Spice and everything nice for Beckham

The two had permission from coach Glenn Hoddle, who has clamped down on almost everything else at the England camp.

“Victoria did fly out to spend some time with David,” said team spokesman Steve Double. Glenn has already agreed that the wives and the girlfriends of the players should be allowed to fly out to watch the England games in the World Cup.

US defence strategy

La Baule, Paris: US players finally escaped their gilded luxury yesterday, leaving their 12th century chateau in Beaujolais wine country and travelling by train to Paris.

About 100 family and friends greeted the players when they arrived on a high-speed TGV train at the Gare de Lyon.

“It finally feels likewe’re at the World Cup,” mid-fielder Mike Burns said, seeing the Belgian and Holland fans going to tonight’s game.”

`Go biking, PM’

SENLIS (France): Coach Cesare Maldini told the Italian Prime Minister today to get on his bike and stop trying to pick the World Cup team.

Italian Premier Romano Prodi said yesterday he would like to see Roberto Baggio and Alessandro del Piero play up front when Italy take on Cameroon in their second Group B match next week.

Asked about Prodi’s comments at a news conference today, a deadpan Maldini replied: “Mr Prodi is a great fan of cycling.”

Tongue in check

MARSEILLE: England better keep their tongues under lock and key in their opening World Cup match against Tunisia here tomorrow.

Japanese referee Masayoshi Okada has been mugging up on English swear words ahead of the game and will take no back chat.

Okada is trying to live down a 1995 World Youth game (Holland vs Honduras) when he sent off so many players the match had to beabandoned.