I started in Brazil. Here I play with Teddy Sheringham and Anton Ferdinand.”

Ten weeks ago West Ham looked doomed to relegation.

But inspired by Tevez, and described by pundits as virtually a one-man team, the Hammers came back from the dead.

They won seven of their last nine games to memorably beat the drop on Sunday when his goal saw them win against Premiership champs Manchester United.

Sheffield United were relegated instead.

The Yorkshire club’s chairman, Kevin McCabe, is now planning to canvass support from fellow top-flight clubs over the possibility of a legal challenge.

He said: “I hope we will get the vast majority of clubs in the Premier League supporting our case.”

So what of the furore over his signing?

The contracts of Tevez — and compatriot Javier Mascherano, who also signed for the Hammers — were owned by Media Sports Investments, bossed by Kia Joorabchian.

West Ham broke the law by entering into a private agreement with MSI which gave Joorabchian the right to terminate the players’ contracts and sell them in the January transfer window.

The club also failed to tell the Premier League about this agreement, again breaking the rules.

The Premier League fined West Ham £5.5 million but insist they will not dock points despite the legal challenge.

There have been reports Tevez will quit the Hammers this summer. As he went off on Sunday, United fans taunted West Ham, singing: “You’ll never see him again.”

But even if the little striker never kicks another ball for the East London side, he has become part of the club’s folklore.

Posh: I'm desperate housewife

VICTORIA BECKHAM was so determined to get her sons into a top LA school that she turned herself into prim and proper Desperate Housewife Bree.

Posh was put through her paces as she attended countless interviews to prove she and hubby DAVID would make perfect Beverly Hills parents.

I caught up with the couple in Madrid this weekend as they prepare for their big move to LA in July.

And Victoria revealed the whole process of finding a school and a new home has left her feeling a bit run down.

She told me: “I’ve had to turn myself into Bree. It’s so bloody hard getting into a private school in Beverly Hills. As a parent you feel like you are on trial.

“I’ve been having to promise to do loads for the school and David has offered to give the pupils some football lessons.

“I’m just worried that my cupcakes won’t be up to standard!”

My design wizards have mocked up how Posh would look if she really did turn herself into MARCIA CROSS’s uptight character in the hit Channel 4 show.

Victoria admits she has found the whole business of moving to LA stressful.

As well as finding schools and nurseries for BROOKLYN, eight, ROMEO, four, and two-year-old CRUZ, Victoria was left in charge of finding a family home by herself.

She explained: “David has to be in Madrid to play football so I’ve been sorting out the house myself. It was a nightmare finding a place, I’ve lost count of the number of houses I saw.

“Thankfully now I’ve found a lovely place and I’m hoping to have everything just perfect for when David and the boys see it. I’m really nervous because he hasn’t seen it yet.”

Victoria flies to LA today to direct operations.

Furniture from their Madrid home is already being shipped over to LA. Her interior design friend KELLY HOPPEN, who used to date footballer SOL CAMPBELL, is helping her mastermind the refurbishment.

Victoria explained: “A lot of the houses I looked at were really garish — lots of gold, all very Versace.

Believe it or not David and I do have good taste. I like everything to be simple and plain.”

Victoria is delighted with the location of the couple’s new home as it is close to pals TOM CRUISE and KATIE HOLMES and also near to ROBBIE WILLIAMS.

She said: “If I’m running late I can ring Robbie and ask him to pick up the kids from school for me. And he wants David to play with his football team too.”

Despite the glamorous life they appear to lead, behind closed doors Posh and Becks are actually very ordinary.

They spend nights in watching endless reality TV shows — they’re huge fans of WAGs Boutique and Prison Break — and David admits he prefers a Big Mac to going out to fancy restaurants.

David admits he will find it a wrench to leave Madrid.

He has thrown himself into making Spain his home and I was impressed with how good his Spanish was when he ordered our drinks.

When David made the decision to quit Madrid for LA Galaxy in January, he was on the subs bench and morale in the Real dressing room was low.

But now the team are winning, thanks partly to brilliant performances on the pitch from Becks, and he will find it tough saying goodbye to friends at the club.

He said: “I’m loving life in Spain and it helps the team are winning, but I’m excited about America — it’s a big challenge.”

Big Sam lands at Newcastle

SAM ALLARDYCE has been handed the Newcastle job.

The ex-Bolton boss has signed a three-year contract at St James' Park today.

Allardyce, 52, takes over from Glenn Roeder, who resigned last week.

Big Sam arrived by heliocopter and met players at the training ground.

One of his first tasks will be to tackle the dressing room unrest with £10million ace Obafemi Martins and Charles N’Zogbia ready to leave.

And Michael Owen’s future on Tyneside remains in doubt with the England striker linked with a £9million despite missing most of the season.

Allardyce left Bolton last month after eight years in Lancashire, with his assistant Sammy Lee taking over.

But the new Toon boss is expected to tempt several key backroom staff from the Reebok.

Come on the Kentucky FC

HERE’S roosters Pele and Puskas enjoying a game of footie.

The pair started playing after getting a ball in Shenyang, China. But apparently no pals will join them — they’re both terrible fowlers . . .

Teddy 'n Dani's teenage kicks

FOOTIE star TEDDY SHERINGHAM and his ex DANIELLE LLOYD are getting over their split by dating TEENAGERS.

West Ham ace Teddy, 41, has pulled 18-year-old NICOLE EVE.

And Danielle, 23, is seeing Arsenal defender ARMAND TRAORE who is SEVENTEEN. Red-faced Danielle has told the babyfaced Frenchman to keep it secret because of his age.

But The Sun can reveal they’ve been meeting at her flat for the past five weeks after getting together at a London nightclub last month.

Armand told her he was 19 but she found out his real age on the internet.

A pal of the model said: “She’s terrified of it getting out as he’s still a boy. She says she can’t stop seeing him because he’s so good-looking. Friends told her it’s a mistake but she can’t help herself.

“She’s desperate to be a WAG but is losing friends. She’ll do anything to have a footballer on her arm.”

Last night her agent insisted she and Armand were not an item. He said: “She hasn’t been seeing him.”

Danielle had hoped to wed Teddy after they dated for nearly a year.

But he dumped her over the Big Brother race bullying row and she dated Charlton striker MARCUS BENT, 25 — who later two-timed her.

Teddy has been linked with a string of women but brunette Nicole seems to be the first one he has taken seriously.

Dance student Nicole, from Jaywick, Essex, met him at London’s Funky Buddha club in March. She said: “I’ve met Teddy and we exchanged texts. But it’s not serious.”

Robbie is a fit of all right

WALK this way – ROBBIE WILLIAMS’s new fitness regime involves marching around Beverly Hills with his mates.

Dressed in his LA Vale footie shirt, he took three pals out for a walk in the baking heat.

Rob has been looking healthy since leaving rehab.

Same can’t be said for the sorry bunch of mates he drags along with him.

Is this the greatest goal EVER?

FOOTBALL websites are buzzing with one question right now — has anyone ever netted a sweeter strike?

Fans of the beautiful game have been gasping in wonder at the cheeky crossed kick effort by Peruvian Andres Vasquez.

It was the 19-year-old midfielder’s first league goal for Swedish side IFK Gothenburg and it is unlikely he will ever top it.

On Monday night he took the ball from an Orebro player, ran to the edge of the penalty area and, as the ball rolled, moved his left leg behind his right.

With the outside of his left boot he then chipped the ball sweetly into the top corner of the net.

Fansite whoateallthepies.tv described Vasquez’s belter as the “Greatest goal ever scored. Ever. Ever. Ever” and “a goal that will surely never be equalled.”

Theoffside.com called it “a goal beyond description.”His trick is not new, but is normally used for a pass.

The “crossed-kick” is known as a Rabona and Italian player Giovanni Roccotelli is credited with inventing it in the 1970s. It has been demonstrated in England this season by Joe Cole and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Anguish over robbery for Leroy

FOOTBALLER Leroy Lita has lost thousands of pounds of luxury goods in a SECOND burglary at his home.

The England Under-21 star had a TV, laptop, iPod and designer trainers stolen in the raid.

It meant the Reading striker had to help cops as his team-mates flew to luxury Spanish resort, Puerto Banus.

Boss Steve Coppell, 51, said: “He was trying to secure the premises. He got a flight on Monday.”

Lita, 22, had his Championship winners’ medal stolen from his £300,000 flat in Finchampstead, Berks, last June.

Merson's goon and lost the lot

TROUBLED soccer star Paul Merson is bankrupt.

The fallen ace’s low came after he failed to meet £900 monthly car repayments.

It is the latest blow to the 39-year-old, who has a history of problems with drink, drugs and gambling.

Former Arsenal midfielder Merson — a favourite with Gooner fans — used to earn £20,000 a week.

It emerged that he was declared insolvent at Birmingham County Court on April 25.

Merson — who once claimed to have gambled away £7million over the years — is also thought to have fresh betting losses.

The star has struggled to earn a living since being sacked last year as boss of Walsall FC — but does occasional TV pundit work.

In his career with Arsenal he won the FA Cup, League Cup and Euro Cup Winners’ Cup where, in 1994, he made his infamous drinking gesture to fans.

Merson later confessed to a triple addiction of booze, betting and cocaine.

He went into rehab and afterwards sobbed: “I have messed up my life. I cannot have another drink — ever.”

Then in 1997 his wife of 14 years, Lorraine, threatened divorce after he cheated on her.

She took him back but in 2000 Merson blew £10,000 on one snooker bet. Lorraine — who has three sons with Merson — found out from a bank statement and got a divorce due to his “unreasonable behaviour”.

At the time Lorraine said: “He will bet on anything and it causes terrible mood swings. Paul’s like a Jekyll and Hyde.”

Merson, who lives in Sutton Coldfield, West Mids, also saw his second marriage to Louise — with whom he has twin girls — fail due to his gambling.

Merson is still liable for maintenance payments to Lorraine and Louise.

Last night the man who played 21 times for England was unavailable for comment.

Play-off fan's ticket celebration

A FOOTIE fan who offered his house in Australia in return for a play-offs ticket has been given a seat at the match.

Expat Matt Pearce, 28, was so keen to see Southampton in their Championship clash at Derby that he offered a month-long holiday at his home in Melbourne.

Fellow Saints fan Michael Henbury gave him a spare ticket — and will go to Oz later this year.

Michael, 48, Britain’s shortest man at 2ft 11in, will attend Tuesday’s game with Matt.

He said: “I was touched by Matt’s commitment.”

Fan's rage at £8 Cup burgers

FANS sent an angry “Burger Off” message to Wembley chiefs last night over sky-high food prices at the FA Cup Final.

Supporters are set to be charged £4.50 for a pie, £3.90 for a hotdog, £8 for a burger meal and £1.80 for water.

Chelsea and Man Utd fans are now threatening to join forces to snub the “outrageous” prices.

Organisers of the Wembley Boycott Campaign say prices are being hiked up to claw back the massive overspend on the stadium.

Football Supporters Federation spokesman Steve Powell said: “It is the last straw. Fans should bring sandwiches.”

The group are also protesting at ticket prices which start at £35 and rise to £95.

Wembley managing director Alex Horne defended the food prices saying: “We are talking about an Aberdeen Angus pure beef burger with cheddar cheese.”

Pies at Premiership matches cost about £2 and burger meals around £4.

Hero Moore is coming home

ENGLAND World Cup legend Bobby Moore “went home” to Wembley yesterday.

A 9ft bronze statue of the hero was unveiled at the new stadium by 1966 team-mate Sir Bobby Charlton.

Moore’s widow Stephanie said at the moving unveiling: “At last Bobby’s home in Wembley where he belongs. . . outside the home of English football.

“Bobby used to tell me that playing in Wembley was like walking on air, like levitating. For him to be there at the gates is marvellous. I know he’d be proud and amazed.”

Outgoing PM Tony Blair was also at the tribute to Moore, who captained England to victory in 1966. Hat-trick hero Sir Geoff Hurst was also there.

Mr Blair said of the new stadium: “For obvious reasons I might not get another chance to say it . . . it must have been a bit of a long wait, but it is absolutely magnificent.”

And he added of Bobby, who died of cancer aged 51 in 1993: “He represented the best of our country.”

AID cancer research by backing the Bobby Moore Fund at runformoore.org

Abbey: I want Peter to score

GORGEOUS ABBEY CLANCY has revealed she is dreaming of her footie fella scoring — in the European Cup final.

The stunning blonde, 20, says she WEPT for joy when striker PETER CROUCH’s Liverpool team beat rivals Chelsea to reach the Champions League decider against AC Milan in Greece on May 23.

And she told The Sun: “I just can’t wait for Peter to score in Athens.

“I was at the semi-finals and I just started crying when they got through.

“I’m going to Greece and I can’t wait — I’ll be cheering from the stands.”

Abbey, who shows off her fine form in our dazzling new pictures, has been dating Crouchy, 25, for the past year.

They spend every spare moment together — even though Scouser Abbey has been filming in America for her new Living TV show, where fiery Seventies supermodel JANICE DICKENSON tries to turn her into a star.

Curvy Abbey, whose programme begins on Monday, said: “Everything is amazing with me and Peter.” Asked about rumours that the pair plan to move in together, she grinned and said: “All I can say is that we’re very happy.”

But she revealed she would NOT move to Hollywood — despite being offered more work there — so she could stay at home with her man.

Abbey said: “There are some exciting things coming up in LA. And I’ll go there for work, but I’ll never move there — I’m a real home bird.”

The beauty also told how Hollywood experts gave her a makeover for her television show — but loved her famous boobs just the way they were. Abbey flaunted a sensational new look at the Living launch in London on Thursday night — having shed the pounds to look even more slinky.

She said: “When I went to Hollywood, they bleached my hair until it was practically white, but they didn’t put pressure on me to lose weight.”

And she smiled: “They didn’t tell me to do anything to my boobs!”

ABBEY And Janice — Beauty And The Best starts on Monday on Living at 9pm.

Cheryl: Lily is chick with d**k

SHOWBIZ needs more CHERYL TWEEDYs.

The GIRLS ALOUD beauty jots down the names of celebs who have slagged her off and waits patiently to get her revenge.

Cheryl said: “I’ve got a hit list. DANE BOWERS is on it.”

Sounds good to me so far.

The star revealed her list as she gave her pop rivals a proper slagging in a right old TV bitchfest with fiery chef GORDON RAMSAY.

She brands LILY ALLEN a “chick with a d***” while appearing sweet and lovely — genius.

Gordon — not averse to taking his peers down a peg or two — read out abuse aimed at the Girls Aloud singer by fellow celebs to wind her up.

It works a treat and the results will be broadcast on his F Word show on Tuesday — sounds like must-see TV to me.

Another of Cheryl’s targets is her arch enemy CHARLOTTE CHURCH.

The pair have been feuding for months and never miss an opportunity to have a go at each other.

Cheeky Gordon reminded Cheryl — wife of Chelsea footballer ASHLEY COLE — of one of Charlotte’s nasty jibes when she said: “I haven’t resorted to wearing short skirts and dating a footballer to get into the charts”.

Not to be outdone, Cheryl snaps back: “She’s either talking s**** or talking about someone else. A******.”

Now I know chefs have to be good at stirring — but this is great stuff from Gordon.

Gobby singer Lily Allen doesn’t escape the devastating duo either.

Gordon reminds Cheryl that Lily once said: “Nobody really wants to look like Cheryl — they just think they do.”

Cheryl bites back: “Because everyone wants to look like her. Chick with a d***.”

Brilliant.

But one celeb who escapes Cheryl’s acid tongue is Mr Nasty himself, SIMON COWELL.

Despite Cowell calling her a “crap Geordie” and questioning her selection to Girls Aloud, she refuses to say a bad word about the influential media and music mogul.

Bitchy and clever.

No wonder every talent show in the land — including Simon’s programmes — wants to sign her up as a judge.

All that sniping has inspired me to dust down my very own Bitch List, above left.

British kids danger fears

BRITISH kids could be in danger after holiday firms admitted they do not make the resorts and hotels they send their customers to abroad ensure their staff have undergone a criminal record check.

Nine days after Madeleine McCann went missing from a resort in Portugal a Sun investigation has found that while UK employees undergo a check with the Criminal Records Bureau here it is up to hotels abroad if they run a check on staff hired locally.

Child protection advocates say this paves the way for paedophiles to get jobs working near Britain's children.

Thomson, Thomas Cook, First Choice, Mark Warner and My Travel all ensure their child minding staff are cleared to work with kids but say it is up to individual resorts to run police checks on their employees.

Madeleine, who turns four today, was snatched from her apartment at the Ocean Club holiday complex in the Algarve resort of Praia da Luz last Thursday night.

Maddie's parents, Gerry and Kate, booked their holiday with Mark Warner who boast of their safe, child-friendly holidays.

On their website they say: "When you are travelling with children, family holidays need planning. At Mark Warner we organise clubs, activities and supervision for children of all ages. As a result, they have a great time and you don’t have to worry about a thing."

But Shy Keenan, from the child sex abuse support group the Phoenix Survivors, said parents do have something to worry about.

She said: "Staff that have access to children, whether directly or indirectly, must be checked. Just because it is a different country shouldn't change how we protect our children.

"It is crucial that those selling these holiday packages make it a condition to the hotels that they run proper checks on their staff. They can't pass the buck by saying it is up to the resort."

Holiday firms send millions of Brits to resorts and hotels across the world each year and insist their staff are thoroughly checked but cannot speak for the hotel or resorts employees.

A spokeswoman for Thomas Cook said: "We run enhanced police checks on our staff but it is not a condition of our business to make individual hotels do this."

First Choice said: "All overseas employees with responsibility for children, including managers, receive full training and written policy documents that have been approved by specialist independent organisations."

A spokesman for Mark Warner said: "Local staff who are recruited do not have a Criminal Records Bureau or local equivalent check however all prospective local staff are interviewed and backgrounds checked."

Thomson said: "Anyone we employ directly has to undergo Criminal Record checks. It is the hoteliers responsibility for their staff."

A MyTravel spokesperson said: "Our children's clubs and crèches operate to strict guidelines. There are always at least two members of staff present, with parents being required to sign their children in and out of these services on a sessional basis."

Last night Michele Elliot from Kidscape said parents should think twice about booking trips with holidays firms following The Sun's revelations.

She said: "We have no idea when we go to resorts outside the UK if they are being run by paedos.

"Parents are booking with these holiday firms in good faith and the reputation of the company is at stake if they put parents in hotels where checks haven't been made. It is their responsibility.

"If they cannot do that then they must add a warning to their brochure saying 'We cannot guarantee the hotel has properly checked their employees'. But to do nothing is totally unacceptable."

Adu OK after being hit with golf ball in recent round

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Soccer star Freddy Adu was hit in the head by a golf ball while playing a round with teammates, a Real Salt Lake spokesman said Tuesday.

"It was a wayward drive," John Koluder said. "He's fine. No marks. No bumps. He practiced fully."

The incident occurred Monday. Koluder said he didn't know the name of the golf course.

RSL coach Jason Kreis didn't know about it until a TV news crew told him, Koluder said.

Adu, 17, was traded to RSL from D.C. United before the 2007 season. The team, 0-2-3, plays at Colorado on Thursday.

David Beckham Bitten By The Plastic Surgery Bug

Newly transplanted Los Angeles resident David Beckham has been bitten by the local plastic surgery bug and appears to be dabbling in Botox and other filler injections to get rid of his wrinkles and has even donned a blonde surfer hairdo to blend in his new surroundings. The 32-year old former captain of the England soccer team used to have a large wrinkle running across his forehead and some crows’ feet extending from his eyes. These imperfections have all but disappeared, as the bleach blond Beckham is sporting a flawless forehead and no crows’ feet. Given his wife Victoria “Posh’’s love for plastic surgery (she’s had 3 breast augmentations to date), it is not a far stretch to think that her husband would join her in her cosmetic escapades (read more about Victoria Beckham’s Plastic Surgery past. An insider suggests that the couple may have been having cosmetic doctors over at their home for some botox parties. “Victoria often has therapists and doctors visiting their Madrid home and some friends have hinted they may be doing more than providing them with facials and peels.”

London-based plastic surgeon Dr. Alex Karidis confirms his belief that Beckham had botox. “He used to have a large line across his forehead which seems to have vanished. He has all the hallmarks of a botox forehead. He also appears to have had a lift on his eyebrows, that can often happen when botox is injected into that area.”

“And there were quite deep crow’s feet around the eyes a couple of years ago. These seem to have almost disappeared. Changes like this in other celebrities are usually thanks to botox.

Additionally, it seems that some of David Beckham’s naso-labial lines (laugh lines that extend from the nose to the mouth) may have also been treated to some injection fillers such as Restylane. Dr. Karidis adds, “It could be that he’s also used fillers on his nose-to-mouth lines. These used to be quite prominent in pictures. Usually these things get worse not better with age. But Beckham seems to have lost them and looks much younger now.”

David Beckham is one of the best looking athletes in the world and while we are all for cosmetic enhancements when they’re needed, we think Beckham really does not need them in this case. The old Beckham is much hotter than this new blond, expressionless blond Ken Doll reincarnation of himself. For once, don’t listen to your wife and keep them doctors out of your house.

The question that comes to mind is whether young impressionable male fans who have been changing their hairdos in response to Beckham’s ever-changing hairstyle will also be Botoxing it like Beckham.

Fiji soccer players to benefit from opening of player market

Fiji soccer players will get a chance to play in Australia and New Zealand in the near future.

FIFA Ambassador Cristain Karembeu who was in the country last week, confirmed he is in negotiations with Oceania Football to open up the player market in the region.

The negotiations, if successful could see players from Fiji, New Caledonia, Tahiti and Solomons playing for top clubs in Australia and New Zealand and lift the standard of soccer in these countries.

He also said that it will be good for players to show their talent and gain exposer what is lacking amongst the South Pacific Island players.

© Copyright 2002 Fijivillage.com

Soccer-UEFA clamps down on black market sales for Athens final

NYON, Switzerland, May 8 (Reuters) UEFA, European soccer's governing body UEFA says it has cancelled a number of tickets for this month's Champions League final between Liverpool and AC Milan in response to illegal sales carried out in Britain.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, UEFA said its action was based on a law that came into effect in England and Wales on April 6 which makes it a criminal offence "for an unauthorised person to sell a ticket for a designated football match."

The legislation also covers future Champions League fixtures, as well as UEFA Cup matches and European Championship games.

UEFA said it had also sent "warning letters" to several companies ordering them to stop sales of UEFA Cup and Champions League final tickets.

"Illicit sale of tickets undermines the safety and segregation of fans, potentially causing significant public order and safety issues," the statement added.

There were no details as to how many tickets had been cancelled, or from whom they had been bought.

The Champions League final is due to be staged on May 23 in Athens.

Beckham will move to Beverly Hills mansion in July

English soccer star David Beckham will move to Beverly Hills, California in July to a mansion he purchased in view of his future soccer career in the United States playing for Los Angeles' Galaxy club, according to news Tuesday.

The 31-year-old midfielder currently playing for Spain's Real Madrid soccer club and his wife, former "Spice Girl" Victoria, bought their house in California, Beckham's spokesman Jeff Raymond was quoted as saying by Spanish sports Marca daily.

Raymond said Beckham and Victoria bought a 0.4-hectare house, although he refused to confirm Los Angeles Times' version saying the couple paid a 22-million-dollar down payment for a 1,200-square-meter house.

They will move to the house once his contract with Real Madrid concludes in June.

Beckham started playing for Real Madrid in 2003 and has now signed a five-year contract with Galaxy Club.

Argentine soccer great Maradona attends soccer match

Argentine soccer great Diego Maradona (C) gestures next to unidentified friends as he attends a soccer match in Ezeiza, on the outskirts of Buenos Aires May 8, 2007. Maradona, who was hospitalized for alcoholic hepatitis in March, moved to a psychiatric clinic two weeks ago and checked out on May 6. He will continue going to the clinic three times a week for follow-up treatment, his doctor Alfredo Cahe said.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

Ash's team-mates take the mic

CHELSEA star Ashley Cole might have avoided a nasty return to Arsenal on Sunday but he still got stick AFTER the match — from his own team-mates.

The left-back was the butt of gags as star pals including John Terry, Shaun Wright-Philips and Joe Cole hit the town and hired a bizarre 'comedy cab' to help lift spirits.

It's driven by cheeky London comic Adrian Green who uses an on-board microphone and CD of weird noises to humiliate passers-by.

But he got the biggest laugh of the night from his super-rich passengers after impersonating 26-year-old Ashley's famous wife, Cheryl.

He said: "I was expecting to pick up a stag-do but couldn't believe it when John Terry and the rest of the Chelsea team turned up.

"There were too many of them to fit in the back so Ashley, Arjen Robben and a couple of the others had to go in a normal car in front.

"At that stage, only a couple of the minders knew this wasn't just a normal cab.

"But as soon as we set off and started following them, I grabbed the mic and shouted in a Geordie accent: "Ashleeeeey...what time do you call this?"

"The fellas in the back were in hysterics, while Ashley and everyone in the car in front were looking around shocked.

"They had no idea where the voice was coming from. It was classic."
Ashley had earlier been expected to face former club Arsenal for the first time as a Chelsea player and get a grilling from fans.

But he avoided the showdown after being declared unfit shortly before kick-off by boss Jose Mourinho.

Chelsea went on to draw the match 1-1 and surrender their title to Manchester United.

After the game, Blues stars gathered for a meal at swanky Chelsea restaurant Brinkley's before jumping into the Disco Car at around 11:15pm for a 20-minute spin.

Luckily, England ace Ashley saw the funny side of the wind-up and was all smiles when the players were dropped off on Kensington High Street.

Adrian added: "He loved my sound set-up so much he offered to buy the vehicle off me — but I said no!"

The Disco Car has proved a big hit with stag dos and has been a regular at the Edinburgh Festival in recent years.

Past celebrity passengers have included Cheryl and her Girls Aloud bandmates, actor Jude Law and Bo' Selecta! comic Avid Merrion.

Jose's big putt down for Shev

CHELSEA manager Jose Mourinho took a playful swipe at missing striker Andriy Shevchenko — by suggesting he was off playing GOLF.

When fans asked where the £30.8million flop was before Sunday’s crunch match with Arsenal, Mourinho responded by mimicking a GOLF SWING.

And as supporters roared with laughter the grinning Blues boss, 44, performed a second air-shot.

Mourinho was furious after ex AC Milan star Shevchenko, 30, pulled out of the Champions League semi-final with Liverpool four days earlier.

Despite his huge reputation the £121,000-a-week striker — once European Footballer of the Year — has scored just FOUR Premiership goals.

Mourinho’s gag came at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium before the match.

He was with chief executive Peter Kenyon, previously boss at Manchester United.

One fan shouted: “Kenyon, do you wish you’re at Man United now?”

Another asked: “Jose, where’s superstar Shevchenko?”

Fan Zach Rowe, 19, of Sandy, Beds — who filmed the gag on his mobile phone — said: “It was a great bit of banter.

“We asked Mourinho about Shevchenko and he pulled off the pretend swing.

“We cheered and he did it again. He’s a true showman.”

Shevchenko is expected to leave Chelsea and return to Italy.

Coleen has real business scents

COLEEN McLOUGHLIN is set to launch her own brand of perfume.

The 21-year-old WAG, who is engaged to football star WAYNE ROONEY, will bring out the scent in the summer.

Coleen said: “I’m really excited about it — and I’ll be working on a range of beauty products too.

“My idea was for a fresh, citrusy scent. It’s a really wearable, everyday fragrance.

“I’m working on bottle designs, then I’ll choose the name.”

Coleen is already the face of George at Asda, Nike Women and LG phones.

Chelsea's secret new stadium

CHELSEA look set to move to a stunning new super-stadium close to Stamford Bridge, The Sun can reveal.

Chairman Bruce Buck and chief executive Peter Kenyon were spotted viewing derelict land by Imperial Wharf, West London.

They were thought to be checking out the Sands End site next to a gasworks between the current ground and the Thames.

The club bosses spent an hour examining folded papers which appeared to be blueprints.

Kenyon turned his back when he realised he was being photographed by a passing Blues fan.

The fan, who asked not to be named, said: “They were obviously conducting a site visit.

“I work in the construction industry and realised straight away they were looking at large folded blueprints and drawings.

“They spent about half an hour wandering round. But Kenyon became secretive when he realised I was snapping him.

“It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to work out what they were doing.”

Chelsea are planning a move after 102 years at 42,420-capacity Stamford Bridge.

Owner Roman Abramovich wants a 55,000 all-seater ground to boost gate revenue.

But plans to increase the capacity at the Bridge have been blocked on safety grounds.

A Chelsea spokesman said: “I don’t know why they were there.”

Stevie's pals hit the bar

ENGLAND footie ace Steven Gerrard copped a £654.45 bar bill after 20 pals joined him for his stag night.

But the shy Liverpool captain spent the evening sipping beers in the corner of a nightclub as his friends got stuck in.

Stevie, 26, went on the boys’ night out in Glasgow after being given the weekend off by Reds’ boss Rafa Benitez.

Fiancée Alex Curran, 24, had her hen night in Newcastle. They are to wed on June 16 at Cliveden House, Berkshire.

Dani catfight over Prem aces

WAG wannabe DANIELLE LLOYD was hurt in a catfight over two soccer stars.

She gashed her leg as she was pushed off a nightclub table by a mystery blonde.

Danielle, 23, who has dumped cheating Charlton striker MARCUS BENT, angered the girl by flirting with Bent’s teammate JEROME THOMAS and Liverpool’s JERMAINE PENNANT at West London’s Paper club.

A source said: “This girl had spent all evening with them and was dancing on a table when Danielle rolled up, very drunk. Danielle was all over both the players. She kept pushing and bumping this girl.

“The blonde pushed Danielle off the table. Danielle cut her leg quite badly and left the club.”

Danielle was dumped by West Ham’s TEDDY SHERINGHAM after the Big Brother race row.