2 Die in Argentina in Clash of Fans

Two people were killed, dozens more were injured and scores were arrested in Argentina on Sunday when 14 busloads of rival fans clashed at a toll collection point on the main highway between Buenos Aires and Rosario, police said.

“There was a terrible situation which ended in deaths,” Roberto Gramzugor, a police inspector, told Reuters.

Details about the incident remained sketchy Monday. Police said a convoy of eight buses carrying River Plate supporters was en route from Buenos Aires to Rosario for a match against Rosario Central.

At the same time, six busloads of Newell’s Old Boys fans were heading for Buenos Aires from Rosario to watch their team play Boca Juniors.

The buses arrived at the toll plaza at the same time and a violent confrontation erupted. Exactly what provoked the clash is unknown, but the fans fired shots and hurled rocks at each other in what Reuters described as “a pitched battle.”

Neither of those killed was immediately identified.

Argentine soccer has been plagued by fan violence for several years, with deaths becoming more commonplace and the government having to step in last season to suspend league play because of it.

Champions League

The four European Champions League semifinalists will be determined in matches today and Wednesday, and the importance of the quarterfinals has been underlined by the quality of the referees assigned to the second-leg games.

Italy’s Pierluigi Collina, who refereed the Brazil-Germany 2002 World Cup final, will be in charge of the Manchester United-Real Madrid game Wednesday in England. Real Madrid won the first leg, 3-1, in Spain.

Spain’s Manuel Enrique Mejuto Gonzalez will referee the AC Milan-Ajax Amsterdam game in Italy. The teams tied the first leg in the Netherlands, 0-0.

A match today in Spain between Barcelona and Juventus, who tied, 1-1, in Turin, Italy, will be officiated by England’s Graham Poll, and Danish World Cup referee Kim Milton Nielsen will take charge of the Valencia-Inter Milan game. Inter won the first match, 1-0, in Milan.

Beckham’s Future

One day after Manchester United Coach Alex Ferguson almost angrily insisted that David Beckham will not be joining European champion Real Madrid as widely rumored last month, the midfielder suggested his future remains his own to decide.

“As I’ve always said, ‘Never say never,’ ” Beckham told the European edition of Time magazine. “You always want to play with the best team and the best players.... Real Madrid have got a massive history about them and they’ve got world-class players in their team.”

England’s captain also had some interesting observations about sport in the United States.

“I’d love to be well-known in America,” he said. “I’d love to be recognized over there. The American people are so patriotic about their teams and their sports -- more so than anywhere in the world.

“I like the way they look up to Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods. I’m sure they criticize players, but not to the extent where they’re putting their own people and their own stars down. That’s what’s nice.”

Short Celebration

When French striker Pascal Nouma scored a goal for Besiktas during an important victory over rival Fenerbahce on Sunday night, he reacted as if he were in Paris. He tore off his shirt and stuck his hand down the front of his shorts.

Unfortunately, Nouma was in Istanbul, and his Turkish teammates, the Turkish fans and the Turkish television commentators were not amused. Some said he might be prosecuted under Turkey’s strict anti-obscenity laws.

“No one knows what goes through your head when you score,” Nouma said. “I shouldn’t have done it. If it wounded Turkey, then I am sorry.”

Quick Passes

Real Madrid striker Raul will sit out against Manchester United after undergoing an emergency appendectomy Monday. Real Madrid Coach Vicente del Bosque is expected to start Guti alongside Ronaldo in the attack.... West Ham United Coach Glenn Roeder, whose team is battling to avoid relegation from the English Premier League, was hospitalized with chest pains Monday after a 1-0 victory over Middlesbrough. Roeder, 47, was listed in stable condition and was undergoing tests.... French forward David Trezeguet will sit out Juventus’ game against Barcelona today after failing to recover from a shoulder injury suffered two weeks ago.