LOS ANGELES (LALATE) – The LA Galaxy vs Real Madrid 2011 features tonight one of the best soccer showdown on U.S. shores this month: Beckham vs. Ronaldo. The LA Galaxy vs Real Madrid football game tonight, hosted  at LA Memorial Coliseum (and en vivo on ESPN Deportes and ESPN ) ends months of anticipation; Landon Donovan and the Galaxy battle one of the most famed soccer clubs internationally, Real Madrid. When Cristiano Ronaldo and Sergio Ramos head to the Coliseum, they join the International the Herbalife World Football Challenge; they also give the Galaxy their third attempt at a win.

In a news statement before tonight’s match (start time 7 pm PST), Galaxy President Tom Payne said Saturday’s match will be a record-setting rematch of last year’s showdown. More than eighty-seven thousand fans saw the match last year at the Coliseum. But joining Real Madrid this year is a new head coach, Jose Mourinho. Will that make a difference?

The first time the Galaxy faced Real Madrid was in 2005. The Galaxy, before a Home Depot Center crowd, lost that game in a final score of 2-0. Last year, the showdown was renewed, moved to the Rose Bowl. At halftime last year, the Galaxy was up 0-2. Todd Donovan and Landon Donovan dominated news with their two stunning goals to put the Galaxy in what appeared to be a winning position. But eventually, the Galaxy lost 3-2 after Gonzalo Higuain delivered two goals, and Xabi Alonso delivered one.

Payne tells news, however, that this year will have a new addition. David Beckham is expected to take to the field and face his former club for the first time since his departure four year ago.

Beckham however tells “Marca” news that Real Madrid still remains the favorite to win tonight. Beckham tells news is he fond of his final 2007 year with Real Madrid. Beckham made the move to Los Angeles after four years with Real Madrid. “I remember my first year playing with Zidane, Ronaldo, Raul, Figo and Roberto Carlos very well. My last year when we won the League was great too.”

“We are very excited to once again welcome back Real Madrid along with manager José Mourinho and their cadre of international talent to Los Angeles,” Galaxy President Tom Payne tells news this evening.

• Comments (1)

LOS ANGELES (LALATE) – Did David Beckham wear his medal on the wrong side for the Royal Wedding 2011 today? David Beckham’s OBE medal was worn as he arrived at the Westminster Abbey today for the stunning Royal Wedding. But immediate critics wondered if Beckham knew, or didn’t know, that he was wearing his medal on the wrong side.

The item David wore was an OBE (Officer of the British Empire) medal. The medal however was worn by Beckham on the wrong side, immediately reported news analysts and he as Victoria Beckham arrived in Westminster Abbey in stunning form.

The OBE Medal that Beckham wore carries the words “For Meritorious Service” at the bottom. There are two versions of the medal. One is full-sized and another is small for formal occasions like today.

As news critics debated Beckman’s decision to wear the medal the wrong way, one insider speculated that Beckham may have know precisely what he was doing and wore the medal in that fashion to honor his father. Another news critic said “either way, perhaps David set a historic trend today.”

• Comments (0)

LOS ANGELES (LALATE) – As news hit that David Beckham lost his In Touch U.S. lawsuit concerning Irma Nici (photos below), Beckham’s publicist was fast to spin the decision. Beckham’s publicist called it “unfortunate” that U.S. legal system required him to prove that In Touch acted with malice.

But that’s the requirement of a libel suit.

David Beckham in 2010 brought two lawsuits, one in Germany and one in the U.S., against at least two parties, the publisher of In Touch Magazine and the woman, Irma Nici, who made the assertions against Beckham. Beckham had in 2010 claimed that he told In Touch, prior to publication of the article, that its report was false. In Touch relied on its sources, not Beckham’s denial.

Beckham told news in 2010 that the story was false. And yesterday, his publicist told news the story was false. But the suit for libel had to prove malice, not just falsehood. “Bauer do not dispute for purposes of this motion that their story is false,” publicist Jeff Raymond  said in a written statement Monday. “They have not provided one shred of evidence to support the claim this story is true. David Beckham’s clear evidence proved that this is without foundation.”

Irma Nici Pictures Set 1
Irma Nici Photo 1
Irma Nici Photo 2
Irma Nici Photo 3

But where was the proof of malice? Judge Manuel L. Real ruled that In Touch did not act with malice.

Beckham is still hopeful. He says he will appeal. And he asserts his team allegedly has won the German case. But, “Unfortunately, the U.S. legal system requires us to show that the magazine acted maliciously. Any knowledgeable person knows this story not to be true.” And anyone knowledgeable about such cases knows that libel requires a showing of malice, not just falsehood.

How does Los Angeles Superior Court’s treat defamation lawsuits? In 2010, a Los Angeles Superior Court had to determine where the film “Bananas” defamed the Dole Food Company. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Ralph W. Dau believed the film was an exercise of free speech. Dau ordered Dole to pay the defendants’ attorneys fees under anti-SLAPP legislation, reportedly $199,959 in fees.

Irma Nici Pictures Set 2

Irma Nici Photo 4
Irma Nici Photo 5
Irma Nici Photo 6

That same year, an appeals court upheld $325,525 in attorney fees awarded to Stevie Wonder and two defendants getting a defamation lawsuit dismissed.

• Comments (0)

LOS ANGELES (LALATE) -  David Beckham sued Irma Nici aka Irma Nezirovic (photos below) and In Touch Magazine in 2010. Shortly after the Nici suit was brought by Beckham, In Touch denounced the soccer star’s claims. Today, a court threw out Beckham’s lawsuit against In Touch. His suit again Nici will proceed.

Beckham in 2010 brought a $25 million suit against Nici and the publisher of In Touch Magazine. But today a court ruled the published did not act with malice. It remains unclear what proof Beckham had In Touch allegedly acted with malice.

But in 2010 In Touch said it “published its article in complete faith in the accuracy of the story and its reporting.” Beckham has previously said that he told the magazine, prior to publication, that its story was false. But In Touch relied on its sources, not Beckham’s denial. “Notwithstanding Mr. Beckham’s denial, the magazine did not doubt and had no reason to doubt their multiple sources. In Touch is confident that Mr. Beckham’s lawsuit will be dismissed”. That is exactly what the court did today.

Irma Nici Pictures Set 1
Irma Nici Photo 1
Irma Nici Photo 2
Irma Nici Photo 3

Beckham will reportedly appeal. He previously told news that Nici’s claims were “completely untrue and totally ridiculous, as the magazine [In Touch] was clearly told before publication. Sadly we live in a world where a magazine can print lies and believe they can get away with it.”

Irma Nici Pictures Set 2

Irma Nici Photo 4
Irma Nici Photo 5
Irma Nici Photo 6

As previously detailed, Nici fled native Bosnia as a youth with her mother, survived an internment camp, and later moved to Holland after receiving asylum and then residency.  She reportedly now lives in Bayswater, Central London.

• Comments (0)

LOS ANGELES (LALATE) – Shery Shabani (photos below) denies she had an affair with David Beckham. Shery Shabani was allegedly accused of being David Beckham’s mistress by her husband, attorney Kambiz (Joseph) Shabani, claims British news and court documents.

Shabani has said of the allegations in court documents that she is “falsely accused …. of having an extramarital affair with a celebrity and making degrading statements of her regarding same in front of the minor children. In fact, Respondent [husband]’s ongoing allegations regarding Mr Beckham are part and parcel of Respondent’s delusional thought process. Although Mr Beckham’s children go to the same school as our children, Respondent’s allegations are untrue.”

Shery Shabani Pictures, Jewelry
Shery Shabani Photo 1
Shery Shabani Photo 2
Shery Shabani Photo 3
Shery Shabani Photo 4

She also filed to the court that starting this year “Respondent has accused me of having an affair with David Beckham, often in front of our children. I have repeatedly told him this accusation is untrue. In May 2010, Mr Beckham told me that Respondent had gone to our children’s school and tried to drive Mr Beckham’s car off the road. Mr Beckham advised me his car had nearly crashed as a result.”

Beckham’s rep says of the allegations “As with another recent story, this is another tale full of fantasy. On a serious note, David is naturally focused on the important game against Chivas this Sunday.”

Irma Nici Pictures Set 1
Irma Nici Photo 1
Irma Nici Photo 2
Irma Nici Photo 3

“JewelryBlogUncovered” says Shabani is the daughter of a diamond polisher and was raised around precious stones. The site calls her stunning jewelry a  mix of modern and vintage.

“Jewel Talk with Janet” said the same of Shery Shabani’s jewelry, calling it luxurious but also a “perfect mix of edge and timelessness”. Words used to describe her pieces include “modern”, “glamorous” and “classic”. In an interview, Shery Shabani told the website that her biggest fear is flying while her favorite celebrity red carpet moment recently was Sarah Jessica Parker in Channel for the Oscars.

Irma Nici Pictures Set 2

Irma Nici Photo 4
Irma Nici Photo 5
Irma Nici Photo 6

When asked what her favorite piece is, Shery Shabani said “a beautiful pair of turquoise earrings my mother wore on her wedding day. It’s something I can wear and feel a deep connection with at the same time.” Shabani also says she loves everything by Harry Winston. She admits she’s a Facebook fan but doesn’t like Twitter.

Beckham has previously denied allegations by Irma Nici. And while Beckham has previously filed suit against Nici and the publisher of her article, In Touch, that case took a different turn on Friday. Irma Nici is now countersuing Beckham. Her attorney is Paul Rolf Jensen.

Jensen filed a countersuit for emotional and physical injuries as a result of alleged injuries suffered by Nici when she was process served in the Beckham case.”Beckham is responsible for his goon’s conduct, and we will hold him liable for it. California law does not allow public figures like David Beckham to stifle free speech. Maybe he didn’t live here in Los Angeles long enough to learn how precious we here consider our rights to tell the truth in print”.

Nici’s management previously told press “Irma stands by her previous statements. Any lawsuit against her is a publicity stunt and without merit. Any attorney who brings an action against her should be prepared to face sanctions and pay all legal costs because they will lose. “

Beckham has previously denied In Touch and Nici’s allegations calling them “completely untrue and totally ridiculous, as the magazine was clearly told before publication. Sadly we live in a world where a magazine can print lies and believe they can get away with it.”

In Touch has defended their article. “In Touch published its article in complete faith in the accuracy of the story and its reporting. Notwithstanding Mr. Beckham’s denial, the magazine did not doubt and had no reason to doubt their multiple sources. In Touch is confident that Mr. Beckham’s lawsuit will be dismissed”.

Shabani is reportedly 33 and from Beverly Hills. Her court documents were reportedly filed just this August.

• Comments (0)