Brassed-off Beckham in slapping row

by SIMON CASS, Daily Mail

Last updated at 09:09 20 September 2005


David Beckham has been accused of slapping an opponent during Real Madrid's defeat against Espanyol on Sunday.

Beckham exchanged angry words with substitute Sergio Sanchez, who was warming up on the sidelines, as he prepared to take a corner in the 82nd minute.

The England captain then pointed to the tunnel to indicate that he intended to continue the dispute once the final whistle had been blown. Sanchez, 19, said: "I was stretching on the touchline and coughed as he was about to take the corner. He took it badly and then started to insult me. He thought I'd put him off. He was shouting and swearing at me and pointing towards the dressing room.

"Then, after we won, Beckham was waiting and blocked my path in the tunnel. He started insulting me again. He lost control. That's when he slapped me. He was going crazy, swearing and calling me 'son of a whore'. I couldn't believe it. It's no way for the captain of England to behave.

"Luckily for him, some other players got between us and pulled him away."

Beckham denial

Beckham gave a very different version of events following the 1-0 defeat in Barcelona's Olympic Stadium, making no reference to the alleged incident in the tunnel.

He said: "I went to take a corner and he was shouting things just as I was taking the kick. But it was just one of those things."

A source close to Beckham denied there had been any violence and said Sanchez was guilty of more than just coughing.

The source said: "It wasn't very sporting what Sanchez said during the match. It's true that words were exchanged after the final whistle, but it's ludicrous to suggest David laid a finger on him."

Beckham is unlikely to face any action as neither Sanchez nor Espanyol has made a complaint to the Spanish FA.

But although there may not have been any blows exchanged, Beckham clearly lost his cool, just as he had less than a fortnight ago when he squared up to international team-mate Wayne Rooney during half-time in England's 1-0 defeat against Northern Ireland.

Beckham was infuriated by Rooney's insults when he tried to calm the Manchester United striker down after he had received a yellow card.

The situation worsened at the break when, according to an England source, Beckham heard Rooney call him a "flash bastard" behind his back as the players walked up the tunnel.

But although the pair had to be separated by United defender Rio Ferdinand and assistant England coach Steve McClaren, Beckham insisted no ill feeling remained.

He said: "Of course there is no fall-out from that. Wayne and I have talked a number of times this week, so it's one of those things that happens but it's been blown out of proportion."

Real will appeal against the result, claiming referee Julian Rodriguez Santiago blew his whistle for an Espanyol penalty before Daniel Jarque's 67th-minute header crossed the line. Referees are not allowed to play advantage in the area.

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