N-Dubz's Tulisa shows off her football skills as she wins charity football tournament

By Mail Online Showbiz Reporter

Champion: Tulisa Contostavlos celebrates after her N-Dubz team wins the female round of the Soccer Six tournament at The Valley in south east London


As the sole female member of urban trio N-Dubz, Tulisa Contostavlos usually provides the glamour.

But yesterday the 21-year-old Londoner showed she wasn't afraid to dress down as she showed off her football skills at a charity soccer match.

Contostavlos was captain of the the winning female team, which included former Mis-teeq singer Su-Elise Nash, Hollyoaks actress Sasha Emmanuel and TV presenter Liv Boeree.


Proud: Contostavlos holds her Soccer Six cup


The team were among dozens of celebrities who gathered at Charlton Athletic's home ground The Valley to play at the annual Soccer Six charity tournament, which raises money for the Samaritans.

Writing on her Twitter page after the game, the pop star enthused: 'Yeeeeeeessss N-Dubz gals team won Soccer Six.

'As team captain I'm taking home the trophy. Told you we will defeat you.'

The N-Dubz team defeated two other female teams, which included X Factor third place Stacey Solomon, The Cheeky Girls and Bianca Gascoigne.


Girls on top: Contostavlos celebrates with her team, including Nathalie Emmanuel (far right) and Su-Elise Nash (4th left)


We've got the football X Factor: Jamie 'Afro' Archer, Lee Ryan and Jeff Brazier celebrate winning the men's tournament


Joining Contostavlos at the game was her bandmate Dappy, who was booed by some of the crowd members following his various controversies in recent months.

He was seen exchanging a few words with rapper Lethal Bizzle - who was on another team - as they disagreed over a tackle on the pitch.

In the male part of the tournament, the X Factor team were declared the winners.

The team included TV presenter Jeff Brazier - who has been hosting the X Factor live shows - and 2009 contestants Danyl Johnson and Jamie 'Afro' Archer and former Blue singer Lee Ryan.


Clash: N-Dubz rapper Dappy Contostavlos doesn't look happy as he talks to the referee


Olly Murs was due to play with the X Factor team, but defected at the last minute to a rival team, which included Lethal Bizzle and fellow rapper Tinchy Stryder.

Others on the field yesterday included McFly members Danny Jones and Harry Judd and comedian David Baddiel.

Before the tournament, Claire Duncan at Samaritans said: 'It is fantastic that so many top celebrities will be supporting us at our annual star-studded football tournament Soccer Six.

'In these tough times, life can be very demanding and the need for Samaritans is greater than ever. Funds raised will allow Samaritans to continue to offer confidential support to people in emotional distress, 24-hours-a-day.'


Cute: Stacey Solomon cheers on the men with her son Zachary after her team lost


Going for goal: X Factor runner-up Olly Murs kicks the ball


source: dailymail

Abbey Clancy slips into something more comfortable as she launches entertainment for World Cup widows

By Mail Online Showbiz Reporter

Fancy a night in? Abbey Clancy shows off her legs in a pair of tiny shorts and vest as she settles down for a night in front of the TV


With her fiancé Peter Crouch on the opposite side of the world playing for England, you'd expect Abbey Clancy to be glued to his every move on the television.

But it looks like Clancy may be part of the female population who prefer to watch anything but the beautiful game.

The Liverpudlian model, 24, poses in a tiny vest and shorts to launch her own collection of entertainment programmes on Virgin Media On Demand to keep 'football widows' entertained during the tournament in South Africa.

The blonde beauty will remain at home in England while her striker beau will join Fabio Capello and the rest of the team in South Africa.

Clancy is teaming up with Virgin to create Abbey Clancy's Girls' Night In, which will feature a collection of her favourite shows, which don't involve football.

American shows including Friends, E.R. and Gossip Girl will be screened, as well as British programmes Secret Diary Of A Call Girl and Gordon Ramsay's F Word.

But despite looking forward to all her favourite shows, Clancy insists she will save some of her time to support her future husband by watching the England games.


Football widow: Clancy will still find time to watch Peter Crouch in action with England when she isn't watching her favourite shows


She said: 'While I’ll definitely be cheering on Pete and our boys this summer, it’s fantastic Virgin Media On Demand have let me host a selection of girly TV favourites so that we can take a break from football when we want as well.

'So go on, treat yourself to the ultimate girls’ night in with some popcorn and pampering, complete with a dose of George Clooney.'

Clancy made her debut as a football WAG at the European Cup in Baden Baden, Germany in 2006, just a few months after she began dating Crouch.

She was photographed bonding with the other WAGS, including Frank Lampard's now ex-fiancee Elen Rivas and Michael Carrick's wife Lisa, in the stands.

Abbey Clancy's Girls’ Night In will be available on Virgin Media TV On Demand throughout June.
To find out more about Virgin Media On Demand, visit www.virginmedia.com/ondemand.


source: dailymail

Mum-to-be Rachel Stevens poses in nothing but an England flag to launch World Cup perfume

By Mail Online Showbiz Reporter

Flying the flag for England: Pregnant Rachel Stevens poses with an England flag and hat to launch the World Cup fragrance Eau De Stade


She may be three months pregnant, but Rachel Stevens isn't afraid to show off her changing figure as she strips off for new perfume ad.

The expectant singer, 32, poses in nothing but a strategically-placed England flag and bowler hat to launch the World Cup unisex fragrance Eau De Stade.

The limited-edition scent evokes the smells of the football field and the host country South Africa ahead of the tournament, which kicks off on June 11.

Stevens' appearance in the new campaign from Sky+HD, who specially commissioned the fragrance, comes just two weeks after she confirmed she was pregnant.

The former S Club star and actor husband Alex Bourne are expecting their first child together in November.

Their baby news comes 10 months after the pair married in a Jewish ceremony at Claridge's.


Come on England: There was no sign of Stevens' baby bump as she showed off her curves in a white halterneck dress


Self-confessed football Stevens admitted she was excited about the upcoming tournament.

She said: 'I'm counting down the days till the World Cup and can't wait to watch the England matches in high definition with my friends and family.

'Although I can't make it out to South Africa, a spritz of Sky+HD Eau De Stade means I can bring a little bit of the World Cup to my living room.'

Meanwhile, the former Strictly Come Dancing finalist admitted her pregnancy wasn't slowing her down just yet.


Hope your hubby doesn't mind: Stevens poses with a pair of football boots and a topless male model


Starting a family: Stevens with her husband of 10 months Alex Bourne


She told the new issue of Closer magazine: 'I’m really busy at the moment so I’m running round all the time.

'I like being outside and walking, and as I live right near the park I have no excuse. I’ve also been doing yoga.'

Despite being a tiny size 8 pre-pregnancy, Stevens insisted she has never been a fan of dieting and would be enjoying eating for two.

She enthused: 'I love my food. I don’t believe in dieting or depriving yourself of anything.

'I just eat whatever I fancy. It’s just about not overeating and having a healthy balanced diet.'

While Stevens is preparing for motherhood later this year, she is also hoping to relaunch her music career.

After S Club split, Stevens released seven solo singles, three of which charted in the top five, and two albums.

However, she parted ways with her record label Polydor in 2005 after her second solo album Come And Get It only charted at number 26.

• The full interview with Stevens is in the new issue of Closer magazine, on sale today.

• Eau De Stade will go on sale from today at Soccer Scene's World Cup pop-up store in central London.


source: dailymail

FRENCH OPEN 2010: Czech mate! Andy Murray humbled in straight sets by classy Tomas Berdych

By Mike Dickson

Done and dusted: Andy Murray crashed out of the French Open at the hands of Tomas Berdych


Andy Murray descended into a gurning, grievance-filled mess last night when he turned in a horrible performance at the French Open that perfectly matched the prevailing conditions of a wretched evening.

Paris in the springtime continues to do a good impression of a wet weekend in Bognor, and as the light closed in, Murray looked like he would simply love to be anywhere else, falling to a rain-interrupted 6-4, 7-5, 6-3 defeat against world No 17 Tomas Berdych.

The strapping Czech, 24, not only thoroughly deserved his victory, he also handled the unsatisfactory circumstances of a match completed in deep gloom on a surface that had deteriorated in the rain. While Murray struggled to keep a lid on his seething frustration, Berdych calmly played the hand that the elements dealt and was rewarded for his controlled aggression.

The Scot did have a point about the surface which, when the rain came at 3-4 in the second set - in the midst of his best spell - was left uncovered for too long. When they returned it was sticky in parts, leading Murray to cry out: 'How can I play if I can't stand up on this ******* court?' That happened in the 11th game of the second set and he was duly broken.

Despite trying to play more postively he quickly unravelled from 3-2 up in the third, with the temporary sanctuary of an overnight break possible if only he could secure one more game. It was all over at 9.35pm in light that was barely playable.

Murray said: 'I can't make excuses because it was the same for both players, but they were tough conditions.

The ball was brown by the end and covered in clay. They had put a lot of clay down and it was slippery beyond the baseline. I got Garrosmyself back into it but then didn't take my chances.'


Focused: Tomas Berdych, who last met Murray four years ago, dismantled the Scot 6-4, 7-5, 6-3


Berdych did not spare Murray's feelings, saying: 'He didn't give me too much pressure in the rallies, I was comfortable. My coach told me when play was suspended that he looked like he didn't want to play.'

With Russian nearly man Mikhail Youzhny the quarter-final opponent this was a real opportunity spurned for the world No 4 to reach his first semi-final at Roland Garros and justify his policy of placing emphasis on the major tournaments.

As it is, he has fallen short of his last-eight appearance here of 12 months ago, wasting a chance of real progress that he earned by coming through his nasty first-round draw of Richard Gasquet.

There were shades in this of Murray's defeats at the Grand Slams last year, of him failing to be pro-active enough against a big hitter in prime form and wilting under the assault. Too many balls were left short against a player who slams it deep and flat. Berdych was only too happy to accept the invitation to run round his backhand and drive the ball into the corners.


Out of reach: A frustrated Murray found it tough going on the Philippe Chatrier court


You have to wonder who Murray is listening to, his full-time coach Miles Maclagan, his consultant Alex Corretja or just himself. Whoever, there was a lack of shape to a clay-court season which, like much else since making the Australian Open final in January, has largely turned out to be a dud.

Murray again found himself on the late shift due to the French Open policy of providing ticket-holders on the two main courts with four singles matches for the first nine days. Wimbledon promises three singles and fills the schedule up with doubles if necessary.

Yesterday, no singles match was programmed for the third arena, but still the two players were obliged to wait until 6.35pm before starting. Berdych is a sweet timer of the ball and was constantly putting pressure on the Murray serve, deservedly breaking him for 4-3 in the first set.

The Scot broke back after going behind early in the second, but even then he looked to be finding the experience as much fun as having his teeth pulled.


Ugly mood: Andy Murray pulls a face as his hopes of reaching the quarter-final in Paris disintegrate at the hands of Tomas Berdych


Roger Federer's progress to the quarter-final was serene, although things will get much tougher as he faces Sweden's seventh seed Robin Soderling, the man who he beat in the final last year but who has improved since. The huge-hitting baseliner beat Marin Cilic 6-4, 6-4, 6-2.

Maria Sharapova and Venus Williams were the two big-name women's casualties, although as this is their least favourite surface none of them could be considered a major upset, especially the Russian, who was tackling former champion Justine Henin.





source: dailymail

Fabio D-day! FA to hold crunch talks with England boss Capello over Inter Milan interest

By Matt Lawton

Unsettled: England coach Fabio Capello


The FA will hold emergency talks with Fabio Capello on Monday in a bid to end Inter Milan’s pursuit of the England manager.

Capello again refused to commit his future to England yesterday, only saying that he hoped to have the matter resolved in the next 48 hours.

Inter Milan owner Massimo Moratti has publicly revealed that Capello is on a list of potential replacements for Jose Mourinho.

Reports in Italy last night indicated that Moratti will make a formal approach to Capello’s representatives today. In an interview with Sky Italia, Moratti said: ‘I am pleased to see that Capello can disentangle himself from the FA after the World Cup.’

And Capello has done little to kill the speculation, claiming that he has been unsettled and wants assurances from those now running the FA, in particular the men officially appointed yesterday to run the new Club England set-up, including new managing director Adrian Bevington and chairman Sir Dave Richards.

After watching his side stutter to a 2-1 win over Japan here yesterday, Capello travelled back to Italy to visit his mother, Evelina.

He will return to London tomorrow but today he will speak on the phone with Richards and Bevington, and seek the assurances he feels he needs before renewing his commitment to the FA.

Bevington has already had what were thought to be positive discussions with Capello’s son and lawyer, Pierfilippo, and general manager Franco Baldini.

Yesterday, Capello had to be reminded of Richards’s name, but he said: ‘I know everything. I’m happy. I will speak with the new chairman. I have to speak . . . I told you I have not spoken with anyone at Inter Milan.


Waiting game: Massimo Moratti wants Capello to replace the departed Jose Mourinho


'I know nothing about this. My name is in the newspapers and on the radio, and they are an important team, but I can’t say anything about this.

'You know everything about this. I spoke with the first chairman, I spoke with Lord Triesman, now I need to speak with the other one. The situation will be clear in two days when I speak with Sir Dave Richards.

‘You know everything very well. I shook hands with Lord Triesman this season, but now I know nothing. I shook his hand.’

Asked if he would renew his commitment if he heard the right things today, he said: ‘Yes, for sure. I have only one word, not a lot of words. It’s OK.’

Bevington said: ‘We will speak to Fabio tomorrow morning and go over the same things we spoke about. There have been changes at the top of the organisation in recent weeks, and it’s important for Fabio that he hears it from the people at the top now.

'Sir Dave Richards has spoken to Roger Burden, the FA chairman. Roger and the rest of the board agree that I, as MD, and Sir Dave will speak with him tomorrow.’


source: dailymail

Ashley Judd celebrates as Scottish husband Dario Franchitti wins the Indy 500, while the Kardashians dress for the pit lane

By Mail Online Reporter

Thrilled: Actress Ashley Judd reacts after her husband, Dario Franchitti, of Scotland, won the Indianapolis 500 auto race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway today


Her shoes tossed off for speed, Ashley Judd couldn't contain her delight as she ran across the tarmac to congratulate her husband Dario Franchitti for winning the Indy 500 today.

The Scotsman triumphed for the second time in four years, much to the delight of actress Ashley.

The 42-year-old watched the raise standing, anxiously twisting her sunhat in her hands.


Celebrating: Barefooted Ashley Judd celebrates as she runs to congratulate her husband


Dressed for the pit lane: Kim, left, and Kourtney Kardashian walk the red carpet before the race


But it was all smiles when Franchitti passed the finish line, beating Dan Wheldon to help Chip Ganassi become the first car owner to win at Indy and the Daytona 500 in the same year.

Ashley, in a lilac and cream sundress, embraced her husband of nine years before the pair knelt down to kiss the tarmac.

Amongst the capacity crowd at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway were the Kardashian sisters Kim and Kourtney, who appeared to have dressed for the pit lane, exchanging their usually polished style for scruffy ripped jeans and T-shirts.

They watched as Franchitti, the reigning IndyCar Series champion, came from fifth place as the race entered its final 20 laps, to win.

The 37-year-old's victory was completed under a yellow flag after a huge accident involving England's Mike Conway.


Triumph: The couple laugh with joy, as they join car owner, Chip Ganassi on the tarmac


Ashley and Franchitti kiss the bricks in thanks after his win


The Dreyer and Reinbold driver launched over the back wheel of Ryan Hunter-Reay before flying into the spectator fencing and crashing back down to the track.

The impact ripped the car to pieces, with Conway's seating position and front nose the only parts of the car left intact as it slid along on its roll hoop.

Despite the severity of the impact Conway was taken to hospital with just an injury to his right leg.


He's a winner: Ashley covered her husband in kisses, as the capacity crowd cheered


Before the race: Ashley and Franchitti joined his teammate Scott Dixon of New Zealand and his wife Emma as they greeted fans


Former series champion Dan Wheldon was second after Tony Kanaan was forced to pit for fuel with just four laps remaining.

It was particularly tough on the Brazilian who had brilliantly worked his way through from the back of the grid.

Alex Lloyd made it a memorable day for British motorsport as he rounded out an all-British podium at the Brickyard.


Celebrity fans: Actor Jack Nicholson and U.S. talkshow host David Letterman were in the crowd


Danger: Reinbold Racing driver Mike Conway flies through the air after crashing with Andretti Autosport driver Ryan Hunter-Reay


Huge event: The Indy 500 is one of the world's most popular races



source: dailymail

The look of love: Lewis Hamilton can't take his eyes off 'good luck charm' Nicole Scherzinger after Grand Prix win

By Sarah Bull

Stickwitu: Lewis Hamilton can't take his eyes off Pussycat Dolls singer girlfriend Nicole Scherzinger following his win at the Turkish Grand Prix


They couldn't have looked happier if they tried.

Lewis Hamilton and Nicole Scherzinger failed to disguise their love for one another as they celebrated earlier today following Hamilton's win at the Turkish Grand Prix.

And it seems we will be seeing a lot more of 31-year-old Scherzinger in the pit, as Hamilton has revealed she is his 'lucky charm'.

He said: 'Every time she seems to come I seem to win. I think it was Monaco 2008 she came, Hungary I won and Singapore last year, so she is definitely a little bit lucky for me I think.'


So in love: The pair can't hide their feelings for each other as they pose trackside in Istanbul


And the feeling is most definitely mutual - as Hamilton's presence at Scherzinger's Dancing With The Stars final saw her clinch the title.

But where some girlfriends might resent being dragged along to race tracks, Scherzinger - who was dressed in a long purple maxi dress - insisted she loved watching the race, and cheered her 25-year-old beau through to the finish line.

Following the race, she said: 'I’m very proud of him. Good job babe! I just got so excited in the garage. But I'm just so proud of him.'

Scherzinger and Hamilton have been dating since 2007 and, apart from a brief split earlier this year, appear to be happier than ever.


Stylish pair: Nicole wore a plunging purple and blue maxi dress to the race circuit


Close: Nicole holds tightly onto Lewis's arm as they walk to the race track


The win marks somewhat of a career comeback for former Formula One champion Hamilton, who hasn't won a race since September.

But McLaren driver Hamilton insisted he has never been away, adding: 'I don't think I was ever gone. I have just been a little unfortunate up until now and I think, bit by bit, myself and the team have just worked very hard to chip away.

'Yesterday we qualified second. We knew that was just one step we needed to make. They made it very tough for us but we put up a good fight.'


Tender: Lewis pushes Nicole's hair away from her face as they talk before the race


Happy: The pair couldn't stop smiling throughout the day - especially after Lewis won the race


But it was a tight call for Hamilton, who just beat McLaren teammate Jenson Button at the finish line.

Hamilton said: 'Me and Jenson had a good little battle. He got me on the outside into turn 13 and then fortunately I was able to get him back into turn one and so that was definitely unexpected.

'But a really fair battle with him and a great result for the team. Our second one-two. I think we truly deserved it.'

Hamilton added that he wanted to dedicate his win to his father Anthony, adding: 'It's his 50th birthday tomorrow. Perfect way for him to celebrate.'


Time to celebrate: Lewis and Nicole wear McLaren victory T-shirts to celebrate the win


Teammate: The pair were joined by Jenson Button, who came second in the race


source: dailymail

Fabio Capello: I love my job and my lifestyle in London... and England will be the last job of my career

By Mark Ryan

'There was no spirit. They weren't playing like they do for their clubs. They played with fear': Fabio Capello on the England team


England will start sloppily, battle bravely with flashes of brilliance to the quarter-finals and then crash out on penalties. We know the script by now. But if the World Cup does play out like that, the England manager will never forgive himself. Fabio Capello, after all, is the man who caused the introduction of shoot-outs in the first place.

'I never made the connection until you brought it up,' he tells Live. 'What can I say? Sorry.'

The story is a bit of a heartbreaker. In 1970, Capello was playing for Roma in the European Cup Winners' Cup.

'We reached the semi-finals and played a Polish team called Gornik Zabrze,' he says. 'We played them for 330 minutes: three matches, two with extra time, I scored two penalties, but it was still a draw. So the tie was decided by the toss of a coin. We called heads.' It was tails...

The result was considered so cruel and ridiculous that Fifa introduced penalty shoot-outs the very next year. In that moment, England's fate was effectively sealed for the rest of the century and beyond. By now we are so used to shoot-out pain that we helplessly expect the worst. But not this time, vows the manager.

'No,' Capello insists. 'We'll be ready for penalties if they come. We know how to play without fear now - in all situations.'

The Italian is a hard man to talk to - even by the super-protective standards of international football. His agent is his son, Pierfilippo, and naturally puts his father's needs way ahead of those of the media. Capello himself sees publicity as a disease - one of his first acts on taking over the England team in January 2008 was to insist his players do as little as possible and he leads by example.

But I've met Capello, 63, several times as a football reporter. I remind him that the first time, in 1995 at AC Milan's training ground, he told me how little he thought of England's team tactics: they ran a lot and were very strong but not good technically. They lacked the imagination of the South Americans, who he held up as the world's best.

'I remember my first training session with England,' he says (our interview is conducted in Italian).

'I was surprised. The players were really good. But when I saw them playing in a friendly against Switzerland I understood everything about why they hadn't qualified for Euro 2008. There was no spirit. They weren't playing like they do for their clubs. They played with fear. I said to myself, this is a big problem of the mind. I have to work a lot on this.'

At the last World Cup, negative thoughts entered players' heads at the vital moment - both Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard admitted as much. To combat this, Capello has hired 'mental-strength coach' Christian Lattanzio, formerly of West Ham. He wants the players to tell themselves they are going to score; he wants them to believe they have the power to make people happy.


'A coach has to plan a match. He has to choose a formation. He has to scrutinise the souls of the players and perceive their fears, anxieties and nervousness,' said Fabio


Fortunately, Capello is not relying soley on Lattanzio's techniques for success. His England practise penalties after every training session. The responsibility weighs heavily on his shoulders - and not just for penalties.

'A coach has to plan a match,' he says. 'He has to choose a formation. He has to scrutinise the souls of the players and perceive their fears, anxieties and nervousness. He must not make a wrong move. For a coach there is no way out. You can have done everything perfectly but if your opponents score with a long shot, you're an idiot. A footballer thinks about himself; I have to think about 23 players.'

Can you be their friend?
'No, definitely not. And I shouldn't try.'

It's true what they say about Capello's presence - there is 'an aura about him', as Wayne Rooney puts it. One way of exerting his authority is to insist on silence in the dressing room: players must wait for Capello to say the first words - and must not expect to be mollycoddled. He's not above insulting players to their face if he thinks it will sting them into action.

But where does that iron in the soul come from? Maybe you have to look back to 1943, when Fabio's father, Guerrino, was captured by Germans pulling out of Italy. He was kept on starvation rations for two years. Weighing just six stone on his release, he refused to return to his wife Evelina until he had gained enough weight to be a proper husband. Less than a year later, Fabio was born in the village of Pieris in north-east Italy.

'We're really straight, strong people where I'm from,' Capello says. 'We have to work. Big discipline. Respect was the most important thing to my father. He always told me never to be like a lamb.

'I remember when I was four years old, we went on a trip to the coast. My father helped me to climb up onto a rock and then he went down into the water and told me to throw myself in. I must have been ten metres up but I did it, even though I couldn't really swim


'(Wayne) Rooney's scored a lot of goals this season. I hope he maintains the same form until South Africa. He is like a bull'


Capello takes the same tough paternal line with his team - Wayne Rooney describes him as a strict father. England players were told shortly after he took over they'd only be seeing their wives and girlfriends once a week in South Africa, Capello comparing the influence of WAGs to a virus. Mobile phones were banned at meals, and players were given a strict 10pm curfew and expected to turn up for training 30 minutes early.

'You have to be demanding,' he says. 'I wouldn't say working with an iron fist, but the players have to know that we're here to work. We have to put in the effort. My target is to play in the final. I think that if all players are fit, we can beat all the teams.'

He takes nothing for granted in England's so-called easy group, insisting that previous victories over the USA and Slovenia count for nothing in South Africa. Then there is Algeria, a side England has never played.

'They are so well organised, they are like a European team,' he says.

'We've studied them very carefully and we'll be ready. As for the later stages, Spain have a confidence, a system of play that makes it difficult to beat them, and they don't rely on one player to score the goals.

'Brazil, I think, are a very difficult team to beat and Argentina have improved a lot since they qualified.

'There are the Germans and Italians. And another team who are very good are Holland. They could be a danger.'

For all the dangers, Capello has absolute confidence in his 23, particularly the star striker.

'Rooney's scored a lot of goals this season. I hope he maintains the same form until South Africa. He is like a bull.'

Capello reckons the 2010 team are as professional as any group he's come across, despite scandals off the pitch.

'They listen and they do as they are told on the training pitch, and that isn't always the case in countries like Italy or Spain. Off the pitch, they are not so different to players from other countries. It's just that the media focus is different.'

Despite the intense media scrutiny, Capello says he enjoys life in England.

'I love my job and my lifestyle in London. My wife Laura is happy here, too.'


source: dailymail

New Real boss Jose Mourinho may offer Kaka in exchange for Chelsea pair Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole

By Rob Draper

Mad for it: New Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho wants to be reunited with Frank Lampard in Spain


Chelsea face a fight to keep their Double-winning team together this week as former manager Jose Mourinho intensifies his efforts to recruit Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole for Real Madrid.

Mourinho's agent Jorge Mendes, who is negotiating transfers for the Spanish club, is planning to visit London in a bid to persuade Chelsea to allow the England pair to leave.

Chelsea will do their utmost to retain Lampard and Cole, who signed four-year contracts in 2008 and 2009 respectively.

Real Madrid will raise the possibility of a player-exchange, with Brazil superstar Kaka, who worked with Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti at AC Milan, and Argentina striker Gonzalo Higuain in the frame.

Ancelotti is consulting his bosses over the make-up of his team for next season and while he is understood to be considering changes to his backroom staff, with Ray Wilkins' future as assistant coach under review, he would be reluctant to lose two such crucial players.


Blue is the colour: Ashley Cole celebrates earlier this month


Mourinho, who left Chelsea in 2007, is to be installed as Real Madrid manager tomorrow following last Saturday's triumph in the Champions League with Inter Milan.

He will want a number of his former players around him at what promises to be his most testing role to date in transforming Real after two years without a trophy.

He is already negotiating to take Inter Milan right-back Maicon to the club but wants to add a left-back and a midfielder. Cole is understood to be ready to consider a move after his pop star wife Cheryl filed for divorce last week, although Real may baulk at improving his wages of £120,000 a week and are tracking Lazio's Aleksander Kolovov as a contingency.

Lampard would find it difficult to resist the lure of rejoining former mentor Mourinho.

However, neither Ancelotti nor Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich would want to lose such an iconic player, who signed his current four-year deal when Mourinho attempted to recruit him for Inter Milan.

Lampard is 32 next month and Mourinho's interest represents his final chance to make the move abroad which he has always said he would like to experience before his career ends.


source :dailymail

The World Cup: Is this the worst time to be a Wag?

By Alison Kervin

Sent back to the dressing room? From left: Alex Curran (married to Steven Gerrard); Abigail Clancy (engaged to Peter Crouch); Coleen Rooney (married to Wayne), Lisa Carrick (married to Michael)


Derided for their luxury lifestyles, England’s wives and girlfriends have been told they are not wanted on the team’s voyage to the World Cup in South Africa. But is their pariah status justified? Sports journalist Alison Kervin puts the case for the defence

The young woman in front of me is fulfilling the fantasies of thousands of schoolgirls. She’s got the man, the house, the car, the body and the wardrobe. But over the next few weeks she’s going to face a massive challenge to her marriage, her reputation and her sanity. ‘This is the worst time to be a Wag,’ she says. ‘I love watching football, but I hate the World Cup…’

A lot of people will struggle to have sympathy for these women, who get so much, materially, out of the relationships they forge with rich young footballers. As a sports journalist and editor for almost 20 years, I’d often brushed past them dismissively at matches, seeing only the clichés – the french-manicured nails, skin the colour of a ripe tangerine and hair painted daffodil yellow. The designer labels, alarmingly large sunglasses, and more make-up than your average drag queen. Then I spent some time with them, and I found it a sobering experience.

The Wags I met felt isolated and forgotten as their partners pursued their goal of sporting glory. One told me that she felt unwelcome everywhere. In nightclubs, girls would flock round her husband and look disparagingly at her, clearly wishing she weren’t there, and whenever she and her husband were out having dinner, fans would elbow her aside as they fought for his attention. ‘I’ve never felt so worthless as I have since becoming a footballer’s wife,’ she said. ‘I feel I have no real place.’

And, of course, every time a player gets caught out having an affair it’s a further blow, because the more players who are up to it, the greater the chance that your partner will be, too. ‘It’s particularly hard to cope with the rumours because many of us are isolated from friends and families. You don’t realise when you first fall in love with a footballer how temporary everything will be in your life with him. You can meet him playing for Arsenal and the two of you settle down in London, then he’s signed by another club, so what do you do? Stay in London while your husband moves around the country without you? No ****ing way, not with all the girls hanging around.’


The England wives and girlfriends were under constant scrutiny in Germany in 2006


From left: Shopping in Baden Baden; Rio Ferdinand blamed the 'circus' for England's failure


And now the World Cup is about to add to the pressure. One of the Wags I spoke to said her partner had had the date circled on his calendar since the beginning of the year, and the whole family has suffered months of stress leading up to it.

If a player has made the England squad, his girlfriend won’t have seen him for weeks while he’s been at training camps and altitude camps in preparation for South Africa.

Instead she’ll have been holding the house and the children together, making sure everything ticks over so that he’s free to train. And now, when it’s time for all the hard work to pay off, she’ll have been told to stay away because her presence in South Africa will put the players off.

‘It’s incredibly offensive. Fans, coaches, physios, businessmen on corporate freebies…they’ll all be there, and they don’t even know my husband – but not the women who’ve been there for the players every morning and every night, picking them up when they’re down and encouraging them to keep going. We’re told, “You’re not welcome; you’re a distraction.” Just think how you’d feel if that was you.’

Wives don’t have the network of fans, fellow players, coaches, managers, agents, doctors, physios and club staff that players enjoy with every new club or international competition. They’re left to fend for themselves under the watchful eye of the press, with only other Wags for company. Much is expected of them – to be a role model, a good wife, a style icon, to be discreet and stay in the background, to take the blame when things go wrong, and to smile sweetly and turn the other cheek when their husband misbehaves. And many of them are very young to have to cope with all this.


‘We went out, partied, shopped and did our own thing, but then we were told that we caused England to lose. I’ll never understand the logic behind that’
Of course, the reason that many fans, pundits and even the England coach are so against having Wags in South Africa is because of what happened last time. During the 2006 World Cup, the wives were based with the players in the pretty German resort of Baden-Baden and attracted an astronomical amount of publicity. Their daily jaunts to the shops and late-night drinking parties were covered extensively by newspapers, and by the end of it all we knew more about Victoria’s purchases at designer stores than about David’s corner kicks on the pitch. Many fans felt that a carnival was created by the Wags’ presence, with photographers following them everywhere. Many football pundits thought the crazy focus on the women must have distracted and perhaps even embarrassed the players.

‘It was very difficult in Baden-Baden,’ one Wag explained. ‘We got to the stage where we didn’t know what to do for the best. We felt like punchbags for England’s mistakes on the pitch. If we’d hung around the players all the time, we’d have been accused of being clingy and distracting them. Instead we went out, partied, shopped and did our own thing, but then we were told that we caused England to lose. I’ll never understand the logic behind that.’

Whatever you think of the Wags, the girl’s got a point. Yes, they drank a lot and spent a fortune on hair accessories and maxi dresses. But England centre-half Rio Ferdinand blamed the ‘circus’ surrounding the Wags for the team going out of the World Cup. Eh? Could a team destined for World Cup glory really be distracted by pictures of their wives buying make-up and wearing hot pants with cowboy boots?

This time the Wags are being discouraged from going, and told that if they do they will have to stay in a different hotel from the players. As a result, many of the most high-profile Wags, including Coleen Rooney and Steven Gerrard’s wife Alex Curran, have indicated that they’ll be staying home.

‘I understand why [England manager] Fabio Capello has said that,’ says one of the Wags who was in Baden-Baden, ‘but it’s hard to stay in England on your own. We know that newspapers send “plants” into the players’ hotels to try and seduce them so they can get a story. We know that young girls flock to wherever the players are. We know that the players are surrounded by willing young women all the time, yet we’re told to keep away from the players to let them concentrate on “playing”. It’s very difficult to just sit back. Most of the Wags I know met their partners when they were very young and just starting out in the game. We fell in love with them as people before they became footballers. There’s something very scary about the girls who hang around bars just wanting to meet a player – any player.’

Simply banning the wives won’t keep them out of the papers, and won’t necessarily result in a change in England’s fortunes. When the England rugby team won the World Cup in 2003, they had their wives and families with them. There’s no evidence that isolating players from their families makes them more likely to win – indeed, the most successful sides tend to be those working in as ‘normal’ an environment as possible, with family and friends around them (this is one of the reasons why home advantage is so significant in team sports).

And what if – just imagine – England win? Then, surely, it will be a glorious time to be a Wag, right?

Well, consider these statistics: 70 per cent of sportsmen’s marriages end in divorce, and this rises to an estimated 83 per cent if they win a major title or achieve a career goal. It’s a shocking statistic.

‘You’d have to be superhuman not to worry,’ says oneof the Wags, ‘and although we have nice homes and nice clothes, we’re not superhuman, not by a long way.’

Alison Kervin’s new novel Wags at the World Cup is published by Ebury Press, price £6.99. To order a copy for £5.99, with free p&p, contact the YOU Bookshop on 0845 155 0711, or visit you-bookshop.co.uk


source :dailymail

Rep of Ireland 3 Algeria 0: Not much to bother Fabio Capello

By Simon Cass

Prefect penalty: Robbie Keane send the keeper the wrong way to seal impressive victory


According to manager Rabah Saadane, the principal objective for Algeria in South Africa is 'not to be ridiculous'.

There will be no fear of that, even if their performance against the Republic last night did little to suggest an upset against England in their second Group C game.

An opening goal from Paul Green and two more by Robbie Keane were enough to dent Algeria's preparations.


And when the likes of Wayne Rooney, Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard sit down to watch the DVD of this one, they will fancy their chances of getting on the scoresheet.

In fairness to Algeria, they were forced to field a weakened side after flying in from their Swiss base with plenty of bumps and bruises They were without Rangers defender Madjid Bougherra, who has been struggling with a long-standing calf injury.

Bougherra, who has been making positive noises about Algeria's ability to make it out of the group stages, is confident he will be fit to face Slovenia on June 13.

Also missing against the Republic were key players such as midfielder Hassan Yebda, who spent last season on loan at Portsmouth from Benfica, and defender Antar Yahia, whose stunning volley in the hot-tempered play-off against Egypt sealed Algeria's place in South Africa.

But the team that played in the historic win over Egypt in November were well represented, with Portsmouth's Nadir Belhadj, midfielders Karim Ziani and Yazid Mansouri, defender Rafi Halliche, striker Abdelkader Ghezaal and goalkeeper Faouzi Chaouchi all starting at the ramshackle RDS Arena.


Two easy: Robbie Keane loops the ball into the empty net


Chaouchi will not be available until the final group game against the USA after being suspended for butting a referee during the Africa Cup of Nations - remarkably he received only a yellow card at the time. The Algeria l ine -up ensured Fabio Capello's trusted lieutenant Franco Baldini did not have a wasted journey.

And if the England camp were under any illusions about the atmosphere that will await them in Cape Town then the presence of, officially, 2,500 fanat i cal Alge r i a supporters here gave a taste of what lies in store. Saadane gave first starts to Djamel Mesbah and Habib Ballaid, along with Wolves right back Adlene Guedioura, whom Baldini will have noted for his strength, pace and ability to get forward.

Goalscoring has been a problem for the Algerians, who managed only four in six Africa Cup of Nations games.


Pain game: Ireland's Paul Green blocks a free kick from Algeria's Rafik Mbolhi


But close attention will n eed to be paid to Rafik Djebbour, whose ability in the air and physical presence gave some concern to the Irish back four. Where England will be able to cause plenty of damage will be with balls into the box, something which became more apparent as the first half wore on.

Chaouchi may be good with his head but the keeper was none too clever when it came to crosses and set-pieces. His deficiencies were compounded by poor marking by his defenders, a factor which led to the opener.

A needless foul by Mansouri on Kevin Doyle led to a free-kick and as Liam Lawrence whipped the ball in, widespread indecision in the Algeria defence allowed Derby midfielder Green to stoop and head home on his first start for his country.

Keane doubled Ireland's advantage 12 minutes after the restart as Algeria's inability to deal with balls into the box was exposed once more. Damien Duff was allowed space to cross and the Spurs striker, who later hit the post, took full advantage of a poor punch by Chaouchi to loop the ball into the empty net.

Keane made it 3-0 from the spot after being fouled by Mesbah with five minutes left.


source: dailymail

ln the Red! Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez handed measly £5m summer transfer kitty

EXCLUSIVE By Chris Wheeler

Please don't go: Rafa Benitez knows he faces a fight to keep Steven Gerrard


Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks’ pledge to hand Rafael Benitez a ‘substantial transfer budget’ was in question last night after it emerged that the manager has no more than £5million to spend.

Despite three meetings with new Anfield chairman Martin Broughton, Benitez is still unsure if money generated from player sales will be made available to him for signings and remains wary of giving the go-ahead to deals that would see Yossi Benayoun, Ryan Babel, Albert Riera and Philipp Degen sold to foreign clubs.

Amid concern that it could take up to 18 months for Hicks and George Gillett to sell up as they hold out for £800m, and with Benitez’s own future still in some doubt, Liverpool are wide open to big offers for unsettled stars Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard

Both players have indicated they will wait until after the World Cup before making any firm decisions and incoming Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho yesterday became the first to register his interest in Gerrard openly.

Benitez is desperate to keep hold of the pair, a feeling shared by the various factions that have emerged at Anfield as Liverpool have descended deeper into debt and internal chaos.

But opinion is split over whether it might make financial sense to cash in on at least one of the stars if it allows the club to make several new signings


Sacrificial Reds: Ryan Babel (right), Yossi Benayoun (centre) and Albert Riera could leave Anfield


Javier Mascherano, Pepe Reina and Glen Johnson are the other players Benitez would be loath to lose, although problems over agreeing a new contract with Mascherano have left the Liverpool boss with no option but to consider sacrificing the Argentina midfielder to try and raise transfer funds.

On Wednesday, Hicks ruled out the possibility of selling Liverpool’s top players and promised ‘significant investment’ this summer which, he claimed, would mean the club’s gross and net transfer spending had doubled since he and Gillett took over three years ago.


Confusion: Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks insists there is money to spend


Benitez is believed to be working to a budget of £4-5m. It is one of the reasons he has struggled to tie up a modest £2m deal for Rangers defender Danny Wilson, which would rise to £4m with add-ons.

The Liverpool boss has not always helped his own cause, however, with many fans still wondering why he paid £17m for Roma midfielder Alberto Aquilani last summer.

Aquilani ruled out a move to Juventus yesterday, insisting he wants to stay.


source :dailymail