Beckham misses Superliga defeat

Beckham watches from the sidelines as Galaxy slump
David Beckham missed Los Angeles Galaxy's 2-1 defeat to Mexican side Chivas de Guadalajara but took his place on the bench at the LA Coliseum.
The 32-year-old failed to recover from the ankle injury he picked up playing for England in the European Championship qualifiers on 6 June.

Beckham has only managed 12 minutes play since his high-profile move to the Galaxy, in a friendly against Chelsea.


He is expected to make his Major League Soccer debut at Toronto on 5 August.

Second-half goals from Francisco Rodriguez and Omar Bravo gave Chivas victory, with Landon Donovan grabbing a late consolation for the Galaxy.

Beckham was a surprise inclusion in the Los Angeles squad, having been categorically ruled out by coach Frank Yallop on Friday.

He had failed to train all week and missed last Tuesday's SuperLiga opening victory against CF Pachuca.

Yallop will make a decision on Monday about whether Beckham will travel with the squad to Dallas for Tuesday's must-win final group game in the cross-border competition.

"We were real happy he wanted to be a part of the team and on the bench. He was excited and animated and he wants this team to win," said Galaxy general manager Alexi Lalas.

"He's frustrated. He wants to play and to a certain extent he feels he's letting people down.

"But this is a long-term process. He's going to be with us for a long time and we need to get him 100% healthy."



source:http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/6920098.stm

Read More......

Beckham makes brief Galaxy debut

Beckham was up against some familiar faces in the Chelsea side
David Beckham finally made his debut for Los Angeles Galaxy when he came on as a substitute for the last 12 minutes of his club's 1-0 defeat by Chelsea.
England midfielder Beckham, 32, who has been struggling with an ankle injury, got a good reception from the capacity 27,000 crowd at the Home Depot Center.

But he was unable to turn the tide in favour of the United States team after John Terry scored in the 49th minute.


The match was part of Chelsea's pre-season tour of the United States.

Beckham's debut in pictures

Asked to describe his feelings after making his debut for the Major League Soccer team, Beckham said: "It was very emotional - I think just proud of the way people reacted to me today personally.

"I think to have a full stadium like we did today is credit to the supporters and credit to the people in LA that have supported the MLS for many years, and with a full stadium tonight it has been amazing.

"The reaction to me when I just either take my top off or kick the ball has been incredible but it makes me feel a little bit embarrassed at times when I get that sort of reaction.

"But it's incredible and I have to thank the people and the fans for coming out to watch the game tonight."

Beckham made a few deft touches in his brief time on the pitch and managed to withstand a heavy challenge from Chelsea new boy Steve Sidwell.

"I'm not fit and I haven't trained since I have been out here," added Beckham. "The ankle is swollen and we'll see how it is tomorrow.

"I sprained it in the England game and I played four days after I pulled the ligaments.

"Then I had the last game of the Spanish season a week after and I had three injections to numb it and I played in that game without any feeling in my foot.

Neither the League nor the Galaxy is putting pressure on David to play - that is absolutely not happening

MLS commissioner Don Garber

"There are always going to be problems after that but that's what I wanted to do, to play in that game.

"It has been five weeks since that game and this sort of injury usually takes six or seven weeks to heal.

"It's a lot better, it's making progress - it's not a serious injury."

MLS commissioner Don Garber insisted that the decision for Beckham to play was Beckham's alone.

Garber told BBC Five Live Sport: "It was up to David and he felt he was fit enough to come in. Neither the League nor the Galaxy is putting pressure on David to play - that is absolutely not happening."

Among those in the crowd were Beckham's wife, Victoria, Californian Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, and actors Katie Holmes, Eva Longoria, Jennifer Love Hewitt, John Hurt and Ray Winstone.

Chelsea captain Terry scored the only goal just after the break, firing in a powerful shot after being lined up by Joe Cole.

"LA played the game with a lot of passion, I think maybe they waited to show David Beckham they have a team," said Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho.

"They were highly motivated and they gave us a hard game. I think this is the correct attitude to play football.

"If they continue doing this, they will get results and they will improve."


source:http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/6910451.stm

Read More......

League warns West Ham over Tevez

Tevez has his heart set on a move to Manchester United
The Premier League has warned West Ham they risk more disciplinary action over the Carlos Tevez saga if they do not receive a transfer fee for the striker.
BBC sports editor Mihir Bose reports that West Ham face action if they do not "assert their rights" over Tevez.

Tevez wants to join Manchester United but the deal has reached an impasse.

Businessman Kia Joorabchian insists he owns the 22-year-old's economic rights but the Premier League says West Ham must receive any transfer fee.


The confusion was created last season when West Ham failed to inform the Premier League they had entered into an agreement with Joorabchian's company when they signed Tevez and fellow Argentine Javier Mascherano.

The Hammers were fined £5.5m and warned that Tevez would be unable to play for them while the third-party agreement was still in place.

I suspect what will happen is that Tevez will tell Fifa that he doesn't want to go back to West Ham

BBC sports editor Mihir Bose

West Ham immediately ripped it up - but Joorabchian claims he did not agree to that.

However, the Premier League is now insisting that Tevez's transfer must only involve West Ham and Manchester United.

Bose said: "The Premier League says it is only asserting its rule book.

"West Ham said the third-party agreement was torn up therefore they have the right to the player, they decide where the player goes and what the money involved is.

"I understand a deal was agreed with Manchester United several weeks ago.

"The terms are he will go on a two-year loan and that a loan fee will be paid to Joorabchian's company of about £10m.

"The player himself will get about £4.5m a year and Manchester United could buy the player but would probably have to pay another £30m."

He added: "I suspect what will happen is that Tevez will tell Fifa that he doesn't want to go back to West Ham and the world governing body will have to resolve whether a player can be forced to stay at a club."

It is understood Tevez's camp believe the Premier League can no longer act as independent arbiter in the case.

The Argentine has already written to the League and West Ham to ask them to terminate his Hammers contract - a request refused by both parties.

Fifa says it may be prepared to step in - but the matter would first have to go through the Football Association, which oversees domestic transfers.

A spokesman said: "Fifa considers the Tevez situation to be a domestic matter and therefore of the competence of the FA.

"If Fifa was to receive a formal request from any of the parties involved, it would look at the matter.

"However, the possibility exists that we would still determine that it is the FA who is competent to decide on the case."

SOURCE:http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/6290492.stm

Read More......