News round-up: The English and South African football associations yesterday launched an investigation into the origin of claims that they had struck a secret, £3 million deal to ensure David Beckham's participation in last week's friendly.

Both sides denied that any such arrangement had been made following banner headlines in several newspapers.

Danny Jordaan, the man at the centre of the storm, swiftly dismissed the allegations to confirm the FA's insistence overnight that there was no truth to the stories.

"The stories in today's newspapers in England are a complete fabrication," said Jordaan, the man heading South Africa's 2010 World Cup bid.

"At no time did SAFA agree to make a payment to the FA for David Beckham's appearance in last Thursday's match. "No such payment was requested and no such payment was made.

"In fact, discussion regarding the availability of specific players was never raised in talks between SAFA and the FA which took place over several months.

"We are extremely disturbed and angry that such allegations have been made and we challenge the British media to provide us with evidence of such a clause in our contract. It simply does not exist."

And he added: "I don't know where that has come from because no one spoke to me. It is very, very unfortunate, for David Beckham, for the Football Association and the South African Football Association."

The FA's head of media relations, Adrian Bevington, flatly denied the allegation and promised an investigation.

Meanwhile, World Cup winner Ronaldinho would consider it a "tremendous honour" to be the first Brazilian to play for Manchester United.

The man who ended England's dream in the 2002 World Cup finals with a free-kick that looped over goalkeeper David Seaman and earned Brazil a 2-1 victory at the quarter-final stage, believes joining Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford is a "concrete possibility".

His current club, Paris St Germain, may be willing to part with him for around £12 million, and Ferguson could consider him the ideal partner for prolific Dutchman Ruud van Nistelrooy.

"Right now it's just speculation, right?" Ronaldinho said. "If PSG and United reach an agreement and everyone is happy with it, I'll be very proud to come.

"At the same time, I'm proud to play for PSG, our season is not over and I want to respect the club, my team-mates and the fans."