PICTURE SPECIAL: Abbey Clancy joins stunning line-up of international WAGs to launch World Cup kits

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By Tom Bellwood

Abbey days: Clancy sports the rather nifty England design


We thought the WAGs were banned for the World Cup? It would appear not.
England boss Fabio Capello wants all distractions removed for the forthcoming tournament in South Africa - but when they look this good, we'd rather they were there

As the big tournament approaches, Umbro has designed shirts to celebrate each of the seven nations who have become world champions.

And with a stroke of genius they have asked the likes of Peter Crouch's fiancee Abbey Clancy and an array of other lovelies to model the gear ahead of the launch


Tidy kit: Representing Italy is Alice Bregoli (left), the girlfriend of Alberto Gilardino, while Uruguay is modelled by Diego Forlan's wife Zaira Nara


And as you can see they're all absolute dazzlers - we're talking about the shirts, of course..

Each kit has a redesigned national badge, which Umbro tell us have been designed by 'mixture of graffiti artists, cartoonists, tattoo designers, record label owners' and blah, blah, blah.


Getting shirty: Gael Clichy's wife Charlene Suric (left) shows off the France design, while Luli Fernandez - girlfriend of Pablo Mouche - wears the Argentina kit

The launch of the kits mirrors a promotion Umbro lead way back in the 60s - but we reckon the current crop of shirts and models will stand the test of time.

The stunning shots of the World Champions Collection were taken by Rankin who said: 'The girls in the campaign all look stunning and they were a pleasure to work with. I’m extremely pleased with the results.'
We couldn't agree more.


On to a winner: Marcell Jansen's wife Julia Godicke in the Germany colours, with Susana Werner - Julio Cesar's other half - in the famous yellow of Brazil
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Tiger Woods cheered and applauded by fans as he makes golfing return at the U.S. Masters

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By Daily Mail Reporter

Shamed golfer Tiger Woods was watched by over 1,000 people as he made his golfing return today


Tiger Woods has been cheered and applauded by fans after making his return to the golf circuit following a five-month absence.

The sportsman waved to the crowd as he walked confidently onto the golf course for the U.S. Masters in Augusta, Georgia, wearing a Nike striped t-shirt and a navy blue baseball cap.

All eyes were on the shamed golfer, who was making his first official appearance since revelations of his numerous extra-marital affairs first emerged last November, who finished two shots off the lead at four under par after an impressive first round.


Tiger waves to the gallery on the first tee during the first round of the Masters


Tiger had said previously he was 'nervous' about the reception he would receive, adding: 'It would be nice to hear a couple claps here and there!'

But today he said: 'All day the crowd reaction was unbelievable. I haven't heard the people cheer that loud in all my years here and it really helped, especially when you're missing a few putts.

'I took the practice very seriously, I was trying really hard for weeks on end. I wouldn't say I was more aggressive, but the golf course was a little bit more there to be had today, the tees were up.

'I just tried to stay focused and keep plodding along, try not to give any shots away. I would think a couple under par would have been a very good start.'

Bookmakers have made Tiger the 5 to 1 favourite to win his fifth Masters green jacket.

Tiger Woods looked confident as he teed off at the Masters tournament this evening


Tiger with fellow golfer Matt Kucher at the Masters in Augusta, Georgia


Scottish golfer Sam Torrance, who was corresponding on Tiger's comeback on BBC News, said: 'I don't think I have ever seen a crowd like that on the first day. He's great Tiger, and we want him out there playing, showing us what he can do.'

The only interruption for Tiger came when an aeroplane flew over the course pulling a banner reading 'Tiger: Did you mean bootyism?' - a reference to Woods' claim that part of the reason for his troubles was that he left his faith, Buddhism.

Some people in the stands laughed and pulled out binoculars to get a closer look.

Later, another banner said: 'Sex Addict? Yeah. Right. Sure. Me, Too.'


The crowd of spectators watch intently as Tiger takes his first shot


Tiger gets instructions from caddie Steve Williams before teeing off


Tiger's comeback has also been criticised by Augusta National chairman Billy Payne, one of golf's leading officials, who condemned the sportsman for the double life he was leading.

'It is simply not the degree of his conduct that is so egregious here,' Mr Payne said in a surprisingly frank dressing-down of Tiger at the annual state of the Masters news conference yesterday.

'It is the fact that he disappointed all of us, and more importantly, our kids and our grandkids. Our hero did not live up to the expectations of the role model we saw for our children.


Tiger's golfing comeback was uninterrupted apart from a small plane flying over the course with this banner attached


Tiger tips his cap to the crowd as he walks up the 18th green


'Is there a way forward? I hope yes. But certainly, his future will never again be measured only by his performance against par, but measured by the sincerity of his efforts to change.'

And Mr Payne isn't the only person to be against Tiger's return to the golf course.

His wife Elin, who has not been seen with her husband since allegations first broke of his affairs in November, is said to have refused to attend the Masters tournament because she is furious that Tiger has decided to make his comeback so quickly after the controversy surrounding their marriage.


Tiger's wife Elin Nordegren is said to have refused to attend the Masters because she is angry the sportsman is returning to golf so soon

A source told U.S. gossip website RadarOnline.com: 'There’s a reason why Elin didn’t go to the tournament and it’s simple.

'She thinks he’s breaking his promise to her by returning to golf so soon. And as every day goes by she gets a little angrier.

'Not only did she refuse his request



Creepy: Shamed golfer Tiger Woods listens to his late father speaking to him from beyond the grave in a bizarre new Nike advert


The wheels were set in motion for Tiger's comeback yesterday, when Nike released a an advert featuring the voice of the sportsman's late father Earl.

In the television ad, shot recently at Tiger's home course in Florida, the shamed golfer listens to Earl asking questions apparently about his return to golf following his sex scandal.

'Tiger, I am more prone to be inquisitive, to promote discussion. I want to find out what your thinking was. I want to find out what your feelings are. And did you learn anything,' Earl says as the camera slowly zooms in on Tiger.

Filmed in black and white, the advert has the bizarre quality of a dream. Tiger appears upset, and the slow zooming of the camera is punctuated with flashes of light - hinting at the frantic clicking of the media's cameras.

The 30-second spot aired on the Golf Channel and ESPN yesterday and was to run until shortly after the star tees-off this evening.

A Nike spokesman said the new commercial portrays the ongoing influence Earl has on his son's life.

'We support Tiger and his family as he returns to competitive golf,' Derek Kent said.

'The ad addresses his time away from the game using the powerful words of his father.'
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Wayne Rooney is driving Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson crazy to put him on the bench for crunch Bayern Munich tie

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By Simon Jones and Ian Ladyman

Please pick me, Sir: Wayne Rooney is desperate to be picked to play Bayern


Wayne Rooney is pleading with Sir Alex Ferguson to pick him as a substitute for Wednesday night’s Champions League clash with Bayern Munich at Old Trafford.

The Manchester United striker has made rapid progress since suffering an ankle injury last week and is desperate to play some part in the second leg of the quarter-final tie, which United trail 2-1.

Ferguson has forbidden Rooney to drive for fear it could hinder recovery and the striker, driven by Michael Carrick, trained alone and still seemed troubled by the ankle.

Ferguson does not expect Rooney, 24, to return just yet but conceded his striker will drive him crazy with requests to be included against Bayern.


Raring to go: But Fergie does not want goal hero Rooney to rush back from injury


Ferguson said: ‘We’ve made some good progress with the lad but I’m not prepared to take the risk if he’s not 100 per cent fit. We’re looking at the Manchester City game (on April 17) or maybe Blackburn (Sunday) as a sub, possibly.

‘I don’t think he’ll be on the bench for this one — but he may try and persuade me!’


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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger hails 'unstoppable' Lionel Messi after Barca rout

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Centre of attention: Lionel Messi hit four incredible goals to destroy Arsenal

‘When he changes direction at such pace no-one can stay with him. He is very young but he can achieve a lot. He has six or seven years in front of him — touch wood that nothing happens to him — and he can reach unbelievable levels.

‘For example, the fourth goal he scored, I don’t know many players in the world who can score that. He made the impossible possible. He has something exceptional.’
Wenger was without five

first-choice players and bemoaned an opportunity wasted to add to Nicklas Bendtner’s opener before Messi equalised but Abou Diaby picked a pass left to the Dane when a better option looked like a ball right to Theo Walcott.

The Arsenal manager said: ‘We started strongly and had a good opportunity to score the second goal. We had chances to come back to 2-1 but we missed a good opportunity.

‘We made too many mistakes defensively to get away with it in a game like that. They were always first on the ball, in the space, and we were punished for that. We conceded cheap goals. They didn’t have to work hard enough. When they have players like Messi, you can pay for any mistake.

‘I must congratulate Barcelona. We lost against a team that is better than us. They are in the semi-finals and they have a chance to do it. They have players coming back and I believe they are the best side at the moment in Europe. But it’s a cup. If we had taken every opportunity tonight, we could have made life very difficult for them.’


Picking up the pieces: Arsene Wenger is left to pursue the Premier League crown


Arsenal must lift themselves for the final five games of the Barclays Premier League, starting with a north London derby at Tottenham next week.

‘Yes, of course, you worry,’ said Wenger. ‘It’s a big disappointment and we have to recover quickly because we cannot drop any points to have a chance to fight for the Premier League.

'White Hart Lane has been a place where we’ve done well over the years, so we don’t go there with a negative history. It forces you straight away to focus because you know it’s going to be a derby.

‘When you go out of the Champions League, the next day you are in front of a very empty future. Our dreams are involved in that but you have to address the disappointment and make sure you’re ready for the next game.’


Gunned down: Arsenal players are despondent in defeat after Messi's heroics

Arsenal’s players added their thoughts on Barcelona, Messi’s performance in particular.

Goalkeeper Manuel Almunia said: ‘They’re brilliant. The team in general is fantastic. We played better in the first leg but Messi is very, very good.

‘You have to try to anticipate what he’s going to do but it’s very difficult because he is so skilled. He can do whatever he wants at any time and it’s difficult to stop this kind of player. He was great tonight. I have a very bad memory but I have to say he is the best player I have ever come up against.’

Bendtner added: ‘He’s a phenomenal player and he showed that again. They played some really good football. If you are going to lose, you want to lose by the other team playing you off the pitch. They were stronger than us.’
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'I'm amazed that fans still cheer for me' says Tiger Woods in first press conference since infidelity scandal

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By Daily Mail Reporter

'I've done some horrible things': Tiger Woods speaks during a press conference at the Masters golf tournament in Augusta, Georgia


Tiger Woods will make his golfing comeback without his wife Elin at his side, he admitted last night.

He also claimed that 'nothing has changed' and he is still out to win, despite his recent troubles.

Woods, refused to answer questions about Elin, saying only that she was not with him at the U.S. Masters tournament in Augusta, Georgia.

Speaking at a press conference on the eve of his return at the Masters, Woods said repeatedly that he was ashamed of what he had done to his family with his multiple infidelities.

But the four-time Augusta champion said he was happy to be returning to golf, and the welcome from the fans 'blew me away'.

The 34-year-old, who has not played competitive golf since his private life spectacularly unravelled at the end of last year, admitted that he was amazed that his fans were still cheering for him.

'Coming in today I didn't know what to expect, of course with the reception,' he said.

'The reception I received from the galleries is something that really touched my heart.'

Woods, who said golf felt 'fun' again, insisted he wanted to leave the Masters with more than his dignity. 'I am going to go out there to win this thing,' he said.


Tiger Woods walks off the driving range today with his swing coach Hank Haney before his practice round for the U.S. Masters in Augusta


Tiger looked slightly out of shape on the course yesterday next to leading British golfer Paul Casey


Wearing a baseball cap with his personal TW logo and a Nike polo shirt, Woods said he was still working on his behavioural problems after 45 days in rehab, allegedly for sex addiction. He refused to describe his treatment, saying it was 'personal'.

'I missed my son's first birthday [while in rehab] and that hurt a lot,' he said.
'I vowed to never miss another one after that. It was something I regret and I will do for the rest of my life.'

Asked why he had stayed silent for so long while his reputation crumbled, he said he had done everything 'to the letter of the law'.

Woods denied ever taking illegal drugs, but admitted he received 'blood spinning' treatments - which are controversial but not banned - to speed his recovery from a knee injury. They came from a doctor who is under investigation by the FBI.


Elin Nordegren sits with her son Charlie as she watches a tennis match between Rafael Nadal and Andy Roddick in Florida on Good Friday


He admitted taking Ambien sleeping pills and Vicodin painkillers, but said he did not get hooked on them. 'Most of the time I was on Ambien it was when my dad was sick,' he said. 'When he died I took those things to help me sleep.'

Woods was cagey over the infamous accident outside his Florida mansion that helped trigger the scandal.

He admitted having five stitches in his lip and 'a pretty sore neck' but did not comment on speculation that he crashed his car after a confrontation with Elin over his cheating.

Only 180 accredited journalists were allowed into the news conference at Augusta's media centre.

It came as Woods made a surprise appearance at Georgia's Augusta National Golf Club


It has been claimed that Woods paid $10million to mistress Rachel Uchitel (left) in return for a confidentiality agreement. That revelation came as porn star Devon James (right) said ‘plenty’ more women are set to claim having flings with Woods


He will make his comeback from a self-enforced absence in the wake of the scandal that erupted last November by competing in this week's Masters, which is the first major championship of 2010, on Thursday.

He spent 10 minutes at the course's revamped practice facility, speaking briefly to British world number six Paul Casey.

Today, he played 18 holes in practice with 1992 Masters champion Fred Couples, and the pair were joined for the last six holes by 2003 U.S. Open champion Jim Furyk.

Woods was joined by his caddie Steve Williams, whose future with Woods was in doubt early this year when he gave a TV interview claiming he knew nothing of his boss's affairs and would have blown the whistle if he had.


Woods has not played competitive golf since his private life spectacularly unravelled at the end of last year


Conspicuously, Woods' black golf bag was free of any sponsor's names, bearing only the letters 'TW' in white with 'Tiger Woods' written below.

Last week the website TMZ, which broke the news of Michael Jackson's death, claimed the golfer paid out $10million to mistress Rachel Uchitel in return for an iron-clad confidentiality agreement.

That revelation came as another mistress, porn star Devon James, claimed ‘plenty’ more women are set to claim steamy flings with Woods.

She told an Australian radio show that she has audio tapes, photos and text messages to prove her fling with him.
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Wayne Rooney fit for World Cup: Fab news for Capello - but such a cruel twist for Manchester United

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By Ian Ladyman and Matt Lawton

Hobbling on: Rooney

Wayne Rooney is expected to be fully fit for the World Cup, though he is likely to miss the next tumultuous month of Manchester United’s season.


Rooney arrived home from Germany with his United team-mates on Wednesday afternoon still using crutches and with his right foot in a protective boot after damaging his ankle towards the end of their 2-1 Champions League loss to Bayern Munich on Tuesday.

The 24-year-old was whisked out of a side door of Manchester airport and taken to hospital for a scan. Although United refused to release the results of the examination last night, it is understood it was suspected to be a ‘grade one’ ligament tear.

If that is confirmed today, Rooney would be out for between three and four weeks, forcing him to miss pivotal games against Barclays Premier League rivals Chelsea at Old Trafford on Saturday and Bayern again in Europe four days later.

However, enquiries by the FA’s medical staff yesterday morning went some way to allaying England manager Fabio Capello’s fears that Rooney would miss the World Cup in South Africa, and the Italian is hoping to have that confirmed today.


Walking wounded: Wayne Rooney leaves the Allianz Arena on crutches

It is not uncommon for United, at the behest of manager Sir Alex Ferguson, to be unhelpful when it comes to releasing information about their injured players. This is particularly the case if Ferguson suspects the interest is motivated by something other than the outlook for United.

Certainly this was the scenario yesterday as United flew home from a disappointing first leg of their Champions League quarter-final with all eyes and cameras trained on Rooney. Indeed, it is possible that Ferguson will not officially reveal the prognosis until his weekly press conference tomorrow.

Arriving at the steps of United’s plane in a private vehicle yesterday lunchtime, Rooney made light work of boarding as he used his crutches to help him up the stairway.

Once on board, Rooney sat a third of the way down the plane in an aisle seat and did venture to the lavatory, without the use of his walking aids, midway through the two-hour flight.

United, and indeed England, will not be totally satisfied that there is no damage to the bones in his foot until the swelling around his ankle goes down. Chelsea defender Ashley Cole, for example, was thought to have suffered only ligament damage until further investigation revealed an ankle fracture.


Moment of impact: Mario Gomez treads on the foot of Wayne Rooney


Long day: Rooney leaves a south Manchester hospital after having his ankle scanned

Nevertheless, the initial indications when United doctors examined Rooney at the team hotel in Munich yesterday morning were that the injury was restricted to the ligaments and soft tissue around his joint. He was, for example, able to put some weight on his foot once it was encased in a protective boot.

Despite this, Ferguson’s mood was grim as he contemplated the vital month ahead without his star striker. Rooney has scored 34 goals this season, 22 more than Dimitar Berbatov, United’s next-highest scorer.

Berbatov will be expected to lead the line against Chelsea on Saturday and then in games against Bayern, Blackburn, Manchester City and possibly Tottenham. Although the £30million striker has enjoyed some improved form recently, scoring twice last weekend at Bolton, he now faces one of the most critical periods of his up-and-down Old Trafford career.

United defender Nemanja Vidic said: ‘At Bolton on Saturday Berba showed what he could do. He had a great game against Bolton and is a great footballer

‘Also this season we have shown we play as a team. Wayne is unbelievable. He scored again against Bayern and had another chance, he is one of the best in the world. But we can cope. We will have to.’
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Wayne Rooney exits on crutches: United seek to allay fears England striker has broken his foot again

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By Ian Ladyman

Feeling the pain: Wayne Rooney in agony after injuring his ankle


This was the moment a nation held its breath as Wayne Rooney clutched his ankle in agony at the end of Manchester United's 2-1 Champions League defeat against Bayern Munich.

The striker on whom England's World Cup hopes rest was injured in the dying seconds last night after Mario Gomez trod on his right foot. He will be assessed today but looks likely to miss Saturday's pivotal title clash with Chelsea.


The sight of him limping off sparked fears for South Africa, particularly as he suffered a metatarsal injury in the same foot four years ago almost to the day.

United led through a 64-second Rooney goal but an equaliser from Franck Ribery - deflected in off Rooney - and a stoppage-time winner from Ivica Olic gave the German side victory.


Moment of impact: Mario Gomez treads on the foot of Wayne Rooney


Rooney, who was also booked, was injured in the build-up to the winning goal.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said: 'Wayne has got a kick on the ankle. We don't know how serious it is.'

United sought to allay fears that Rooney had broken his foot again, though he left the Allianz Arena on crutches and with his right leg in a brace.


Worrying sight: Injured Wayne Rooney is helped off the pitch


Ferguson was in no mood to absolve his team for a defeat that leaves the quarter-final tie delicately balanced going into Wednesday's second leg at Old Trafford.

He said: 'We never played well and gave the ball away all night. That's not like us. The winning goal was a terrible one


Walking wounded: Wayne Rooney leaves the Allianz Arena on crutches


'At least we have an away goal. Bayern have a strong chance but at home we should be confident. Our keeper made saves time and time again and kept us in it.'

Bayern coach Louis van Gaal believes Rooney's absence could be crucial.

The Dutchman said: 'He is their most important player and if you looked at United's statistics you would see their second highest scorer had been their opponents. They had 11 own goals. That's how important Rooney is.'


Quick fire: Wayne Rooney opens the scoring after just 64 seconds
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VIDEO: Now Lionel Messi does a mazy...watch Barcelona's superstar destroy Real Zaragoza

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By Sportsmail Reporter

Barcelona's Lionel Messi slams home his mesmerising second goal against Real Zaragoza

One hat-trick in two league games just isn’t enough for some people.

Not when you’re Lionel Messi.

The Argentinian wizard smashed three goals past Valencia last weekend and he was at it again on Sunday, scoring three in Barcelona’s 4-2 win over Real Zaragoza — including this incredible second.

He wrestled the ball off the Zaragoza midfield on the halfway line, jigged past the first defender, turned the second inside out on the edge of the box and then fired a left-foot shot into the bottom right-hand corner.


Messi's super-strike was reminiscent of Samir Nasri's magical goal against Porto
‘Put in the superlatives yourselves, I’m running out,’ said Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola.

Arsenal beware.
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'Clap for me when I make golf comeback': Tiger Woods in first TV interview since sex scandal

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By Carol Driver

Interview: Tiger Woods tells ESPN he is a 'little nervous' about returning to play golf next month

Love cheat Tiger Woods wants fans to clap him when he makes his golfing comeback next month, he said in his first TV interview since the sex scandal erupted.

The shamed billionaire, who agreed answer any questions but restricted the chat to five minutes, also admitted he had been ‘living a lie’.

The recording - just a month after his public apology for having at least 12 affairs - is seen as a calculated public relations drive to ease him back into the public eye as he prepares for the major tournament.

And the married father of two told how he is nervous about returning to the U.S. Masters.

Woods, 34, who has had two spells in sex rehab since November after crashing his car outside his Florida mansion, said: ‘I hurt so many people by my own reckless attitude and behaviour. I tried to stop and couldn’t stop.

Talking to TV’s Golf Channel and ESPN, he revealed he was unsure about the reception he would get from fans when he plays at the U.S. Masters on April 8.

‘I'm a little nervous about that to be honest with you,’ he said.

‘It would be nice to hear a couple claps here and there. But also hope they clap for birdies, too.’


All is forgiven? Tiger Woods with wife Elin before his spectacular fall from grace


Woods also denied that his wife Elin Nordegren had attacked him on the night of the crash on November 27, 2009, after finding out about one of his affairs, adding: ‘Well, it's all in the police report. Beyond that, everything's between Elin and myself and that's private.’

Asked why he lost control of the car, Woods replied: ‘As I said ... that's between Elin and myself.’

A string of women - including a porn actress and cocktail waitress - have come forward and claimed they had relationships with the golfer.

He did not discuss details about his affairs but said that ‘just one is enough and obviously that wasn't the case’.

He also talked of the ‘brutal’ moments when he levelled with Elin.

He said she was, ‘Hurt. Very hurt. Shocked. Angry. And, you know, she had every right to be and I'm as disappointed as everyone else in my own behaviour because I can't believe I actually did that to the people I loved.’

Woods agreed to speak with a reporter from the U.S. sports channel ESPN sports and did not place any restrictions on questions that were asked.

His only stipulation for the interview, which was carried out at the luxury Isleworth complex, near Orlando, Florida, was that it would last no longer than five minutes.

Last week, it was revealed that Elin had put on hold plans to divorce Woods to help him rebuild his shattered life after his fall from grace.

And since completing his treatment he has been seen with 30-year-old at their home in Isleworth, Florida.

Woods, who has been in therapy for nearly half of the past four months, said of his eagerly awaited return: ‘I'm excited to get back and play. I'm excited to get to see the guys again.

‘I really miss a lot of my friends out there. I miss competing. But still, I still have a lot more treatment to do, and just because I'm playing, doesn't mean I'm gonna stop going to treatment.’

The sportsman - famed for his privacy - conceded the world knew him ‘a lot better now’.


Scandal: Woods was linked to 12 women, among them (l-r) Loredana Jolie, Rachel Uchitel and Jaimee Grubbs
‘I was living a life of a lie,’ he said. ‘I really was. And I was doing a lot of things, like I said, that hurt a lot of people.


‘And stripping away denial and rationalisation you start coming to the truth of who you really are and that can be very ugly.

‘But then again, when you face it and you start conquering it and you start living up to it. The strength that I feel now, I've never felt that type of strength.’

Woods's last tournament appearance was on November 15, 2009 - when he won the Australian Masters.
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Manchester United 2 Liverpool 1: Unsung hero Ji-sung Park strikes to upstage Kop idol Steven Gerrard

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By Matt Lawton Chief Football Correspondent

Stoop: Park Ji-sung nodded home on the hour for Manchester United


The two finest English midfielders of their respective generations appeared on the pitch here and Ji-Sung Park upstaged both of them.

In fairness to Paul Scholes, there was not an awful lot he could have done about it in the eight minutes he spent on the field. Left on the bench for the previous 87, he only came on so Sir Alex Ferguson could kill some time and reward Park with the standing ovation he richly deserved.

But Steven Gerrard proved nothing like as influential as a talented, tenacious South Korean who has scored important goals against Arsenal, AC Milan and Liverpool in recent weeks.

There was a time when Ferguson considered Gerrard the most influential player in the English game. But not on this occasion. Not when it was players like Park and Darren Fletcher who took charge of this scrappy, fiercely contested encounter and propelled Manchester United back to the top of the Barclays Premier League. Wayne Rooney has dominated the headlines in recent months and rightly so.

The outstanding footballer in this country right now, he took his season's tally to 33 with the goal that cancelled out a superb fifth-minute header from Fernando Torres.

But if there is a crucial difference between United and the side that pushed them hardest last season, it is as much about the support cast as the guys in the leading roles.




In a season when Liverpool have been far too reliant on Torres and Gerrard, United have possessed quality in every area of the pitch. It is because of players like Park and Fletcher, like Michael Carrick, Jonny Evans, Antonio Valencia and even Nani, that they have managed to overcome the loss of Cristiano Ronaldo and remain a major force.

Some players always deliver. Patrice Evra rivals Ashley Cole as one of the finest left backs in the world and now Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic and Gary Neville are again standing to his right. United have a solidity few teams can rival.


Full blooded: Wayne Rooney dives in on Steven Gerrard in the fiery affair


But where too many Liverpool players have failed to respond to the challenge of delivering that elusive first title under Rafa Benitez, a number of United's players have taken a significant step forward. Not even a more central role unsettled Park.

'Because of his intelligence and discipline he can do a slightly different job for us,' said Ferguson.

'He's such a bright little lad and his courage got him the goal.'

For Fletcher, too, there was praise. 'It's interesting that we have lost the last three games to Liverpool and Darren has missed all of them,' he said.

'He covers every inch of the ground and does a great job.'


Opener: Fernando Torres (right) and Gerrard celebrate


In Liverpool's side there were no such performers. Javier Mascherano succeeded only in conceding the penalty from which Rooney eventually scored - Pepe Reina saved the spot-kick before Rooney seized on the rebound - and Lucas and Gerrard failed to have any impact.


A lack of composure was part of the problem, the pressure of what is starting to look like the hopeless pursuit of a Champions League place seemingly getting the better of them.


Torres appeared particularly troubled. He opened the scoring with a super finish but he was booked for a nasty challenge on Park and he could have been in trouble with referee Howard Webb on a number of other occasions, not least when he scuffed the penalty spot with his studs seconds before Rooney planted the ball.

Had Torres been more composed, he might have equalised when Gerrard set him up in the 90th minute, but he failed to connect properly with a right-foot shot one would normally expect him to bury.

Liverpool might point to the fact that this was their third match in a week, but they will regret how easily they conceded their advantage.


Spot on: Rooney fires home his first-half penalty


A terrific opening goal came from a swiftly executed attack that was sparked by a wayward pass from Carrick. Torres back-heeled the ball into the path of Gerrard, the Liverpool captain surged downfield before passing to Dirk Kuyt on the right flank and Torres then appeared between Neville and Ferdinand to meet Kuyt's cross with a quite sensational header.

That Benitez is blaming Valencia for United's penalty is, frankly, ludicrous. It was not the red card offence Ferguson claimed it was, and it was hardly surprising to see the two managers clash in the technical area when United's manager protested to Webb.


Hotting up: Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson clashes with Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez


But Mascherano took hold of the rapidly advancing United winger deep in Liverpool's half and he was still clinging on when Valencia fell inside the box. It was a penalty. No doubt about it.

Rooney overcame the dirty tricks of Torres as well as Reina's save to level the scores and Park could have struck on at least one other occasion before he celebrated the decisive goal on the hour.

A neat ball to the right from Rooney was followed by a fine cross from Fletcher and Park, taking advantage of the fact that Jamie Carragher was too busy trying to stop Rooney, did the rest, scoring with a diving header that underlined the contribution of the United players beyond Rooney.
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Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson slams FA for failing to ban Liverpool's Steven Gerrard

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By Ian Ladyman

Indiscretions: Liverpool's Steven Gerrard tangles with Michael Brown of Pompey

Sir Alex Ferguson last night labelled the FA ‘dysfunctional’ and ‘crazy’ for their failure to ban Steven Gerrard ahead of Sunday's crunch Barclays Premier League clash with Liverpool at Old Trafford.

United manager Ferguson has called for a change in the disciplinary system after Gerrard was not banned for an elbow in the face of Portsmouth’s Michael Brown on Monday — just weeks after Rio Ferdinand was suspended for four games for a similar offence against Hull City.

Ferguson said: ‘I didn’t expect them to charge Gerrard simply because it’s a dysfunctional unit, the FA. I don’t think they know what they are doing.

'There’s no consistency for a start. I never expect any. They’ll do what they want down there. It’s crazy at times.’

Ferguson wants the FA to scrap their current procedures and allow former managers to form a new disciplinary panel.

He added: ‘The managers who don’t have a job could take over. We could have four sitting every Sunday assessing the TV issues of the weekend.’
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By Sportsmail Reporter

Hero: Fernando Torres notches the first of his two goals to put Liverpool into the Europa League quarter-finals


It was nervy and distinctly uncomfortable for the last half-hour, but Liverpool completed an English double in the Europa League with a masterclass from Fernando Torres.

The comeback from first-leg arrears may not have been on the same grand scale as Fulham’s, but there was still plenty to ease the pressure on Rafa Benitez. Not least further compelling evidence that Torres’s sure touch is once more beginning to function in the way that makes him arguably the most complete finisher anywhere in the world on his day.

Two goals against Portsmouth on Monday suggested he was getting there after his latest injury lay-off, and two more last night removed any doubt.

Benitez said: ‘I was only really comfortable when the third goal went in, but we have enough confidence to go on and win it. Fernando is close to 100 per cent now, and he lifts other players.

'When he and Gerrard are playing well, it makes a big difference.’


Main event: Argentina manager Diego Maradona watched on from the stands

Lille sensed a chance to exploit increasingly jittery Liverpool nerves and were threatening an away goal that would have sent them through when Torres ended any argument with a close-range 90th-minute finish after Steven Gerrard’s drive had bounced back off goalkeeper Mickael Landreau.

It had even Diego Maradona, at Anfield to monitor his skipper Javier Mascherano’s form, on his feet as the entire directors’ box joined in a standing ovation for Liverpool’s £21million record signing.

The accolades that regularly follow such exploits may well be gratefully received in the Torres household, but one of the greatest ever players joining in rapturous applause is surely something not even he has experienced before.

If Torres’s decisive late strike was relatively routine, by his standards, his first would have received Maradona’s seal of approval, as he pounced on a defensive error with lightning speed, surged past a challenge and cleverly lifted a shot over the advancing Landreau.

With the Spain striker clearly back to his lethal best, and Gerrard emulating him after looking subdued in recent weeks, Benitez can breathe more easily after being perturbed by an alarming drop in standards at Wigan and understandably angered by an ill-timed outburst from Albert Riera.


Fall guy: Adil Rami brings down Lucas for an early penalty at Anfield


While Riera is to pay a high price for speaking his mind, Torres showed why no-one took him to task when he bemoaned an overall lack of quality in Liverpool’s squad and urged owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett to finance a summer of significant transfer spending by Benitez.

No-one would argue that Torres’s unrivalled flair belongs in the Champions League, though Liverpool’s failings this season have made a swift return to that competition improbable. Or have they?

Twice in three days, Liverpool have played with a purpose and belief that has been missing all too often, and with their big names fit again and firing as only they can, a Europa-League-and-fourth-place double could yet be on the agenda.

A quarter-final place was in the offing from the moment they seized the initiative with an eighthminute breakthrough.

Lucas had the vision and selfbelief to spot a gap and exploit it with a twisting run that took him past two challenges. He was bypassing a third when Adil Rami sent him sprawling with an outstretched boot.

It gave Gerrard the chance to put Liverpool level on aggregate and he sent Landreau the wrong way from the spot.


Party time: Steven Gerrard is mobbed by team-mates after hauling his side level on aggregate


Liverpool’s first-leg tormentor Eden Hazard almost undid them again in the 33rd minute after exchanging passes 40 yards out and accelerating between Glen Johnson and Daniel Agger before lifting a shot against the advancing Pepe Reina’s face.

Agger went close with a couple of headers from Gerrard corners and the impressive Lucas tested Landreau with a low drive before Torres increased Rami’s misery by doubling Liverpool’s lead on the night in the 49th minute.

As a long ball from Ryan Babel bounced over the hapless defender’s head, Torres almost seemed to sense it would happen as he latched on to it and held off a challenge from Aurelien Chedjou before winning a battle of wits with Landreau.

Liverpool were made to suffer after that, but only until Torres intervened once more. No wonder Maradona was on his feet.
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