csconstantine.com

MADRID (AP)—David Navarro produced a performance fitting for Oscar night.

The Valencia defender elbowed Fernando Llorente in the back of the head while jumping for a ball that flew high over the pair, and then fell to ground clutching his own noggin in apparent agony.

While Llorente was eventually led to the sidelines for treatment and quickly returned to action, Navarro remained motionless before being removed on a stretcher. Seconds later, the Valencia captain was back on the field to help his team rally from a 1-0 deficit to beat Athletic Bilbao 2-1 Sunday in the Spanish league.

“He deserves an Oscar for what he did,” Bilbao defender Mikel San Jose said Monday, referring to the American movie awards ceremony that took place Sunday night in Los Angeles. “David Navarro’s attitude is really disgusting. Football is a contact sport and you can give your opponent a blow with an elbow but if that happens you have to own up to it and not throw yourself on the ground. That’s the worst thing about it.”

Replays showed that Navarro’s head did not make contact with anyone or anything during the play, while Bilbao.

Navarro has previously served a six-month ban from all national and international matches for his part in a melee during a Champions League game in 2007. Navarro came off the bench and punched Inter Milan defender Nicolas Burdisso from behind, breaking the Argentine player’s nose.

Llorente, who said Navarro was a dangerous player, called on Spanish officials to review the incident and impose a ban after he needed three stitches because of the incident.

“No doubt tonight they’ll give him the Oscar,” Llorente said after the match. “What a referee. Knowing how this player is and then to allow these types of things is shameful. I’m outraged.

“I’m tired of this, that no one wants to stop these types of players. He was trying to intimidate me all game because that’s the only way he knows how to play.”

TV commentators were equally critical during the broadcast.

“Navarro obviously received a tremendous shock of electricity all through his body after his elbow met (Llorente’s) head,” Canal Plus analyst Carlos Martinez said. “What David Navarro has done is very nasty.”

Navarro said he stayed down after feeling a twinge in his neck during the play.

“On the field there are a lot of hard challenges but everything stays there. I didn’t mean to hurt Llorente,” said Navarro, who clutched his forehead as he tumbled to the ground. “They saw more yellow cards than us. You should see how the legs of my teammates look.”

Labels: Athletic, David, Navarros, Oscarworthy, theatrics

Beckham trained with Spurs during Major League Soccer's off-season although a proposed loan move fell through.

Redknapp has no immediate plans to sign the 35-year-old when his MLS contract expires in November but a further training spell could be arranged.

"He's been great to have around, he's welcome back any time," Redknapp said.

Beckham had hoped to turn out for Spurs when he began his six week training spell with the club in January but negotiations between the Galaxy and Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy broke down.

And speaking ahead of Tuesday's Premier League game against Blackpool at Bloomfield Road Redknapp admitted that there have yet to be any discussions about a potential return for the former England captain.

"I think he would like to see what the future holds for him," he reasoned.

"I've not looked into bringing him back in November.

"He can still play, he still pick a pass out. I've not looked into bringing him back in November - the chairman would need to look at that, I don't know what the financial side of it would be."

The former Manchester United and Real Madrid midfielder should feature in the Galaxy's season opener against Seattle Sounders on 15 March.

And commenting on Beckham's willingness to uproot to London for six weeks of training Redknapp said: "He's a busy lad, his life must be unbelievable, but when you get a lad who wants to come here and train every day when he could be sitting at home having a month's rest, it tells you everything about him."

Labels: Beckham, David, Hotspur, return, Sport, Tottenham

By Ivan Speck Last updated at 7:29 PM on 16th February 2011

Barry Hearn has warned Prime Minister David Cameron not to rubber-stamp West Ham’s proposed takeover of the Olympic Stadium or he will be risking a protracted legal battle.

The Leyton Orient chairman is also threatening proceedings against the Premier League if they sanction the move which he believes is against Premier League rules. He will meet its chief executive Richard Scudamore tomorrow to discuss his club’s position.

Hearn said: ‘I do not blame West Ham. They are only looking after their own interests. The culprits are the Government and the Premier League.

‘To have a giant of West Ham’s stature on our doorstep offering discounted and free tickets would seriously bring into question the survival of Leyton Orient.’

Labels: Barry, battle, Cameron, Daily, David, Hearn, legal, threatens

Labels: Arsenal, Comments, David, Everton, Fabregas, Goalcom, Manager, Midfielder, Moyes, Officials, Regarding, Slams

"I couldn't believe it," said Mr Long, who was taking his two children to school. "He asked if we were OK and pushed the car to safety. We were stuck on the A10 roundabout for about ten minutes, which was pretty dangerous. He got us out of a sticky situation."

Labels: after, aposin, aweapos, Beckham, David, Driver, Scotsman

SkySports

David Pipe has found a superstar in Grands Crus Telegraph.co.uk But, for once, the build-up was justified as at least three realistic Festival hopes won at Cheltenham on Saturday, just 24 hours before Willie Mullins gave warning of a powerful Irish challenge when ... David Pipe puts Grands Crus on trial for the Cheltenham FestivalThe Guardian Grands Crus looks a corkerIndependent Quicker ground no worry for CrusThe Press Association SkySports -Liverpool Echo -Mirror.co.uk all 277 news articles »

Labels: David, found, Grands, superstar, Telegraphcouk