Soccer Shorts

Beckham contentoDavid Beckham is eager for Liverpool target Fernando Morientes to stay at Real Madrid. The Spanish striker is wanted by Anfield boss Rafael Benitez, but Liverpool have yet to meet Madrid's asking price and the appointment of new coach Wanderley Luxemburgo has raised new questions over the prospective deal.

"I think Morientes is a star player and he is very important for the fans," said Beckham. "He was at Monaco last year and now he is back here. I think he should stay here, but that's not up to me or the players. He's a good person and an excellent player."

Beckham also said he would be delighted to end his top-flight career at Real Madrid. The 29-year-old England captain last night denied reports that Real Madrid had spoken to him about an extension to his current four-year deal, which runs out in 2007, but asked if he would welcome a new contract he was unequivocal.

"It has been in the papers and, of course, I would like to sign an extension," he said. "I'm happy with life off the pitch and I'm happy playing here. My team-mates are great to me and look after me. I'm at one of the biggest clubs in the world." Beckham answered a few sentences in Spanish for the first time at a Madrid press conference.

Italy's 2012 bid

Italy is preparing a bid for the 2012 European Championship, the Italian Football Association (Federcalcio) said yesterday. Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi will meet Italian FA chairman Franco Carraro today to outline Italy's proposals to host the tournament.

Italy, host of the 2006 Winter Olympics, won the European Championship for the only time in 1968, beating Yugoslavia in Rome, with the finals then featuring only the last four teams. It has since grown into a 16-team event, second only in size to the World Cup and worth millions of euros to the host country in sponsorship, ticket sales and the boost to tourism.

Italy also hosted the European Championship in 1980 when West Germany won the title and the Italians finished fourth. Bidding against Italy is Greece, surprise winners of the Euro 2004 in Portugal. Poland and Ukraine are also considering a joint bid for the 2012 tournament. UEFA will decide on the venue in December 2006.

Warning for McClaren

Steve McClaren escaped with a warning from the English FA yesterday after attending a disciplinary hearing where he faced a charge of improper conduct.

The Middlesbrough manager admitted the charge - incurred when he stepped on to the White Hart Lane pitch at half-time to remonstrate with the referee Phil Dowd and his co-officials after Franck Queudrue was sent off during a 2-0 Premiership defeat at Tottenham in late November.

The English FA said: "At a disciplinary commission hearing, Middlesbrough manager Steve McClaren was warned to his future conduct. McClaren had admitted a charge of improper conduct for his incursion on to the field of play to confront and/or remonstrate with the referee during the match at Tottenham Hotspur on November 28th, 2004."

Meanwhile, Tony McMahon has rejected Boro's offer of a new contract, but McClaren remains hopeful of keeping the 18-year-old right-back on Teesside.

No ground share

Everton and Liverpool have scrapped tentative plans for the English Premier League rivals to share a new stadium on Merseyside. A year of talks sponsored by British Sports Minister Richard Caborn that might have led to Everton sharing Liverpool's planned new ground at Stanley Park have ended in disagreement.

"It is disappointing that both sides have been unable to reach agreement on a joint stadium," said a city Council spokesman yesterday. "However, the existing plan for a new Anfield is part of a major regeneration of the Anfield and Breckfield area and we fully intend to deliver that because of the economic benefits it will bring to an area which badly needs them."

The groundshare idea had never been popular with supporters of either team and feelings also ran high among club officials, despite an economic case for sharing.

In 2003, Everton shelved plans to move from Goodison Park to a new ground at Liverpool's King's Dock after the projected cost soared to nearly £200 million.

Liverpool have planning permission for a new 60,000-seater stadium at Stanley Park, but have seen the cost rise from an estimated £80 million to £110 million.

Robert + cash = Distin

Newcastle United are prepared to offer Laurent Robert to Manchester City in part-exchange for Sylvain Distin.

Although any deal is dependent on Newcastle persuading Fulham to sell Luis Boa Morte, the player Graeme Souness has identified as Robert's replacement, their desire to acquire Distin is such that they would be prepared to pay City a small fee on top of the swap.

Freddy Shepherd, Newcastle's chairman, has offered £5 million for Distin, a centre half who cost City £4 million when they bought him from Paris St-Germain three years ago. However Distin, who has 3½ years of his City contract outstanding, spent much of his final season as a PSG player on loan at Newcastle.

Praise for Yeates

Tottenham Hotspur coach Martin Jol yesterday described young Irish striker Mark Yeates as "one of the most talented players" at the club and predicted a bright future for the youth international at White Hart Lane. The 20-year-old had expressed disappointment at his failure to score in Saturday's cup match after coming on as a second-half substiture.

The Irishman made a series of impressive runs on the ball, though, and Jol remarked that: "He has great feet. He's looking a bit like Paul Gascoigne with all the tricks he has on the ball. The only problem," he added, "is that he is lightweight. We will put him in the gym once a week to get him a bit stronger, but he is one of the most talented players we have."

Club striker Fredi Kanoute is battling to regain fitness in time for Saturday's clash against Chelsea at White Hart Lane. The Frenchman has not featured since the New Year's Day victory against Everton.

In Brief. . .

English Premiership basement club West Bromwich Albion have transfer-listed Swiss defender Bernt Haas and Macedonian midfielder Artim Sakiri. Injury-hit Barcelona have held talks with Serie A side Udinese about signing striker Vincenzo Iaquinta. At the other end of the Primera Liga, strugglers Malaga have sacked coach Gregorio Manzano following a dismal run of just one win in their last 12 league games. And finally, former Swiss champions Servette have filed for creditor protection because of debts estimated at about €6.4 million.

Tonight'sFixtures

(7.45 unless stated)

ENGLISH LEAGUE CUP: Semi-final, first leg: Chelsea v Manchester Utd (8.0).

ENGLISH LEAGUE: Two: Boston Utd v Southend.

IRISH LEAGUE: Premier Division: Larne v Lisburn Distillery.