David Beckham and Kate Moss to be godparents

Davinia Taylor wants them to guide her baby son David Beckham, 32, and supermodel Kate Moss, 33, are to be godparents to ex-Hollyoaks star Davinia Taylor's firstborn son.

The actress, who's married to sports agent Dave Gardner, gave birth to 7lb baby boy Grey at the private Portland Hospital in London on Tuesday.

Davinia, 29, is best pals with Kate, while Becks is the former Man United teammate of Dave, 31.

Kate visited the hospital this week and the footie hunk is due to meet the tot for the first time on Sunday.

'Kate's been in constant touch with Davinia as the birth got closer and she is over the moon for her friend,' a source tells the Daily Mirror.

'She had an inkling that Davinia might ask her to be godmother and she was absolutely overjoyed when she got the nod.'

chelsea soccer star boosts luxe interior dubai launch

Shaun Wright-Phillips, one of the stars of English Premiership giants Chelsea, played a supporting role when Global design group Luxe Interior marked the opening of their first Middle East showroom in Dubai with a charity auction last night (Thursday).

England winger Wright-Phillips was in the VIP line-up for the Luxe Interior launch event at the company’s new Al Quoz showroom.

The invitation-only official opening raised AED49,000 for the Al Noor Training Centre for Children with Special Needs through the auctioning of exclusive prize items.

These included a trip for two to London to watch the FA Community Shield match between Premiership champions Manchester United and FA Cup winners Chelsea at the new Wembley Stadium on 5th August, signed Chelsea memorabilia, and one of only 200 “Fledglings Edition” Manchester United Opuses, personally signed by Sir Alex Ferguson, Sir Bobby Charlton, David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Gary Neville, Nicky Butt and Phil Neville; valued at
AED30,000.

“We’re very grateful to Shaun-Wright Phillips for attending the launch event for our new showroom in Dubai, and in doing so boosting our efforts to raise much needed funding for Al Noor, ” said David Rees, Luxe Interior Managing Director.
Al Noor is a Centre for Children with Special Needs whose goal is to help special needs children from their infancy to adulthood and integrate them into society.
Since 1981 the Centre has been developing its training programme to ensure it students receive quality and enriching experiences towards a more independent and functional life.
Luxe Interior offers original designs and luxurious interiors from some of the most in-demand designers in the world, and is introducing the Middle East to a new level of luxury and lifestyle in interior design at affordable prices.

The award winning designers include Tom Dixon, who has quickly become one of the most talked about avant garde designers of his generation; the UK’s favourite textile designer Celia Birtwell; and celebrated fashion designer Orla Keily.

Also in the design team are branding and design group Sedley Place; the prestigious international architects Conran & Partners; and LINLEY, designer to some of the world’s most distinguished hotels, superyachts and private jets. Luxe Interior offers a range of signature schemes and branded furniture packages in a variety of colourways, or a completely bespoke interior design by one of the celebrity designers.

Michael red-cards club over bill

MICHAEL OWEN stormed out of a top nightclub with his brother’s stag party after a furious row over the bill.

The England striker thought London venue Paper were taking advantage of his footie riches by demanding £2,000 from his credit card before his group had enjoyed even a whiff of beer.

He had sat down at a VIP table with his mates and ordered a round of lagers and vodka Red Bulls.

But staff immediately hit him with the monster bill for the table — saying he would otherwise have to drink at the bar with other punters.

The Newcastle ace had been grumpy from kick-off after doormen refused entry to one of his party, claiming he was too drunk.

A source said: “The pal actually suffers from a spinal condition which means he has difficulty walking.

“But when he was finally let in and the guys were at a table ready to enjoy themselves staff whipped away Michael’s card and demanded £2,000.

“This was before the lads had begun even their first drinks.”

Michael decided enough was enough.

The source said: “He called the manager and said he might be a Premiership star earning millions — but was not a mug. The club refused to listen.

“So Michael looked over to his mates, said ‘Come on, lads!’ then marched them all out.”

KOP that beard! Liverpool boss Rough-a Benitez must have got up in a hurry and forgot to shave.

How else can you explain the Spaniard’s dodgy goatee in this picture?

Rafa has decided on a new look during the summer and he showed it off as he sealed Mali midfielder Momo Sissoko’s new four-year contract.

Forget Fernando Torres, Benitez needs Neil ‘Razor’ Ruddock back at Anfield.

Rooney KOs the Hitman

WAYNE Rooney took on Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton at arm wrestling — and WON.

The soccer ace went eyeball-to-eyeball with his boxer mate after his world title defence win.

Roo, 21, overpowered the unbeaten light-welterweight — and pocketed a £100 kitty.

And the Man United and England star celebrated by dancing round the room at the luxurious Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas. A source said: “Ricky was feeling strong after weeks of training.

“But Wayne is a powerful lad and managed to beat his pal. It was a sight watching them gritting their teeth — neither wanted to lose.

“Rooney was dancing around afterwards while Ricky sat with his head in his hands. Wayne won’t let him forget this in a hurry.”

Wayne had carried Ricky’s title belt into the ring last Saturday before his demolition of Luis Castillo.

It's snatch point at Wimbledon

A TENNIS thief stealing from top players has struck at Wimbledon for the first time.

And bosses fear the bandit who has targeted 20 tournaments around the world could be a PLAYER or COACH.

Spanish coach Albert Costa had £1,700 in cash — along with $1,000 — swiped from his bag in a locker room at Wimbledon.

Former French Open champ Costa discovered the money missing just before his player, Feliciano Lopez, went on court to play Tim Henman on Thursday.

And French star Michael Llodra had his wallet pinched from the changing rooms at the South West London tournament.

The ATP, who run the men’s game, are hunting a player — or even a coach — after 20 raids at tournaments this year.

Frenchman Nicolas Mahut and Denmark’s Kenneth Carlsen both had property swiped during a Wimbledon qualifying at Roehampton.
An All England Club spokesman confirmed: “We will tell our staff within the locker room to be extra aware but it is very difficult as so many people are in the area. It is up to the player to inform the police.”

Last night a Met Police spokesman said: “We have had no allegations made to us.” One player said: “Everyone in the locker room is getting very concerned.

“This is ridiculous. We try to keep our belongings on us — but you can’t take your wallet into the shower.”

Sunsport revealed this week that Britain’s Jamie Murray, American Eric Butorac, Sweden’s Jonas Bjorkman, the Czech Republic’s Radek Stepanek and Frenchmen Paul-Henri Mathieu, Sebastien Grosjean and Richard Gasquet are victims.

ATP officials are looking at security cameras in all locker rooms to tighten security.

Yesterday world No1 Roger Federer said he travels with his valuables at all times, fearing they may be nicked.

Ronaldo visits Bora Bora

Brazilian football star Ronaldo has been spotted enjoying a romantic break with his girlfriend Maria Anthony.

The loved-up couple were seen embracing at the airport as they prepared to return from a trip to French Polynesia.

Onlookers watched as the couple kissed and cuddled in full view of them before boarding their flight back to New York.

Ronaldo treated Maria to a peaceful break in Bora Bora, the most popular part of the Pacific islands.

Bora Bora is a hotbed of wonderful sights, beautiful landscapes and uninterrupted tranquillity.

The area was chosen by Hollywood actress Nicole Kidman for her wedding to Keith Urban and has long been popular with the rich and famous.

If you'd like to see this destination for yourself, use Opodo's travel search engine to find flights, hotels, holidays and car hire worldwide.

ROONEY ALSO WON BIG IN VEGAS

WAYNE Rooney might have been playing a cameo in the main event in Las Vegas last week but he still came across as a class act.

Rooney treated the honour of carrying Ricky Hatton's world title belt into the ring before his fight with Jose Luis Castillo with the dignity and the seriousness it deserved.

And afterwards he spoke with maturity and humility about an experience that had taken him outside his comfort zone of life in the Premiership.
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The Manchester United forward deserves credit for carrying the belt in the first place, given that the majority of Hatton's supporters are Manchester City fans.

Rooney might be Hatton's friend but there are plenty who would have listened to the advice of a paranoid agent and decided it might be bad for their brand.

Rooney's not like that. He's a man who lives for sport. His genius has made him big business but, unlike many other players, he has refused to lose touch with reality. That's what links him to Hatton.

They're both decent, genuine lads who have escaped the warping effects of their fame. At the post-fight party, Rooney smiled for pictures, signed autographs and chatted with Hatton's supporters.

Some times in the past, Rooney has appeared to be a prisoner of his celebrity but in Las Vegas he looked like a man at ease with the world around him.

And for those of us who believe his breathtaking talent remains the key to a long-term England revival, that made a happy sight.

Victoria Beckham Plans Foot Surgery

Gossip column darling, Victoria “Posh Spice” Beckham is reportedly planning to do finally do something about the bunions on her feet. Victoria is said to be tired of the pain associated with having bunions and is and said to be shopping around before going under the knife to have her feet surgically fixed.



Victoria Beckham a former member of the now defunct British pop group, The Spice Girls. She’s married to English football star, David Beckham. The 33-year old British celebrity is making her home in the USA where her husband has landed a multimillion dollar football deal. The high-profile couple has three sons.

Victoria Beckham Plans Foot Surgery

Gossip column darling, Victoria “Posh Spice” Beckham is reportedly planning to do finally do something about the bunions on her feet. Victoria is said to be tired of the pain associated with having bunions and is and said to be shopping around before going under the knife to have her feet surgically fixed.



Victoria Beckham a former member of the now defunct British pop group, The Spice Girls. She’s married to English football star, David Beckham. The 33-year old British celebrity is making her home in the USA where her husband has landed a multimillion dollar football deal. The high-profile couple has three sons.

People in the News: Magazine pays Beckham damages

Spicy stuff: Victoria Beckham accepted undisclosed damages Monday from a celebrity magazine that claimed the crew of her U.S. TV show considered her "picky, demanding and rude."
The former Spice Girl sued Star magazine over an April article that claimed staff working on the NBC show also had described her as "full of herself and not very nice." Beckham's lawyer, Gerrard Tyrrell, told Britain's High Court that filming hadn't started at the time the story was published. Northern & Shell PLC, which publishes the magazine, apologized and agreed to pay Beckham's legal costs and "substantial" damages. The amount wasn't disclosed. Beckham, 33, and her husband, soccer star David Beckham, 32, recently moved to the U.S., where he's joining Major League Soccer's Los Angeles Galaxy next month. The TV show will air July 16.

# More spicy stuff: The Spice Girls are a big step closer to announcing an already widely rumored reunion tour. They've called a news conference Wednesday in London to discuss "future plans." U.K. tabloids already have reported that Geri "Ginger" Halliwell, Melanie "Sporty" Chisholm, Melanie "Scary" Brown, Victoria "Posh" Beckham and Emma "Baby" Bunton have been paid nearly $20 million each to re-form the '90s pop group for a 24-date world tour that will begin in London in December. The Spice Girls released their first single, "Wannabe" in 1996, and quickly became an international phenomenon. It would be the first time all five singers have performed together since 1998, when Halliwell left the group.

# Actor Tom Sizemore was sentenced Monday to 16 months in prison for violating his probation in a drug case. L.A. Superior Court Judge Cynthia Rayvis ordered the sentence after authorities said they found methamphetamine in the actor's car on May 8. Sizemore, 45, was on probation for a previous drug conviction. His screen credits include "Saving Private Ryan" and "Black Hawk Down."

OleOle.com Named Exclusive Travel Partner for U.S. Men's National Soccer Team

LOS ANGELES, June 26 /PRNewswire/ -- OleOle.com, the ultimate online community destination for soccer fans and a leading provider of travel packages for major soccer competitions around the world, today announced it has partnered with U.S. Soccer to become the official travel partner for the U.S. Men's National Soccer Team. OleOle.com will provide exclusive travel packages to both corporate buyers and individuals, offering fans easy access to a U.S. squad proving itself a rising star among soccer's international champions.

"OleOle.com is committed to making it easy for fans to take pride in U.S. Soccer. Our partnership with the U.S. Soccer Federation encourages people to support the U.S. Men's National Team in person as they travel the globe," said Doug Knittle, founder of OleOle.com. "This is just one of an assortment of offerings from OleOle.com that gives people access to premier soccer events worldwide, whether they are actually on location at the matches or connecting with other fans on the site."

Today's announcement comes on the heels of OleOle.com's recent agreement with Copa America 2007 to provide exclusive hospitality packages to one of the world's most prestigious soccer events. The South American national team championship will be played in Venezuela from June 26 to July 15, 2007.

"Our partnership with OleOle.com provides fans an easy and efficient gateway to cheering for the U.S. Men's National team throughout the world," said U.S. Soccer's Director of Communications Jim Moorhouse. "OleOle.com is making it possible for fans from across the United States to support the team and the players they love."

The OleOle travel package includes hotel, event tickets, transportation to and from the matches and a courteous staff available to answer questions. Current packages available include the U.S. Men's match-up with Sweden at Goteborg Ullevi Stadium on August 22, and upcoming competitions in Switzerland and in Spain (against Catalonia) in October. For more information on the top- quality packages or to make a purchase, please visit: http://www.oleole.com/ticketpackages.

The U.S. Soccer Federation is the governing body for soccer in the Untied States. Established in 1916, it is one of the world's first organizations to be affiliated with FIFA, the Federation Internationale de Football Association, soccer's world governing body. The U.S. Men's National Team recently won their fourth CONCACAF Gold Cup crown with a 2-1 victory over Mexico on June 24, 2007. Under new head coach Bob Bradley, the team has integrated a number of new players and stars as they begin to target a berth in their sixth straight FIFA World Cup in 2010 in South Africa.

In addition to offering premium travel packages, OleOle.com provides a thriving online community for soccer fans all over the globe, enabling them to connect with like-minded devotees who share their enthusiasm for the world's best loved sport.

Soccer-Italy striker Di Michele charged in illegal betting probe

ROME, June 26 (Reuters) - Italy striker David Di Michele was one of four players charged with illegal betting by the chief prosecutor of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) on Tuesday.

The 31-year-old Palermo striker, who has made six appearances for the Azzurri, was accused of betting "directly or through third parties, on the results of official matches organised by the FIGC", according to a statement on the federation's Web site (www.figc.it).

Defender Thomas Manfredini, who plays for Serie A club Atalanta, and striker Massimo Margiotta, who plays for Vicenza in Italy's second division Serie B, were charged with breaking the same regulation.

The fourth player, midfielder Vincenzo Sommese, who plays for Serie B side Mantova, was charged with betting on matches organised by FIFA, UEFA or the FIGC.

Vicenza, Mantova and Di Michele's former club Udinese were also charged with involvement in the scandal.

Italian players have been prohibited from betting on any football matches -- in their own leagues or in foreign leagues -- since 2005.

Any player found guilty of breaching the ban faces a suspension of between three months and three years.

The FIGC statement also announced that a further 15 players had been cleared of wrongdoing, including Italy and Juventus striker Vincenzo Iaquinta and AC Milan defender Marek Jankulovski.

Liberia: French Soccer Star Lilian Thuram Meets Youth in UN-Backed Initiative

A United Nations-backed initiative has brought French international football star Lilian Thuram to Liberia, where he encouraged thousands of youth to actively pursue peace.

Attending a series of events on Sunday, Mr. Thuram called on Liberian youth to eschew violence, drugs and war. "Violence is dangerous. To have a better life, you need peace to build and develop your beautiful and rich country," he stated.
He also called on the youth to work to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS and participated in two soccer matches involving young children, ex-combatants and amputees.

In brief remarks during an interactive forum at Monrovia City Hall attended by more than 300 national youth representatives, an official from the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) hailed Mr. Thuram as a role model.

"Your message today will have considerable impact on the young people of Liberia," said UNMIL Officer-in-Charge Jordan Ryan, adding that engaging in sports was one of the most effective ways to promote peace.

During the visit, Liberia's Deputy Youth and Sport Minister, Jeremiah Witherspoon, pledged the Government's commitment to work with the UN and other development partners to ensure that issues affecting youth were kept on the national agenda.
Also participating in Sunday's activities were UN and government officials, members of a number of national youth groups and sporting federations, as well as students, musical and traditional artists and war-affected youth.

Mr. Thuram was on a one-day visit to Liberia, organized by the UN Office for West Africa (UNOWA) and facilitated by UNMIL, to boost Liberia's Sport for Peace programme, established earlier this year to reach out to young people who were affected by the conflict which raged in their country for 14 years starting in 1989 and claimed the lives of approximately 150,000 people.

The Sport for Peace initiative was launched in March by Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Adolf Ogi, the Special Adviser to the UN Secretary-General on Sport for Development and Peace, and UNMIL chief Alan Doss.

Frisk slams Jose mind games

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EX-REF Anders Frisk has hit out at Jose Mourinho for stirring up trouble ahead of big games.

Frisk quit in 2005 when he received death threats after a run-in with the Blues boss.

Mourinho claimed that Barca boss Frank Rijkaard had tried to influence Frisk in a half-time meeting at the Nou Camp.
UEFA looked in to the matter and found Mourinho guilty of bringing the game into disrepute.

The Swedish official's latest outburst is sure to re-ignite the feud.

Frisk said: "Mr Mourinho has to take responsibility for his actions.

"He should maybe analyse what things could happen if he did things differently.

"If he changed then I'm sure he would have much nicer meetings than he does at the moment.

"There are a lot of coaches who behave well and I think that most of them have been very, very good.

"But there is a trend that has been set over the last three years by some managers that is not good for football.

"It is not good for the image of football and I suffered because of that. A lot of people are still suffering from that.

"Every week we can see them building conflicts up before a football match.

"It is as if it were a boxing match coming up.

"I would like to see that kind of communication being taken away from football."

Frisk - in an interview with feelfootball.com - has also slammed footie stars for diving.

He believes this can make a referee's job almost impossible.
Frisk has called on UEFA to bring in retrospective punishments for anyone is caught cheating.

He added: “The behaviour of some players - if they get a little touch they dive and act as if they are dead.

"I think it is important in these situations that the football authorities get involved and say ‘we will investigate this match and then bring the player to justice’ to try and ensure he does not do it again.

“As a referee, if you whistle for a penalty and afterwards see that the other player was not near him, then of course you have made a big error.

"And you know that if you make such big mistakes then you will be suspended for several fixtures.

“This creates problems for referees because in situations like this it's sometimes impossible for a referee, in a split second, to be able to say whether an injury is genuine or fake.

“So what I would like to see is for the football authorities to get involved afterwards - watch the video footage and condemn such actions.

"They need to send out the message: ‘This is not OK, and we as a football authority have banned this player for two matches’.”

Frisk used the example of Maradona - who famously scored the 'hand of God' against England in 1986 - for modern stars who choose to cheat.

He said: “I think Maradona is one of the most brilliant football players, but sadly he was also a cheating football player.
“I think the one big goal for football is to realise how bad it is to have the attitude that it's OK to cheat the referee.

“This should be taught from a young age, from the beginning. It will take time, of course.

"We've had a bad tradition with this, and unfortunately maybe in some ways we have praised behaviour like that in some countries.

"We have not condemned it, and I think we should be proactive and say this is not OK.”

Plane crazy: Charley's rant

GOBBY Charley threatened to get her footie star cousin to BEAT UP cabin crew in a crazed rant on a plane, it was claimed.

The 21-year-old went berserk after being refused a free upgrade on the Barbados to London Virgin jet.

Three stewardesses were left sobbing after she claimed she would get Man Utd ace Kieran Richardson to wait at the airport to “do them in” when they landed. Naturally, footballer Kieran, 22, had no idea what his embarrassing cousin was claiming.

Then she even told the flight crew she would call Manchester boss Sir Alex Ferguson and tell him to make sure United never used the airline again.

A steward on last July’s plane claimed Charley was the worst passenger he ever dealt with.

He explained: “I’ve been flying for 11 years and in all that time I’ve never had to deal with anyone more upsetting.

“She came straight up to me after boarding and asked, ‘Do you know who I am?’ When I said ‘No’ she claimed to be Kieran Richardson’s SISTER — as if he was royalty.

“Then she said that she had a friend in business class and that she wanted to sit with him.

“We told her she could go up there for half an hour then have to return to economy. But when her time was up she turned into a monster.
“She was effing and blinding at the top of her voice and making a real scene. People were staring.

“She clearly thought she was some sort of superstar.”

Charley then hatched a plot to get staff into trouble by claiming a stewardess had pushed a drinks trolley into her head as she leaned into the aisle.

She immediately started yelping in pain, despite other passengers insisting the cart hadn’t touched her.

The steward continued: “She was screaming blue murder but everyone knew she was putting it on. When we wouldn’t let her in business class she said that she’d get her ‘brother’ Kieran and her dad to do us in on landing at Gatwick.

“She really wanted to put the frighteners on us.

“I went and told the captain what was happening and then came back and threatened her with the police if she carried on.

“Incredibly she still didn’t shut up but started saying she’d call Alex Ferguson and make sure his team never travelled Virgin again.

“Three of the stewardesses were in tears by it all — not because they were frightened, just that she had made the eight-hour flight so horrible.
“I’ve seen her in the Big Brother house and you can tell she’s trying to keep her temper under control.”

Meanwhile it has been revealed that Charley recently boasted that she would be “the next big thing” as she begged a lower league footballer for SEX in a nightclub just before going on the reality show.

The ex-lapdancer tried to seduce non-league player Dean Howell a few weeks before going into the house.

But Dean turned her down because, ironically, he has been dating former Big Brother housemate Saskia Howard-Clarke for the last five months.

The 27-year-old former Grays Athletic midfielder said: “The last time I saw Charley she said to me: ‘I’m going to f*** you soon’.”

Dean said he rejected Charley’s crude advances last month at London celebrity club Funky Buddha because he would not cheat on his glamour-model girlfriend. Big Brother 6 star Saskia, 25 — who split up with ex-housemate Maxwell Ward last year — said: “Before she went into the house she said: ‘I’m going to be the next big thing’.”

Former promotions girl Saskia — who is now selling the house she bought with Maxwell, 26 — claimed Charley has a huge ego and is obsessed with fame.

Saskia said that is why she has thrown a series of tantrums in the house.

Before going on Big Brother, unemployed Charley boasted: “I’m trendy, wild and argumentative.
“I speak so much. I’m flirtatious and I’m hot.”

But in an interview with OK! magazine, Saskia accused Charley, who grew up in South East London, of trying to steal her boyfriend.

Charley’s self-confessed “life philosophy” is “Celebrity, celebrity, cash, celebrity”.

Saskia said: “I hate her. She always says to Dean, ‘What are you doing with Saskia?’ She definitely has eyes for him.

“Her ego will go mad. Before Big Brother she thought she was amazing.

“Can you imagine what she’ll be like when she has the paparazzi after her?”

Soccer: Doping case of Gheddafi to be shelved

ROME, June 21 (Xinhua) -- A doping case against Libyan leader Muammar Gheddafi's soccer-playing son Saadi looks set to be shelved, local media reported Thursday.

The chief prosecutor at Italy's supreme court Thursday recommended closing the book on the case, which stems from the use of banned substance nandrolone in 2003.

The court's judges usually follow prosecutors' recommendations when they say cases should be shelved.

Under Italy's strict doping laws, offenders face suspended jail terms of up to two years.

Saadi Gheddafi was at Serie A club Perugia when he failed a nandrolone test in October 2003.

He later served a three-month ban imposed by the Italian soccer federation.

In the separate criminal case, Gheddafi admitted taking nandrolone but said he took it for a slipped disc in Libya months before he failed the test.

SABC millions to flight British soccer matches

THE dispute over the sale of Premier Soccer League (PSL) broadcasting rights took another twist yesterday when it emerged that the SABC had bought rights to Monday night English Premier League matches for nearly $40m over the next three years.

The deal will see the SABC paying $13m (R93m) a year for one low-profile English Premier League match a week over the next three years.

While SABC spokesman Kaizer Kganyago pleaded ignorance and said he was not aware of such a deal, English Premier League chairman Sir David Richards said from England that the public broadcaster had concluded the agreement earlier this year.

“Yes, it is true. We have entered into an agreement with the SABC and they will have rights to one premiership match a week for $10m a year for the next three years.”

The disclosure will come as a surprise to those who accused the PSL of greed after the league sold the rights to the domestic premiership to pay channel SuperSport International for R1,6bn over five years last week.

Even more shocking is the revelation that the SABC was prepared to pay R93m for a low-profile Monday night English premiership match — Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool usually play on weekends — when it had paid the PSL just R67m a year for the entire domestic premiership programme.

Richards said he had played an advisory role in the prelude to the sale of the PSL broadcasting rights as he wanted local football to maximise its potential, just as English football did.

“I spoke to them for two years and we spoke about how to maximise profit. This deal with Super Sport will make football better, clubs will get more money and I understand development and the communities will also benefit greatly,” he said.

In the aftermath of the latest episode in the long-running saga Kganyago said that SABC CEO Dali Mpofu had requested an appointment with PSL chairman, Irvin Khoza to try resolve the broadcast rights impasse.

“The CEO (Mpofu) wants to see if this cannot be resolved amicably between the two parties,” he said.

The SABC seems to have changed its attitude, as Mpofu was confrontational after the PSL awarded the rights to SuperSport last week.

In the meantime, free-to-air channel e.tv has taken advantage of the dispute and managed to secure the rights to televise local football live, with the purchase of the season-opening Telkom Charity Cup this week.

Tom Cruise Buying Beckham Soccer Club?

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Tom Cruise is contemplating the purchase of friend David Beckham's soccer club, The LA Galaxy. Beckham will be joining the Galaxy in the next few months, which is likely to reinvent Major League Soccer in the States.

A source said: "To have Tom's backing would be amazing - there's no way Galaxy bosses would turn down that opportunity."

Cruise sat in to watch Real Madrid's title-clinching match with Victoria Beckham. This was David Beckham's final game playing for Europe, at least for now. There is some speculation that a European team will try to lure Beckham back following a stellar performance this season.

David Beckham signed for Galaxy this January on a reported £128 million five-year deal although he doesn't start playing for them until next month.

Lithuanian town ready to restitute to Abramovich property of his ancestry

Administration of the Lithuanian town of Taurage located near Kaliningrad Region, Russia, hope that Russian tycoon, Chukotka Governor Roman Abramovich will visit the town as early as this year. It was found in the archives of the local administration that Abramovich’s ancestors (his grandfather, grandmother and parents) lived in the town before World War Two. In those times they owned vast territories and an estate. Later, Abramovich’s ancestors were exiled to Siberia. The Taurage local government is ready now to return the property that previously belonged to the Abramovich family to the Russian billionaire. As REGNUM was told today at Taurage Town Administration, they expected that Roman Abramovich would visit celebration of the 500^th anniversary of the town planned for June 22-24, but the billionaire will not manage to visit the place, where his ancestors lived, because of busy schedule.

“We did receive an answer from him saying that on June 22-24 Roman Abramovich will not be able to visit us,” Mayor’s Aide Ausrine Norkiene told a REGNUM correspondent. According to her, the response does not contain a certain date of Roman Abramovich’s visit to Lithuania, but the Taurage Town Administration hopes such a visit can take place next year.

Abramovich’s parents and numerous relatives lived in Bazniciu Street in Taurage. One of their houses belonged to Roman’s father Arkady Abramovich, the billionaire’s uncle and aunt, Abram and Leiba, lived in another one. While expecting that the Russian tycoon would visit the town, the administration renovated the street where Abramovich’s ancestors once lived.

Joe Cole, Beckham holiday in Thailand

British football stars have hit the news as Chelsea midfield player Joe Cole is holidaying in southern Thailand while football superstar David Beckham will travel to tourist islands of Phuket and Samui.

Joe Cole is holidaying at the Evason Resort in Prachuap Khiri Khan, where he enjoyed swimming and strolling along the beach on Wednesday morning. Mr. Cole, a former West Ham United player, is now Chelsea's midfielder.

According to reports, football superstar David Beckham has arrived in Thailand Wednesday and will visit Phuket and Surat Thani's Samui island.

Thailand's stunning and beautiful southern coastal islands have white sand beaches popular among tourists worldwide. (TNA)

Real, Real gone: Katie celebrates Beckham success

KATIE Holmes is said to be expecting her second baby with Tom Cruise. The Dawson’s Creek star and her Hollywood husband set tongues wagging at the weekend when attending David Beckham’s last game at Real Madrid.

While the action on the pitch was enough to keep most fans glued, with Real winning the La Liga title, Cruise was again up to his embarrassing antics in the stands, slobbering over his wife at every opportunity.

Katie, who gave birth to daughter Suri in April last year, tried to hide her bump under a loose dress as she celebrated at a post-match party with the Beckhams. The 28-year-old has become firm friends with Victoria, and now sports a similar sleek bob.

“Katie and Tom are thrilled about having another baby on the way. She is glowing with happiness,” said one source.

The two celebrity couples enjoyed the celebratory bash at Beckham’s favourite Basque restaurant. Later a group of up to 20, including a number of Beckham’s teammates, partied the night away at a local club.

An onlooker said, “They left looking very bleary-eyed and had clearly been having a great night. The sun was coming up by the time they left.”

Meanwhile baby Suri was left in Berlin, where Tom has been preparing for a film.

At Robogames 2007, Robots Compete in Boxing, Sumo and Hockey

Last Friday, robots from around the world competed in soccer, wrestling, and other sports at the Robogames in San Francisco. The event started on Friday, June 15^th and ended Sunday, June 17^th.According to Robogames' site, Robogames is the world's largest open robot competition. Robots ranging from combat robots, humanoids, soccer bots, sumo bots, and androids competed in over 70 different events. These events ranged from line slalom, sumo wrestling, androids boxing, weightlifting, and even bot hockey. In robot sumo, the first to be shoved from a small ring loses, there are also robot kung-fu matches and a marathon. The winner in the 3kg category in robot sumo is team Zeta from Singapore.

This year, engineers from over two dozen countries have put their creations head to head in the Robogames. The most awaited event was the robot combat wherein machines weighing as much as 340 pounds will destroy one another inside a demolition derby with bulletproof glass. Of course, the last robot still running will become the winner. This year, the winner in the 3kg category was the Dark Pummeler from USA.

In his interview with AFP before the event, David Calkins, founder of Robogames, said, "The combat robots are getting better each year. We've got teams flying in from around the US and Canada, Brazil, Mexico, the UK, Netherlands, Australia, and even Iran just to compete in the robot combat."

AFP reported that Calkin initially established the event in 2004, dubbing it as ROBOlympics. His primary aim is to provide a forum between engineers since they tend to be isolated in specialty fields such as computer programming and mechanical engineering.

Robogames has also played host to the Federation of International Robot-soccer Association annual Robot World Cup. FIRA is the world's oldest robot soccer organization, according to AFP. There are teams from more than 20 countries who have participated in its robot soccer events. The winner for this event was TKU-Robot from Taiwan.

"The improvements these guys make in their robots each year always amazes me, and I see great robots all the time," Calkins told AFP. "It's great to see soccer alongside fighting robots and all the other events - everyone is really learning from each other."

According to the recent AFP article, RoboGames are meant to inspire engineers to make breakthroughs that result in better-built machines that can emulate tasks humans take for granted, such as finding one's way along a street or jumping.

To see a full list of winners visit the Robogames site.

SOURCE:

Glenn Chapman, Machines and their makers battle at robot "Olympics". AFP. URL:

Ricky : I'm scared of my mum

BOXER Ricky Hatton may be a tough guy in the ring — but he is still scared of his MUM.

Despite beating some of the best boxers on the planet, ex world champ Ricky, 28, says his mother Carol is “absolutely frightening”.

And he reckons she could take him on any day — and win.

Ricky said: “Believe me, my mum could lick anyone, she could lick me.

“She’s frightening. Her Rice Krispies in the morning don’t go snap, crackle and pop they go, ‘Ssh, she’s coming’.”

Manchester boy Ricky spoke ahead of his light welterweight title fight with Jose Luis Castillo in Las Vegas on June 23.

He said: “I hope I bring that world title back. Then I still haven’t given up hope of another fight in Manchester before I pack up.”

SOCCER: Michael Howard offers his account of Athens debacle

Former Tory leader Michael Howard has offered to be a witness for Liverpool fans demanding compensation from UEFA after they were shut out of the Champions' League final.
Howard said he is willing to give evidence in court if necessary over the final in Athens.

A number of fans are being represented by lawyers and are demanding compensation for travel costs as well after being barred from the ground despite having tickets.
Howard, who was at the game as a Liverpool fan, said: "I would be more than happy to appear in court to give evidence in respect of my own experiences on the night should it be of help in establishing the truth of what happened.

"It seems to me that UEFA was at fault in two respects. Firstly, the Athens` stadium was not a football ground and, as such, was not equipped for a football match of this kind.

"Secondly, UEFA clearly devoted insufficient attention to ensuring that arrangements on the day of the game were adequate. That led to a considerable amount of confusion and distress in addition to the financial loss suffered by a large number of people."

Simon Gibson of Kirwans solicitors, who are representing 30 fans, said they had yet to receive a response from UEFA to their request for information.

UEFA have blamed ticketless Liverpool fans for forcing their way into the ground and taking bona fide ticket-holders` seats.

Martins escapes horror gun attack

Newcastle and Nigeria striker Obafemi Martins escaped uninjured after being shot at while driving in Lagos.

The Magpies striker was attacked by masked gunmen on Monday night, hours after he returned home from Nigeria's Nations Cup qualifier against Niger.

The 22-year-old escaped unhurt but a friend was injured after his Mercedes was sprayed with bullets.

"For a moment I thought I was going to die as they kept shooting at my car indiscriminately," said Martins.

"Those guys wanted me dead - they had no intention of sparing anyone in the car. They were not robbers because after the shooting they left without taking anything from the car.

"I thank God that my friend survived. It was like a movie but I thank God I'm alive to tell the story."

The incident occurred at a petrol station in VGC, a suburb of Lagos, where Martins had stopped to buy fuel.

The visibly shaken striker has now flown to Italy and is reluctant to return to Nigeria for international duty after the incident.

"My mother is scared they could come back again. I don't feel safe here anymore.

"I came home to play for my country and spend my holidays with my friends and family. This is not what I expected.

"I think people will now understand why some players don't feel comfortable coming back to Nigeria from Europe.

"I came home for the game against Niger because I wanted to play for my country and make the people happy."

Martins is not the only Europe-based footballer to be attacked by unknown gunmen in recent weeks.

Benjamin Onwuachi, of Greek side Ionikos, Femi Ajilore, of Danish club Midtjylland as well as Romania-based Ifeanyi Emeghara were all attacked while on holiday in Lagos.

"A lot of things are wrong with the system in Nigeria and when you are helpless you need to go and hide somewhere," added Martins.

"I was born in Lagos, I am a Lagosian but when I don't feel safe in my hometown then something must be wrong.

"It's a great thing to play for your country, put smiles on the faces of people and also feel safe among your family and fans.

"But when the situation gets out of hand, I don't think coming home is something I can contemplate."

Abbey's UK stay for Peter

MODEL Abbey Clancy is set to ditch her dreams of US stardom to wed footie’s Peter Crouch.

Stunning WAG Abbey, 21, recently filmed her own show in the US with supermodel Janice Dickinson.

But she admitted she can’t bear to be away from Liverpool striker Crouch, 26.

Abbey said: “I have a big decision to make — whether to stay in Liverpool or enhance my modelling career in LA.

“I’d love to make it big, but I just don’t think I could leave Peter.”

A little cub for superstar Tiger

OLF superstar Tiger Woods was yesterday celebrating becoming a dad — after wife Elin gave birth three weeks early.

Swede Elin, 26, had daughter Sam Alexis in Florida 24 hours after Tiger came second at the US Open. Tiger, 31, said: “This is a truly special time in our lives.”

Posh told not to get pregnant

SPICE GIRLS’ reunion mastermind SIMON FULLER has laid down the law ahead of the group’s comeback.

Fuller has given the girls a list of rules to follow — including strict instructions not to get pregnant.

I have seen all the do’s and don’ts given to VICTORIA BECKHAM, EMMA BUNTON, GERI HALLIWELL, MEL B and MEL C, with advice to prevent any bickering that could spoil their triumphant return.

Fuller seems to be leaving nothing to chance and is working out deals around the world to make this one of the biggest comebacks ever.

Unlike recently-reunited TAKE THAT — whose return has been bigger than imagined possible — the Spice Girls were huge worldwide.

And their reunion will reflect that.

Fuller signs off the message: “I will make this work for you all, none of you realise how amazing you were and still are.

“It’s good to be back . . . Simon”

Now that’s girl power for you.

England skipper's budget wedding advice

John Terry's wedding at Blenheim Palace this week will be one of THE events of the year.

After quaffing Champagne at the nuptials this Friday, the England captain's teammates and their wives and girlfriends (WAGs) have been advised to retire for a luxurious night's kip, at the budget Peartree Travelodge.

Billed as one of the year's top celebrity weddings, England and Chelsea star Terry, 26, and fiancee Toni Poole, 24, will tie the knot in front of a host of Premiership footballers.

As well as his fellow Chelsea stars, many of the England team are expected to attend, along with stars from the world of music and showbusiness.

The bash at the Woodstock palace, which is believed to be costing £500,000, will reportedly net the couple £1m from an exclusive deal with OK! Magazine.

But while the guest list is A List and the wedding list is at Harrods, the couple's suggested accommodation on their invitations for anyone wanting to bed the night down in Oxfordshire is a room at the nearby Travelodge.

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It appears that many of them have taken the advice, because Travelodge spokeswoman Shakila Ahmed says the hotel is almost full for that night.

However, discretion is everything in the hotel world, so Ms Ahmed was unable to say which of the Terry party would be laying their heads down to recover from the celebrations.

Ms Ahmed added: "Travelodge is a popular choice for wedding guests travelling afar, which is probably why John Terry and Toni Poole have selected us for their wedding guests.

"It's just four miles away from Blenheim Palace, so there is no excuse for anyone turning up late for the wedding."

Travelodge welcomes 1.7 million guests every year nationally and has a reputation for clean, no-fuss and inexpensive accommodation.

As well as en-suite facilities in all rooms, any Premniership millionaire will find complimentary tea and coffee making facilities and a colour TV.

The car park has 197 free spaces, so there will be plenty of room for the odd Ferrari or Baby Bentley.

If guests leave the wedding feeling peckish, they can always pop into the Pear Tree's Burger King, or sign up for the Travelodge "Early Bird Breakfast", which includes a complimentary newspaper with all the footie results for just £4.45.

It's not clear whether the bride and groom will be joining their guests at the Travelodge this Friday, although Ms Ahmed said there are still a few rooms available.

However, that is unlikely, as Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has given them free use of his £72m yacht for their honeymoon.

Wedding Chaos Poll: Brides Want Victoria Beckham to Plan Their Wedding

The consensus is that Tony Blair is an unpopular Prime Minister but now he has also been voted the most unwanted wedding planner, with less than 1% of the 1,250 voters in the latest Wedding Chaos poll trusting him to organise their wedding. Victoria Beckham on the other hand came out with over a third of the votes..

England, UK (PRWEB) June 13, 2007 -- The consensus is that Tony Blair is an unpopular Prime Minister but now he has also been voted the most unwanted wedding planner, with less than 1% of the 1,250 voters in the latest Wedding Chaos poll trusting him to organise their wedding.

To be fair though, the alternatives do have more experience of organising glamorous events, with Victoria Beckham, who recently showed off her talent by helping pal Katie Holmes with her wedding to Hollywood movie star, Tom Cruise, topping the poll with 36.9% of the votes.

Here is what bride-to-be, Wendy from Kent, had to say, "I voted for Posh just because you'd definitely get what you wanted!"

However Victoria Beckham didn't quite have it all her own way as the ever popular Davina McCall came in a close second with nearly 30% (29.9%) of couples voting for Davina to plan their wedding - no doubt in Big Brother style!

Bride-to-be Leeanne, from Neath, South Wales says she'd choose Davina because "she has down to earth taste but elegant with it and not over the top, she also isn't afraid to bring some fun into it".

One of Scotland's finest exports, Lorraine Kelly, famous for her down to earth interview style on GMTV claimed third place with 14.1% of the votes. Gem, from Swansea, says she voted for Lorraine because "she seems traditional and friendly, she'd get on with anyone. And I like her accent!"

The Queen is famous for winning the hearts of the nation, but it also appears she's won the hearts of some of our bride and groom's. As our dear Queen walked away with 6.6% of the votes. So, when she finally gives up the throne to Prince Charles, it would seem she won't have to rely on her pension just yet rather she could find work as a wedding planner.

Rather disappointingly Graham Norton had only 6% of couples believing he would be up to the task of a wedding planner. Perhaps his whole stage performance, largely based around sexual innuendo, might be a little to risqué for most of our couples wedding day. That said, Graham did have at least one supporter with Erica, from Worcestershire, telling us, "I think he is great and I think any wedding organised by him would be fun, flamboyant and one to remember".

Bob Geldof I'm afraid only managed a paltry 3.6% of the votes. It seems that being a 'Sir', and organising both Live Aid I and II, doesn't seem to be enough credentials to cut it as a wedding planner.

Towards the bottom of the poll we find Jade Goody, perhaps her performance in the Big Brother house recently did not inspire confidence in our brides and grooms, she managed a measly 2% sympathy vote.

Although our poll is just a bit of fun it does show a trend; people want experience, fun, glamour and personality when it comes to taking on board a wedding planner. Organising the affairs of the United Kingdom, or the biggest charity concert ever, whilst may help for a budget and schedule controlled wedding, they just don't cut the mustard when you can have Posh or Davina putting a sparkle into your big day.

BECKHAM WANTS A BANK JOB

VICTORIA BECKHAM would swap her celebrity lifestyle for a job in a bank - as long as she had husband DAVID's support. The former Spice Girl says she admires people with "normal" jobs and would love to give up her lavish home in favour of government funded housing. She says, "Sometimes I see a couple who have just finished work, sitting there in their car and she has got her Barclays bank badge on and he has got his Dixons (electrical store) badge on and they are going home for dinner. "Sometimes that looks so nice to me, but we all want something we all have." She adds, "I would rather live in a council flat with David than in Beckingham Palace (their Hertfordshire, England home) without him."

Tiger Woods is Master blaster

GOLF superstar Tiger Woods is also king of the botty burps, it was revealed yesterday.

Ex-Ryder Cup star David Feherty said four-times Masters champ Woods is just as competitive in wind-breaking contests on the course.

Northern Ireland-born Feherty, 47, and Woods, 31, regularly hold contests to see who can let rip the most and the loudest.

Feherty, now a CBS TV host, said: “He doesn’t allow himself to lose a thing, even our juvenile contest!”

Capsule breaks new ground in sport science

Researchers are breaking new ground in sports science with the use of tiny ingestible wireless capsule capable of measuring core body temperature. It’s believed to be the first time these thermoregulatory sensors have been trialled with sportswomen and certainly a first in New Zealand.

To kick off the study, North Shore-based soccer player Hayley Hoegendyk swallowed the wireless tablet and then took part in a series of soccer performance tests in the Massey Auckland Recreation Centre, where researchers monitored how hot she was getting while undergoing vigorous exercise and how well she was performing.

The trial is the intitiative of Massey Sport and Exercise Scientist Dr Ajmol Ali in collarboration with Dr Nick Gant at Auckland University. The wireless devices in tablet form have been trialled by coaches of male soccer players and footballers overseas to monitor body temperature but they have not been used in women’s soccer – the world’s fastest growing sport.

Dr Ali says although their high performing male counterparts are a well researched group, elilte female players need separate study because their physiological responses are likely to be different. Overheating can have serious consequences for sports people, he says, and researchers are seeking to work out when soccer players should be pulled off the field because their core body temperature is too high and when they need fluid for rehydration.

The night before the New Zealand study, Ms Hoegendyk swallowed the tablet before going to bed. The following day, as Ms Hoegendyk went through performance tests in the University’s gym Dr Ali and Dr Gant were receiving data direct to their computer from the tablet in her intestine. They say the tablets typically pass through the system within 24 hours.

Teacher forced soccer players to run naked after missing penalties

OSAKA -- A junior high school teacher in charge of its soccer club forced several players to run naked around the ground as punishment for missing penalty kicks during practice, it has been learned.

The Osaka Municipal Board of Education will question those involved and discuss whether to punish the 48-year-old teacher. The junior high school in Higashisumiyoshi-ku, Osaka, has yet to report the case to the board of education.

The teacher of the unnamed junior high school wanted his players to practice penalty kicks under pressure during a special summer practice session in 2005. He proposed that those who miss a penalty should run around the ground naked.

As a result, five or six players had to run around naked. Some students' parents lodged a protest over the incident the next day. The teacher apologized and admitted that he went too far.

He is still in charge of the soccer club. (Mainichi)

Man U fans seeing red at hike

MANCHESTER United fans were fuming last night at facing a 13 per cent hike — while most other clubs froze or cut ticket prices.

Colin Hendrie, spokesman for the Independent Manchester United Supporters’ Association, said: “Football can no longer be a working class sport.

“United are pricing traditional supporters out of the game.

“The last two years have seen double-digit price rises here. Since the Glazer family took over the club, ticket prices have become 44 per cent more expensive.

“They have also now introduced a cup ticket scheme under which anyone wanting to buy a season ticket to Premiership games must also pay for potentially up to 14 cup games.

"A season ticket that cost £400 in 1995 could now be more than £1,000 in the end.

“We are very unhappy with what has happened.”

Old Trafford’s capacity will stand at 76,212 next season.

But Mark Longden, chairman of the supporters’ association, predicts the ground will regularly have empty seats.

He said: “I do not believe they will fill it with these price rises.

“There’s absolutely no justification. It flies in the face of thinking all over the country.”

Angry fans of Liverpool, Spurs and West Ham are also facing price increases.

One Liverpool supporter said: “I don’t even know if I can afford to keep going to Anfield any more.”

What a save! Footie prices cut

FOOTBALL fans were cheering The Sun yesterday after learning they would be saving up to £34MILLION next season.

That’s the amazing total supporters of Premiership clubs will be spared from shelling out following our Cut The Cost of Footie campaign.

In a triumph for people power, six of next season’s Premiership clubs will be charging fans less for tickets than they did in the season just gone.

They are led by WIGAN ATHLETIC, who are chopping 33 per cent off prices, and BLACKBURN ROVERS, seeing a 25 per cent cut.

At BIRMINGHAM CITY there is a 20 per cent drop, at both BOLTON WANDERERS and EVERTON it is ten per cent and at ASTON VILLA five per cent

Ten clubs, including giants Chelsea and Arsenal, have frozen their prices.

Just four clubs bucked the trend and raised season tickets prices — Premiership winners MANCHESTER UNITED, Champions League runners-up LIVERPOOL and London clubs TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR and WEST HAM UNITED.

Of those, only Spurs have not recently passed into foreign ownership. Last night Malcolm Clarke, chairman of the Football Supporters’ Federation, said: “We obviously very much welcome The Sun’s saving.

“But the extra £2.7billion that Premiership clubs will receive in TV revenue means every club could let every fan in free and still receive as much money as they got last season.

“So while we welcome The Sun’s £34million saving, it is small beer to the clubs.”

Alan Bloore, who runs the federation’s campaign for fairer prices, said: “When the Premier League put its prices up in the past, prices in the Championship went up too. Now many clubs in the Premier League are reducing their prices, we hope to see the same in the Championship.”

Our campaign highlighted how ordinary fans were being driven away by exorbitant prices.

We won the support of Prime Minister Tony Blair, Sports Minister Richard Caborn, Leader of the Commons Jack Straw — plus a host of fans’ groups, soccer stars and pundits including Chris Waddle and Jimmy Greaves.

Increases within the Premiership had averaged an inflation-busting six per cent over the last four seasons.

Matchday income for the 2005/06 season was £468million and for 2007/08 would have reached £516million.

But instead of a rise of around five per cent, the average cost at the 17 surviving Premiership clubs plus the three promoted from the Championship will now be down around two per cent.

That will mean gate receipts of £482million — a saving for fans of £34million, or an average of £2.50 per match.

The Sun will continue the campaign next season — and will concentrate particularly on four issues.

DESPITE the cuts and freezes we have achieved, season ticket prices are still too high in view of all the extra TV money coming into the game.

SUPPORTERS of popular clubs are unfairly penalised with price hikes at away games.

MEMBERSHIP schemes in which fans have to pay just to get on a waiting list for season tickets are unfair.

FANS wanting season tickets to Premiership games should not be forced to fork out for cup tickets as well if they don’t want them.

Becks is now a reality TV star

ENGLAND footie star David Beckham is making a warts and all TV show about his megabucks move to Los Angeles.

ITV cameras have been following Becks as he plays his final matches for Real Madrid.

And they will go with him to California where he will be unveiled as LA Galaxy’s new £128million player.

The midfield ace will also give “full and frank” interviews about his move.

Wife Victoria and kids Brooklyn, Romeo and Cruz will NOT feature much because producers wanted the show to be more “football-focused”.

But ITV plans to buy former Spice Girl Victoria’s US TV show, which charts her side of the move.

The show was originally ordered as a major series on NBC, but is now expected to air as a 60-minute one-off on American cable channel Bravo.

An insider said: “David’s move to LA Galaxy is an historic event. It is great he has let in the cameras. Viewers will get an amazing insight into his thoughts about the story that shook the world of football. It will be riveting.”

ITV boss Jeff Anderson said: “The move to America and the recall to the England team adds a new and fascinating chapter to the David Beckham story.

“We’re delighted to have access to that story from the inside.”

Former Spice Girls boss Simon Fuller is making the 60-minute show through his 19TV company.

Fuller, who masterminded Becks’ move to the States, said: “It has been a dramatic few weeks in the life of this iconic footballer.

“It has been fascinating to watch the story unfold and this documentary will give the public an insight into this extraordinary series of events.”

19TV boss Martha Brass said: “There is a great appetite from broadcasters around the world for this show.” ITV previously aired 19TV’s David Beckham A Footballer’s Story.

Don't forget the silver, Sven

SOCCER flop Sven Goran Eriksson packed his bags and quit England yesterday — helped by The Sun.

We gave a hand loading his stuff into a removal truck.

The Sun launched Operation Good Riddance after a tip that the ex- England soccer boss was finally on his bike.

Onlookers cheered as we helped stow away his possessions — with one joking: “It’s not the first time he’s engineered an England exit.”

It has been 346 days since the bed-hopping Swede lost his England job. But only now — after coining in £28million for a string of failed tournaments — has he decided to hop it.

Three days have been set aside to empty his mansion in Regent’s Park, North London.

Sven, 59, was not at home to supervise — and left the arrangements to his fiery on-off lover Nancy Dell’Olio, 43.

He bought the Grade II-listed three-bedroom property in July 2001 for £2.5million. He sold it for around £3million.

A neighbour said: “Sven says he has no plans to buy elsewhere in England.

“Nancy and Sven plan to split the possessions.”

In the three big tournaments since Sven took charge in 2001 England got no further than the quarter-finals.

DYER SIS IN DRUG BUST

THE sister of England soccer star Kieron Dyer has been charged with plotting to push drugs.
Trainee hairdresser Kirsha Dyer, 19, was among 13 people arrested in a police swoop on four homes and a car in Ipswich, Suffolk.
Kirsha and five others are accused of planning to deal Class A drugs.
The teenager - said to be pregnant - sobbed and shouted "I love you" to her family as magistrates remanded her in custody to appear at the town's Crown Court in nine days.
She was arrested only hours after Kieron, 28, played in England's 3-0 victory over Estonia on Wednesday. The pair grew up in Ipswich.

Robben Getting Hitched!

We here at Vital Chelsea would like to offer Arjen Robben and his childhood sweetheart, Bernadien Elliert, congratulations on taking the plunge in the marriage stakes this afternoon.Arjen, who has been the subject of much speculation in recent days, much of it being absolute crap, will no doubt be hoping that the ceremony goes off without incident and that it is the prelude for along and happy marriage.We here at Vital Chelsea would hope that the bride has abided by the old English custom of wearing something new, something borrowed and something blue.Perhaps the new will be the dress, the blue will be a Chelsea shirt beneath her dress and as for the borrowed - any chance of Sir Alex allowing the Premiership trophy to be on display at the reception?

Abbey Clancy gets lippy

TAKE a look at these pictures of ABBEY CLANCY, footie star PETER CROUCH’s WAG.

They are before and after shots of her visit to Angels beauty salon in Liverpool.

Plastic surgeon-to-the-stars ALEX KARIDIS reckons she’s gone for a £500 Restylane gel treatment to boost her thinnish lips.

He analysed my pics and told me: “There is no doubt Abbey’s lips are considerably fuller. Botox can be ruled out but she has probably started on a course of injectable fillers.

Last night a spokesman for Abbey insisted she hadn’t had any work done.

I’ll leave it up to you to decide if Alex is right — or pout of order.

Marathons ban for Asbo rev

DEFROCKED priest Cornelius Horan was yesterday given a three-year London Marathon ban.

Horan, 60, who lunged at the marathon leader in the 2004 Athens Olympics, was also barred from next month’s Tour de France stage in London.

JPs in Camberwell imposed the Asbo.

Keano bags DIY promotion

HERE’S a sure sign soccer king Roy Keane hasn’t let management success go to his head.

While other Premiership bosses were off sunning themselves on exotic holidays, the manager of promoted Sunderland was at his local hardware store in Hale, Cheshire.

The former Manchester United skipper, 35, left the shop called Viking clutching a bag. But he wasn’t tempted to net a football on offer.

An onlooker said: “Maybe he has had some DIY or cleaning to be catching up with.”

Rooney loses £30k watch in sea

WAYNE Rooney had a holiday disaster — when his £30,000 watch fell in the sea.

The England ace put his watch and hire car keys in a washbag and left it on the side of his rented yacht while he went for a swim.

But during his dip the designer bag fell off and sank to the bottom of the Mediterranean.

Man United striker Roo, 21, and fiancée Coleen McLoughlin are holidaying in the South of France with pals, and splashed out £90,000 to hire the yacht.

A source said last night: “Wayne was absolutely sick about losing his bag. It had his hire car keys and a watch that cost him £30k inside. The hire car firm won’t be best pleased.

“Coleen said he was daft for leaving the bag lying around but his mates have been poking fun asking where he left his watch.”

The Sun revealed last month how Wayne and Coleen, 21, were spending £275,000 on a series of summer breaks.

Roo is due to spend a weekend in New York with rapper P Diddy after bidding £150,000 at a charity event.

Wayne and Coleen are then due to carry boxer Ricky Hatton’s belt into the ring at his world championship fight in Las Vegas on June 23.

They will finish their hols with a week in the Caribbean before Roo has to report back for training.

Posh Victoria's new Friends

WITH a month still to go before the big Beckham emigration to Los Angeles, JENNIFER ANISTON has emerged as the latest household name with a connection to the showbiz couple.

I can reveal that VICTORIA knows the Essex builder who is currently bunked up with Friends actress Jen.

Posh met brickie-turned-model PAUL SCULFOR, when he dated her lifelong pal Maria Louise Featherstone back in the days when they all lived in Essex.

Paul and Maria Louise are still good friends and the make-up artist met up with him for dinner the last time she was in LA.

He confessed there was a new lady in his life but didn’t say who.

And I reckon it won’t be long before the Beckhams invite Jen and Paul to join their gang.

A source said: “Maria Louise and Paul were the genuine article for two years. His modelling career meant he was going all over the world and Maria Louise was busy with her job doing make up on big films and for Victoria.

“They split up on really good terms and remain friends. They still have a lot of shared pals.

“The last time Maria Louise was over she went for dinner with Paul and they had a great laugh. He was coy about his new woman and she couldn’t believe her eyes when she found out it was Jennifer.”

Team Posh is chalking up A-list pals at an impressive rate.

With the Aniston link it’s now starting to shape up like a West Coast answer to the Central Perk coffee shop in Friends.

My graphics wiz has mocked up how Posh’s Californian cappuccino club will look.

J-LO, KATIE HOLMES and TOM CRUISE are all in the intimate circle.But despite her growing army of celeb chums, Victoria’s closest pal is still Maria Louise.

They have been best buddies since they were five-year-olds at school.

I wonder if they will be Jen’s new Phoebe and Monica?

Chairman reveals our lucky mascot!

While the likes of Carlos Tevez, Lucas Neill, Alan Curbishley and co rightly earned the plaudits for our successful battle against relegation at the end of last season, Chairman Eggert Magnusson has revealed that the team also had a lucky mascot to count on.

14-year-old Alex Lee - the son of Mr Magnusson's PR advisor Mike Lee - attended a total of 10 matches following the takeover of the Club in November…and didn't see the Hammers lose a single one of them!

The remarkable record began with our 1-0 home victory over Sheffield United in November and then continued with Alan Curbishley's first match in charge a month later - the 1-0 win over Manchester United on December 17. After witnessing our FA Cup third round victory over Brighton, sandwiched between two Premier League draws against Fulham, Alex then attended the 2-0 home victory over Middlesbrough at the end of March, before enjoying the final four matches of the season - all victories against Everton, Wigan, Bolton and Manchester United at Old Trafford on the final day.

Considering that West Ham United avoided defeat in just 13 of the 27 league and cup matches played since Mr Magnusson's arrival, Alex's fortune in being present for 10 of those occasions - a ratio that any top goalscorer would be proud of! - is all the more significant...and certainly not lost on our grateful Chairman.

"It is quite amazing that Alex attended 10 games and did not see us lose!" says Mr Magnusson. "Towards the end of the season, it became almost a superstition, and when we travelled to Old Trafford on the final day, I insisted that Alex accompanied us!

"Of course, our performances on the pitch were the reason that we avoided relegation, but superstition and luck is a big factor to a lot of people involved in football, and I certainly felt confident knowing that Alex was there with us at the end of the season."

Young Alex, meanwhile, is modest about his involvement, and admits he was just delighted to enjoy the experience of following Alan Curbishley's men as they pulled off the great escape.

"I'm not so sure it was down to me," he says. "But Mr Magnusson basically thought that I was something of a lucky mascot, and the more games I attended, the more that seemed to be the case.

"I missed a couple of matches after we beat Middlesbrough at the end of March, and Mr Magnusson joked with my dad that he wouldn't pay him if he didn't make sure that I got to the games, so I came to the last four and we won them all!

"I was just happy that the team managed to stay up and that they will be playing in the Premier League again. I'm sure I'll eventually see West Ham lose one day, but hopefully my run can continue for a bit longer at the start of next season!"

For the record, the games attended by Alex last season were:

Nov 25 v Sheffield United (h), won 1-0
Dec 17 v Manchester United (h), won 1-0
Dec 23 v Fulham (a), drew 0-0
Jan 6 v Brighton & Hove Albion (h), won 3-0
Jan 13 v Fulham (h), drew 3-3
Mar 31 v Middlesbrough (h), won 2-0
Apr 21 v Everton (h), won 1-0
Apr 28 v Wigan Athletic (a), won 3-0
May 5 v Bolton Wanderers (h), won 3-1
May 13 v Manchester United (a), won 1-0

Ball signed by Manchester United stars up for grabs

CALLING all football fans.

Here's a chance to get your hands on a ball signed by some of the biggest names in the game.

Derek Rawson, who runs the 1960s memorabilia stall in Nelson Market Hall, is inviting bids for the autographed ball used by Manchester United in the 2001/2 season.

Among the names on it are David Beckham, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Gary and Phil Neville, Quentin Fortune, Paul Scholes, Roy Keane and Ryan Giggs, plus manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Anyone interested is asked to contact Derek at his stall

Chelsea keeper's debt to hospital

Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech thanked doctors and nurses at Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital for their "hard work" in helping to save his career.

Mr Cech, 24, donated £1,000 to Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital after being treated there in October for a serious head injury.

The Czech international, rated one of the world's best keepers, thanked everyone involved in his treatment while in the hospital, where he was taken after suffering a depressed fracture of the skull during a Premiership match against Reading.

He suffered the injury during a challenge by Reading winger Stephen Hunt.

Mr Cech said: "I'm very appreciative of all the hard work by the nurses and doctors that helped me, and would like to thank them for everything they did.

"Thank you to everybody who supported me the whole time I was in hospital. I say thank you to everyone who supported me on the way back."
Some of the staff who treated Mr Cech went along to Chelsea's Cobham training ground to meet Mr Cech and other players, and collect the cheque.

Directorate service manager of neurosciences, Siobhan Hurley, said: "We went up and met all the players and watched them train. Everyone was very friendly.

"Petr was just very grateful.

"The staff were very grateful to be recognised for their work. I think that he came to the best place he could have.

After his injury, Mr Cech was taken to Reading's Royal Berkshire Hospital for treatment, before being transferred to the John Radcliffe, where he was operated on by senior neurosurgeon Mr Richard Kerr. He spent six days on the JR's neuroscience ward.

Mrs Hurley added: "I would like to express that the great work done to Petr was no different from that given to any other patient. It's a big neuroscience centre and we treat patients from all over the country."

The money was raised from the sale of photographs of the Chelsea keeper following his recovery from the head injury, and will be put towards various projects within the neuroscience department.

Mr Cech also made donations of £1,000 to Reading's Royal Berkshire Hospital and to the Headway Brain Injury Association.

News of Mr Cech's donation came after the revelation that not a single player at Chelsea, which is considered to be one of the richest clubs in football, agreed to contribute to the May Day For Nurses campaign.

The scheme involved asking Premiership players to donate a day's wages to hard-up nurses. Of 556 players nationally asked to contribute, 225 agreed to help.

Kids plan another soccer goal for children in Iraq

Soldier says soccer gifts help form bonds and built trust with Iraqis both young and old
MENDHAM – A drive to collect soccer equipment for children in Iraq scored such a success that the Hilltop School plans to do it again.
Last November, the school collected 50 boxes filled with soccer balls, cleats, jerseys and other equipment. The goods were sent to the Iraqi village of Rushi Mulla, southwest of Baghdad.

The drive was arranged after a conversation between First Lt. Jared Miranda and his mother, Paula Miranda of Chester, a third grade teacher at Hilltop School. At the time, the soldier was based in Rushi Mulla.

Mrs. Miranda said she had been asking her son what the children could do for the troops and the Iraqis.

“He said the Iraqis really liked soccer and why not send soccer balls,” Mrs. Miranda said.

The drive was coordinated by Kathy Fitzsimmons, representing the Kids Care service club of Hilltop’s Home and School Association.

Children at the Hillside School began soliciting soccer equipment including uniforms worn in local rec programs that were to be replaced anyway. Miranda said her son said the equipment was gradually distributed in Iraq and that it helped the Americans to win the trust and support of the Iraqis.

“A big part of my son’s job is to go in the community and build trust,” Mrs. Miranda said. “Slowly but surely, trust was gained and before long we were seeing pictures of soldiers kicking around soccer balls.”

Through the emerging trust, the area became safer and eventually several neighborhood schools were re-opened, Mrs. Miranda said.

Major Collection

Fitzsimmons said the first soccer equipment drive took off with hundreds of balls and other equipment collected in just three weeks. Much of the equipment was donated by children who receive new equipment through their teams with each new soccer season.

Fitzsimmons said her children, Andrew, 10, Elizabeth, 8, and Sara, 5, all play with the West Morris Soccer Club and were among those who gave equipment.

After the equipment was distributed, Lt. Miranda and another soldier filmed a video of children and soldiers play soccer. The film will be shown at the school on Monday, June 4.

The video was so inspiring, that Fitzsimmons said she is leading a second collection effort. In a letter home, Miranda also said that on one day there were an estimated 500 adults and children crowding the neighborhood, playing soccer with the donated goods.

Fitzsimmons said the children have worked on other community projects but rarely see such vivid results of their work.

In the past, the kids made and sent pies to the homeless shelter in Morristown. This year, children also collected gifts for chronically ill children at Morristown Memorial Hospital. Last year, the children and the HSA raised more than $3,000 to buy materials for a school in Louisiana devastated by Hurricane Katrina.

“It’s wonderful for the children to see where their donations went,” said Fitzsimmons who lives on Coventry Road.

Miranda’s base at Rushi Mullah has been in an area of fierce fighting with insurgents in recent weeks. It is about a mile from the area where three American soldiers were abducted earlier in the month, prompting a massive search by U.S. forces. The body of one of the abducted soldiers is believed that of a man found dead last week.

Mrs. Miranda said she spoke on the telephone with her son on Saturday, his 24th birthday. She said the weather was 115 degrees in the daytime and that soldiers are continuing the search for their missing comrades.

“He said they’re still searching,” Mrs. Miranda said. “He’s not really sure where this is going.”

Miranda is assigned as a fire support officer with the 10th Mountain Division, 431 B Company. He was supposed to return home in August but now expects he won’t leave Iraq until November.

A 2004 graduate of Duke University, Miranda is an Army Ranger and arrived in Iraq last August.

Equipment for the latest soccer drive can be dropped off in the lobby of Hilltop School from June 4 -15.

Charity soccer match will aid care centre

AN annual charity football tournament will this year be scoring pounds for a cancer day care charity.
Colin Watson, 24, his dad Mick and friend Robert Scott have organised the charity match on June 24 to raise funds for the Lakelands Day Care Centre in Corby.

This is the third year the tournament has been put on in memory of Colin’s grandad Alex Ogilvie, who died in 2005 from cancer.

Mr Watson, of Bulwell Green, Corby, who works at Neat Ideas, said: “Each year we have donated the proceeds to a cancer charity and so this year decided we would raise money for the Lakelands.

“In the past we have managed to collect about £500, so it would be great to raise even more this year.”

About 12 teams made up of friends and family will be taking part in the event, which will be held at the Stewarts and Lloyds football ground in Occupation Road, Corby.

Lakelands fundraiser Kevin Costello said: “We are delighted they have decided to think of us and we think it’s a great way to raise money.”