SoccerShorts

David Beckham has been given a vote of confidence to carry on as England captain by FA chairman Geoff Thompson. The Real Madrid midfielder went on the retreat yesterday and issued a formal apology for deliberately getting booked against Wales.

Beckham admitted he fouled Ben Thatcher in order to pick up his second caution of the qualifying campaign and be suspended for last night's match in Azerbaijan because he knew he would miss the game through injury.

That revelation brought condemnation from all quarters - including FIFA president Sepp Blatter - but Beckham yesterday got the backing of the FA.

When Thompson was asked whether Beckham could carry on as England captain he replied: "Of course he can. The captain has possibly made an error of judgement but he has apologised for it.

He told BBC Radio Five Live: "This is a matter that will take its own course and we need to speak to the England manager. The issue will be dealt with in the proper way."

Beckham's statement of remorse is likely to mean he will escape any punitive action from world governing body FIFA or the Football Association.

Beckham said: "In an interview I was asked a question and made a frank and honest admission to counter the negative speculation.

"I now know that was wrong and apologise to the Football Association, the England manager, my team-mates and all England fans for this.

"I have also apologised personally to my manager. I know that as captain you are in a privileged position and must always abide by FIFA's code of fair play, something which I have always done throughout my career. On this occasion I made a mistake."

Celtic won't spend

Celtic chairman Brian Quinn has said there would be no pot of gold for manager Martin O'Neill to spend. The club revealed at its a.g.m. yesterday that its debt had fallen to £15 million from the £17.78 million of the previous financial year.

But, despite landing a five-year £25 million sponsorship deal with Nike, O'Neill was told they had to remain stringent in order to wipe out their debt.

O'Neill has only brought in Juninho on a free transfer and Henri Camara on loan despite losing Henrik Larsson and other influential players. However, Quinn said the club must remain careful for the foreseeable future unless they achieve surprise success in Europe.

He added: "I don't like losses but they have come from what happened a couple of years ago when players signed huge contracts and the transfer fees were high. That time has passed and we are going to need a bit of time to work through that."

Meanwhile, Jackie McNamara expects to have recovered from an ankle injury in time for Celtic's Champions League clash with Shakhtar Donetsk in Ukraine next week.

In Brief

Mohamed Al Fayed has "no desire to sell Fulham", despite reports that a consortium of Turkish businessmen are ready to launch a £35 million takeover bid. Al Fayed's media advisor said a meeting took place with the Turks who are interested in making an investment . . . Striker Adrian Mutu looks set to leave Chelsea. The Romanian failed to show for training on Tuesday and was believed to have been absent again yesterday after reports of a row with coach Jose Mourinho on Monday . . . Newcastle defender Titus Bramble is targeting a return to first-team action after recovering from a groin injury . . . Brescia's Jonathan Bachini has tested positive for metabolites of cocaine, the Italian Olympic Committee said yesterday.