England have accepted injured midfielder David Beckham is out of the World Cup but have asked him to join the squad in South Africa anyway, coach Fabio Capello said yesterday.
The 34-year-old midfielder tore an Achilles tendon playing for Milan on Sunday and Capello said he would need six months to recover, ruling him out of the month-long tournament that starts on June 11.
"We have asked Beckham to come to South Africa with us," Capello said.
"It depends on him and how his tendon injury is. It's obvious he won't be able to play because we have to wait six months."
McCulloch will duck spot-kick duties
Lee McCulloch will not be volunteering if Rangers' League Cup final against St Mirren tomorrow goes to penalties.
The Ibrox midfielder missed his spot-kick when the 2008 final against Dundee United went all the way and had to be rescued by Allan McGregor and Kris Boyd.
In a dramatic finale following a 2-2 draw, the Rangers keeper made two saves and Boyd slammed in the winner to secure the first trophy of Walter Smith's second Ibrox reign.
"My memories from that final are mixed," McCulloch said.
"I missed a penalty that day and I've not taken one since. At the time, there were boys who didn't want to hit one and I guess I'll be one of them the next time."
Fans provoked gesture - Zebina
Juventus defender Jonathan Zebina has apologised for showing the middle finger to his side's fans in Thursday's shock 4-1 Europa League defeat at Fulham.
"About 30 hooligans and racists travelled thousands of kilometres to England to barrack me," the French defender said.
"These people must stop. I apologise for the ugly gesture because I certainly was not a good example for children."
Juventus have been punished before for racist chants by their fans and had to play a game behind closed doors last season.
Hodgson hails Fulham's finest hour
Roy Hodgson hailed the greatest result in Fulham's history as the unheralded English club staged a stunning fightback to knock Juventus out of the Europa League.
Hodgson's side went into the last 16 second leg clash as heavy underdogs after losing 3-1 in Turin last week. But Fulham's 4-1 win sealed a 5-4 aggregate triumph which booked a place in the quarter-finals.
"I would think it must come close to being our best result," Hodgson said.
"I'm on top of the world. It's like (former boxer) Rocky Marciano said... I should retire while the going is good because it's not going to get a lot better."
Keane not staying at Celtic - Redknapp
Harry Redknapp insists there is "no way" he will let Celtic keep Robbie Keane beyond his current loan deal.
Tottenham striker Keane joined his boyhood idols in a transfer deadline day move at the beginning of last month in a bid to rescue their ailing season. The 29-year-old, who has scored eight goals in eight games, is due to return to White Hart Lane this summer.
Amid rumours Celtic will approach Spurs over extending his loan move into next season, Redknapp has moved to end any hope of that happening.
"I don't see us loaning Robbie out again," the Tottenham boss said.
"We paid a lot of money for him. So it's not something I see happening."
Hargreaves eyes bright United future
Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves returned to action after an 18-month absence on Thursday. The 29-year-old, who has been out with chronic tendinitis in his knees, played for 45 minutes in United reserves' 2-0 win over Burnley.
"It's unfinished business," said Hargreaves.
"I had a very successful time at Bayern Munich and won everything. But I wanted a change. I wanted to play for United. I wanted to come here and win the Champions League. We did that but I didn't really celebrate that season in Moscow.
"I am 29 but hopefully I have a lot of time left in football and those dreams can become reality."
Whisky galore for South Korea's Park
Pernod Ricard Korea are hoping to cash in on the World Cup by combining two of South Korea's favourite things in a limited edition whisky named after Manchester United's Park Ji-sung.
Midfielder Park will be an integral member of the South Korean squad for the June 11-July 11 tournament in South Africa.
Distillers throughout Asia reported a boost in sales from the last World Cup finals in 2006 with fans staying up all night in bars to watch matches live from Germany.
A vintage whisky launched ahead of the 2006 World Cup by Perthshire distiller Tullibardine caused outrage in Scotland as it celebrated the 40th anniversary of their fierce rivals England winning the tournament in 1966.