UK roundup

Vandals splash red paint on luxury cars of Man Utd director

MANCHESTER, England (AP) -- Vandals splashed red paint on two luxury cars owned by influential Manchester United shareholder Maurice Watkins.

Police would not confirm news reports that the vandalism was linked to a possible takeover bid for the club by American businessman Malcolm Glazer.

The incident took place late Monday, just hours after the Manchester United board said it had received a "preliminary approach" to buy out the club.

Although the club did not identify the bidder, is was widely reported to be Tampa Bay Buccaneers owner Malcolm Glazer.

Watkins, 61, the club's lawyer and a member of the board of directors, declined comment about the incident at his home southeast of downtown Manchester. His house was also doused with red paint.

Manchester police Tuesday refused to link the attack to the takeover bid, but the Manchester Evening News said the vandalism was believed to be "part of a concerted campaign" to keep Glazer from taking control of the club.

Fans groups Monday expressed overwhelming opposition to any takeover. Five years ago, fans helped block Rupert Murdoch's British Sky Broadcasting from buying the club.

Watkins is Manchester United's largest individual shareholder, with a 1.9 percent stake valued at 13 million pounds (US$23.1 million; euro18.9 million). Earlier this year he sold 1 million shares, which were purchased by Glazer.

Glazer's company owns a 19.2 percent share in the club, the second largest stake behind Irish racehorse owners J.P. McManus and John Magnier. Their company, Cubic Expression, owns about 29 percent.

Glazer would have to buy the Irishmen's shares to gain control of the club. Any shareholder with a stake of 30 percent or more is required to make a formal takeover bid.

Manchester United condemned the vandalism.

"The behavior of a few individuals does nothing to enhance the reputation of the club they claim to support," a club statement said.

In a related matter, a spokesman for Shareholders United said the Man U fan association had received support for its opposition to Glazer's takeover bid.

"Fans from all over the world have made contact with us, especially in the United States where they almost seem to feel a sense of responsibility because it's Malcolm Glazer," spokesman Duncan Drasdo said.

Arsenal boss close to new deal

LONDON (AP) -- Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said Tuesday it's only a "question of days" before he signs a new contract extension.

Wenger's current deal expires at the end of this season. Since coming to Highbury in 1996, the Frenchman has led Arsenal to three FA Cups and three Premier League titles. The Gunners are unbeaten in their last 48 league games.

Wenger said his new contract should keep him with Arsenal through at least 2008. The club will begin playing in a new 60,000-seat stadium in 2006.

Arsenal announced Tuesday a new sponsorship deal with Dubai-based airline Emirates that includes naming rights to the new stadium and a shirt sponsorship deal. The deal lasts through the 2020-2021 season.

"I'm conscious that to keep you (Emirates) happy we must play well on the field," Wenger said. "I'm not so sure I'll see it to the end of the deal, but I'll try my best."

Emirates to sponsor Arsenal in 100-million-pound deal

LONDON (AP) -- Arsenal's new home ground will be called Emirates Stadium in a record sponsorship deal worth more than 100 million pounds (US$178 million; euro145 million).

Emirates, the Dubai-based airline, was awarded naming rights Tuesday to the new 60,000-seat, 357-million-pound (US$636 million; euro518 million) venue in north London.

The stadium, under construction in Ashburton Grove near the club's current Highbury home, is scheduled to open in August 2006. Arsenal have played at Highbury since 1913.

The 15-year deal with Emirates, which runs through the 2020-21 season, represents the richest club sponsorship contract in English soccer history, Arsenal said.

Emirates will also become the club's title sponsor, with team shirts bearing the "Fly Emirates" logo, in an eight-year deal starting with the 2006-7 season.

"The combined value of both elements of the sponsorship is by far the biggest deal ever undertaken in English football," the club said in a statement.

Emirates is the current shirt sponsor of Arsenal's London rival Chelsea, but that deal expires at the end of the current season.

"There is a certain sense of sadness in leaving Chelsea," Emirates vice chairman and group president Maurice Flanagan said. "But we get great compensation going to Arsenal."

The Arsenal contract was signed at Highbury by club chairman Peter Hill-Wood and Flanagan.

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to sponsor such a major new stadium and club, and represents a win-win partnership for both Emirates and Arsenal," Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, chairman of Emirates, said.

Arsenal is the defending Premier League champion and currently holds a two-point lead over Chelsea. The Gunners are unbeaten in their last 48 league matches.

Arsenal said it remains committed to its existing contact with phone company 02, which will continue as official club and shirt sponsor until the end of the 2005-6 season.

Tottenham reports million-pound deficit

LONDON (AP) -- Tottenham posted an operating deficit of 1.189 million pounds (US$2.12 million; euro1.72 million) for the year ending June 30, 2004, the Premier League club said Tuesday.

Profit before player trading exceeded 9.7 million pounds (US$17.3 million; euro14.1 million), but the signings of Bobby Zamora, Frederic Kanoute, Jermain Defoe, Michael Brown and Paul Robinson resulted in the overall loss.

The club's turnover was 66.3 million pounds (US$118.2 million; euro96.3 million), down 200,000 pounds (US$356,000; euro290,000) from the previous year, the club said in a statement to the London Stock Exchange.

A 15-million-pound (US$26.7 million; euro21.8 million) share issue boosted the club's net assets by 11 million pounds (US$19.6 million; euro15.98 million) to 42.264 million pounds (US$75.4 million; euro61.4 million) and helped fund the club's transfer dealings.

Spurs chairman David Levy said the club spent 37.5 million pounds (US$66.8 million; euro54.4 million) on transfer fees for new players since July 1, 2003.

Levy acknowledged the level of spending was "clearly unsustainable" but said the club had made significant improvements, with 17 players leaving and 21 new players arriving.

Gone are Gary Doherty, Helder Postiga, Milenko Acimovic, Darren Anderton, Stephen Carr, Gus Poyet, Christian Ziege and Lars Hirschfeld.

Those who have moved to White Hart Lane are Pedro Mendes, Sean Davis, Paul Robinson, Marton Fulop, Thimothee Atouba, Rodrigo Defendi, Erik Edman, Noureddine Naybet, Edson Silva Sousa, Michael Carrick, Noe Pamarot, Reto Ziegler, Calum Davenport, Leigh Mills and Spase Dilevski.

"Our collective challenge remains to convert these changes into improved performance in both the Premiership and the cup competitions," Levy said.

Rooney's fiance stopped by airport customs

MANCHESTER, England (AP) -- Manchester United star Wayne Rooney's fiance was stopped by customs officials at Manchester Airport on Tuesday after returning from a shopping trip to New York.

Officials detained 18-year-old Coleen McLoughlin for two hours but did not arrest her or anyone in her party.

"We stopped 14 people that had arrived on a flight from New York to Manchester," a Customs and Excise spokesman said on customary condition of anonymity. "A number of them were stopped in relation to underpaid duty and an appropriate financial penalty was applied."

Passengers are allowed to carry up to 145 pounds (US$256; euro210) worth of miscellanous goods into the airport without declaring them.

McLoughlin had traveled to New York on a shopping trip reportedly funded by Rooney. Newspaper reports said he gave her 10,000 pounds (US$17,800; euro14,500) for the trip after recently signing a multi-million-pound (dollar) contract with Man Utd.

Rooney, 18, made a spectacular debut for Manchester United last week, scoring three goals in a 6-2 Champions League win over Fenerbahce.

Santiago Bernabeu to host Spain vs. England

MADRID, Spain (AP) -- The Santiago Bernabeu Stadium will provide the venue for Spain's friendly game with England next month, the Spanish soccer federation said Tuesday.

It will be the first time Real Madrid's venue has been used for an international match since Spain met Israel in a World Cup qualifier four years ago.

The game at the 80,000 capacity stadium on Nov. 17 will raise funds for the Spanish Soccer Players Association.

Gascoigne leaves Boston

LONDON (Reuters) -- Former England midfielder Paul Gascoigne has resigned as player-coach of fourth division Boston United.

Gascoigne, who only joined Boston in July, told British newspapers on Wednesday that he would now attend a coaching course with a view to becoming a manager.

"I want to be a top coach," said the 37-year-old. "I will be talking to top coaches and learning a lot more about my (coaching) badge and management.

"I've left Boston on professional terms and shaken hands with the manager and chairman. It's one of the hardest decisions I've had to make."

Hughes gets call-up for Scotland

DUMBARTON, Scotland (Reuters) -- Scotland have added Portsmouth midfielder Richard Hughes to their squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Norway and Moldova.

Tuesday's move comes a day after coach Berti Vogts said three unspecified players faced fitness tests later this week as Scotland battle with absentees.

Vogts, whose struggling side are at home to Norway on Saturday and away to Moldova the following Wednesday in Group Five, is already missing four players. A fifth, defender Steven Pressley, is struggling to shake off a virus.

Italy lead the group on six points and Slovenia are second on four. Belarus, Scotland and Norway have one point, though the Norwegians have played a game more, while Moldova are bottom after two defeats.

Reds goalie Kirkland still has boss' blessing

LIVERPOOL, England (AP) -- Despite losing 1-0 to Chelsea in his first start of the season, Liverpool goalie Chris Kirkland still has Rafa Benitez's blessing.

The Liverpool coach says Kirkland will get at least four more games to prove himself as the Anfield side's top goalie. Kirkland started in place of Jerzy Dudek on Sunday and yielded a goal to Joe Cole.

"It was a big game to come back, but I felt good out there," Kirkland said. "From my point of view, I obviously want to be in the side for good not just five games. That's up to me."

The former Coventry goalie came to Liverpool three years ago with high expectations but has been plagued by injuries.

Bolton's Okocha to miss qualifier

BOLTON, England (AP) -- Jay-Jay Okocha will miss Nigeria's World Cup qualifier Saturday against Gabon after aggravating a groin injury last weekend in a 2-1 loss to West Brom.

Okocha says he wanted to sit out, but Bolton manager Sam Allardyce used him anyway.

"I was not keen to feature against West Brom as I did not feel fit enough for the game," Okocha said. "The manager asked that I play and, unfortunately, I ended up worsening the injury."

Okocha may recover in time for the Premier League game against Crystal Palace on Oct. 16.

Keegan wants Dunne to sign extension

MANCHESTER, England (AP) -- Manchester City manager Kevin Keegan wants defender Richard Dunne to sign a contract extension by January.

"He has reinvented himself from what he was 12 months ago," Keegan said. "He is on course for a new deal."

Dunne fell out of Keegan's favor less than two years ago when he reportedly went to a practice smelling of alcohol. Keegan dismissed him from that session and wanted to get rid of the Irish international.

However, the Professional Footballers' Association stepped in and got Dunne a reprieve. Dunne has impressed Keegan this season with his play against the likes of Thierry Henry and Djibril Cisse.

"He seems to have gotten his life back together," Keegan said. "He has received help from other people but the biggest help has been from himself."

Dunne went to Man City from Everton in 2000 in a 300,000-pound (US$535,500, euro435,000) transfer.

Both the Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.