Beckham was warmly welcomed by the Milan team with whom he played in the first half of the year. The player is now keen to start competitive soccer as soon as possible to get back into shape. His main objective is for Fabio Capello, the English team’s coach for the FIFA World Cup in South Africa next year, to include him in the World Cup team.

Capello recently said in an interview that the 34 year old’s age did not affect his chances in the least. “I am interested in quality and not just their age,” he said.
Beckham’s first opportunity to play could come on January 6th already when he plays with Milan against Genoa at San Siro.

In the meantime, AC Milan’s doctor, Massimo Manara, who examined Beckham on his return, gave the player thumbs up health wise. “I found David Beckham really well,” he said to the media. “Even though a year has passed, he looked to be at the same level as a year ago to me. The problem he had with his right foot in previous weeks is resolved.”

Beckham had trouble with a bruised right ankle bone in the run up to the Major League Soccer final, where his loan team, the Los Angeles Galaxy, lost to Real Salt Lake.

Since there have been a number of major European match scams, where more than 200 matches are currently under investigation for alleged match-fixing, and 17 people have already been arrested, FIFA felt it was time to take action to ensure that there is no match-fixing for the World Cup, and for other matches in the future.

There were many who gathered together in order to draw the teams for the football World Cup, which made it a good opportunity to have a meeting in order to discuss the issues surrounding match-fixing, and explain how Interpol, the International Police Association, are going to be creating an international task force to deal with these issues in football betting, as well as other sports betting.

After the meeting was over, the president of FIFA, Sepp Blatter said: “We have received wonderful support in the fight to prevent football being hostage for illegal activities. We cannot easily go to courts but we have now found a partner in Interpol. This means all the present control systems Рthe FIFA early-warning for international matches, another for UEFA plus the German Radar system will be put together.”

England’s 100 percent qualifying record under Fabio Capello was cut short after losing 1-0 to Ukraine. The 3 Lions endured a calamitous start after ManUtd defender Rio Ferdinand allowed Artem Milevskiya through on goal, only for matters to get worse when Rob Green was sent off with a last gasp tackle. Fortunately for England, Andriy Shevchenko provided some respite as he scuffed his penalty wide of the post, giving England another chance. However it wasn’t too long before England’s ten-man team went behind after Ashley Cole conceded possession to Ukraine just outside the box – giving pretence to a wonderful strike on the 29th minute. Wayne Rooney could have equalised late on, but sent a shot radiating past the post.

In other qualifiers, the Mediterranean men of Portugal took a step closer to the elusive play-off spot. They now just need to beat Malta at home Рalthough they’ll have to do it without talented 2009 World Player of the Year Ronaldo, who picked up an ankle injury recently. Portugal defeated Hungary 3-0, with Liedson proving to be that consistent striker that they’ve missed for so long by grabbing the second. In a Scandinavian encounter, Denmark edged out Sweden 1-0 to top the group and progress to their first major tournament since 2002.

In their typically efficient style, Germany grinded out a 1-0 victory in Moscow to top group 4. The Germans are now qualified directly.

Meanwhile Spain made it 8 wins out of 8, with goals from Fabregas and Mata helping them beat Armenia 2-1. Serbia ensured they will finish group 7 as winners with a 5-0 thrashing of Romania, where as Scotland relinquished their South Africa hopes by losing 1-0 at home to Holland.

Across the Atlantic, Diego Maradona was delighted as his Argentina side finally won a game to clinch the 4th automatic qualifying spot. They have veteran Martin Palermo to thank, as he scored in the dying seconds to beat Peru 2-1.

Iran drew 1-1 with the Korea Republic and Nigeria managed to book their place in 2010 world cup with a 1-0 victory over Mozambique.

Barcelona meanwhile kept up their 100 per cent start to the season, grinding out a 1-0 victory at home to Almeria. Almeria’s overly cautious, ‘park the bus’ approach prompted a post-match tirade from Barca playmaker Xavi, who claimed the opposition marking and negativity was beyond the pale.

A bullish Didier Drogba inspired Chelsea to the summit of the premier league, as he created two goals for Nicolas Anelka and Florent Malouda respectively. Liverpool hustled and bustled, and Fernando Torres spurned a guilt edged opportunity at 1-0, but ultimately their service from the flanks was poor. Chelsea’s passing was crisper, and deputy goalkeeper Hilario put in an assured performance.

The deadlock was broken when a dangerous Drogba flashed a ball across the box for Anelka to poke in. The game was wrapped up when the Ivory Coast hitman outmuscled Jamie Carragher on the by-line to gift sub Malouda a tap-in. Meanwhile Manchester Utd put in a lacklustre display against Sunderland, with Paul Scholes and Darren Fletcher particularly wasteful in possession. The deadlock was broken early on when Darren Bent produced an astute finish. United replied through a majestic Berbatov overhead kick, but Kenwyne Jones took advantage of a flappy Foster to restore Sunderland’s lead. It was misery for Anton Ferdinand as he deflected Patrice Evra’s effort into his own net in the dying moments of the game to gift United a draw.

The 32 year old Al Fahim has now become the club’s new sole owner after a lengthy summer where the club was expected to change hands. Al Fahim, the sole owner of Al Fahim Associates, is thought to have agreed a takeover in principle from Israeli owner Gaydamak as early as May. The clubs fans and players were ensconced with takeover fiascos, and while the club’s current manager denies it, the unknown future of the of club has seeped into on field results and performances.

A spokesman for Portsmouth‚Äôs former owner Alexandre Gaydamak said ‚ÄúSacha is delighted the deal has been finalized and is really pleased the club can now move forward in the best possible way. He would also like to thank Portsmouth’s supporters for their continuing loyalty to the team and wishes them all the best for the future."

The news also comes just a week after the English South-coast club announced it was in talks with a consortium headed by Peter Storrie.
At the moment, Portsmouth are in an unsteady and capricious position in the Premier League, lying at the bottom of the table with zero points and with their best player either gone or set to leave. Their star man and the club’s player of the year for the 08/09 season, Glenn Johnson, left for Liverpool this summer. England International Peter Crouch was also sold to London club Tottenham, and Sylvain Distin, the club’s current captain is also seeking a move from the club.

Notts Country were earlier taken over by Middle Eastern Arabs, with the long term aim of reaching the Premier League. The Nottingham based football club have, at the moment, a five-year plan to get into the championship – two leagues above their current situation.
In signing Sol Campbell, the club now has one of the most experienced players in England with 73 caps for England, and a raft of trophies and honors won.
Campbell, who was swayed by his former international manager Eriksson, said of the shock move "Sven played a big role. He’s a great man. He’s managed all over the world and he knows his football, he’s a proper guy.‚Äù
The 6ft 2in centre-half has also appeared in three World Cups, and also featured for England in the Euro 2008 qualifiers last year, however has not been selected by new manager Fabio Capello.
"I’m looking to the future now. Career-wise this sits perfectly for where I am at the moment in my life. I didn’t really have to think too much about it. There were offers from the Premier League but that would have been short-term. I’m thinking of the future."
Since Eriksson’s move to Meadow Lane, Campbell has now presented the biggest on-field signing since being taken over by the consortium. The former Arsenal player is set for a player-role only, and is not expected to take up a role on the coaching side. Campbell won two Premier League titles and three FA Cups during his five year spell at Arsenal, and was a centre piece in the infamous team of 2003-4 league season where the club went unbeaten in all 36 games.
He’s seen the future. It’s a challenge but I think everyone connected to the club are prepared for that challenge. It’s refreshing‚Äù said a BBC Radio Nottingham spokesman.
Campbell noted a key part of his decision was the club’s overall ambitions to get the Magpies into the Premier League.

"I’ve spoken to all the people concerned with the club and they’ve guaranteed me of their ambitions to eventually get in the Premier League. From the management to the hierarchy they genuinely think it’s believable. This is the oldest club in the world with a fantastic heritage. I’ll play for at least three years and then go from there. They’ve got a lot of ideas but I’m here as a footballer, to keep on winning promotion and getting them up into the Premier League. It’s going to be different but I don’t mind starting again. League-wise it is moving down but they’ve got ambitions to move up and I think we will. It’s going to be a different kind of situation but I just want to play football and I’m hungry. Football is in my blood and all I’m thinking about is promotion."
Campbell’s former manager, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger said he was surprised by the player’s decision to drop down three divisions after his spell with Portsmouth in the Premier League.
"It was a surprise, because of the level Notts County play at," said the Frenchman. "That shows you as well how much financial potential Notts County has suddenly. In May, did you expect Sol to go to Notts County? Certainly not. Time will show if it is a good move for him. It depends what is in his mind, if it is purely a football move or if it is a long-term move that he wants to be involved afterwards as a coach. Maybe it can be a good decision if he wants to build something on the longer term. On the short term, he will suffer a bit because he is used to top level football. When you move down, it is always difficult to cope mentally."

The manager added "Sylvinho has a wealth of experience at the very top level, having represented Brazil and played for some of the very top clubs in Europe."
City are also on the cusp of signing Everton’s highly rated English centre back Joleon Lescott in a deal worth approximately £22 million.
The Eastland club finally inveigled him after an arguably illegal and relentless approach for the 26 year old.

City had previously had two offers rejected for £15 and £18 million this summer, however with Moyes blocking both moves for the versatile defender who can play at centre-back and left back; it seems the former Wolves player is now forcing the transfer to go ahead.

Arsenal continued their impressive start to the season with a 4-1 victory over relegation favourites Portsmouth. Abou Diaby opened the scoring on 17 minutes, and then made it 2-0 on the 20th minute – his first double for the club. Younes Kaboul headed in to give Portsmouth some hope; however a fortunate goal from former Arsenal captain William Gallas reproved the scoreline. Aaron Ramsey managed to make it four goals for Arsenal on 67 minutes after slotting in a pass from Robin van Persie. The result maintains Wenger’s 100% start to the season and has begun to silence the London club’s critics who were skeptical of Arsenal’s capabilities this season. The club have gone top of the table on goal difference.

Cash injected Manchester City beat Wolves at home courtesy of Adebayor’s second goal for the club in as many games. While manager Hughe’s £20 million signing Adebayor won the game for City on 17 minutes; it was in fact Carlos Tevez who earned the respect and admiration from fans at the other end of Manchester. The Argentinean created Adebayor’s goal, and was the pinnacle of most of City’s attacking play – who should really have wrapped up the game before half-time. After a number of chances to increase the lead were wasted by City, Mick McCarthy’s Wolves looked likely to grab an undeserved draw. However City managed to push through; and their continuing faltering defense makes the impending £22 million signing of Everton defender Joleon Lescott palpably much more worth wile.

In the two other Saturday Premier League games, Sunderland managed to come from behind to beat Big Sam’s Blackburn 2-1 at the Stadium of Light. Two goals from Kenwyn Jones managed to upend the 1-0 deficit laid down by Blackburn’s Gael Givet on 20 minutes.
Hull managed to get their 2nd consecutive Premier League campaign up and running after Kamel Fathis Ghilas earned the Tigers a 1-0 victory against Bolton at home. Afterwards Hull City manager Phil Brown said "It is a massive three points although we rode our luck but importantly we scored a good goal. We defended valiantly and made sure we got our heads on balls ahead of the likes of Kevin Davies. There are a lot of positives especially with getting a clean sheet. A point per game which is 38 points should be enough this season."

"Nobody will be sold because we need all our players. We can’t afford to lose anyone else. The Premier League is very difficult and we have to keep everyone we have at the moment" said Benitez.

Albert Riera and striker Andriy Voronin were both expected to be leaving the club this week, with Barcelona and Hertha Berlin, respectively, showing interest. Voronin was set to command a fee of no less than £3 million. Riera was left out of the squad that lost 2-1 to Tottenham last Sunday, however Benitez maintains this was due to a lack of training through injury.
On the other side of the buy/sell marker however, Liverpool are all set for a deal to sign AEK Athens centre-back Sotirios Kyrgiakos for around £1.5 million. The club’s American owners have apparently also denied the former Valencia manager funds for Hull’s Michael Turner, Stoke’s Ryan Shawcross and Athletic Bilbao’s Amorebieta.

Utd went 1-0 ahead on 34 minutes after Rooney slotted a ball in. The young fiery player kicked in his own rebound after his headed ball from Nani rebounded off the post. Sir Alex Ferguson also included Ben Foster into the starting eleven, maintaining faith in the young English goal keeper – particularly after his unconvincing start in the Charity Shield game. Bulgarian striker Dmitar Berbatov also had some great chances, including an un-registered penalty appeal that left the benches fuming.
All in all however, the Sir Alex won’t be upset about his first game of the season with a victory in the bags.

On the other side of the country however, Liverpool succumbed to a healthy, talent-packed Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane. Goals from Tottenham defenders Assou-Ekotto (his first for the club) and former Newcastle player Bassong sealed victory for the London team. Liverpool managed to fight back bringing the game 1-1 with a Stevie G penalty shortly before Bassong scored the winner.