Part-owner slams Arsenal board

Send off ... Usmanov wants some of the Arsenal board members to suffer a similar fate. Source: Manu Fernandez / AP

Uzbek billionaire Alisher Usmanov has slammed the Arsenal board for the Premier League club's failure to win a major trophy in any of the past six seasons.

Usmanov, 57, who is not a Gunners director despite owning 30 per cent of the club's parent company, said too many board members were blinded by their own self-interest and said he did not wish to serve on such a board.

"If the role of a board member is to oversee a trophyless period, while making significant personal profits and asking fans to pay inflation-busting ticket price increases then, no, I would not want to be on the board," Usmanov told the News of the World newspaper in the UK.

"If instead it is to try to deliver sustained success, to increase your personal investment in the club, to help develop the commercial position and to ensure the fans have a say in the running of the club then, yes, I think I certainly have something to contribute.

"In terms of doing things differently, let me give you a very clear example. Arsenal has all of its major commercial contracts coming up for renewal in the next couple of years.

"It's no secret that to maximise the value of those you want to have success on the field and be winning trophies.

"To do that you need to invest now in building a winning team. This is simple commercial logic. Whether it comes to pass, we shall see."

Arsenal suffered a dramatic slump following their English League Cup final defeat by Birmingham in February, with their bids for the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League all declining after that defeat.

Usmanov pleaded for Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger to be given the funds to bring in experienced players in key positions to bolser the Gunners' crop of promising young talents.

"There is a widely-held view among most commentators, and one that I agree with, that the club needs to stiffen the defensive spine of the team with a dominant keeper, strong centre-halves and a powerful defensive midfielder in the mould of Claude Makelele," he said.

"The Premier League is one of the most competitive in the world and whilst we have consistently challenged for honours, the club needs to develop talent and buy top-class players to win the trophies we all crave.

"This requires greater investment which, I believe, has been lacking thus far.

"What, however, is not clear is whether the board shares this view. For too long they have seemed happy to sanction second, third and fourth as being acceptable, whilst at the same time they are planning to sell their shares."

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Becks' Olympic hopes unclear

Olympic ambassador ... Beckham with the controversial Olympic torch. Source: Joel Ryan / AP

David Beckham has insisted he was content to be a spectator at next year's London Olympics if there was no role for him in the controversial Great Britain football team at the Games.

"Football will be a massive part of the Olympics and it will be really exciting to see that," said the former Manchester United star, who now plays for the Los Angeles Galaxy.

"This is the first time I will have been to an Olympics and I'll probably be there with my children.

"Football has been a part of my life for many years and to be a part of that would be incredible.

"We'll see what role I'll play in the build-up or at the Olympics, but I'll be there as a fan.

"I want to watch athletes like (British heptathlete) Jessica Ennis and (British diver) Tom Daley, young athletes who are going to inspire so many young children around the world.

"For myself to be able to take my sons to an Olympics in our country makes me proud. Hopefully my daughter will be there as well," he added.

Victoria Beckham is due to give birth to the couple's first daughter next month.

Beckham was speaking at a sponsor's event to announce that Gabriella Roseje, an 18-year-old from Bermondsey in London, is the first successful nominee for the Olympic torch relay.

The former England captain, one of the world's best known sporting celebrities, helped secure the Games for London at a meeting of the International Olympic Committee in Singapore in 2007.

"When I was asked to be part of the Olympic bid, I was very sceptical at first because I'd never competed in the Olympics, I'm a football player," the 36-year-old midfielder explained.

"To be part of a team that was trying to bring the Olympics to my country, let alone somewhere where I grew up, was a great honour and very flattering.

"The moment when we got the Olympics was one of the most rewarding things of my career. It was so special.

"The Olympics means the world to everyone. It's such a great event to be part of," he added.

"I remember the rivalries between people like Sebastian Coe and Steve Ovett (the British middle-distance greats who won gold at the 1980 Moscow Games in the 800 and 1,500 metres respectively).

"There will be some exciting athletes coming to our country, coming to London which is where I grew up. It's a very exciting prospect."

The prospect of fielding a British football team at the Olympics has provoked strong reactions in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Many fans and officials fear it could be the start of a slippery slope that eventually sees those countries cease to be independent football nations, despite assurances from governing body FIFA.

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Birmingham manager resigns

On the move ... McLeish was always likely to leave after Birmingham were relegated. Source: Tom Hevezi / AP

Alex McLeish has resigned as manager of Birmingham City two weeks after their relegation from the Premier League, with the club saying he had told acting chairman Peter Pannu in an e-mail he was leaving the Midlands side.

"Birmingham City Football Club can confirm Alex McLeish has resigned as manager," the club said in a statement on their website.

"Acting chairman Peter Pannu received an e-mail resignation from McLeish earlier today (Sunday) while away on business in Amsterdam.

"No further comment will be made at this moment in time and updates will be released in due course."

Former Rangers manager McLeish was immediately linked with a move to Birmingham's fierce rivals Aston Villa, who are still in the Premier League but without a manager following the resignation through ill-health of former Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier.

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