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	New England suspended Clint Dempsey for two weeks, reportedly for an altercation with teammate Joe Franchino. Damian Strohmeyer/SI

Forward/midfielder Clint Dempsey has been suspended two weeks for ''conduct detrimental to the team," the Revolution announced last night. Dempsey was involved in a fight with Revolution captain Joe Franchino during the team's final practice yesterday. Dempsey's status for the trip and for the U.S. national team match against Germany in Dortmund March 22 is uncertain, but he will return for the Revolution MLS season opener April 1 in Los Angeles. -- Boston Globe

U.S. national team forward Brian McBride signed a one-year contract to stay at Fulham next season. McBride has scored 10 goals this season and 24 in 50 games for the London club. -- Newark Star-Ledger

D.C. United forward Alecko Eskandarian had hernia surgery last week but is expected to be ready for the April 2 season opener against Red Bull New York. -- Newark Star-Ledger

Michael Ballack's agent yesterday gave the green light for a summer move to Chelsea after Jose Mourinho's confirmation of interest in the Germany midfielder. Ballack's deal with Bayern Munich expires in May. Chelsea, who has been pursuing him discreetly, will have to stave off interest from Manchester United, Real Madrid and Barcelona and several Italian clubs but the Premiership champions are the undoubted favorites to sign him. -- The Guardian

Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood insists reports linking the Gunners to England captain David Beckham are "absolute nonsense." Arsenal were strongly linked with a bid for the England captain over the weekend, but Hill-Wood claimed it would go against Arsene Wenger's recruitment policy to sign such an established name. -- The Guardian

The agent of Barcelona defender Rafa Marquez is in Spain to begin negotiations over a new contract for the Mexican. Reports in Spain suggest Chelsea are sniffing around and would be capable of offering the player a more attractive contract. The former Monaco star has enjoyed a fine season at the Camp Nou, and with his current deal expiring in 2007 talks over a fresh deal for the player are set to begin. -- Goal.com

Real Madrid has confirmed an interest in signing Cesc Fábregas but the young midfielder is determined to repay his manager Arsène Wenger for showing faith in him. -- The Guardian

Milan boss Carlo Ancelotti has been linked with the Real Madrid coaching job as summer elections loom for the Spanish giants, while Frank Rijkaard defends his under-fire goalkeeper Victor Valdes and there are contract extensions all round in La Liga including Valencia's David VIlla. -- eurosport.com

FC Thun goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic has completed a move to Lokomotiv Moscow after the Russian club agreed undisclosed terms with both Thun and fellow Swiss side Grasshoppers Zurich. The 21-year-old keeper, who recently received his first call-up to the Swiss national squad, has been on loan from Grasshoppers this season and played a key role in Thun's surprise qualification for the Champions League. -- eurosport.com

Striker Ruud van Nistelrooy will be offered a new contract after a dramatic U-turn by Manchester United. The Dutch striker will be given a £10,000-a-week pay rise this summer despite being replaced by Louis Saha in the team. Van Nistelrooy will be told to sign the deal -- and if he refuses, he will be sold. -- The Mirror

Arsenal pair Sol Campbell and Robin van Persie are set to return from injury in a specially arranged friendly on Tuesday. Both players have been out of action since the Gunners' 3-2 defeat to West Ham on February 1. Campbell has been out with an ankle injury, while Van Persie suffered a recurrence of a toe problem. -- Goal.com

Harry Redknapp was just seconds from the sack before Pedro Mendes' injury-time winner saved his job as Portsmouth manager. Pompey's Russian millionaire co-owner Sacha Gaydamak and chairman Milan Mandaric held secret talks on the eve of their clash with Manchester City and were set to axe him if they did not win. -- The Mirror

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