News: Alpay Ozalan, the Turkey and Aston Villa defender currently taking the role of public enemy number one in England, claimed yesterday that David Beckham spat at him during England's 0-0 draw in Istanbul.

Alpay, who taunted the England captain and almost stuck his finger up his nose during Saturday's game, sparking a melee, said that Beckham had insulted the Turkish nation by spitting on his shirt.

Alpay said the incident happened at half-time and contributed to the brawl that broke out as the players were making their way to the tunnel. Ashley Cole has claimed that he was spat at by Hasan Sas and this caused other England players, including David James, Sol Campbell and Emile Heskey, to join in.

"After Beckham's penalty he swore at me and spat at our national uniform," said Alpay, who has been under 24-hour protection since he returned to Britain. "Number one, Beckham headbutted me and, number two, he spat at me. If the spit had hit me on the head I wouldn't have been annoyed but it hit the crescent and the star on my Turkey shirt.

"While I was going to the corridor, I told Beckham to be careful about his actions. Then he pushed me from behind. I didn't do anything and went to the locker room. When no one else came in, I went outside. Everyone was up against each other."

Alpay, who will not feature in the Villa squad for Sunday's derby against Birmingham, said he had been unfairly criticised for his behaviour.

The Turkey coach Senol Gunes indicated yesterday he might include Alpay in the squad for the play-offs against Latvia, 24 hours after apparently writing off his international future.

A spokesman for the Turkish Football Federation has tried to put the emphasis back on to the England team. "Both sets of players were spitting and there were English players who were trying to punch," he said. "I can't mention their names because UEFA is investigating the video evidence." UEFA's disciplinary board is to meet next on October 30th.

Meanwhile, Arsenal have taken a calculated gamble in an attempt to avoid a suspension crisis as they admitted their guilt for the ugly scenes which marred their goalless draw at Old Trafford last month. Arsenal face a sizeable fine after admitting the overall charge of failing to control their players during the confrontational incidents which occurred during and immediately after the game.

And while boss Arsene Wenger had previously indicated his determination to fight the individual charges facing his players, the club have now revealed that they will not, in fact, be contesting any of them.

One potential explanation is that the club finally realised they could not defend the indefensible. However, another theory is that they will now appeal for leniency based mainly on their guilty pleas. Arsenal hope that could potentially save Ashley Cole, Patrick Vieira and Ray Parlour from anything more than a one-match ban or even a fine after they admitted charges of improper conduct.

Martin Keown and Lauren will nevertheless still bear the brunt of the FA's disciplinary might as they admitted more serious charges. Lauren could be banned for up to five games for one charge of violent behaviour in "forcibly pushing Ruud van Nistelrooy in the back" and two charges of improper conduct for "confronting van Nistelrooy" and "kicking out at Quinton Fortune".

Keown, meanwhile, has admitted one charge of violent behaviour towards van Nistelrooy and, although another charge of improper conduct has been dropped, he still could face a three-match ban.

However, Lauren could originally have faced an eight-game suspension, while Keown was in danger of receiving a four-match ban, so Arsenal's approach could yet work in their favour.

After all, keeper Jens Lehmann has already escaped punishment as a charge of improper conduct for "his behaviour towards match officials" will be withdrawn and he will only be warned to his future conduct.

Arsenal's approach contrasts with that of United, who vowed to contest the charges of improper conduct faced by Cristiano Ronaldo and Ryan Giggs, and requested a personal hearings.

This season's Scottish champions will get an automatic place in the lucrative group stage of the 2004-05 Champions League, UEFA announced yesterday. Celtic's run to the UEFA Cup final last season has helped lift Scotland up from 12th to ninth in the rankings, earning the Scots a guaranteed group place.