Today's other stories in brief
Beckham on attack
David Beckham shocked and impressed watching team-mates by giving the Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon a fierce dressing-down during a crisis meeting at the club's Valdebebas HQ, writes Sid Lowe in Madrid.
The former England captain, who is furious at Madrid's petulant reaction to his impending move to LA Galaxy, called the president a "liar". He also told him in no uncertain terms - and in Spanish - that he had acted with "a total lack of respect".
Calderon had requested a clear-the-air meeting with Madrid's three captains, Raul, Guti and Roberto Carlos, after he was secretly recorded making disparaging remarks about various squad members. During a conference at a Madrid university, he had said Real's dressing room was a den of "vanity and egos"
Addressing Calderon and Mijatovic, Beckham angrily said they had "told lies". Then, in English, he said: "You have let me down. You said we had a house already but that's not true. My family wanted to stay here. My team-mates will always have my respect but you never will now."
Beckham's outburst is said to have also impressed the coach Fabio Capello, who saw passion in a player he had written off as no longer caring. Capello, who did not speak, later described the meeting as "good and necessary" and hinted at a more flexible stance over Beckham's playing position for the rest of the season. Beckham's team-mates, meanwhile, were dumped out of the King's Cup last night by Primera Liga strugglers Real Betis on the away goals rule after a 1-1 draw at the Bernabeu.
Guardian Service
Lauren moves
Portsmouth have completed the signing of Arsenal full back Lauren on a two-and-a-half year deal. The Cameroon international, who is 30 today, has joined for an undisclosed fee, ending his six-and-a-half-year stay with the Gunners.
Manager Harry Redknapp told Portsmouth's official website, www.pompeyfc.co.uk: "Lauren is an outstanding player. He is a great athlete and professional, very strong and quick, too."
Warnock may go
Liverpool are considering selling Stephen Warnock to Blackburn for about £1.5 million as they seek funds to spend on new signings during the transfer window, with the club's takeover by Dubai International Capital not due to be completed until early next month. Warnock, a product of the club's academy, was earmarked to be used in a swap deal for Rovers' Lucas Neill only for the Australian to reject a move to Anfield after being offered a higher salary by West Ham United. Yet Blackburn would only sanction Neill's departure if they could secure an immediate replacement, so they kept talking to Liverpool about Warnock, who is expected to have a medical today.
Expensive feet
Southampton manager George Burley has reiterated his determination to keep hold of Gareth Bale (17) by claiming Manchester United's reported £8million bid would only be enough to buy one of the teenage defender's feet. Bale has been the subject of frenzied speculation since the January transfer window opened after bursting to prominence this season with a string of superb performances and some spectacular free-kicks.
McLeish favourite
While Alex McLeish is the favourite to replace Walter Smith as Scotland manager Gary McAllister will also talk with the Scottish Football Association today. The former Coventry manager's chances of at least being offered a place on the national team's staff have increased with yesterday's resignation of Tommy Burns who has severed all ties with the SFA to concentrate on being a first-team coach and head of youth development at Celtic. McLeish may take over as early as next week and would look to take his long-time assistant, Andy Watson, into the national set-up.
In brief . . .
Aston Villa have had an improved offer for Ashley Young accepted by Watford and now hope to persuade the England Under-21 forward to move to Villa Park . . . Wolves have rejected a takeover bid from the consortium headed by Graeme Souness . . . West Ham have completed the signing of Calum Davenport from Tottenham to bolster their defence in the bid for Premiership survival but have had a £4 million bid for Birmingham's central defender Matthew Upson rejected . . . Watford boss Adrian Boothroyd has taken former Inter Milan and Bolton player Khalilou Fadiga on trial . . . Sheffield United boss Neil Warnock hopes to sign Egypt midfielder Ahmed Fathi within the next 24 hours.
