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David Beckham rapped over confronting jeering fans
Ben Bailey21.07.09
David Beckham was criticised by his bosses at LA Galaxy for confronting a section of jeering fans at his first home game of the season.
The England player gesticulated angrily at a fan and tried to jump over a barrier as he left the field during Sunday's clash with AC Milan in Los Angeles.
A statement from the club's head coach, Bruce Arena, said he "regretted" the incident, adding: "We appreciate our players and fans passion for the team and the game, but we all must aim to hold ourselves to higher standards."
With his wife Victoria looking on, Beckham had to be held back by security staff during the half-time incident and stewards were also needed to restrain an angry fan who left his seat and rushed towards the footballer.
Gallery: click here for more pictures from the game
Mr Arena's statement said: "We regret the incident that happened at the end of the first half of (Sunday's) friendly at The Home Depot Centre.
"While it is important that our fans remain free to voice their opinions, they must do so in an appropriate manner."
He added that the fan who rushed towards Beckham had been given a lifetime ban by one of the club's supporter groups, known as the LA Riot Squad.
The statement said: "We have a very good relationship with the LA Riot Squad and have already reached out to them to set up a meeting to discuss moving forward together in a positive direction.
"In addition, the LA Riot Squad has informed us that they have issued a lifetime ban to the fan that went onto the field of play.
"We want to move in a positive direction as an organisation, and ask our fans to support our players and our club as we look to return to the playoffs for the first time in three years.
"We need the support of our fans to continue providing an amazing home environment at The Home Depot Centre as we look to reach our shared goal of qualifying for the playoffs."
After the match, Beckham claimed he had tried to shake a supporter's hand.
"The majority of the fans have been great," he said in comments broadcast on Sky Sports News.
On the boos, he added: "It's to be expected. Sometimes it goes beyond it. I tried to shake one of the guys' hands but he didn't want any of it. That's the way it is."
Beckham managed to keep a place in the England football squad during his Italian football spell, and has spoken of his desire to make the World Cup finals with England in South Africa next year.
He returned to Sunday's match in the second half, hugging several of his former AC Milan teammates before gesturing towards the rowdy section of the crowd.
In the match's 65th minute Beckham assisted in the scoring of an LA Galaxy goal. After doing so he turned and shrugged his shoulders in the direction of the section of crowd that had been jeering him.
The multi-millionaire was substituted in the 75th minute and walked off to a mixture of cheers and boos. The friendly match ended 2-2.
Beckham's return to the US this month was marred by comments from Galaxy team-mate Landon Donovan who accused the former Manchester United and Real Madrid player of being unprofessional.
Reader views (6)
David Beckham, attempting to look tough? Hilarious!
- Cliff, Luton
Beckham finally realises how bad US club football is (note: club and not the national team) and it will take a long long time to improve it.
I'd say the US should ditch soccer leagues altogether because it just doesn't have that comparative advantage in the sport. Great football players should play in Europe and great basketball/American football players should play in the US!
- Ed, London
Exactly: JJ, London.
They're all behaving like children.
You'd think there were no any real problems in the world.
- Jc, London
Time to ditch this over-paid pampered primadonna methinks (and not just talking about "Posh" or is that Chav?
- David, soton
Beckham’s not got a leg to stand on and fair play to that fan for trying to have a pop. Beckham was clearly telling him to come and have a go if he thought he was hard enough, and he did, so he did!
Victoria’s need to be in LA has turned her husband into a laughing stock, unfortunately.
- St, London
Why can't they all play together nicely, it's only a bleedin game.
- Jj, London
