SOCCER: The Football Association have denied that England coach Fabio Capello has made any agreement with the Los Angeles Galaxy over the release of David Beckham.
As part of the complicated loan deal which has been thrashed out for Beckham to remain with AC Milan for the current season and a large chunk of next year, Galaxy coach Bruce Arena yesterday said he would ask Capello not to pick the former England captain for the August 12th friendly against the Netherlands in Amsterdam.
Arena feels the match is of little consequence and, as it falls right in the middle of the MLS season, which Beckham is also committed to, there is no value for Capello in picking the midfielder and forcing him into a trans-Atlantic journey.
However, Arena’s statement has caught the FA by surprise.
Capello has always given the impression of being very much his own man when it comes to picking squads and it seems unlikely the Italian would adopt such a stance with Beckham, even for a friendly international.
And the FA’s response backs up that view. An England spokesman said: “Fabio Capello has no plans to make any special exemption with regard to the call-up of any players for England squads.”
Having drawn level with Bobby Moore’s record of 108 caps for an England outfield player in Spain last month, it is anticipated Beckham will break the record later this month.
The 33-year-old should be in Capello’s squad for the March 28th friendly with Slovakia, which is followed four days later by the crucial World Cup qualifier against Ukraine at Wembley.
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