Football - by royal appointment

Don't tell David Moyes, but some football teams and their managers are having a good day.  The man who lost the plum job of manager at Manchester United might not feel like kicking back and taking his mind off his woes by watching arch rivals Chelsea take on Atletico Madrid in the Champion's League semi-finals tonight anyway but news there will be a royal audience for the first leg will only make it more of a date to miss for the dumped footie boss.  As Jose Mourinho's men arrive at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid, they will be walking out in front of the Prince and Princess of Asturias who are starting off a right royal couple of days for Spain's footballers.

Princess Letizia tries to look interested as Prince Felipe explains yet another offside decision at the World Cup 2010 in South Africa

The heir to the throne and his wife will watch this first semi final while tomorrow King Juan Carlos will be at the Bernabeu in Madrid to see Real Madrid play Bayern Munich in the first leg of the second semi final.  With Spain's national team already holders of the World Cup and European Championship, football in the country is on a bit of a high and the chances of the first all Spanish final in the Champion's League for over ten years is another reason for a bit of royal support.  It will all add to the celebratory feel for football in Madrid over the next forty eight hours.  David Moyes might want to look away now.