Becks: We´ll cool it
David Beckham last night admitted England players will curtail their goal celebrations to avoid being kicked out of the Euro 2004 finals. Following invasions by the crowd during England´s qualifier against Turkey at Sunderland in March, UEFA fined the FA £75,000. UEFA also made it clear that future trouble could cost England a place in Portugal next year if they qualify. They cited the manner in which England´s players celebrated the goals scored by Beckham and Darius Vassell as contributing to the pitch invasions. Beckham revealed that, following a meeting of senior England players, they were taking the UEFA threat very seriously.
Rob Shepherd, Daily Express
Let´s get real, I need a break says Beckham
David Beckham made it clear he did not want to answer any questions about whether his future is in Manchester or Madrid on his arrival in South Africa yesterday. Instead he preferred to discuss his plans for a much-needed summer of rest and relaxation. Beckham is suspended for the match that really matters - next month´s Euro 2004 qualifier against Slovakia - and the cynical view is that the England skipper has flown to Durban merely to expand the Beckham brand. But he insisted that, after leading the party to meet Nelson Mandela today, hea dn Englnad will be playing in a match which will kickstart South Africa´s campaign to host the 2010 World Cup. Beckham will then be off on his holidays before returning to duty in July - and although he did not actually specify with which club, there was nothing to suggest he intends to be anywhere else but with Manchester United.
Rob Shepherd, Daily Express
Rio´s Russian about when he needs rest
While Sir Alex Ferguson and other Premiership bosses raise concerns about the amount of matches and travelling their star players endure, Rio Ferdinand has added to his hectic schedule with a bizarre trip to Moscow. Ferdinand went to the Russian capital for what he described as a " private visit", returning the night before England´s journey to South Africa. He was the guest of wealthy Russian tycoon German Tkachenko, who owns the Krylya Sovetov football club.
Richard Tanner, Daily Express
Fears for missing Fortune
Manchester United last night offered their help to " very worried" South African officials trying to trace midfielder Quinton Fortune, who failed to arrive for training with the national squad. United spokesman Paddy Harverson said: " We´ve no idea where Quinton is but we will try to track him down." Fortune has not been heard from for two days.
Rob Shepherd, Daily Express
Big Brother is moving in
The way things are going, Manchester United should consider offering Mohammed Said Al Sahaf - better known as Comical Ali - a job as their director of communications. The former Iraqi minister of ( dis)information would fit the bill perfectly as United seek to lead the way in selling football to satisfy the demands of the marketing men. On initial inspection, a bitter ongoing dispute between leading sporting bodies, most notably the Premier League, and the Newspaper Publishers Association, would seem of little relevance to the public. The row revolves around football clubs´ growing obsession with their own image rights and the income they can generate. They want to sell pictures of their players to publications. United are seeking to take the first steps on their pre-season tour to the USA by offering photos to papers and magazines from their own official snapper. It would be the first step towards Big Brother-style thought police. The next stage would be to ban ´unoffical´ photographers from Premiership grounds. That would mean you would only get to see pictures the club wanted you to see, none of which would be deemed to spoil the image of the club or their players and upset the sponsors.
Rob Shepherd, Daily Express
Becks fears Euro axe
David Beckham touched down in South Africa and pleaded with England fans: " Don´t get us kicked out of Euro 2004." The anxious England skipper fears further crowd trouble will spell the end of his European Championship dream. And he insisted the players have a huge responsibility not to spark further pitch invasions with wild goal celebrations. Becks said: " One or two things tipped over against Turkey and we all have to try to do something about it. We all know what went on with the crowd trouble at Sunderland and if it happens again, we´ll be thrown out. That is something nobody wants." Beckham´s penalty in the 2-0 win against the Turks last month led to hundreds of fans running on to the pitch at the Stadium of Light.
Mark Irwin, The Sun
Angry Kew snubs Man U
Harry Kewell is ready to reject a £7million move to Manchester United because he believes he will only be a bit-part player at Old Trafford. The Leeds striker is also angry talks have been conducted behind his back. Kewell, 24, is now considering digging in his heels and seeing out the remaining 12 months of his Elland Road contract before leaving for Italy or Spain for nothing under the Bosman ruling. A friend said: " Harry is not happy with the way this has been handled. He finds it odd people would assume just because it´s Manchester United, he´ll jump at the offer. He´s in the mood to dig in and stay at Leeds for the time being."
Charlie Wyett, The Sun
I´d fly the flag for London
David Beckham said last night that he would be honoured to be an ambassador for his country in London´s bid for the 2012 Olympic Games. England´s football captain, made aware of the speculation that he could be invited to be a flag bearer, said: " It would be a great honour, but I´ve not had time to think about it yet. With Madrid already confirming that Real Madrid will be behind their bid - star local striker Raul will be one of their ambassadors - and with Zinedine Zidane already earmarked by Paris for theirs, Beckham would turn the race into a PR bonanza.
Steve Curry, Daily Mail
Globetrotter Beckham is the king of spin
David Beckham has reached the stage where he can even control the tone of an England press conference. The first question here last inght had been arranged in advance and gave Beckham the chance to explain why he is embarking on a summer that will take him to three continents. He was keen to point out that he will spend more of his holiday resting than working, even when he plans to roam the world in the next two months. But the manner in which he put his side of the story was a measure of just how skilled a communicator he has become.
Matt Lawton, Daily Mail
Berkovic was tempted to copy kung-fu Cantona
Manchester City midfielder Eyal Berkovic last night spoke of the moment that racist abuse almost made him mirror Manchester United legend Eric Cantona by jumping into the crows kung-fu style to confront a supporter. The Israeli was incensed by an anti-Jewish remark from a female fan during a game against Crewe at Maine Road at the end of last year. He was reprimanded for making a ´cut-throat´ gesture at the woman but has now revealed his response was a split second away from being a lot worse.
Ian Ladyman, Daily Mail
