A roundup of today's other stories in brief

City players questioned

Detectives investigating Joey Barton's alleged training-ground confrontation with Ousmane Dabo have asked Manchester City's players to name who they believe was guilty. Officers from Greater Manchester

Police have sent a questionnaire to every member of the first-team squad asking if they witnessed the altercation during a practice match at the club's training ground on May 1st.

Stuart Pearce, the manager at the time, is also understood to have received a written request to submit a detailed report about what led to the incident and which player he believes was to blame.

Dabo needed hospital treatment for facial injuries after the altercation and the former France international midfielder has alleged to the police that he was knocked unconscious after being struck several times from behind.

Barton, who has since agreed a £5.5 million move to Newcastle United, was subsequently arrested, but has submitted a counter-allegation of assault against Dabo.

The questionnaire is described as mandatory and, if there is not a satisfactory response, police are prepared to visit the club's Carrington practice ground when the players report for pre-season training in July.

Capello wrong on Beckham

Real Madrid misjudged David Beckham this season and blundered over their treatment of the player, according to coach Fabio Capello. "We all made mistakes over Beckham," Capello was reported as saying yesterday. "The sporting staff decided things and I'm responsible for that section of the club, but the truth is, we got things wrong with him. It's a shame he's going. He has now recovered his best physical and psychological form."

An attempt by Real Madrid to buy Beckham out of his five-year LA Galaxy contract in order to stay in Spain was "politely but firmly" rejected yesterday, according to general manager Alexi Lalas.

Keane signs Halford

Sunderland boss Roy Keane finally launched his summer recruitment drive yesterday when he paid Reading £3 million for full back Greg Halford.

The 22-year-old defender signed a four-year deal after passing a medical on Wearside yesterday morning.

Halford was in the club's sights before he joined Reading from Colchester in January. He managed just three senior appearances for Reading.

Livingston name their price

Scottish club Livingston has set £250,000 as its asking price for Irish midfielder Wes Hoolahan after claiming last week that an agreement to sell the player to Blackpool for £75,000 had been invalidated by breaches of the loan agreement under which the player initially moved south, writes Emmet Malone.

"Wes is now very keen to stay at Blackpool, so if we can reach an agreement on terms good for us it might happen," Livinston chief executive Vivien Kyles told the Blackpool Gazette, "but it won't happen on the terms Blackpool chairman Karl Oyston is trying to push through."

The Dubliner's value soared after he played a major part in Blackpool's successful push for promotion. He has signed a two year deal with the Championship outfit but Fifa may now have to help to sort out the issue of the fee.

Sligo decline 'locally based'

The difficulty faced by Sligo Rovers attracting sizeable home support cannot be attributed to summer soccer, League of Ireland director Fran Gavin has insisted, writes Paul O'Hehir.

Sligo chairman Michael Toolan recently blamed the seasonal switch for the club's 45 per cent decline in gate receipts since the start of last season. Local GAA club games, he said, lured spectators away during the summer months.

Gavin acknowledged the club's predicament but is adamant Sligo's problems are community based. "One club makes a complaint but we don't hear about the clubs that are happy with summer soccer," he said. "With Sligo we're looking to see if they can get in closer with the community. There is a detachment over the years there between the club and the local community. Everyone is aware of it.

"We have our Club Promotion Officers in place and we'll be looking at where the weaknesses are."

Gavin also yesterday announced a venture between League of Ireland clubs and video game developer EA Sports. All 12 Premier Division teams will be featured in FIFA 08, a football game due for release this autumn.