Beckham’s Coronation Is Today
David Beckham completed his $41.3-million transfer to Real Madrid from Manchester United on Tuesday, signing a four-year contract with the Spanish club.
Today, Beckham will be introduced to more than 600 journalists from 25 countries, a presentation that will be televised live in Spain and throughout Asia.
The unprecedented interest in Beckham’s arrival drew a warning from club spokesman Joaquin Maroto, who said Real intended to protect Beckham from unwanted media attention.
“If anyone steps out of line, we’ll wipe them from our list forever,” Maroto said.
Beckham, who is not scheduled to take questions, will be given Real’s white shirt by honorary president and legendary former player Alfredo di Stefano, though the shirt is not expected to bear a number.
Beckham’s usual No. 7 is not available, because it is worn by teammate Raul.
Beckham is scheduled to leave Madrid today and will not be required to return until July 24 when Real departs for its Far East tour.
Palencia Out
Mexican international forward Juan Francisco Palencia probably won’t return to Cruz Azul of the Mexican league, Guillermo Alvarez Cuevas, the team’s president, having told radio station Estadio W that “the doors have closed.”
Palencia, who is not on Mexico’s roster for this month’s CONCACAF Gold Cup, is in Spain, apparently seeking a contract with a team there and supervising construction of a restaurant he is building in Barcelona.
Palencia played on loan for Espanyol in the Spanish league in 2002.
World Cup Berth
Mexico’s women’s national team will play host to Japan on Saturday at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City in the first of a two-game series to determine the 16th and final berth for this fall’s Women’s World Cup in the United States.
The teams will play the second game July 12 at National Stadium in Tokyo.
Teams that have qualified are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Ghana, Nigeria, North Korea, Norway, Russia, South Korea, Sweden and the U.S.
Copa Libertadores
Boca Juniors of Argentina needs only a one-goal loss or better to win the championship of the Copa Libertadores when it plays the second game on the road tonight against Santos of Brazil.
Boca won the first game, 2-0, a week ago at Buenos Aires, getting two goals from midfielder Marcelo Delgado.
Quick Passes
Controversial Paraguayan goalkeeper Jose Luis Chilavert is joining Penarol, Uruguay’s most popular club. Chilavert has not played since September when he was released by French club Racing Strasbourg.... Welsh international striker Craig Bellamy, who plays for Newcastle United, faces three racism offenses related to a nightclub incident, a court in Cardiff, Wales, said.
Manchester United signed 20-year-old French striker David Bellion to a four-year deal on a free transfer from Sunderland, which has been relegated to the English first division.
Birmingham City has agreed to a transfer fee of about $8.4 million with Blackburn Rovers for England’s international midfielder David Dunn.
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Times wire services contributed to this report.
