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UK: England, South Africa deny Beckham deal

LONDON (AP) -- England did not strike a deal with South Africa to ensure that David Beckham played in Thursday's highly publicized friendly in Durban, the South African and English Football Associations said on Sunday.

A report in the Mail on Sunday said that the FA had promised the South African FA that England captain Beckham would take part in the game which the South Africans were using to promote their bid to stage the 2010 World Cup.

"Such an England team had to include David Beckham and that was a stipulation in the deals," Danny Jordaan, chief executive of the South African FA, was quoted as saying.

England won the game 2-1 and Beckham left the field early in the second half with a broken bone in his wrist after falling in a challenge. But reports said the fact that he played at all served to help the South African bid and that the two FA's had made an agreement.

Responding to the report, both Jordaan and the English FA rejected the suggestion that Beckham's appearance was part of a deal.

"It is internationally understood that the agreement or contract between two national associations covers issues involving the two national teams, the date of the match, the venue of the match, accommodation and traveling arrangements but never do we include a reference to an individual player," Jordaan told Sky Sports News.

"As we do with every match involving two national associations we have signed an agreement and the only reference, which is the norm, was that both sides should field their best players available at that time. There was no deal over David Beckham.

"I don't know they've got the information from," Jordaan said. "There is no agreement between us and Beckham, there was never payment directed to Beckham. It is unfair to both the player and both national associations to present a picture which does not exist.

"I am unhappy because it is very unfair to all of us."

Adrian Bevington, spokesman for the English FA, also dismissed the report.

"The FA is extremely distressed by today's allegations," he said. "There has been no 'secret payment' for David Beckham's or any other player's appearance in South Africa.

"The FA would never name individual players in specific match contracts and it did not do so on this occasion," Bevington said.

"The FA, together with Danny Jordaan and SAFA, now intend to investigate the origin and portrayal of this wholly inaccurate and damaging story."

Wolves, Sheffiled Utd clash for premier League prize

CARDIFF, Wales (AP) -- Either hard-up Sheffield United or moneybags Wolves will be in the Premier League next season.

Two of soccer's recent underachievers meet at the Millennium Stadium on Monday in a division one playoff to decide who gets promoted to the top flight along with Portsmouth and Leicester City.

It's not difficult to see who would have a better chance of survival in the Premier League.

While Neil Warnock's Blades have been more impressive this season by finishing third in the standings and reaching the semifinal of both the FA Cup and League Cup, Wolves have the cash to spend on new players if they advance to the top flight and face up to the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool.

While Sheffield United is run on a shoestring budget, Wolves president Jack Hayward -- a tax exile in the Bahamas -- has spent 60 million pounds (US$96 million) of his fortune on the club.

Warnock has recruited players who, with a couple of exceptions, may struggle in the Premier League while Wolves have the likes of former Manchester United stars Paul Ince and Denis Irwin on the lineup and were able to spend 3 million pounds (US$4.8 million) on Scottish international striker Kenny Miller.

Sheffield United will be able to field young stars Michael Brown and Michael Tonge but also has the experience of Zimbabwe international winger Peter Ndlovu and much-traveled Canadian striker Paul Peschisolido.

The Blades manager admitted that the demise of ITV Digital, which financed division one games through TV coverage before it went broke, actually helped his team do so well.

Because of the loss of millions in TV revenue, even some of the wealthier clubs -- like Wolves -- were prevented from making big purchases which meant the Blades weren't left behind.

"The ITV Digital fiasco has been a big plus for me," he said. "The big hitters were unable to splash as much money around, so it made it better for me to compete.

"If ITV had not gone bust then we would not be in the position we're in now. I know we could not have done any better. Others would have done better, without a shadow of a doubt, so I find it ironic we have been helped by their demise. Most definitely."

While Sheffield United bids to return to the top flight for the first time since 1994, Wolves has been out of the big time since '84.

The team from central England was one of England's biggest clubs back in the 1950s when it won three league titles. Wolves also reached the UEFA Cup final in 1972 only to lose to Tottenham.

Sheffield United has just one championship triumph and that was back in 1898 although it matches Wolves with four FA Cup victories.

In other playoffs, Andy Campbell came off the bench to fire an extra time winner for Cardiff City in a 1-0 victory over Queens Park Rangers at the Millennium stadium.

Cardiff joins already promoted Wigan Athletic and Crewe Alexandra in division one having spent the last 18 seasons in the lower divisions.

Bournemouth beat Lincoln City 5-2 on Saturday to join Rushden and Diamonds, Hartlepool and Wrexham in division two.

 

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