Ruud boy
Ruud van Nistelrooy is facing a £20,000 fine and a BAN after being charged with insulting referee Anders Frisk. The Dutch striker labelled Frisk a “homer” following Wednesday’s Euro 2004 semi-final defeat to Portugal. UEFA’s top brass acted after Swedish official Frisk claimed in his match report Manchester United hitman Van Nistelrooy told him: “You were a home referee and whistled everything to the advantage of Portugal.”
Mark Irwin, The Sun
United in Ron rumble
Manchester United are set for a bust-up with the Portuguese over teenage sensation Cristiano Ronaldo. Portugal want Ronaldo to play in the Olympic Games next month which would mean him missing the start of the season. The football tournament kicks off on August 11 and runs until the 29th. During that time United face a two-leg pre-qualifier for the Champions League and a massive Premiership opener against Chelsea. Ronaldo could be away for three weeks and United are ready to go to war over his release. However, FIFA will have the final say and, if Portugal insist on Ronaldo’s selection, manager Alex Ferguson will have no choice but to let him go.
Shaun Custis, The Sun
Veron raps flop Becks
David Beckham has been blasted by the biggest flop in English football - Juan Veron. Things have got so bad for the England skipper that even Argie misfit Veron reckons he is entitled to have a pop. Veron spent two disappointing seasons alongside Beckham at Manchester United before both were sold last summer. Becks, 29, struggled at Real Madrid, while Veron suffered a disastrous season at Chelsea and has now been loaned to Inter Milan for a year’s rehab. But the midfielder still laid into Becks for his torrid year in Spain and poor shows at Euro 2004. Veron said: “When I was his team-mate at United he was the leader of the gang, the guy who took responsibility for everything happening. He didn’t appear to be the same player at Euro 2004. He has less desire these days."
Ben Kinsella, The Sun
si on se voler ronaldo pour les jo je declare la guerre à la fédé portugaise.