Madrid - Spanish King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia will head Madrid's delegation when the Olympic host city for the
2016 Games is elected in October. A royal spokesman said on Tuesday that the royal couple has accepted an invitation by Madrid mayor Alberto Ruiz Gallardon.

The four bidders, which apart from Madrid are Chicago, Tokyo and Rio de Janeiro, will make final presentations to the International Olympic Committee at its Session in Copenhagen. The host city is elected by the IOC Session on October 2.

Madrid - French President Nicolas Sarkozy on Tuesday pledged to spare no effort in helping Spain fight the militant Basque separatist group ETA, saying democracy could not "give in to terrorists.""Every time Spain needs France in the fight against the killers, Spain can count on the French republic," Sarkozy said in a speech to Spanish parliament.

Madrid  - The Spanish frigate Numancia intercepted and arrested nine alleged pirates suspected of attacking the Italian cruise ship MS Melody, media reports said.

A French and an Indian warship, as well as a helicopter and two surveillance planes also participated in the operation, which took place Sunday north of the Seychelles.

The alleged pirates were detected near the position were the attack on the MS Melody took place late Saturday. The attackers abandoned one of their two boats, which was found by the Indian warship Nirdeshak.

Madrid - Former Spain World Cup midfielder Michel has agreed to take charge at troubled Getafe, according to the digital versions of AS and Marca on Monday evening. Both websites claim that Michel, 46, has agreed to take over from Victor Munoz, who was sacked earlier on Monday - the 10th Liga coach to be axed this season.

Michel, whose full name is Jose Miguel Gonzalez, will have his work cut out trying to save Getafe, who are fourth from bottom in La Liga.

Madrid - Struggling Spanish Liga club Getafe said Monday it had dismissed coach Victor Munoz.

The final nail in Victor's coffin was Sunday's 2-1 defeat at home to Villarreal, a result which leaves Getafe fourth from bottom and in big trouble.

Victor, a Spanish international midfielder in the 1980s, is the 10th Liga coach to be sacked this season.

Madrid - The fans of Spanish giants Real Madrid are unsure about their team getting ahead of leaders Barcelona in the race for the Liga title. Real are just four points behind Barca after Sunday's 4-2 win away to third-placed Sevilla, and Barca have to visit Real's Estadio Bernabeu next Saturday.

Two years ago Real dramatically overturned Barca's lead and snatched the title away from the Catalans on the final day. This season, the whites have won 17 out of their