ManComing

Italian side Fiorentina's supporters have proposed to establish a real time censorship system to stop offensive chants. Chants are usually started by one or two supporters, as in this video. Fiorentina's supporters propose to equip them with a wireless microphone connect to the stadium sound system. If the chant is deemed unacceptable stadium security would just pull the plug on the mic.

After being not much more than a media curiosity in his firsth month in the US, David Beckham made his first start for the Galaxy on Wednesday, scoring with a free kick and creating a goal for Landon Donovan in Los Angeles' 2-0 SuperLiga victory over DC United. Now he will play two matches on two continents in two days next week. Beckham He was to fly to the East Coast on Thursday for Saturday's MLS match against the New York Red Bulls at Giants Stadium. From there, he flies to London to play for for England in a friendly against Germany next Wednesday at Wembley. He'll be back the following day in time to play with the Galaxy against Chivas USA in LA.

It's tough to keep your WAGS straight. Even venerable UK tabloid The Sun got it wrong. In this article, it lists Elena Santarelli as the girlfriend of Manchester City's Rolando Bianchi (right). Now, even a five year old knows that she is dating City's other striker, fellow Italian Bernardo Corradi (left). In the Sun's defense, it must be said that Santarelli has dated each and every one Italian center forward on the planet (see July 21 post).

Soccer chants have always been an outlet for social and political expression. Leagues and clubs across Europe are now trying to curb the issue. Scotland's Celtic is sending a letter warning fans with tickets for Saturday's match in Falkirk not to "indulge nor encourage" any chants which could result in sanctions from the Scottish Premier League. Fans of rival Glasgow Rangers were reported to have been singing offensive songs during Saturday's league match in Inverness.

"Some people think soccer is a matter of life and death. I can assure them, it's much more serious than that" - Bill Shankly

Iraq won the Asian Cup for the first time Sunday defeating favorites Saudi Arabia 1-0 in the final in Jakarta, sparking wild celebrations in Baghdad. The Iraqi team were forced to prepare for the tournament outside their homeland as a result of the continuing security situation. Iraq dominated the Saudis, three-time Asian Cup champions. Iraq joins the United States, Brazil, Italy and host South Africa at the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup along with the champions of Europe, Africa and Oceania.

Both are illegal in soccer. Flops have been for a while. Here's one for the ages by Milan's Gilardino:

Flips, on the other hand, have just been outlawed at Man U, where manager Sir Alex Ferguson told new signing Nani to cut out his extravagant somersaulting goal celebration before the Premiership season starts in two weeks.

Eddie Johnson, Major League Soccer's leading scorer, has turned down a transfer from the Kansas City Wizards to Derby of England's Premier League. After one of world's greatest stars, David Beckham, decides to come to play in the US while still in his prime, here's another unquestionable sign that America is ready to become the place to be for soccer. Read more here.

Just when you think that soccer is taking over America, America takes over soccer. There's Malcolm Glazer at Manchester United, George Gillett and Tom Hicks at Liverpool (pictured left), Randy Lerner at Aston Villa. These are the American tycoons that have purchased English Premier League teams over the last two years. For more, click here.

David Beckham missed another training session with the Los Angeles Galaxy on Monday because of an ankle injury. He is doubtful for LA's opening game in the SuperLiga tournament on Tuesday night. The tournament features four MLS teams and four teams from Mexico's first division. In the opener, the Galaxy host defending Mexican League champion Pachuca.

The SuperLiga is an attempt to put North America onto the soccer map to compete with Europe and South America, the dominating soccer regions around the world.

Beckham's injury didn't prevent him and wife Victoria from attending an invitation-only bash at the Museum of Contemporary Art's Geffen Contemporary gallery, hosted by Tom Cruise and Will Smith, that lasted into the early morning hours.

WAGS is an acronym used by the British tabloid press to describe the Wives And Girlfriends of the England national football team. It came into common use during the 2006 World Cup, held in Germany. You already know who the quintessential WAG is:

Get educated further here.

Former Italy striker Christian Vieri has signed for Italy's Serie A side Fiorentina on a one-year deal. The much-travelled Vieri, 34, was let go by Atalanta after making just seven appearances in an injury-hit year.
Over the years, Vieri has also established a solid reputation as a nightlife figure and as a serial dater of B-list showbiz starlettes. Here are some of Christian's past and present off-the-field conquests.