Paul Scholes says his former Manchester United and England team-mate David Beckham's decision to retire is a "sad day". Scholes and Beckham, both 38, came through the youth ranks at United together in the early 1990s and enjoyed huge success as midfield partners before Beckham left for Real Madrid in 2003. Following subsequent spells with Los Angeles Galaxy, AC Milan and, latterly, Paris Saint-Germain, Beckham has announced that he is to retire at the end of the campaign.

Football megastar David Beckham announced on Thursday that he is to retire after a glittering 20-year playing career in which he became one of the most widely recognised figures in world sport. The former England captain, 38, made the announcement shortly after winning the Ligue 1 title with French giants Paris Saint-Germain, which made him the first Englishman to win league championships in four different countries. He bows out from the game at the same time as his former Manchester United mentor Alex Ferguson, who handed Beckham his professional debut in 1992.

Frank Lampard has signed a one-year contract extension with Chelsea, the west London club said Thursday. The 34-year-old had suggested on Wednesday night following the club's 2-1 Europa League final success against Benfica that a new deal was imminent. The Blues' all-time record goalscorer's previous contract was due to expire at the end of this season. "I really, really hope to be around next year," he had told ITV after the Benfica game. bur-bc/lp

Wigan chairman Dave Whelan admits he won't force Roberto Martinez to stay with the FA Cup winners as they prepare for life outside the Premier League. Martinez's side were relegated on Tuesday after losing 4-1 to Arsenal and the Latics manager refused to commit his future to the club in the immediate aftermath of the Emirates Stadium defeat. The Spaniard is a hot property thanks to his team's epic upset against Manchester City in the FA Cup final last week and he is reported to be high on Everton's list of potential replacements for Manchester United-bound David Moyes.