dingostew.com

David Beckham has got involved in an ugly confrontation with fans at his first return home match in Los Angeles.

The former England captain attempted to jump over a barrier as he left the field at half-time to remonstrate with a section of the crowd that had been jeering him.

He was held back by security staff, who were also needed to restrain an angry fan who left his seat and rushed towards the footballer.

The LA Galaxy midfielder had already endured boos from fans on July 16 during his first game back in America - an away match against the New York Red Bulls - after a five-month loan spell at AC Milan.

But his first return match at Galaxy's home ground - a friendly against AC Milan - sparked more angry jeering.

A hardcore section of the crowd booed Beckham every time he touched the ball and held aloft signs reading: "Go home, fraud" and "23: Repent", in reference to his shirt number.

Another read: "Hey Becks, here before you, here after you, here despite you," while one stated: "Is evil something u are... or something u do?"

Earlier this year, Beckham indicated he wanted to stay in AC Milan rather than return to America, stating that the standard of play was far higher in Italy.

The apparent snub has angered some LA fans, notably a hardcore that sit in the so-called LA Riot Squad section.

Throughout the first half of the game, he was subjected to jeers and obscene chants.

After the referee blew for half-time, Beckham tried to hurdle an advertising boarding and appeared to make a "come on" gesture towards fans.

In response, one man left his seat, jumped down onto the pitch and attempted to run towards Beckham.

At this point, security intervened and escorted Beckham to the changing room, while removing the fan from the pitch.

Despite the incident, Beckham returned in the second half. He was the last man to take to the pitch and hugged several of his former AC Milan teammates before gesturing towards the rowdy section.

In the 65th minute, Beckham helped set up an LA Galaxy goal. After doing so, he turned and shrugged his shoulders in the direction of those who had been jeering him.

Beckham was substituted in the 75th minute and walked off to a mixture of cheers and boos. The friendly match, watched by celebrities including Tom Cruise, Take That's Gary Barlow and actress Kate Beckinsale, ended 2-2.

Beckham said: "One of the guys was saying things that wasn't very nice. It was stepping over the line. I said, 'You need to calm down and come shake my hand,' and he jumped over."

lol at the last bit:

Beckham said: "One of the guys was saying things that wasn't very nice. It was stepping over the line. I said, 'You need to calm down and come shake my hand,' and he jumped over."

Ye I seen the video. That aint what happened!!

Its a bit silly tho. Fair enough he said he wanted to stay in Italy andthat insulted the fans, but come on like, they hardly think they're of the same standard as Italy, or spain or wherever! They'd be more along the lines of the Irish League...if even that good.

Typical case of football fans thinking they're owed more than they are, and having the right to abuse other humans jsut coz they're employed by a team they support.


Any big name player that ever goes to one of these leagues usualy stays there for a year. Its even in the MLS contracts that each team is allowed have one "exhibition" player or something like that which they can own the contract to. Becks is Galaxys exhibition player. He should try move back to europe somewhere, maybe France. I'm sure he could get a club to sign him in a top league somewhere. He hasnt had an easy career and this aint helpin him either.

Another thing too, the reason he went to play for AC Milan was coz he wanted to play for his country in the next World Cup. To do this, you need to play in a top league against top players, else you'll get rusty. He gave up his holidays to play for AC Milan while everyone else in LA Galaxy was off sunning themselves. It shows dedication and professionalism, but of course, the yanks cant see beyond their little LA Galaxy team.